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Luxe Life Blog • Archive for May 2009
Holly Madison’s weekend: Peepshow, Pure — and a wardrobe malfunction
Platinum blonde Playboy beauty Holly Madison loves Twitter, and this weekend, she was busier than ever tweeting all her jam-packed activities. It was Holly’s first full weekend in Las Vegas after moving in full time to her new home at Planet Holly-wood! I treated Holly and her friend Laura Croft to a “rich and famous” pizza at star chef Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Caesars Palace shortly after midnight this morning after we had attended the 6th Anniversary Vegas magazine party ... Read more...
Can you identify these seven beautiful women at the Palazzo?
Obviously, you recognize Playboy blonde beauty Holly Madison of The Girls Next Door sitting in the center! But do you know the others? Here are some clues: One danced with the stars this season. Another is dating a major pop star and was on MTV. One is the mother, and one is her daughter. Two others seated on the couch are reality TV stars. Vegas DeLuxe has the answers right here tomorrow, along with all the intimate and private photos ... Read more...
Exclusive: Richard Lewis talks about his hatred of magicians and himself
Richard Lewis, always dressed in his signature black, is hailed as a comic’s comic who was named by Comedy Central as one of the Top 50 stand-up comedians of all time. He made a career turning misery into comedy as one of the 20th century’s most influential humorists with his infamous phrase “the date from hell.” Richard is now in his seventh season of the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning series Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO. He and I often ... Read more...
Did Susan Boyle’s dream of winning Britain’s Got Talent come true?
First it was Adam Lambert on American Idol last week. Now add Britain’s Got Talent contestant and Internet sensation Susan Boyle to the list. At 2 p.m. Pacific Time (10 p.m. British time), TV viewer voting results were announced, and frontrunner and judges’ favorite Susan finished runner-up to dance troupe Diversity. Susan curtsied to the audience and judges and was a gracious runner-up: “The best people won. … Guys, I wish you all the best.” Click HERE for Susan’s finale ... Read more...
Monday’s Tease: Christina Aguilera helps launch jewelry collection
Coming Monday, we’re at Tao in The Venetian with pop princess Christina Aguilera as she launches her favorite jeweler’s new collection. Our contributing photographer Denise Truscello snapped the Grammy Award winner with her bearded husband, Jordan Bratman, and jewelry designer Stephen Webster at the private dinner they hosted for jewelry industry VIPs. Christina wore a black and white diamond necklace and cuff from Stephen’s Vortex Collection, as well as a white diamond and onyx ring from the Fly By Night ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Carlos Santana’s legendary guitar skills light up The Joint
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor Carlos Santana’s guitar genius and skills and his band’s pulsating and potent music were on full display during Santana’s first two performances of the celebrated band’s two-year residency at the new Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was there both nights for our fabulous photo coverage. Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits is quintessential Santana. Yes, there are the hits, including “Oye ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Stars are ready for 40th anniversary WSOP
It’s about one month before the Main Event of the World Series of Poker gets underway, but the players are already hands on with shuffled cards and dealt hands. In fact, when WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack kicked off Day 1 with Jeff Effel, the tournament’s director, and 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, there were 860 players. That will grow big time with 57 events packed into 50 days until Don Cheadle’s star-studded July 2 WSOP Ante Up for Africa charity ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Bette Midler nears 100-show milestone at The Colosseum
Superstar singer Bette Midler will celebrate her 100th performance of The Showgirl Must Go On at the Caesars Palace Colosseum on June 7, and to celebrate, the new Serendipity restaurant there is creating and naming a Divine Miss M Sundae. The ice cream concoction will be on sale for all of June at the Strip front branch of the New York dining hotspot. Simultaneously, there’ll be a champagne reception to toast to Bette’s success in the award-winning Guy Savoy restaurant ... Read more...
Stars are joining ice hockey pros for the first NHL Awards in Las Vegas
Hollywood celebrities from the worlds of movies and music will join the National Hockey League’s biggest names for a spectacular celebration of hockey at the star-studded 2009 NHL Awards here in Las Vegas, where ice is far more used to chill our drinks than for skating! The first-ever NHL Awards in Las Vegas will take place June 18 at The Pearl Concert Theater in George Maloof’s Palms. Award-winning multi-platinum recording artist Robin Thicke and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Chaka Khan will perform, ... Read more...
Jay Leno ends 17-year Tonight Show run; Strip shows are intact
This is the night when Jay Leno says a final goodnight after 17 years behind his desk on The Tonight Show, where he has ruled the ratings over David Letterman the past decade. The NBC late-night host says farewell and will be joined by one solo guest. Conan O’Brien, who becomes his time slot successor, will sit for the hour to put any Hollywood rumors to rest that the two are feuding. We’ve lost Jay on late nights, but I’m ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Flight of the Conchords show off their zany side onstage
Two New Zealand guitar-playing jokesters hit fame and fortune here in the U.S. when HBO turned their British radio show into a hit series. Thus, it was only natural that Jemaine Clemet and Bret McKenzie would take to the road — and pop up in Las Vegas. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik is an unabashed fan of the zany Flight of the Conchords series, which premiered in June 2007. Various comedians turn up as guest stars in the series, which ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Celebrities pack Jet and the Bank for nonstop partying and fun
It’s been a busy assignment keeping track of the celebrities at Jet and the Bank because there have been so many of them the past few days. Top world DJ Tiesto even hit both to twist the wheels of steel with his energetic sets and stopped by sister Bare topless pool to rev that up, too! Our contributing photographers Denise Truscello and Erik Kabik were on hand for Tiesto’s stops. Among the crowd that danced until past 3 a.m. was ... Read more...
Exclusive: Pierre Gagnaire is first culinary king at Mandarin Oriental
Another one of the world’s best chefs is headed to Las Vegas. Vegas DeLuxe has exclusively learned that French culinary king Pierre Gagnaire has landed his own 75-seat restaurant atop the Mandarin Oriental Hotel scheduled to open early December at MGM’s CityCenter. Pierre will join an impressive roster of Parisian chefs already here: Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand, Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace and Alain Ducasse at Mandalay Bay. “Vegas now has the top four chefs from France and maybe ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Toni Basil to receive 2009 Living Legends of Hip Hop Award
Our Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler’s multiple-award-winning choreographer, director, producer and performer Toni Basil will receive the 2009 Living Legends of Hip Hop Award at the 8th Annual World Hip Hop Dance Championship here at The Orleans Arena on Aug. 2. Toni has choreographed and directed commercials, TV shows, movies, music videos and world tours for such icons as David Byrne, David Bowie and Tina Turner. She has served as dance director and choreographer for Bette for more than two ... Read more...
Jon Voight and Willem Dafoe among this year’s CineVegas honorees
CineVegas will honor two actors, two directors and two video game design pioneers at this year’s festival. Jon Voight will be given the Marquee Award, recognizing his artistic excellence, professional accomplishment and dedication to cinema. Willem Dafoe will be honored with the Vanguard Actor Award, which honors the distinctive mark he has made in film through his performances. The Vanguard Director Award will be given to George and Mike Kuchar, which recognizes their distinctive vision and ability to make films ... Read more...
It’s bling for Christina Aguilera, while birthday fun continues for Jamie Kennedy
Pop princess Christina Aguilera might provide several answers to pressing showbiz questions when she hosts a jewelry party at Tao in The Venetian tomorrow night. Will Caesars Palace headliner Cher co-star with her in the new film Burlesque as her mentor who owns a Los Angeles strip club? Will Dancing With the Stars hometown heroine Julianne Hough co-star as her best girlfriend dancer? Is Christina amidst a two-month studio session recording a new album? Is her new By Night perfume ... Read more...
Summer of ’69 music festival kicks off in groovy style downtown
Our downtown Fremont Street Experience has been converted back in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of 1969, and for 108 days this summer through Labor Day weekend, there will be free nightly entertainment! It all kicked off with performances by The Guess Who and Blood Sweat & Tears. Thousands of people showed up, many in 1960s attire, for the shows that will continue every night all week long. Our Convention and Visitors Authority Chairman Rossi Ralenkotter, Fremont Street President ... Read more...
First Night Photo Gallery: Santana begins Hard Rock Hotel residency
Guitar great Carlos Santana launched his residency in Las Vegas last night with the first performance of his new show Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits. The music legend has a two-year contract of performances at The Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. The show opened with a surprise guest group of percussionists from The Lion King at Mandalay Bay, who made their way through the crowd drumming and then onto the stage, where they joined Carlos and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Celebrities and VIPs meet with Obama at Caesars Palace
A troubled world weighs heavily on the shoulders of President Obama, but even the nation’s chief executive can take time out to follow a basketball game. In fact, when he was backstage at Caesars Palace for the Sen. Harry Reid benefit Tuesday night, he not only asked three times for score updates from the nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers playoffs thriller, but he also turned away for updates on his Blackberry! Obama also talked basketball with our hometown ... Read more...
Exclusive: Suzanne Somers plans return after selling out lectures at Hilton
Most entertainment experts would say that on a hot holiday weekend, the last place people would want to be is inside a theater for an afternoon lecture about health and aging! But when actress, entertainer and best-selling author Suzanne Somers is providing secrets on “Good Health, Good Sex and How to Live to Be 100,” audiences follow every word. Suzanne’s friend Barry Manilow’s theater in the Las Vegas Hilton was packed for two consecutive days with young, old and in ... Read more...
Exclusive: Sylvester Stallone sets The Expendables premiere in Las Vegas
It’s already being buzzed about as one of the biggest and best action thriller movies in recent years, and I can confirm that Sylvester Stallone will have the world premiere of his actioner The Expendables here at Planet Hollywood. The big-budget flick stars Sly, Jet Li and Jason Statham — and even Arnold Schwarzenegger has a guest role! Other cast members include Mickey Rourke, Brittany Murphy, Steve Austin, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts and our very own Las Vegas UFC hero ... Read more...
Santana begins residency tonight and promises hits and new material
Guitar genius and music legend Carlos Santana promises that you’ll hear the hits when his Supernatural Santana — A Trip Through the Hits two-year residency begins at The Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel tonight, but he also says he’s going to take a “backflip into the unknown” and his band will just have to catch up with his impromptu material as fast as they can! Carlos has said that the first and last parts of each show will ... Read more...
It’s Strip birthdays for Jamie Kennedy, Kelly Monaco and Mindy Kaling
Playing “the name is the same” game, Jennifer Love Hewitt decided that The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage was the perfect show to take her boyfriend, Ghost Whisperer co-star Jamie Kennedy, to on their Las Vegas vacation. The actress surprised her beau with the trip as a surprise 39th birthday gift, along with a Vespa! I’m told she even made him breakfast in bed before flying here! After watching Love, where they sipped margaritas, they went ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles Photo Gallery: Liberace, Smashtime and Bullfighting
Liberace: The Musical could be headed for Broadway. The Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts, founded by the legendary showman to promote arts in future generations, will collaborate with producer/lyricist Barbara Carole Sickmen for the rights to create, produce and present the first Broadway musical based on the life and career of the Las Vegas icon. It’s the first endorsement by the foundation of any Liberace-based musical, and the creative team could include composer Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus ... Read more...
Miss America Organization sets dates for 2010 pageant at Planet Hollywood
There will be 53 contestants — one more than in past years — when the 2010 Miss America Pageant returns for the fifth consecutive year to Planet Hollywood for a week of preliminary competitions, culminating in a live, two-hour primetime TLC telecast Jan. 30. Miss America Organization President and CEO Art McMaster made the announcement in Puerto Rico as he welcomed back the Miss Puerto Rico Scholarship Program to the Miss America Pageant after a nearly 50-year absence! “We are ... Read more...
Exclusive: How about drinks after work at the Crazy Girls Cafe?
There are no ifs, ands or butts about this story: The Crazy Girls are on the move across America. Don’t misunderstand: They are still appearing in their topless show at the Riviera, but now a Crazy Girls Cafe is coming to a neighborhood near you! Producer-owner Norbert Aleman is in New Orleans today getting ready to unveil the first Crazy Girls Cafe in the French Quarter. Then he has ambitious plans set for a string of them from as nearby ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Up close with comedy king Dane Cook at The Pearl
Comedian and actor Dane Cook continued his Isolated Incident: Global Thermo Comedy Tour with three nights of stand-up at The Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms over Memorial Day weekend, and our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was front and center for this great collection. Law & Order regular Bob Kelly, who’s also featured on Comedy Central, was Dane’s opening act. The tour will hit Britain, Australia and South Africa after wrapping its American dates. Here’s a video of Dane in ... Read more...
Michael Jackson courts Cirque gymnast; Elizabeth Taylor vows to attend show
Over the past two weeks, Vegas DeLuxe has reported and shown you the video of Michael Jackson’s auditions for his upcoming London comeback shows — click HERE — and how he signed former Penthouse Club professional pole dancer Danielle Watts to his 12 principal dancer lineup. Danielle also danced in Cirque du Soleil’s sexy and topless Zumanity at New York-New York. Now comes word that Michael’s interested in signing another Cirque du Soleil dancer. The inside buzz is that Michael ... Read more...
Exclusive: Best Impressionist winner Terry Fator is at work on a TV special
Negotiations are being finalized for Terry Fator to host a new TV show direct from his theater at The Mirage. Vegas DeLuxe has learned exclusively that discussions have centered on a one-hour special to “test the waters with the concept” and to “gauge ratings response.” If all goes well, it will be rolled out as a weekly series for next year. Terry, who was the first $1million winner of NBC’s America’s Got Talent in the series’ second season, has been ... Read more...
Obama to attend Harry Reid fundraiser at Caesars Palace amid tight security
President Barack Obama will receive a glittering showbiz welcome to Caesars Palace tonight amid unprecedented Secret Service security, and it’s not because he faces a hailstorm of criticism from Nevada politicos! Strip entertainers Bette Midler and Rita Rudner will be joined by singer Sheryl Crow to welcome Obama onstage at The Colosseum for a concert to raise funds for Sen. Harry Reid’s re-election campaign. The Silver State politicians are waiting for the president to set the record straight about tourism ... Read more...
The Palms and Palms Place are celebrity central over Memorial Day weekend
At first glance, it looked as if there were more celebrities staying at the Palms this Memorial Day weekend than there were regular guests! Hollywood practically emptied out and traveled to George Maloof’s casino resorts. Nicole Ritchie, Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden and baby Harlow stayed in a two-bedroom suite at Palms Place and enjoyed brunch with Iron Chef Kerry Simon at his restaurant. Nicole relaxed with a Mellow Mama pre-natal massage for expectant mothers in the Drift Spa, while Joel ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: It’s a boy for volleyball couple Casey Jennings and Kerri Walsh
Congratulations to hometown hero Casey Jennings, who started his pro volleyball career here on the concrete playgrounds of Las Vegas, and his wife, Olympic volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh, on the birth of Joseph Michael Jennings. The couple’s first boy arrived over Memorial Day weekend at an L.A. hospital weighing in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces. Casey, the youngest of five brothers, was born here and married Kerry in Palm Springs before Christmas 2005. Kerri still wears the ring Casey ... Read more...
Star Surveillance Photo Gallery: Testosterone takes over the town
Rapper Nelly showed up just past midnight at Tao in The Venetian with a small entourage and a craving for Asian food. The chefs reopened the closed kitchen and whipped up kung pao chicken and sea bass satay, which they washed down with the three P’s: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and Patron! Then Nelly drove the Tao-Lavo Cadillac Esplanade golf cart over to the adjoining Palazzo for a table on the Lavo dance floor. DJ Vice played “Vegas Baby,” the ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Holly Madison reunites with Kendra Wilkinson at MGM
In another 30 days, The Girls Next Door star Kendra Wilkinson will marry fiance Hank Baskett of the Philadelphia Eagles at former boyfriend Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion. All bets are on Hef either walking Kendra down the aisle or officially giving her away June 27. The couple was in Las Vegas this Memorial Day weekend for a pre-honeymoon-style vacation and hosted a sizzling party at Wet Republic in MGM Grand. Co-star Holly Madison even dropped by to help celebrate the ... Read more...
Strip celebrities share their fondest memories of the late Danny Gans
In the rush of the four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend, there was limited time to go through all my notes from the stars I talked with at the Danny Gans tribute service last week. You can click HERE for our video coverage, but I wanted to share some of the fondest thoughts here on Vegas DeLuxe: Gerry McCambridge: “My fondest memory of Danny is when I saw him perform many years ago. I was here and looking for a balance ... Read more...
Beacher’s Madhouse madness is back with fall debut on the Strip
Showman Jeff Beacher is coming home with his Madhouse Costume Ball after a string of successful cross-country tour dates, and he’s getting a new 1,200-seat theater at The Mirage starting Oct. 3. Jeff told me when I spoke with him from Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J., where he was appearing over Memorial Day weekend: “It will be the first time on the Strip, and we’ll be throwing the party every month after October. At the same time, I’ve ... Read more...
Cheryl Burke salsas on the Strip for her 25th birthday
Two-time Dancing With the Stars winner Cheryl Burke, who finished runner-up with her Sex and the City celebrity partner Gilles Marini on last week’s Season 8 finale, flew to Las Vegas hours after a quick cross-country promo tour to celebrate her 25th birthday. On her round-trip New York City visit, Cheryl hit Tao in the Big Apple, and the next night hit its Vegas outpost with her boyfriend, model Max Zagorski. She spent the following day playing kissy, kissy and ... Read more...
Susan Boyle says she’s appearing at the Flamingo with Donny & Marie
Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond might be teaming up with British singing sensation Susan Boyle, and today she’s told Britain’s Daily Mirror tabloid that he’s invited her to the Strip and that she’s accepted and plans to be here next month. Susan, who is now in the semifinals of Britain’s Got Talent, admitted that she used to sing Donny Osmond songs in her bedroom as a teenager to practice her singing skills. The 47-year-old never-been-kissed and unmarried Scottish lady won over ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Peter Max, Santana, UFC and Memorial Day weekend calendar
Artist Peter Max flies into Las Vegas this Memorial Day weekend not only to unveil an exhibition of his newest art, but also to install a veterans exhibit at the Peter Max Gallery in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. My longtime friend Peter will be at his gallery from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday to present an original painting and unveil a fundraising initiative to benefit Help USA Las Vegas. Maria Cuomo Cole, who is the chairwoman of the ... Read more...
Videos: Laughter among tears as crowd says last goodbye to Danny Gans
Donny Osmond said that he choked up and teared up. It was the last goodbye to Strip entertainer Danny Gans at the Encore Theater, where he had started a new run of shows just three months ago. The singer and impressionist died May 1, and Strip entertainers yesterday paid tribute at the “Celebration of Life” memorial service. Donny was with his sister Marie, and other attendees included Siegfried & Roy, Rita Rudner, Criss Angel, Carrot Top, Clint Holmes and his ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Criss Angel meets Criss Angel — ‘it’s the ultimate mindfreak!’
You couldn’t tell the difference with the bling! The hairstyles were identical. The pose and the bulging biceps were a match! Even the tattoo was a perfect re-creation of his own. Mindfreak magician Criss Angel was almost speechless when he stared at the new double of himself when it was unveiled yesterday afternoon at Madame Tussauds in The Venetian. The wax figure stands with arms outstretched atop a pyramid of light to re-create a smaller version of his levitation and ... Read more...
Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida are set to battle in UFC 98 at MGM Grand
Injuries caused the postponement of the UFC battle between local hero Frank Mir and giant former wrestler Brock Lesnar scheduled for this Memorial Day weekend. Instead, there’ll be just as striking a showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the most talent-rich weight class of all mixed martial arts where every bout becomes a super-fight. Never beaten current champion “Sugar” Rashad Evans will defend his crown for the first time against fellow unbeaten Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida in the ... Read more...
Vince Neil enjoys honeymoon-style break and starts a business pre-Russia
Motley Crue rocker Vince Neil decided on a “staycation” as his brief break from touring, and instead of heading to his Las Vegas home, he treated wife Lia to a honeymoon-style mini-vacation at Steve Wynn’s Encore! I was at their January 2005 wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel here performed by Surreal Life star and rapper MC Hammer. I caught up with Vince shortly after he returned to town from a concert in Columbus, Ohio, as part of Motley Crue’s ... Read more...
Stars galore invade the Strip for Memorial Day weekend fun
It’s a full head-on invasion of Hollywood celebrities this four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend, and no matter where you turn, there will be VIPs to entertain and amuse. You’ll get the full Royal Robin Rundown in a separate day-by-day posting, but because there are so many personalities on parade here, I wanted to pick out some highlights: Comedians Cheech & Chong, Lewis Black, Joe Rogan and Dane Cook will be serving up the laughter; The Beach Boys, Smokey Robinson, Taylor ... Read more...
Exclusive: Suzanne Somers on the secrets to great sex and living to be 100
Sexy actress Suzanne Somers believes she’ll live to be 100 and go on enjoying a renewed sex life for a long time to come. I know they say it’s impolite to ask a woman her age, but the anti-aging advocate freely admits she’s 62 — and her husband, Alan Hamel, thinks she looks like she’s in her early 40s. Hard to believe that nine years ago, Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the former Las Vegas headliner reveals that ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel is now The Rogue Joint
Executives at the Hard Rock Hotel have decided to rename their brand new The Joint as The Rogue Joint! It’s part of a branding and co-marketing deal with Relativity Media, who owns Rogue Pictures, which has specialized in horror movies including The Unborn and Last House on the Left. Relativity has financed or produced more than 60 movies that have racked up $7.4 billion in worldwide box office revenue. Fifty of those have been Top 10 box office releases within ... Read more...
Excitement begins for Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s return to the boxing ring
This is a heads-up for what might well turn out to be the biggest boxing event of the summer and sets up the ultimate clash. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. fight against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. High-priced ducats will sell for $750 and $1,000 for the July 18 event, but tickets start at $150. Move fast tomorrow morning because they’re predicting a sell-out, and that means ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: In the front row at the Styx and .38 Special concert
It was a double-header of rock excitement at our Thomas & Mack Center with two blasts from the past. Instead of Cher, Tommy Shaw and James Young turned back time to play the memorable string of hits by Styx — “Come Sail Away,” “Mr. Roboto,” “Lady” and “Renegade,” among others, and our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was up close from the front row for this exciting photo collection. He also shot Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant as .38 Special ... Read more...
Like, OMG, The Cheetah Girls’ Kiely and Sabrina are big Criss Angel fans!
The Cheetah Girls’ Kiely Williams and Sabrina Bryan were mobbed by adoring fans when they turned up at the Criss Angel Cirque du Soleil show Believe at the Luxor last night. The Disney movie stars posed for photos with fans and then with their girlfriends and Kiely’s boyfriend ordered vodka sodas for the show. Kiely and Sabrina led the loud cheering squad for Criss as he performed the illusions. After the show, they met the Mindfreak star and told him ... Read more...
Wolfgang Puck offers locals discounts and expands into downtown L.A.
Star chef Wolfgang Puck has had great success with his Bar & Grill in the MGM Grand here, and now he’s opening a spin-off branch at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. The MGM restaurant was opened in 2004, and Wolf didn’t expand from the one location until now. The new 8,000-square-foot Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill will be located near the Grammy Museum and Staples Center. “Over the past two years, we’ve opened numerous restaurants across ... Read more...
Criss Angel unveils his wax figure at Madame Tussauds
Updated 2:44 p.m.: Two photos from the unveiling at Madame Tussauds. Youngsters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation that Mindfreak magician Criss Angel quietly supports year-round will be his guests this early afternoon when his wax figure is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in The Venetian. They also will be his guests tonight for his performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Believe at the Luxor. Criss’s induction into the museum coincides with the 10th anniversary of Madame Tussauds at The Venetian. Criss, who will ... Read more...
Celebrities and VIPs to pay tribute to Danny Gans at memorial service today
Although today’s memorial service for entertainer Danny Gans is described as a celebration of his life, there will still be a sadness that fills the air. There is still a sense of disbelief that the 52-year-old singer and impressionist who began a new headline run at Steve Wynn’s Encore Theater just four months ago is gone. Paramedics were called to his Henderson home at 3:45 a.m. May 1 after his wife of 28 years, Julie, said that he’d stopped breathing ... Read more...
Natalie Cole undergoes kidney transplant and cancels concert at M Resort
Singer Natalie Cole underwent a kidney transplant in Los Angeles yesterday and as a result has canceled her weekend performance here. Natalie was due to appear Saturday at The M Resort as the first entertainer of the summer season. Doctors have advised Natalie to postpone her summer tour dates while she recuperates over the next several months. Anybody who has purchased tickets for the show will be able to obtain a full refund at point of purchase. “We wish her ... Read more...
Exclusive: Barry Manilow discusses fan club concert and Hilton plans
Recording superstar and Hilton headliner Barry Manilow says he faces two dilemmas, and he might not solve the more pressing one until he walks onstage this weekend. From Friday through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, Barry plays host to the annual International Barry Manilow Fan Club Convention at the Hilton. Thousands of fans are traveling here from across the U.S. and Canada and as far away as Britain and Australia. Barry knows they will be here to listen to his ... Read more...
Michael Jackson delays London concert premiere and changes show dates
King of Pop Michael Jackson and his creative collaborator and directing partner Kenny Ortega have postponed and shuffled the opening and other concerts of the 50-show run planned at London’s 02 Arena. The opening date of July 8 has now been pushed back to July 13. Subsequent shows planned for July 10 will switch to March 1, July 12’s concert will shift to March 3, and the show planned for July 14 will be moved to March 6. “Due to ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Carmen Electra offers a ‘Lesson in Eroticism’ at MGM Grand
We’re learning more about just exactly what pint-sized provocative princess Carmen Electra will power and purr through during her upcoming performances in Crazy Horse Paris at the MGM Grand starting July 8. Click HERE for our exclusive story yesterday. Carmen will appear in one topless number with the entire Crazy Horse Paris lineup of beautiful dancers titled “Etoile de Paris,” and then she’ll have two solo numbers, of which one is a “Lesson in Eroticism” and the other a greasy, ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Shawn Johnson wins DWTS trophy by narrow margin
At just 17 years old, Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Shawn Johnson has become the youngest winner of Dancing With the Stars, and for her professional dance partner Mark Ballas, it became his second win in the eight seasons of the top-rated ABC show. A record vote by TV viewers brought Shawn and Mark less than 1 percent ahead of the runners-up Gilles Marini and his partner Cheryl Burke, who will be at Lavo in the Palazzo on Friday celebrating ... Read more...
100 MMA fighters to battle in Tuff-N-Uff event at Orleans Arena
More than 100 mixed martial arts fighters from 14 states are registered to fight in the Tuff-N-Uff Open Invitational at The Orleans Arena on May 30, positioning it to be one of the largest amateur MMA events in the world. Men and women will be going into the ring, including Christy Tada and Las Vegas beauty and former Playboy centerfold Latasha Marzolla. It’s an all-day and all-night event and will include fighters from Mexico. “We are excited to bring an ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Summer’s here at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was one of the first media members to get access to the amazing new summertime display at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. The timeless tribute to summer comes complete with colorful cold-air balloons, a spectacular 42-foot-tall Ferris wheel crafted entirely of flowers and patriotic displays of the Stars and Stripes. The new glass aviary is filled with vividly plumed lorikeets and parakeets, and there’s even a male bear and his cub clad in fishing ... Read more...
Miss America 2009 Katie Stam visits U.S. soldiers stationed overseas
Back in January, young Seymour, Ind., resident Katie Stam won the Miss America 2009 title at Planet Hollywood here on the Strip. She admitted at the time that it was her first out-of-state trip. Now our ambassador of America is on a one-year whirlwind journey to every state — and even, for the first time in 30 years, overseas. Katie, now 22, traveled to Germany to visit the U.S. troops and their families and met up with Col. Kevin McAleese, ... Read more...
Cher to celebrate 63rd birthday onstage tonight at Caesars Palace
Happy Birthday and greetings from all of our Vegas DeLuxe readers to superstar singer Cher as she celebrates her 63rd birthday onstage tonight during her Caesars Palace concert at The Colosseum. The legendary diva has maintained a low-key presence here in Las Vegas during her resident concert run and hasn’t been spotted at our Strip nightclubs. She has been seen a few times at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in the nearby Forum Shops at Caesars. Cher, however, did stun a Mandalay ... Read more...
And the winner of Dancing With the Stars Season 8 is …
It’s taken 11 weeks, and now in a two-hour, nerve-tingling showdown, it’s the finals of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars Season 8. It’s the last showdown between Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Shawn Johnson, rejected The Bachelor star Melissa Rycroft and Sex and the City heartthrob Gilles Marini, and when it comes time to dance for the final time, all score a perfect 30! So that doesn’t provide a forecast of how the contest will end! Don’t read any ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Santana among performers on American Idol finale
When American Idol finalists Kris Allen and Adam Lambert battle it out to claim glory tonight and tomorrow on the Fox mega-hit, there will be an all-star cast of music legends performing, among them our new resident Joint headliner Carlos Santana. Adam, a 27-year-old theater actor from San Diego, will go up against 23-year-old Arkansas college student Kris in the bid to win the title and a record contract (although in recent years, the runners-up also have received recording contracts). ... Read more...
Video: Michael Jackson in ‘perfect health’ for concerts and slams cancer reports
King of Pop Michael Jackson is in “perfect health” and “right on target” with his busy schedule of rehearsals for the 50-date concert run at London’s 02 Arena beginning July 8. That was the word last night shortly after Vegas Deluxe posted new photos and video of Michael in a behind-the-scenes report of his rehearsals: Click HERE for our story, photos and videos. Michael and AEG Live President Randy Phillips, who is promoting the shows in the British capital, slammed ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Barry Manilow and Mark Cuban among Clio Award recipients
It took 33 years, but Hilton headliner Barry Manilow finally picked up his 1976 gold statue Clio Awards when Madison Avenue’s top ad executives came to Las Vegas for their annual Clio ceremony held this year in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Barry won his statues back then, before he found stardom with Bette Midler, for Band-Aid and State Farm commercials. The ad agency had never listed him on the credits, although the Clio organization put them safely ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: DWTS winner all set for Las Vegas celebration?
Barring a last-minute upset of erratic TV viewer voting, it looks a certain bet that hot and handsome hunk Gilles Marini and dance partner Cheryl Burke, despite a judges’ scoring tie last night, will win the mirrored disco ball trophy on tonight’s Season 8 finale of Dancing With the Stars. The moment Cheryl wraps all the post-show press and multimedia interviews, she will head here Thursday night to celebrate. As promised, here are the official ABC photos of the three ... Read more...
YouTube Video: Hans Klok performs illusion after illusion in five minutes
Former Planet Hollywood headliner Hans Klok, who starred with Pamela Anderson as his magician’s assistant in The Beauty of Magic spectacular, was challenged by a Dutch TV show to perform as many illusions as possible in just five minutes. Watch the YouTube clip as he and his Divas of Magic go to work, and count the incredible number of tricks he pulls off in just 300 seconds. It’s a breathtaking challenge! On his last visit to Las Vegas and after ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: The Hangover stars donate $10,000 to Opportunity Village
When the stars of the new film The Hangover shot their location scenes in and near Caesars Palace, they promised to return for the press promotion. They also wanted to do something special for our beloved local charity Opportunity Village, and our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on hand to capture the action. True to their word, the cast led by director Todd Phillips organized a celebrity poker tournament to benefit Opportunity Village. Taking part were actress Heather Graham and ... Read more...
It’s two final dances for the last three couples on Dancing With the Stars
It’s called the “Paso Punch-out,” where one dance couple follows the other in rotation in a longer version of the same song. And that’s exactly what Melissa Rycroft, Shawn Johnson and Gilles Marini had to do with their first paso doble challenge of the night. It permits the three judges to make perfect comparisons of style, flow, footwork and choreography as the stars dance alongside one another with the same music. The three contenders for the crown also each had ... Read more...
Videos: Michael Jackson selects 12 dancers for concerts from 5,000 applicants
King of Pop Michael Jackson received more than 5,000 applications from dancers across the world to appear with him in his This Is It 50-concert run starting July 8 at London’s 02 Arena. Michael narrowed down the number to 500 and flew them to California from Las Vegas, all across America and as far away as Canada, Europe, Australia and South America. My source told me: “These are some of the greatest dancers the world has to offer, and they ... Read more...
Exclusive: Carmen Electra is confirmed for Crazy Horse Paris at MGM
Less than 48 hours after Vegas DeLuxe first reported the rumors that sexy actress and model Carmen Electra was headed to the topless burlesque revue Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand, I can now confirm that the official announcement will be made within hours this afternoon — exactly as we predicted! (Click HERE for our Saturday morning exclusive.) The striptease wars on the Strip are now definitely heating up! Crazy Horse Paris officials have just confirmed to me that Carmen ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: The Divine Miss M offers career advice to Britney Spears
Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler has urged pop star Britney Spears to follow in her footsteps! In an interview on NewYorkPost.com’s Popwrap, Bette says she’s convinced that Britney has what it takes to headline her own Las Vegas residency, provided she avoids all the party temptations Vegas offers. Says Bette: “Don’t drink. Keep your body up. Do vocal warm-ups every day. Be happy to see the people. They’re not a burden. They’re happy to see you, so be happy to ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Tiger Jam 12 boasts stars and Phil Ivey’s $200,000 in bids
Golf great Tiger Woods won an all-star turnout for his 12th Annual Tiger Jam charity event with P.Diddy, No Doubt, Gabrielle Union and sports stars Alonzo Mourning, Ben Roethlisberger, Dwyane Wade, Marcus Allen, Adrian Peterson, Natalie Gulbis and the legendary Fred Couples adding to the excitement at Mandalay Bay. Fred and Tiger gave a brush-up golf session for the VIPs at our Cascada golf course the day before. But it was poker pro Phil Ivey who played the winning hand, ... Read more...
Mel B adds items to her charity auction Web site and is enjoying Las Vegas life
Our sexy Peepshow star Mel B has just added a slew of personal items to her charity auction Web site that raises funds for Children’s Hospital and Meals on Wheels. Go to www.melaniebrown.com and check out everything from a zebra-striped Michael Kors trench coat that Victoria Beckham gave her to a one-piece, strappy, leopard Brazilian swimsuit to a pink leopard two-piece bikini to Mel’s own platform boots, snakeskin lace-up boots and Dolce & Gabbana leopard-heeled shoes. She’s also put up ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: P.Diddy loves Las Vegas — and might extend stay
Hip-hop mogul, actor, singer and producer P.Diddy has had such a great time in Las Vegas the past two weeks, he’s torn about going back to Miami for Memorial Day or staying here! Sean Combs has been filming his new movie Get Him to the Greek with co-stars Jonah Hill and Russell Brand, and they even recruited Luxor comedy headliner Carrot Top to join in some scenes. During the visit, P.Diddy took cast, crew and security staff members to Spearmint ... Read more...
Las Vegas contingent reunites for DWTS as stage is set for final showdown
It’s the final two nights of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars, and unfortunately all the dancers with a Las Vegas connection have been eliminated in this Season 8. It’s all come down to the final three duos: Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani, Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas and Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke. Melissa, who found overnight TV stardom after being rejected on The Bachelor’s 13th season, had one perfect score of 30 during this season, with the samba, ... Read more...
Exclusive: Holly Madison prepares for Las Vegas move and Peepshow role
Blonde Playboy beauty Holly Madison is on cloud nine now that she’s signed the contracts to take over for Kelly Monaco in the Planet Hollywood adult cabaret Peepshow on June 22. On a break from dance rehearsals over the weekend in Hollywood for her return to the final shows of Season 8’s Dancing With the Stars, she told me, “I’d always wanted to do a burlesque show in Las Vegas, so this really is a dream come true of becoming ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Reunited No Doubt kicks off summer tour at Tiger Jam 12
For the first time in five years, superstar singer Gwen Stefani has reunited with her band No Doubt, and last night the group kicked off a new summer tour as headliners of the Tiger Jam 12 charity even presented by golf great Tiger Woods. It was a night of triumph at the Mandalay Bay Events Center for Gwen, who had been rehearsing with her Anaheim, Calif.-based band all week in Las Vegas. She was in fine form, taking control of ... Read more...
Rumors run rampant that Carmen Electra is joining Crazy Horse Paris
Less than 24 hours after Planet Hollywood executives confirmed that Playboy beauty Holly Madison will go topless in their hit burlesque cabaret Peepshow starting June 22, Vegas Deluxe has learned that rumors are buzzing that Carmen Electra will join Crazy Horse Paris at the MGM Grand for a July guest run. “It’s a definite counterpunch,” one of my reliable sources told me. “Expect an official announcement early in the week.” Carmen, coincidentally, made a guest appearance on this season’s Dancing ... Read more...
Exclusive Photo Gallery: Praise is unanimous at The Lion King premiere
The raves were unanimous from first-nighters at the premiere of Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay last night. “Genius, pure genius,” music arranging and producing legend Quincy Jones told me. “It’s my 15th time seeing this show, and this one was the best!” “A home run,” said Mandalay Bay President Bill Hornbuckle, who had tried for 12 years to get the stage production to the Strip. He confirmed to me that in a special salute to Kissy Simmons, who ... Read more...
Exclusive: Holly Madison signs Peepshow contract at ‘Planet Holly’
The I’s have been dotted and the T’s have been crossed: Holly Madison is officially the next celebrity star in the new hit topless adult burlesque cabaret Peepshow, replacing General Hospital’s Kelly Monaco and confirming our initial report late Wednesday of rumors — click HERE for that story. “I’m really thrilled to be a part of Peepshow. It’s always been my dream to be a part of a classy burlesque,” the Playboy and The Girls Next Door blonde beauty told ... Read more...
TLK Interviews: Buyi Zama and Clifton Oliver; hit musical premieres
We’re now just hours away from curtain up of the glittering Las Vegas premiere of The Lion King at Mandalay Bay, and we have our final two cast interviews with Buyi Zama (Rafiki) and Clifton Oliver (Simba). I asked both of them separately to try and explain the magic of the amazing, award-winning Disney show. Here are our conversations: Robin Leach: What is the magic from inside the show as an actress? Buyi Zama: I ask myself that question often, ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: 50 Cent to work with Bette Midler on jazz album
Rapper 50 Cent, who is starring in a movie remake of the 1886 book Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is set to team up with our Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler on a new jazz album! 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, will co-star in the film with Forest Whitaker, which will start shooting late summer, according to Daily Variety. Producer Luc Roeg says: “The combination of such formidable talent will turn this wonderful gothic story into a modern classic ... Read more...
Mike Tyson docu-drama Tyson is a weekend contender
A year ago, it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won raves for its brutal honesty and candor. Now Tyson, a documentary look at the troubled world of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, is getting its theatrical release. The movie starring our Las Vegas sports figure opens today. Click HERE for our Las Vegas Weekly colleagues’ take on Tyson, and you can view the trailer at www.tyson-film.com. It is a warts-and-all portrait of an ultimate sports legend who went ... Read more...
Poker pro wins World Series of Golf and $300,000 top prize
Poker professional Jody Garaventa topped a sell-out field of 125 amateur golfers from across the globe to win the 3rd Annual FullTiltPoker.Net World Series of Golf and $300,000! The 33-year-old from Raleigh, N.C., outlasted players from 100 cities, 31 states and six countries to capture the title at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. “I’ve played in a lot of high-stakes poker games, but this was a whole different kind of pressure,” Jody said. “There were a lot of times ... Read more...
George Clooney, P.Diddy and Russell Brand shoot films on the Strip
Location filming on the Strip this week nearly caused even more traffic jams! George Clooney is starring in the Paramount film Up in the Air, and the handsome Oscar winner shot scenes at McCarran Airport, in front of Bally’s and at a motel near Mandalay Bay on the final night of shooting. All the filming was wrapped in total secrecy, and professional blockers were hired to keep people from taking photos. Filming ended last night, and George and director Jason ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: A salute to NBA coaching great Chuck Daly
NBA coach Chuck Daly was all around Las Vegas last July when he helped the U.S. men’s basketball team prepare for the Summer Olympics in Beijing (as you’ll recall, the U.S. team easily won gold). When Chuck died at age 78 from pancreatic cancer May 9, our contributing photographer Tom Donohue looked through his files so we could honor him with a Vegas DeLuxe photo gallery. Chuck coached the Dream Team to an Olympic gold medal in 1992 after winning ... Read more...
Tiger Woods brings No Doubt to headline his 12th Tiger Jam charity event
Golf superstar Tiger Woods hosts his 12th Annual Tiger Jam charity dinner, auction and concert at Mandalay Bay Events Center tomorrow, and for the first time in five years, No Doubt kicks off their new tour. It’s all to raise funds and awareness for Tiger’s Foundation and select Las Vegas charities. The weekend starts with a VIP reception, which I’ve been invited to attend, and, after Tiger welcomes guests, is followed by an incredible dinner and live auction. Everybody will ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Holly Madison’s bikini parade and new home in ‘Planet Holly’
It’s official! Thanks to Playboy star Holly Madison leading a parade of bikini-clad beauties, Las Vegas now holds the Guinness World Record for the largest such gathering! There’s even more Holly news to add to our report yesterday about her being tipped to join the Peepshow cast at Planet Hollywood: Holly is moving full time to our city! To be honest, there was no category in the Guinness Book of World Records, so the win is definitely ours because it ... Read more...
TLK Interview: Musical is Bill Hornbuckle’s 12-year dream come true
Mandalay Bay President Bill Hornbuckle gave the green light for the new, multi-million-dollar musical The Lion King that premieres tomorrow night at his resort casino. He first tried to get Disney Theatrical to stage it here 12 years ago when he was across the strip at MGM Grand. Disney wasn’t really interested in Las Vegas having the show back then, but times have changed, and over the years, Bill continued to push Disney to bring The Lion King to Sin ... Read more...
TLK Interview: Kissy Simmons reveals dreams and hopes for musical’s success
Vegas DeLuxe has already told you the amazing story of how Kissy Simmons took her family’s $600 in life savings and flew from her one-traffic-light town in Florida to New York to try out for a Disney show on Broadway — click HERE for that story. Instead of landing a role in Aida, she was plucked from the line where she was No. 52 and cast as Nala in the original The Lion King in New York. Now the former ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles Photo Galleries: Criss Angel, USS Enterprise and Charlie Trotter
There’s no official word yet, but I have confirmed that Mindfreak magician Criss Angel will get his own wax double next Thursday at Madame Tussauds in The Venetian. Criss, who stars in Believe for Cirque du Soleil at the Luxor, will attend the unveiling. Advance photos of the illusionist make it almost impossible to tell the difference between the real magician and his double! Criss sat for more than 300 photos taken of him during a full afternoon photo session ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: For Bobby Flay, it doesn’t get much better than ‘a great burger’
Celebrity star chef Bobby Flay knows well the subtleties of different caviars from the Caspian Sea and even the textures and tastes of a turbot from Tasmania. In fact, Bobby, who has nine cookbooks to his credit and five restaurants on the East Coast and one here at Caesars Palace, knows everything there is to know about great cuisines. But ask him what he would eat above all else after a hard day’s night behind the grill, and like many ... Read more...
Hilton headliner Barry Manilow to receive prestigious advertising award
For the first time, the advertising world of Madison Avenue moves to Las Vegas for its prestigious Clio Awards, and Hilton headliner Barry Manilow will be honored tonight with the highest recognition of a Lifetime Achievement Award. The singer, pianist and record producer created and composed numerous hit jingles for various products over the years. He’s best remembered for the McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today” campaign, but also chalked up successes for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pepsi. He won ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Is Holly Madison next up in Peepshow? Plus, Holly in bikinis
The Girls Next Door reality star Holly Madison is being heavily tipped as the replacement star for the adult, topless, burlesque cabaret Peepshow at Planet Hollywood when the three-month contract with General Hospital star Kelly Monaco comes to an end. The buzz on all fronts is increasing, even though no official announcement has been made about a signed contract. As Vegas DeLuxe first reported Tuesday, the principals and the dancers have now shed their pasties and are truly topless — ... Read more...
TLK Interview: New car owner Alton White is loving Las Vegas
For the third time, actor Alton White is taking on the challenge of the role of Mufasa, this time in Mandalay Bay’s production of The Lion King, which has its official premiere Friday night. After a near lifetime on Broadway, Alton has moved to Las Vegas and bought a car for the first time! Not only does he love The Lion King story, but he also loves his new Vegas home. In the quiet, near-empty theater after a cast rehearsal, ... Read more...
Exclusive, Part 2: Jon Voight leads all-star parade for 11th Annual CineVegas
Part 2 of our exclusive one-on-one interview with CineVegas Film Festival director Trevor Groth continues today. Click HERE for Part 1 that we posted yesterday. I asked Trevor the status of the stars for this year’s June 10-15 festival. Robin Leach: Now, some of the stars you have coming in, does it show you that they are giving you better support than they did in the past? Trevor Groth: We’ve had great support in the past. I feel very fortunate ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Happy Birthday and 1st Anniversary to Nathan Burton
Congratulations to Flamingo headliner Nathan Burton, who celebrated his birthday in tandem with the 1st anniversary of his magic show there. To celebrate, Nathan added a new illusion to his show where he made a custom chopper appear, and before vanishing it in mid-air, he levitated it. He had Flamingo President Don Marrandino onstage to stand underneath the motorcycle as it levitated! *Onscreen in Star Trek as the evil Romulan captain’s henchman, actor Clifton Collins Jr. is one scary-looking dude! ... Read more...
DWTS finals are set as Ty Murray and Chelsie Hightower get the boot
Finally it was the last dance for King of the Cowboys Ty Murray and his Las Vegas-based partner Chelsie Hightower. After 12 weeks of Season 8 of Dancing With the Stars — and despite numerous saves from elimination by erratic and unexpected viewer voting — they were given the boot. Now the stage is set for Monday’s finals, and although it could be anybody’s win, we predict the mirrored disco ball trophy will go to Sex and the City hunk ... Read more...
Don Cheadle lines up celebrities for World Series of Poker charity kickoff
How often do you get to rub elbows — literally — with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and sports and be on a national ESPN show while doing it? Actor Don Cheadle’s 2009 Ante Up for Africa Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament gives you that opportunity. It starts July 2 at The Rio the night before the World Series of Poker. Among those scheduled to participate with Don are Matt Damon, Jason Alexander, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Montel Williams, ... Read more...
Smokey Robinson’s entertainment surprise brings new headliners to the Strip
Updated: 10:23 a.m. Smokey Robinson has just announced that he will present Australia’s vocal group Human Nature in The Ultimate Celebration of Motown. Smokey has signed a one-year deal for the Down Under boys to headline at the remodeled 653-seat showroom at the Imperial Palace starting May 23. The group features the distinctive, dynamic harmonies of members Toby Allen, Phil Burton, Andrew Tierney and Michael Tierney as they perform Motown’s greatest hits. “I was so impressed with the group when ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Can you devour 26 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes?
The clock was set to tick down for 10 minutes. The competitors, all major league eaters, had a simple but messy task: Eat as many hot dogs in that time span as possible without having heartburn or other consequences. It was the 12th Annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship qualifying round at New York-New York. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was up close for this extraordinary set of photos, and apologies if they make your own stomach a little ... Read more...
Criss Angel to dice with death again in new Mindfreak stunts
Illusionist Criss Angel will produce five of the greatest stunts imaginable in magic for his fifth season of A&E’s Mindfreak. Criss will juggle his schedule of Cirque du Soleil’s Believe at the Luxor to pull off the new season of TV shows. Vegas DeLuxe has learned that one of the five mind-blowing tricks will be a large-scale levitation of dozens of people, and it will be filmed here in Las Vegas! But it’s one of the other stunts that has ... Read more...
Who’s gone on Dancing With the Stars: Gilles, Melissa, Shawn or Ty?
The long journey for one celebrity couple finally ended on the semifinals of Dancing With the Stars tonight. Don’t read any further if you plan on watching the tape-delayed West Coast broadcast of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and want nothing spoiled beforehand! But come back after the show to compare notes! Julianne Hough and Lacey Schwimmer returned to tonight’s results show to dance a swing number for Macy’s Stars of Dance segment with Derek Hough, who was shockingly eliminated ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: The Lion King roars into Mandalay Bay
The Circle of Life will be complete again at Friday night’s star-studded premiere of The Lion King at Mandalay Bay. Siegfried & Roy will lead a contingent of Las Vegas celebrities to welcome musical genius Tim Rice, director and creator Julie Taymor and Thomas Schumacher, head of Disney Theatrical. Contributing photographer Tom Donoghue joined me yesterday for an afternoon with the cast and crew of the amazing show, and each day now through Friday’s premiere, we will bring you our ... Read more...
Exclusive, Part 1: CineVegas director Trevor Groth reveals a few secrets
Before CineVegas director Trevor Groth jetted off to the Cannes Film Festival to talk up our CineVegas Film Festival, I asked him to give Vegas Deluxe an advance look at this year’s 11th annual event. There’s a major change this year in that it will only run six days instead of more than double that. Mark your calendars now for CineVegas 2009 from June 10-15 at the Brenden Theaters in the Palms. Trevor told me: “I am very excited about ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Vanessa Minnillo turns up solo for Malin Akerman’s birthday
Guests at actress Malin Akerman’s 30th birthday party wondered if Nick Lachey’s romance with former MTV deejay Vanessa Minnillo is kaput after she turned up solo for the celebration. Vanessa joined Malin and her husband at Strip House in Planet Hollywood. Malin, the April Maxim cover girl who starred in Watchmen and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, then led the group into Prive for more than three hours of partying. Vanessa, who stuck to Vodka tonics, went into ... Read more...
Singers and comedians are heading to Las Vegas for a star-packed summer
Newlyweds Jay-Z and Beyonce are set for Las Vegas concerts this summer, but on different dates, and the hip-hop mogul will even have a different female recording star on stage with him! Oh, the complexities of showbiz! It looks to be a star-packed summer, and the list of big celebrity names keeps growing. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, with special guest Ciara will have back-to-back shows July 3 and 4 at George Maloof’s Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms. They ... Read more...
DWTS Photo Gallery: Is Julianne Hough adding acting to her resume?
Producers of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars have no idea if viewer voting on tonight’s results show will contradict scoring by the three judges. Here are the official ABC photos from last night’s broadcast. Our Las Vegas hometown beauty Chelsie Hightower is at the bottom of the final four with cowboy king Ty Murray with 48 out of a possible 60 points. However, every week viewer votes have saved them from elimination, so all eyes will be on the ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Siegfried & Roy celebrate their tiger cubs’ 1st birthdays
One year already! That was the natural reaction to Siegfried & Roy’s invitation to celebrate their new tiger cubs’ first birthdays this morning at the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. Here are the Vegas DeLuxe photos from 12 months ago when Star, Celestial, Chakra, Cosmo and Svengali were born, and here are their 1st birthday photos from our contributing photographers Scott Harrison and Denise Truscello. They weighed just 2 pounds apiece and were cuddly handfuls of mischievous ... Read more...
Obama’s Good Fight in Las Vegas includes superstar lineup
Back in February, President Barack Obama infuriated Mayor Oscar Goodman, hotel tycoon Steve Wynn and a slew of other Vegas VIPs when he said: “You can’t get corporate jets, you can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayers’ dime.” Obama’s lambasting of our desert kingdom caused a massive set of convention cancellations, and even our politicos Harry Reid, John Ensign and Shelley Berkeley had to come to the rescue and ... Read more...
Exclusive: Peepshow goes topless; pasties are off, and the cast is thrilled!
The new adult cabaret Peepshow at Planet Hollywood has gone truly topless! Vegas DeLuxe can reveal that the principals and the dancers in the hit burlesque show have all doffed the expensive Swarovski crystal pasties! However, co-stars Mel B, Scary Spice of the Spice Girls, and General Hospital vixen Kelly Monaco are still slightly covered. In the “Brick House” scene, Mel is screened by only two strategically placed bricks, and in the bed scene, Kelly is covered by only painted ... Read more...
One couple has a perfect night on Dancing With the Stars
After nine exhausting eliminations, only four couples remain from the original 13 celebrity duos on Dancing With the Stars, and tonight with everything on the line, they performed two dances each as the top-rated ABC show reached the exciting semifinals. For two teams, it started out as a night of perfect scores! All four finalists took a dance down memory lane as they recapped their favorite breakthrough routines this season. Now, though, it’s back to real time, and Gilles Marini ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Vegas Uncork’d is a wrap; festival returns next year
For four spectacular days, it was nothing but delicious dinners and wondrous wines. The 3rd Annual Vegas Uncork’d sponsored by Bon Appetit magazine also featured celebrity chef contests, cooking demonstrations and seminars on drinking! Cheers to that! Ten Japanese sake masters were even flown from Tokyo by Southern Wine and Spirits head honcho Larry Ruvo for one tasting and workshop! Our Vegas DeLuxe contributing photographers tried to keep up from start to finish, and we’ve assembled here in our final ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Lisa Rinna’s Mother’s Day brunch at Society Cafe in the Encore
It was a jam-packed Mother’s Day Las Vegas weekend vacation for hot Hollywood couple Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary. Click HERE for our Sunday morning coverage of their night out at Blush in the Wynn. Before their dance date, Harry and Lisa took their family to the Society Cafe in the Encore and dined on Grandma Rose’s meatballs, a Burata salad and then the notorious XXX chocolate cake for dessert. They also watched the Le ... Read more...
Strip Developments: New hotel, swim night and chef’s menu
A new hotel is coming to the Strip, despite the economic doom and gloom scenarios peddled about Las Vegas by our media colleagues. It’s name? Hotel 32! In fact, it’s a hotel within a hotel. Monte Carlo executives have begun an email marketing campaign to introduce travel agents to the upgraded 32nd floor of the Monte Carlo that was damaged by a rooftop sign fire in January 2008. The new beautiful, spacious and modern rooms will be serviced by a ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: World Series of Golf tees off today for $300,000 top prize
Although the entry fee is a stiff $10,000 for only 125 of America’s best golfers, the grand prize for the 3rd Annual World Series of Golf is $300,000. The five-day event tees off today at our Paiute Golf Resort and will be covered by cameras for WGN as 13 one-hour shootout episodes. The World Series of Golf merges golf with the wagering format of No-Limit Texas Hold ’em poker. World Series of Golf President Terry Leiweke explained: “Our high-stakes format ... Read more...
Holly Madison to lead Strip bikini parade; it’s Jay-Z vs. Jamie Foxx in July
The Girls Next Door and Playboy beauty Holly Madison has just been recruited by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman to launch a “Summer in Paradise” promotion. Full details will be announced shortly, but Vegas DeLuxe has learned in advance that this Thursday morning, our Merry Mayor of Mirth will make the official proclamation that summer has arrived one month earlier than the rest of the Northern Hemisphere! It’s timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the iconic Welcome to ... Read more...
P.Diddy ignites romance rumors while partying with Cassie on the Strip
Music mogul Sean “P.Diddy” Combs has been romantically linked with his protege, Bad Boy recording star Cassie, and in the past few days, she’s been all over the Internet gossip sites because of leaked explicit nude photos. It doesn’t seem to have hurt their relationship because the romance picked up in intensity during their three-day-weekend Las Vegas vacation. They turned up at Prive in Planet Hollywood, Jet in The Mirage and Lavo in the Palazzo. Here’s part of the rundown: ... Read more...
Gwen Stefani and No Doubt start weeklong visit at The Beatles’ Love
Pop princess Gwen Stefani and her No Doubt band mates began a weeklong visit to Las Vegas last night. They will cap it off by headlining the annual Tiger Wood’s “Tiger Jam” charity concert Saturday night. They also will perform at a private concert Friday night. Gwen, along with son Kingston, director Sophie Muller and the band minus drummer Adrian Young, attended Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles’ Love at The Mirage last night. Gwen sipped Veuve Cliquot champagne during the ... Read more...
Will viewers propel underdogs Ty and Chelsie into DWTS finals?
It’s been a viewer-voting phenomenon as week after week dancing partners Ty Murray and our Las Vegas-born heroine Chelsie Hightower have narrowly escaped certain elimination on Dancing With the Stars. But tonight, we are down to the semifinals of Season 8 of ABC’s top-rated show, and the three judges’ scores will really reflect the final four standings. However many fans vote, nobody believes that Ty and Chelsie will dominate any longer over the remaining couples: Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke, ... Read more...
Criss Angel denies London reports he’s Michael Jackson’s concert magic act
British press headlines screamed that Michael Jackson’s plans for stunning special effects for his London concerts starting in July had hit a roadblock. The King of Pop was reported to have made a deal with illusionist David Copperfield, who appears here regularly at MGM’s Hollywood Theater. However, it fell apart — as do many things in show business — reportedly over money. Now the wild British tabloids are screaming that The Gloved One has ditched David and instead turned to ... Read more...
Exclusive: Celine Dion sets June 2010 date for Caesars Palace return
Superstar singer Celine Dion and her manager husband Rene Angelil have tentatively set a June 2010 date for her return to Caesars Palace! I have been reliably told by one of the couple’s closest confidantes that she will resume shows at The Colosseum next summer — 13 months from now. “It won’t be anything like the nightly schedule she had when she was resident there for five years previously,” he said. “It will be a flight series of concerts similar ... Read more...
Vegas Uncork’d Photo Gallery: Chefs compete; closing night dinner and party
For Oprah Winfrey’s favorite seafood chef, Rick Moonen, it was a doubly delightful day. He won the chefs’ culinary challenge because the secret ingredient turned out to be his favorite: squid! Then he played host to superstar producer David Foster and friends, including Oprah’s pint-sized singing discovery Charice Pempengco! Rick was teamed with Adam Sobel, his executive chef of just three months, for the cook-off at MGM Grand’s Convention Center. They beat out Wynn chefs David Walzog of SW Steakhouse ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna mark 12th anniversary at Blush
Hot Hollywood showbiz couple Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna were in town this weekend to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary with a party at Blush in the Wynn that was still going strong early this morning. Lisa is the current cover girl of Playboy magazine and has a birthday suit and lingerie pictorial inside. It’s 10 years to the month that the glamorous model, actress and keep-fit fanatic first stripped down for Hugh Hefner’s publication. Click HERE for our Vegas ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Jason Mraz is all yours in solo concert at the Palms
This was Jason Mraz in full song at 1:30 a.m. today: Jason was the solo star of a special midnight concert at The Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms. You would never have known that a few hours earlier, the “I’m Yours” hit-maker was the opening act for the Dave Matthews Band at the MGM Grand last night, as well as Friday night. The third performance in two days didn’t faze Jason in the slightest, and fans in this early ... Read more...
Holly Madison cools off at tops-optional Flamingo and Rio pools
On a hot summer’s day in Las Vegas as temperatures hit the upper 90s, there’s nothing better than a hotel swimming pool to cool down. Playboy beauty and Dancing With the Stars contestant Holly Madison did just that yesterday at two pools! First stop was at the Flamingo’s Go tops-optional pool, and then in the afternoon, Holly hit a second tops-off spot at the Brazilian-styled Sapphire pool in The Rio. Sorry to disappoint, but Holly stuck to her recent no-more-nude-photos ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Chefs serve up Grand Tasting and play blackjack
It was one of the most unique nights in Las Vegas culinary history. On one side of Caesars Palace, there was the Holy Trinity of the world’s top three French chefs, and I snapped the historic photo! Just 50 feet away were Iron Chef winners Cat Cora and Bobby Flay, who were still duking it out with each other. More than 70 chefs and vintners set up tasting stations for more than 1,000 fine-food fans throughout the resort casino’s pool. ... Read more...
Lance Burton to resume shows June 2 after surgery for broken bone
Updated: 8:17 p.m. Lance Burton and his Master Magician show will return to their normal schedule June 2 at the Monte Carlo after an accidental mishap in which Lance twisted his right foot during his performance last night — which he finished despite the fracture diagnosed today after an X-ray revealed a broken bone. This is the first time Lance has broken a bone in the 15,000 shows he has performed in 30 years. He’s performed at the Monte Carlo ... Read more...
Paul Anka readies his 50th Las Vegas anniversary with new shows
It’s incredible to realize — and hard to believe — that legendary singer Paul Anka next year will celebrate his 50th year of entertaining in Las Vegas! More mind-blowing is that he already celebrated his 50th year in show business three years ago! As Paul gets ready for another amazing three-night run at The Orleans starting this evening, let’s go back to 1957 when the 16-year-old sensation recorded “Diana,” and it went on to become one of the best-selling 45s ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Chefs’ night of Masters’ Dinners kicks off Vegas Uncork’d
It was the ultimate turnout of superstar chefs from around the world for the first-night kick-off celebrations of the 3rd Annual Vegas Uncork’d food and wine festival sponsored by Bon Appetit magazine. Celebrated French chef Guy Savoy used a saber to chop off the cork of the first bottle of bubbly after Mayor Oscar Goodman and his showgirls officially welcomed them to our fine dining destination. Even the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls joined the launch party atop the open-air patio ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Bobby Flay signs his new book at Mesa Grill today
The Food Network’s favorite top chef and my pal Bobby Flay will be signing his new cookbook Burgers, Fries & Shakes at his Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace for three hours today starting at 11:30 a.m. America’s most popular grill master says it’s the perfect book to kick off the summer barbecue season! The book has tons of recipes but also sections of essentials you’ll need for each outdoor dining adventure. Follow Bobby’s directions, and you’ll always have crispy on ... Read more...
Happy wedding anniversary wishes to Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna
Congratulations are in order this weekend to gorgeous Hollywood hot couple Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin as they jet into Las Vegas to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary. The sexy actress, 45, also graces the current cover of Playboy, with a sizzling hot and full nude pictorial inside 10 years after she posed nude and pregnant for the first time. On May 19, Lisa launches her new book Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever, which is packed with advice and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Last Comic Standing winner Dat Phan hits the Improv
The odds of a youngster being born in Saigon, South Vietnam, and making it to the Las Vegas Strip as a headline entertainer are nigh on impossible. The odds of the same youngster making it into the finals of the very first Last Comic Standing on NBC are just as insurmountable. But, somehow, Dat Phan proved everybody wrong, and he became the million-to-one long shot winner. Dat immigrated to the U.S. when he was a kid with his mother and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Black Label Society and Static X rock the House of Blues
Our contributing photographer Scott Harrison is a self-confessed heavy metal rock fan when he isn’t on the front line of red carpet duty documenting all the Las Vegas celebrity action. So for Scott to combine photography with his musical tastes gives him the best of both words, and it shows in these performance photos by Static X and Black Label Society at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. That’s lead singer and guitarist Zakk Wylde from Black Label Society ... Read more...
UFC 100 has larger-than-life LED plans at Mandalay Bay Beach
With the mega card UFC 100 fully sold out, the UFC had to come up with something unique and special to satisfy hundreds of distraught fans who didn’t get tickets for the July 11 battle in the octagon. They now plan to build a large LED video wall on the stage of Mandalay Bay Beach, so for $50, you can watch the 7 p.m. closed circuit telecast and cool off in the water at the sandy beach! “I started hearing ... Read more...
Vegas Uncork’d draws star chefs and food and wine connoisseurs
The next four days are filled with fabulous feasts and wondrous wines as the 3rd Annual Vegas Uncork’d gourmet dining adventures are at the boil! But first this morning in a wonderful gesture, 20 of the top chefs first remembered the children who still go hungry even here in Las Vegas. Newly crowned Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton of North Carolina returned to town less than three weeks after her coronation to join with some of our Strip’s top chefs ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles Photo Gallery: Moksha, Holly Madison and Charlie Trotter
The Girls Next Door blonde beauty Holly Madison now appears to spend more time in Las Vegas than back home in Los Angeles as she preps her new reality TV show. Last night, Holly was dining again at Strip House next to the Peepshow theater, where she was recently interviewed for a possible guest star headliner role when Kelly Monaco ends her three-month contract run. Holly also attended Hugh Hefner’s unveiling of Ida Ljungqvist as the 2009 PlayboyPlaymate of the ... Read more...
Daredevils promise bigger, taller and more dangerous Strip stunts
When freestyle motocross rider Mike Metzger achieved a world record for a back flip over the Caesars Palace fountains, it looked as if there was nothing more left to achieve. When daredevil stuntman Robbie Maddison jumped up and then off the Paris’ Arc de Triomphe entrance gateway on New Year’s Eve, it looked as if there was nothing more left to prove. In fact, both men even promised that they were ending their dangerous dice with death stunts. However, both ... Read more...
It’s official: Whoopi Goldberg schedules dates at Danny Gans Theater
Just moments ago, Wynn and Encore executives confirmed our Vegas DeLuxe exclusive that Whoopi Goldberg will be playing the Danny Gans Theater this month. Tickets have just gone on sale at the two resorts for Whoopi’s first two dates — May 22 and 23 — as part of the Memorial Day weekend activities we reported. Whoopi is currently one of the hosts on Barbara Walters’ daytime ABC show The View. Whoopi is one of a very elite group of artists ... Read more...
ABC set to shoot Wife Swap at our San Gennaro Festival
Las Vegas entertainer Tony Sacca has been involved with the San Gennaro Festival that opened here last night since 1982 and once again has been booking the entertainment for our 30th annual feast. Last year, he introduced the Fulco family’s kids Jessie, 9, on bass and daughter Joei, 12, on guitar, and they proved such a smash hit, Tony brought them back again this year. Now the kids are bringing the rest of the family: father Joey, who plays five ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Villain invades the Palms on eve of Star Trek release
Actor Clifton Collins Jr., who portrays new Romulan character Gen. Ayel, the sinister deputy to Romulan Nero (played by actor Eric Bana) in the new Star Trek, will make an appearance at the Brenden Theatres at the Palms tonight when Star Trek will be presented in traditional 35mm and IMAX formats. Clifton will introduce the first public showing of the expected box office blockbuster and will then meet fans at 8 p.m. for a photo and autograph session. Devoted Trekkies ... Read more...
Emmy Rossum looks to make Las Vegas her second home
At just 22 years old, Emmy Rossum is on a fast track to stardom: She can tackle New York’s Metropolitan Opera or a weapon-wielding wild one in Dragonball Evolution, plus the silver screen adores her. Emmy is making Las Vegas her second home, and you can read all about her in this month’s new edition of our sister publication Vegas magazine. She’s already looking for a getaway condo, and thankfully her aunt and uncle own Rossum Realty, so she has ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Wilmer Valderrama at Tao and Lavo and Brooke Hogan at Pure
Actor Wilmer Valderrama made his first day off from three months of filming into a real vacation celebration. Yesterday, Wilmer flew into Las Vegas and spent the day with friends at Tao Beach’s private tops-optional swim club at The Venetian. At sunset, they moved down to Lavo in the Palazzo to sample the new Italian menu and ordered Kobe meatballs, rib eye steaks and seafood alfredo. Our contributing photographers Denise Truscello, Erik Kabik and Scott Harrison were on duty for ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles Photo Galleries: Wheel of Fortune tryout is a big draw
More than 3,000 Wheel of Fortune fans turned up at The Venetian to try out for television’ top game show, which will tape four weeks of shows at the resort casino in July. The episodes will be broadcast for two weeks in September to kick off the 29th year of Wheel of Fortune and again during two of the crucial February sweeps ratings weeks near Valentine’s Day. Hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White didn’t travel in for the auditions, but ... Read more...
Wynn odds maker alters lineup after DWTS upset
Johnny Avello, Steve Wynn’s race and sports book director at the Wynn and the Encore, has had to change the latest odds for ABC’s Dancing With the Stars lineup as a result of last night’s show. Click HERE for our report! Remember, Johnny points out, these are for entertainment purposes only and not to be used for wagering. Here’s the latest declaration as of 11 a.m. today based on the surprise elimination last night of Lil’ Kim and partner Derek ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Sin City Bad Girls is ready to rock the Hilton
Eight uninhibited dancers in various stages of undress, and led by sexy songstress Lorena Peril, take complete control of the stage with the new cabaret revue Sin City Bad Girls at the Las Vegas Hilton. They climb ropes, writhe around poles, hang upside down from ladders and leap scaffolding — it is all nonstop erotic action complete with a live band. Lorena, who is a Christina Aguilera look-alike and sound-alike, is the vixen ringmaster of this all-flesh festival. Enjoy our ... Read more...
DWTS shocker, as one Vegas pro stays and another goes
It was the most shocking and unexpected upset of Season 8 of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars, but it proves that “King of the Cowboys Ty Murray” — and his wife, singer Jewel — has millions of rodeo cowboy fans voting for him! Although Ty and his pro partner, Las Vegas beauty Chelsie Hightower, came into last night’s show with the lowest overall score — 46 out of 60 — it was rival rapper Lil’ Kim and Las Vegas ... Read more...
Tickets for Beyonce’s shows at the Encore go on sale Saturday
It’s official — even though it’s not up on the Wynn/Encore Web site yet: Tickets for Beyonce’s July 30-31 and Aug. 1-2 concerts in the Danny Gans Theater at the Encore will go on sale this Saturday, and the show will be recorded live as an exclusive DVD compilation for later release! As Vegas DeLuxe reported on April 18 — click HERE for that story, the four shows are the last stop on the North American leg of Beyonce’s 2009 ... Read more...
Mel B joins Invisible Children’s fight to stop massacre by child soldiers
It’s one of the world’s ugliest and most hideous crimes against humanity, the kidnapping and torture of “invisible children” who are then forced to become child soldiers and taught to rape and murder their own families and countrymen! The Lord’s Resistance Army led by madman Joseph Kony has massacred hundreds of thousands in the revolting tribal wars in Uganda and the African Congo. Talk show titan Oprah Winfrey is one of many celebrities raising her voice to have the United ... Read more...
Mayor’s 20-gallon Opportunitini martini sets a Las Vegas record
Standing 8 feet tall and containing 20 gallons of gin, the ice sculpture created by Ice Occasions went into the record books as the largest martini ever made in Las Vegas. Who better than our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman to top it off and enjoy the first drink? The new drink is titled the Opportunitini as the promotion is to benefit our beloved Opportunity Village charity all summer long. The festivities were held at the Hard Rock Café, ... Read more...
Hef clears up controversy over which gal pal he wants in the Mansion
Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner confessed that he hit an “emotional speed bump” over the bust-up of his seven-year romance with Holly Madison. It led to a slew of headlines that even though he was in a new love match with Crystal Harris, Hef would take back Holly in an instant to The Playboy Mansion. Click HERE for our April 7 video interview and story during Hef’s 83rd birthday. The star of The Girls Next Door promptly said that they’d both ... Read more...
Four finalists remain as ninth celebrity couple is kicked off DWTS
It was kind of appropriate that British jazz singer Jamie Cullum sang “I Get a Kick Out of You” on the ninth-week results show of ABC’s top-rated show. The classic Cole Porter number maybe softened the blow for the couple who wound up getting kicked off. Don’t read any further if you plan on watching the tape-delayed West Coast broadcast of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and want nothing spoiled beforehand! But come back after the show to compare notes! ... Read more...
Exclusive Interview: Playboy Playmate of the Year Ida Ljungqvist
She’s on top of the world as the most admired and looked at woman in the Playboy empire. Ida Ljungqvist has joined me for brunch hours after winning $100,000, a brand new car and the title of the 50th anniversary Playmate of the Year — and the first thing she confesses is that there is no boyfriend and her love life is barren! We’ll come back to that shocker in a moment, but first she explains that she stayed out ... Read more...
$600 life savings gamble pays off for The Lion King’s Kissy Simmons
It was the family’s entire life savings: $600! With her unique vocal talent, Kissy Simmons had the full support of her mom and dad, her high school drama teacher and friends, so she took the money and went to New York to audition for Aida — but wound up in The Lion King. Now tonight for the third time in seven years, Kissy will step onto a new company’s production of the Walt Disney stage spectacular. Kissy — she was ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: My most memorable moments with Danny Gans
Like many, I’d never heard of Danny Gans until I came to Las Vegas. All I knew was that everyone talked about him and said he had the best act in the celebrity impersonation business. Every time I was here on business, a shooting assignment or attending a convention during the past 13 years, I tried to buy a ticket, but he was always sold out weeks in advance. It was only when I moved to Vegas nearly a decade ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Will Ty and Chelsie get the boot on DWTS tonight?
The judges voted, and the stage is set for the final four. It all depends now if TV viewers confirm the fact that our local-born beauty and dance pro Chelsie Hightower and bucking bronco-riding partner Ty Murray are destined for the exit door on tonight’s results show after scoring just 46 out of a possible 60 last night. It was a miraculous comeback for the injured last-minute replacement Melissa Rycroft, who replaced injured singer Jewel, who is married to rodeo ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: R&B princess Ashanti shines at Prive
To mark her recent recording successes, Ashanti celebrated at Prive in Planet Hollywood. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was side by side throughout the visit with the singer and her mother, Tina, and the couple danced and sang along to the music by wheels of steel master DJ Franzen. Ashanti said she “had the time of my life” on her Las Vegas visit. She performed her own set of music, and adoring fans crowded in closely to catch her show ... Read more...
Cinco de Mayo: Wilmer Valderrama hosts at Lavo; Brooke Hogan turns 21
Cinco de Mayo is being celebrated today throughout Las Vegas. Here’s an abbreviated Royal Robin Rundown, Cinco de Mayo style! *Congratulations to everybody at Pink Taco in the Hard Rock Hotel as they celebrate the cafe’s 10th anniversary this Cinco de Mayo! *Buxom blonde beauty and reality TV starlet Brooke Hogan will celebrate her 21st birthday at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace. Now she can legally drink margaritas and mojitos! *That ’70s Show star Wilmer Valderrama hosts the traditional Cinco ... Read more...
Just as in Growing Pains, like father, like son?
Well, not exactly, except they are both in showbiz! My longtime friend actor and writer Alan Thicke can sing, but nowhere near as good as his son Robin Thicke. “I just don’t know where he got that voice,” Alan once told me. Alan flew into Las Vegas over the weekend to watch his son co-headline with Jennifer Hudson at The Pearl in the Palms, and then they held their after-party at Prive in Planet Hollywood. Click HERE for our story ... Read more...
Hugh Jackman says ‘I’m thrilled for Wolverine’ as wax figure is unveiled
The timing was perfect! Just as X-Men Origins: Wolverine clawed its way onto 4,099 movie screens across America and took in an $87 million box office haul as the No. 1 weekend movie, Madame Tussauds here at The Venetian unveiled its newest wax model. Wolverine, the beloved mutant from Marvel Comics — played by Australian actor, People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive and recent Oscar host Hugh Jackman — was given pride of place in the storied ranks of famous wax ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Jersey Boys marks first year on Frankie Valli’s birthday
Although the first anniversary of the award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, based on the life of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, at the Palazzo fell on lead singer Frankie Valli’s birthday, Frankie wasn’t able to fly out from New York to join in the celebration. However, original Four Seasons member Tommy DeVito, who lives here in Las Vegas, attended the show and the after-party at Solaro on the pool deck at the casino resort. Cast and crew joined in ... Read more...
Judges are booed repeatedly as final five compete on DWTS
Five couples remain on Season 8 of Dancing With the Stars, and tonight they faced two dances apiece in ballroom and Latin — and the producers mandated that the Latin number had to feature a minimum 15-second solo routine by the celebrity. The good news is that injured Melissa Rycroft is back on the dance floor! Don’t read any further if you plan on watching the tape-delayed West Coast broadcast of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and want nothing spoiled ... Read more...
Exclusive: Larry King to debut showbiz act in Danny Gans theater
It is the most extraordinary turn of events at the Danny Gans theater. Less than 96 hours after the death of longtime Strip entertainer Danny Gans, CNN talk show host Larry King has confirmed that he will star at the Encore venue June 19 and 20. The deal was wrapped up about four hours ago by owner Steve Wynn and Larry while he was visiting Las Vegas over the weekend. Larry, 76, who describes it as “good news,” also has ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Las Vegas’ all-star weekend
It was another celebrity-studded weekend in Sin City, one in which Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton wasn’t the only one seeing stars. John Mayer learns to dance at Love Pop superstar John Mayer had a guys’ night out to see The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage, but it didn’t stop him from dancing! John’s rumored new love interest Scheana Marie was nowhere to be seen when he showed up with his bassist Pino Palladino, drummer Steve Jordan ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Larry King keeps visit to Las Vegas on track despite death
CNN talk show host Larry King originally was headed here with a group of family and friends because his wife, former Utah beauty queen Shawn Southwick, was due to sing a medley of Motown hits as a guest star with impressionist Danny Gans at his Encore theater Friday night. Sadly, as you all know, Danny died in his sleep early Friday morning. Danny had appeared on The Larry King Show in February when he opened his new run of shows ... Read more...
Will Melissa’s injury mean another week for Ty and Chelsie on DWTS?
It is now do or die time! The fate of the Dancing With the Stars leaders seem safe until they start the final battle. But first comes tonight’s test! There seems no doubt that it will come down to Las Vegas pro dancer Chelsie Hightower and her partner, rodeo cowboy champion Ty Murray, but there’s still the unknown mystery of how well Melissa Rycroft will be able to dance the Viennese waltz and samba with a rib hairline fracture. Melissa, ... Read more...
Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian open new topless pool at The Rio
The summer pool season is in full swing, and the tops-optional Brazilian-themed Sapphire Pool was one of the last to open this past weekend. Keeping Up With the Kardashians stars and sisters Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian flew in to host the kickoff party at The Rio. Our contributing photographer Scott Harrison was on duty for their arrival. NBA legend Robert Horry, who has won more gold championship rings than you should ever take to the pool, also was a celebrity ... Read more...
An interview with Bob Gaudio, founding member of the Four Seasons
The man who wrote the Four Seasons hits, co-founded the group and sang on stage as part of the group walked away in the mid 1970s after a staggering and sensational 12-year-run at the top. Bob Gaudio wanted to go on to write and produce other superstars, and he did with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. In 1995 after Record of the Year awards, Grammy nominations and with “Who Loves You” ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Pacquiao vs. Hatton: The fight, celebrities and celebrations
Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik said: “These celebrities were all announced to the audience and were being photographed. These are not paparazzi photos, although they are far more candid than my typical shots. “It’s sort of become a tradition for me now to scope out the crowd to see how many celebs I can find from the very back row of the arena where I shoot the ring action. I certainly didn’t have the best vantage point for the crowd, ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: New Playmate of the Year is first-ever African-born
Playboy king Hugh Hefner named Ida Ljungqvist Playboy’s 50th Playmate of the Year last night at the Palms. Ida is the first-ever African-born Playmate and hails from Tanzania. Ida’s father was Swedish. Celebrity Apprentice star and 2001 Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick hosted the event along with Palms owner George Maloof. It was the main event of a weekend of Playboy activities at the Palms. It began Friday with a parade of Playmates in pink at the kickoff of ... Read more...
Pac-Man knocks out The Hitman in the second round
Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao of the Philippines sent Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton to the canvas in the first round. In total, Manny knocked out Ricky twice in the first round. Ricky was able to get up for the second round. However, Manny floored Ricky with seven seconds left in the second round, and The Hitman was out cold. Fight over, and Manny wins with a dominant TKO! Official results: 2:59 by TKO in the second round. Tom Jones sang the ... Read more...
Ida Ljungqvist is chosen Playboy’s Playmate of the Year
African-born beauty Ida Ljungqvist has been named Playboy’s Playmate of the Year in a ceremony attended by Hugh Hefner at the Palms in Las Vegas. Ida was announced as PMOY at The Playboy Mansion, but the official celebration was at the Palms. Ida is Playboy’s 50th Playmate of the Year, an award that has been named annually for a half-century now! Ida, the magazine’s first African-born Playmate, is featured in the June issue. Check back to Vegas DeLuxe on Monday ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Robin Thicke and Jennifer Hudson at the Palms
It was a double-power punch from the reigning prince and princess of R&B. A sold-out crowd packed The Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms last night for the Robin Thicke and Jennifer Hudson co-headliner concert. Our contributing photographers Denise Truscello and Erik Kabik were on hand to capture a beautiful selection of up close and candid photos. Robin recently performed on Dancing With the Stars, while Jennifer made a return appearance to American Idol, the show that gave the Chicago ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Pacquiao vs. Hatton: Let’s get ready to rumble!
Ring announcer Michael Buffer announced his trademark words to a crowd of 5,000 extraordinarily enthusiastic fans for the official fight weigh-in. TV show host and actor Mario Lopez played emcee for what became an event unto itself for the Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton fight festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena tonight. It truly was East vs. West, with loud, noisy British fans chanting as Filipinos rooted for their national hero. The tension was so thick, you could cut ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Robert Horry and Kardashian sisters open Sapphire Pool
Two of the three Kardashian sisters are back in town this weekend, and they’re joining basketball star Robert Horry to host the grand opening of the sexy Brazilian theme Sapphire Pool at The Rio. Yes, that world famous Sapphire Men’s Adult Club, which means if you don’t want tan lines, just toss your top! Musician Alisa Apps will present a special live performance, too. The NBA star played ball for 16 years, winning seven championships while with the Houston Rockets, ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Mariah & Nick’s five-tier 1st anniversary cake
Superstar singer Mariah Carey and comedy actor and hip-hop star Nick Cannon celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary last night — as we first reported on Vegas DeLuxe yesterday — and they were still celebrating early today! They checked into George Maloof’s Palms and then started the partying with dinner for 50 family and friends at Iron Chef winner Kerry Simon’s celebrity haunt Simon at the adjoining Palms Place. Among those partying with the romantic and happy couple were Floyd Mayweather ... Read more...
Hugh Hefner to reveal Playmate of the Year in Las Vegas for first time
It’s a huge celebration weekend for Palms hotel tycoon George Maloof when he welcomes his hero Hugh Hefner back to the casino resort for the first ever Las Vegas unveiling of Playboy’s 2009 Playmate of the Year. The winner will be the 50th annual PMOY! Traditionally, the Playboy founder has always introduced the new beauty at a Playboy Mansion luncheon in Beverly Hills. Now it will be at a special dinner in chef Kerry Simon’s restaurant on the sixth floor ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: ‘Biggest fight of the decade’ is tomorrow at MGM Grand
When boxing promoter Bob Arum first discussed with me the slightest possibility of a Manny Pacquiao fight with Ricky Hatton, he said: “It would be the biggest fight of the decade if it happens. The worldwide interest will be phenomenal.” Bob, who is my neighbor here in Las Vegas, has seen his prediction come true after overcoming some unbelievable obstacles. We are now less than 48 hours away from the ring rumble between two of boxing’s biggest stars. Thousands of ... Read more...
Danny Gans, headliner at the Encore, dies at age 52
Strip headliner Danny Gans has died at age 52. He passed away early this morning. Apparently, it was at 3:45 a.m. today that paramedics and firefighters were called to Danny’s home by Julie Gans, his wife of 28 years. According to insider reports, she was administering CPR when paramedics entered the home. Danny didn’t work last night as Thursday is his day off from the show at the Encore. Here’s the last photo I took of the talented entertainer. Danny ... Read more...
Vanna White reveals W-E-L-C-O-M-E for local Wheel of Fortune auditions
Wheel of Fortune reigns supreme in the world of syndicated television as America’s favorite game show and is still No. 1 in the ratings after 29 glorious years! Hosted by Pat Sajak and the lovely Vanna White, Wheel will spin into The Venetian this July to tape four weeks of shows. They will kick off the new fall season in late September and also include special Valentine’s week editions. It’s your chance to be a contestant this weekend. Auditions will ... Read more...
Award-winning Jersey Boys marks its first anniversary
Congratulations to the cast of Jersey Boys, the musical based on the life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, as they celebrate their first anniversary at the Palazzo on Sunday — and begin their second successful year! Jersey Boys has been doing strong business since its opening and being named one of the bests show in Las Vegas. Tomorrow at 9:50 a.m., the cast, in honor of its first anniversary, will present a medley of songs in a ... Read more...
Labor Day Weekend: Myriad options in Las Vegas packed into four days
Inflated prices for entry and cabanas at nightclubs. Lines stretching around corners. The final big pool weekend before autumn arrives. LMFAO hosting at ...
Photos: Bridget Marquardt talks bikinis, TV, watches and Las Vegas
The Girls Next Door and Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches star was the snow princess hosting the Stereo Loves Snow Day Moet Ice Imperial champagne party ...
If you are Paris Hilton and Cy Waits, what happens here doesn't stay here
When Las Vegas markets itself as an adult playground, we can't expect that unfortunate incidents involving celebrity ...
With all-star release, Hard Rock Hotel's Joint is guitar heaven
Carlos Santana's VIP guests ranged from India.Arie to Gavin Rossdale to Chris Daughtry as he gave attendees a healthy sampling ...
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