Las Vegas Weekly

April 13, 2009 · 2:27 PM

Strip Scribbles: Nicky Hilton shows off her shorter ’do at Prive

By Robin Leach

Nicky Hilton at Prive.

Photo: Jacob Andrejczak

There was a new look to socialite Nicky Hilton when she hosted a jam-packed party at Prive in Planet Hollywood. The heiress arrived at midnight looking stunning in a Matthew Williamson peacock dress with blue Christian Louboutin high heels, but it was only when her hair king Michael Boychuck arrived did everybody realize she had lopped off her hair and turned it into a sleek, slick up ’do bob.

Photo: Jacob Andrejczak

Nicky Hilton and David Katzenberg at Prive.

Photo: Jacob Andrejczak

Nicky Hilton at Prive.

Fashion designer Nicky sat with boyfriend David Katzenberg texting sister Paris back in L.A. while sipping on Grey Goose. She went on to dance in her VIP area until 3 a.m. Michael had been in L.A. the night before for the Hiltons’ Easter party, where he did her hair before she dressed as the Easter Bunny for such guests as Snoop Dogg, Hugh Hefner and twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon, Stephen Dorff and designer Faye Resnick. Before the party at Prive, Nicky's hair was styled by Davone Philavong at Michael's Color salon in Caesars Palace.

Photo: Jacob Andrezcjak

Keshia Knight Pulliam at Prive.

Photo: Jacob Andrejczak

Keshia Knight Pulliam at Prive.

*Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show, celebrated her 30th birthday(!) with a trio of Planet Hollywood activities: dinner at Strip House, watching Mel B and Kelly Monaco in Peepshow and clubbing at Prive. Keshia had 20 friends in tow when the club managers sent her a large birthday cake. She grabbed a sparkler from the cake and danced around while her friends snapped photos. Keshia partied until 3 a.m.

*After President Obama lambasted Las Vegas as a no-no city for stimulus-aided corporations, there was a huge uproar from our city fathers and political representatives. They explained that Vegas is a major convention city and not just a gaming destination. Meantime, more than 300 conventions were canceled. Now I’m pleased to report that it looks as if Obama’s Cabinet guys are trying to help us out.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Brandon Roque, Phil Ivey and Congressman Bennie G. Thompson.

I had dinner at Koi in Planet Hollywood over the weekend and discovered poker prince Phil Ivey hosting a fundraiser there for Bennie G. Thompson, the chairman of the House committee on Homeland Security. Nightclub czar Brandon Roque had organized the event, and I got our contributing photographer Denise Truscello to shoot this exclusive photo! Congressman Thompson, who represents the 2nd District of Mississippi, is currently running for re-election to a ninth term. He has served three terms on the Homeland Security Committee during his 39 years of uninterrupted public service.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Bernie Dexter at Love Jones.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Bernie Dexter at Love Jones.

*Stunning popular pin-up model Bernie Dexter had no problems at all posing in her underwear for fans when she modeled stockings, garters, bras and corsets at the Love Jones sex boutique in the Hard Rock Hotel over the weekend. Bernie looks more and more like famous pinup queen Bettie Page, who started the entire craze of going public in lacy lingerie. Elsewhere throughout the Hard Rock, our photographers had singer Macy Gray posing for a few impromptu photos in front of Fuel, while Conflict of Interest rocked a full house at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space. … Over at the Hard Rock’s new restaurant Rare 120, boxer Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton had dinner with his manager and friends, and The Hills star Stephanie Pratt celebrated her birthday at Body English. Ben Lyons of E!’s Daily 10 and Carey Hart stopped by her table to wish her a Happy Birthday.

*A film crew has been shooting a documentary at magician Jeff McBride’s House of Mystery school here, and this week the inner-city kids who are magic students will take part in more filming backstage at the Lance Burton theater in the Monte Carlo. Jeff told me it’s the third documentary to have filmed in three years at his magic headquarters, and the film shows how the kids find magic as a way out.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Macy Gray.

Photo: Los

Mark McGrath at Perrypalooza.

Star surveillance

Macy Gray took her two daughters to dinner at Tao in The Venetian, and they feasted on orange chicken, vegetable fried rice, a variety of sushi rolls and lobster won tons. … ’90s pop star CeCe Penniston gave an impromptu performance of her club hit “Finally” during the “Worship” party at Tao, which also brought out rap star and record producer Jermaine Dupri and comic Bill Bellamy, who grabbed the mic between them to shout out to the crowd. … Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath and best friend director McG dined at Tao, while nearby, fighter Winky Wright ordered a 20-ounce steak for nourishment after losing his 12-round battle to Paul Williams. David Spade has now made the restaurant a part of his nightly ritual before his shows downstairs in The Venetian. … Over at sister club Lavo in the Palazzo, comedian Eddie Griffin and several friends took a VIP table and ordered Belvedere and cranberry cocktails.

David also joined friends at the Bank in the Bellagio, while next door legendary boxer “Sugar” Shane Moseley dined at a private table at Yellowtail on spinach salad, eggplant skewers and the grilled Walu butter fish.

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

Holly Madison.

Former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian enjoyed dinner at Nove Italiano in the Palms with four guests, while downstairs at N9NE Steakhouse, Willie McGinest of the Cleveland Browns was joined by a large party in the private dining room for dinner. … Dining nearby was Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams, and, at a separate table, actor, comedian and writer Anthony Anderson with his family. … Former MLB player and manager Pete Rose wore a navy blue suit and white snakeskin boots to N9NE, where he enjoyed the chilled shellfish platter and signature garbage salad for appetizers and the Kobe beef short ribs for his main entree. … Next door in Rain was Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers, and Heather West, winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 2, arrived with a friend to celebrate her birthday. … Up in The Playboy Club, MLB free agent Frank Thomas played blackjack on his third consecutive night at the Palms. ... Willie Colon, tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was in a group of 13 partying at Moon in the Palms, and The Girls Next Door blonde beauty Holly Madison wrapped it all up with brunch at Iron Chef winner Kerry Simon’s restaurant in Palms Place.

Legendary talk show icon Larry King treated 20 of his family and friends to dinner at the Society Cafe in Steve Wynn’s Encore. Larry ordered the wedge salad and a New York steak with his diet soda. He had several of the fresh doughnut bites and a large chunk of XXXL chocolate cake for dessert. … Next door at Victor Drai’s XS nightclub, UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar was joined at his VIP dance floor table by UFC President Dana White. Also at XS were Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Raves, Corey Maggette of the Golden State Warriors, former NBA star Antoine Walker and boxer Zab Judah.

*Since he is called a modern-day Nostradamus, psychic Gary Spivey must have known what was going to happen. He invited the sexy X Burlesque dancers from the Flamingo and their hunky Men of X counterparts at Hooters to Sunset Station to kick off his show about life in the beyond. It certainly got everybody’s attention!

*The official welcome took place today at 11 a.m. for the world’s top dressage horses and riders for their World Cup Finals. The Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals take place for five days starting Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center. The annual championships represent the pinnacle of the sport, and large crowds from all over the world are expected here.

Photo: Crazy Horse Paris

Crazy Horse Paris.

Tonight’s tips

The seductive and beautiful dancers from MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris will be guests of honor at Madame Monday at the Cathouse in the Luxor. … The ‘”Boss of all Bosses” is “still tippin’ ”! Slim Thug is the host of hip-hop night at Prive. … A $5,000 prize awaits the best bad girl cop and bad female robber arriving as a handcuffed duo at Jet in The Mirage.

Photo: Angela Stabile

Tempest Storm.

Tomorrow’s teases

Carlos Santana arrives to cut the red ribbon to officially open the new Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel. … A male contestant gatecrashes the Miss USA 2009 pageant, and we’ve got the first exclusive interview. … And burlesque beauty Tempest Storm pays tribute to pinup queen Bettie Page.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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