Las Vegas Weekly

May 29, 2008 · 12:01 AM

Crazy eight might be in Britney’s Las Vegas plans

By Robin Leach

Photo: Associated Press

News desks from Hollywood to New York and photo agencies worldwide are expecting pop princess Britney Spears to land in Vegas any moment.

There was a false alarm alert last weekend that she’d be here as George Maloof’s guest at his new Palms Place condo-tel at the Palms. However, this weekend, because he’s got a slew of celebrities showing for the grand opening the rumor mill has gone into overdrive frenzy.

Britain’s gossipy news photogs are predicting she will wrap up a deal for a run of eight spectacular shows here before going out on tour again. Another rumor is that she’ll be at the Palms recording studio to continue work on a new album that she’s definitely begun in Los Angeles with hit producers J.R. Rotem and Sean Garrett. At the BMI Pop Awards, Rotem commented: “She’s a master at what she does. She’s great and has the ‘it’ factor that not every artist has.”

Sean added: “She’s recovering and I’m happy to see her back really shaping up and getting her whole situation back together.” The producers confirmed Brit’s experimental new album, and that she’s been playing piano and singing a lot.

The rumors of Brit’s link to Vegas have intensified the past few days because of Maloof’s two dinner dates in less than 10-days with her. He has denied that the dinners were romantic or involved show projects at his Pearl Theater, insisting that they are just good longtime friends.

However, the Brit buzz heated up this week because her manager, Larry Rudolph, will be at the Palms Place gala celebrations all weekend long when his Sunset Tan boutique there joins the party. His Vegas staff will be joined by the entire cast of the hit TV show to launch its new 2008 swimwear collection of 17 different sexy bikinis and leopard zebra swimsuits. E! is filming Friday’s poolside fashion show with the Oily Girls, Janelle Perry, and Larry’s partners, Sunset Tan founders Devin Haman and Jeff Bozz.

Celebrities expected to walk Saturday night’s red carpet include Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz and his new wife, Ashlee Simpson, and maybe her actress-pop singing sister Jessica, with reconciled beaufriend Tony Romo, if their dad Joe Simpson isn’t around. With George and Larry wrangling the show don’t be surprised if the Brit alert rumors prove true!

SIEGFRIED & ROY RETURN FROM EUROPEAN MEDICAL TRIP:

Photo: Steve Marcus

Siegfried and Roy appear at an Oktoberfest keg-tapping event at Hofbauhaus in 2007.

Master illusionists Siegfried & Roy have returned safely to Vegas from a medical trip to Austria, where Roy Horn underwent knee surgery. Their longtime manager, Bernie Yuman, told me when together we toured the new under-construction downtown Lou Ruvo Brain Institute: “It was an accelerated knee surgery and was successful. Roy is determined to participate in the Opportunity Village Great Santa Run this December. He’s previously walked 1 kilometer, but this year he’s vowed to do the entire 5-kilometer course. It’s an act of extraordinary bravery and courage and he wants to be in top shape for it. He’s already preparing with intense therapy and training and the knee surgery was one more major piece of progress in his amazing fight. He is the most remarkable man on Earth and has the strength of a thousand warriors.”

Bernie told me that Vegas fans and well-wishers from all over the world had flooded their home here with get-well cards and good wishes while Roy underwent the surgery in Austria.

ROCKERS THE CULT EARN MEMORABILIA CASE AT HARD ROCK:

Photo: Sam Morris

Ian Astbury and the Cult are being cased at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Fans showed up in force when renowned alternative rock band The Cult were honored with their own memorabilia case at the Hard Rock Hotel. All five current members of the group attended the ceremony and happily signed autographs and posed for photos before their performance at The Joint.

Also at the Hard Rock, it has been five years now that Rehab has reigned as the supreme pool party and the holiday weekend shattered all previous records with higher attendance and revenues than last year’s records. Singer Mark McGrath led his Sugar Ray group for a 45-minute concert, toasting, “Here’s to summer.” Celebrities and athletes turned out en masse, including Transporter actor Jason Statham, TV star Shemar Moore, new hip-hop artist Colby O’Donis, actress Gabrielle Union, and boxing champ Floyd Mayweather -- using two cell-phones to invite more friends over!

Also there Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys, Brady Quinn of the Cleveland Browns, former UNLV hoops star Shawn Marion of the Miami Heat, lip-locked couple Jenna Jameson and Tito Ortiz, motocross superstar Carey Hart (about top open his new Wasted Spaces rock lounge there) and sexy shapely models Patricia Mikula and XXX-rated Sophia Rossi.

Moore, known for his roles in Criminal Minds and The Young & The Restless, tried his luck at a blackjack table, while Mindfreak illusionist Criss Angel enjoyed dinner at the Hard Rock’s Pink Taco restaurant with steady galpal Giselle Diaz.

TONIGHTS TIP:

With three platinum records under his belt, country guitarist, singer songwriter Gary Allan has finally made a name for himself, and he brings his “Living Hard” tour to the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay tonight and Friday … Playboy magazine layout beauty Denise Pernula joins with my other friend, nightlife columnist Xania Woodman, for the “Pale is the new Black” tour at the Bare pool lounge at the Mirage, and then continue their campaign to avoid sun-caused skin cancer at Tao Beach in The Venetian on Friday … Bluff Magazine kicks off the World Series of Poker with a party hosted by Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak and Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari at Tao in the Venetian … in advance of the Sex & The City movie unspooling Friday at theaters nationwide, there’s a Manolos and Martinis party at Manolo Blahnik in the Wynn to sneak preview the designs in the film … The giant Las Vegas Jewelry & Watch Show has its celebration party at TAO Beach in the Venetian.

— From Vegas Deluxe

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