Las Vegas Weekly

October 20, 2008 · 8:27 AM

Timberlake’s surprise duets with 50 Cent, Richie, Will.i.am highlight his Friends concert

By Robin Leach

Photo: Scott Doctor

Justin Timberlake

Photo: Denise Truscello

Boyz II Men

It will possibly be known as the Strip’s “best ever music concert” and even after more than three nonstop hours the stars of the show still wanted to party on! Black Eyed Peas genius Will.i.am even played guest DJ at Justin Timberlake’s after-party for another three amazing hours!

It certainly was a magical night that made music history. So unique, we may never see Justin in duets ever again on the same stage on the same night with rapper 50-Cent, sultry singer Rihanna, and soul king Lionel Richie. So extraordinary Justin and Will.i.am even sang and danced one soft-shoe number together.

Justin also turned in an entire set from his concert tour but vowed it would be the last time we heard “Sexy Back,” as he was retiring it from the rundown. He sang, he danced, he played piano, -- he did everything with high-energy excitement for the almost 8,000 jam-packed fans. It was the show that wouldn’t stop!

Photo: Scott Doctor

Chris Kirkpatrick

Photo: TVT

Jonas Brothers

Photo: Scott Doctor

Alfonso Ribeiro.

It kicked off in high gear with Justin introducing the Jonas Brothers, who told me they’re looking forward to returning to Vegas for Thanksgiving weekend shows at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. They told me they’d flown in and out of Los Angeles roundtrip with their dad for the “Friends” show, but wanted to race right back home to help another brother and their mom unpacking into their new California home. They were followed by the cast of our Stomp Out Loud musical, then Leona Lewis, Boyz II Men, and yet more Justin duets with Adam Levine from Maroon 5 and Justin’s new Tinman Records discovery, singer Esmee Denters.

Planet Hollywood chieftain, Robert Earl told me: “There’s never been such an all-star show on the Vegas Strip- and he’s promised to make it bigger and better here next year. I’ve made a five year commitment to Justin so this will be the ultimate entertainment extravaganza every year from now on.”

Photo: TVT

Justin Timberlake

Photo: Denise Truscello

Justin Timberlake and Lionel Richie

Photo: Denise Truscello

will.i.am and Justin Timberlake

It all began not too long after 9 p.m. in the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts -– and wrapped before 1 a.m. on Saturday.

Justin turned up at 1:30am to join his galpal, actress Jessica Biel, at the afterparty for 300 friends in the hotel’s Prive nightclub. The twosome successfully managed to give photographers the slip to avoid being photo’d together but when they playfully grabbed my Luxe Life camera for backstage shots I made certain to grab a candid of the two of them being affectionate between songs. While Justin was performing onstage, Jessica hid out in the theater’s sound control board area dancing contentedly to his songs! They stayed at Prive until past 3 a.m. before calling it a night-- but the other stars stayed on!

Photo: Denise Truscello

will.i.am

Photo: Denise Truscello

Leona Lewis

They included his business partner friend, Trace Ayala, Leona, Esmee, former N’sync bandmate Chris Kirkpatrick, former Fresh Prince of BelAir star Alfonso Riberio, Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman and third-place America’s Got Talent finalists Nuttin’ But Stringz. Floyd Mayweather was there and he and I walked out together calling it a night at 2 a.m.

Obviously he went on into the night but I said “time for three hours of shuteye.”

Prive’s executives turned over $50,000 from the night’s activities to Justin’s charity week of golf tournaments for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The concert alone raised another $1 million. Justin became the 14th celebrity to host the PGA Tour in Vegas with this year being the first to rename the Fall Series as the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. The tournament ended yesterday (Sunday) with the $4.1 million purse being won by Marc Turnesa with a 4-under par 68 just one stroke better than rival Matt Kuchar nipping at his clubs!

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Rihanna.

Photo: Scott Doctor

Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman

While at Planet Hollywood the celebrities were treated to pop-star swag in the gift lounge sponsored by Xbox 360 and created by Distinctive Assets who spearheaded the celebrity “swag” industry nine years ago. The stars were gifted with everything from new computer glasses from Gunnar Optiks to giant Tyler candles and blinding blinged-out Ice-pods!

Justin had the last word and told me: “Vegas has been wonderful. So generous and so fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better start with my first Vegas week for Shriners. I loved the golf and tonight’s show was beyond my wildest dreams. We could have kept going forever. It was that kind of magic.”

Photo: TVT

Justin and Jessica

Photo: TVT

Justin Timberlake and Robin Leach.

Photo: TVT

Jessica Biel and Robin Leach.

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