Las Vegas Weekly

October 6, 2008 · 10:52 AM

Hiltons, Mariah Carey, Mario Lopez highlight party frenzy on the Strip

By Robin Leach

Paris and Nicky Hilton.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Superstar singer Mariah Carey and socialite sisters Paris and Nicky Hilton led the cheerleading squad on a star-studded weekend when the girls outnumbered the guys -– and won! In fact, heart throb Mario Lopez, the new EXTRA host, became “lost” in the crush of the other celebrities while celebrating his birthday.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Benji Madden with Nicky and Paris Hilton at Pure.

Photo: Pure Management Group

Paris and Nicky Hilton, inside LAX.

Photo: Pure Management Group

Paris and Nicky Hilton at Pure.

Photo: Pure Management Group

Paris and Nicky Hilton inside LAX.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Paris Hilton.

Paris and her steady beau, rocker Benji Madden, turned up to help little sister, Nicky, celebrate her own 25th birthday over a two-day festival of fun. It all began for Nicky and her steady boyfriend, David Katzenberg, at the sushi-sashimi hot-spot Social House in TI. The Hilton heiresses met up with their showman pal, Jeff Beacher for a dinner of mini-Kobe burgers, chicken teriyaki and sushi rolls. Then they all made a grand entrance at the LAX nightclub in the Luxor as the DJ played the Paris single,“Stars Are Blind.” The celebrity sisters took a VIP stage booth and switched between Patron tequila and Belvedere vodka cocktails. Also on the stage were members of the Hawaiian reggae band, Pepper and hanging with fans at a nearby table was Oakland Raiders linebacker Kirk Morris enjoying the Dom Perignon champagne.

Photo: Scott Doctor

Paris Hilton.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Paris and Nicky Hilton.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Paris and Benji.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Paris Hilton.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Paris Hilton-Benji Madden.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Paris and Benji.

Night Two began with a private birthday dinner at the quiet Company American Bistro in the Luxor, where Nicky is an investor. Her parents, Kathy and Rick Hilton, best friend, Hollywood interior designer, Faye Resnick; and color king Michael Boychuck who has his hands in both Paris and Nicky’s hair-styles were all there partying. Jeff Beacher told the group that he’s finalizing a deal at Mandalay Bay resort to stage his new shows there -- and we’ll get more on that later in the week.

They all then moved to the red carpet at the PURE nightclub in Caesars Palace. Paris took over the mic to welcome everybody and wished “the best sister in the world” a happy birthday. That was the cue for the Vegas Pussycat Dolls to present Nicky with a three-tiered cake as the entire club sang ‘Happy Birthday to You.” The sisters danced to the 50 Cent hit, “In Da Club” and TI’s “ WhatEver You Like,” which set off a flashbulb frenzy.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Nicky Hilton.

Photo: Jordan Strauss/WireImage

Nicky Hilton and her boyfriend, David Katzenberg.

Photo: Scott Doctor

Rick and Kathy Hilton.

Photo: Scott Doctor

Paris and Nicky Hilton.

Observers noted that Paris and Benji’s romance is getting stronger than ever. “She has a very genuine smile these days of someone who is in a very happy place -- not practiced and posed just genuinely happy,” my photographer Scott Doctor told me. It’s the same for Nicky and David, and in fact the two future sons-in-law bonded beautifully in conversation and hugs with the Hilton heads, Rick and Kathy.

“They were all very close. There’s no doubt that the parents accept both guys and have welcomed them into the family. There’ll be no surprise when they announce engagements and weddings,” said another friend. “They all get along beautifully together -- and it’s very real and completely normal.” The entire group hung together as a family unit sipping Grey Goose cocktails and Patron tequila before calling it a night at 3 a.m.

Photo: Scott Doctor

Paris and Benji.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Mariah Carey.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon and Arika Back at Yellowtail Sushi.

Photo: Light Group

Mariah Carey.

International pop icon Mariah Carey not only partied at the Bank nightclub in the Bellagio, but also worked there! First, Mariah hand-in-hand with new husband, Nick Cannon, enjoyed dinner at the new nearby Yellowtail Sushi restaurant and bar with six friends. Mariah sipped a Pinot Grigio white wine and enjoyed a diet-conscious miso soup, sans tofu, and tuna sashimi. Nick, however, went for the gusto of Popping Spicy Crab Rolls and other innovative dishes by celebrity chef Akira Back. Maria remembered that they’d met before when she dined with him while he was executive chef at Nobu in Aspen before moving to Vegas to open his new restaurant. They lingered an extra hour in the hip new nightspot.

Then came mob and fan frenzy as hundreds of screaming fans and dozens of paparazzi shooters jumped on and over slot machines to get a closer look at the handholding royal couple. They walked over to the Bank nightclub and posed briefly -– just 45 seconds -- on the red carpet, with Mariah wearing a way too tight corset for her strangely positioned poses. Maria gripped Nick’s hands tightly throughout as they stayed at the Bank. They returned back next day for the 10-hour shoot of her new music video, “I Stay in Love.” The sexy lavish club will be seen as the backdrop in the video that was directed by husband, Nick.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Mario Lopez.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Mario Lopez.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Mario Lopez at the Bank.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Mario Lopez and the crew from Bank.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Mario Lopez and his cake.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Mario Lopez and the staff at Bank.

And then there was Mario! Heartthrob Mario Lopez had no gorgeous girls on his arm -- although many wanted to be. He was solo with a small group of all-male friends for his birthday outing on the town. It was simply a quiet dinner at the Fix restaurant and bar in the Bellagio, and then after-meal drinks in the VIP section of the Bank nightclub there as a warm-up 24 hours before Mariah’s victorious visit. So quiet I have nothing else to report on!!! Paris, Nicky and Mariah had stolen all the thunder!

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