Las Vegas Weekly

January 5, 2009 · 8:15 AM

Paris who? Benji Madden celebrates New Year with DJ set at Body English

By Robin Leach

Benji Madden at Body English on New Year's Eve.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

While Paris Hilton was ringing in the New Year Down Under, former beau and Good Charlotte frontman Benji Madden was right here in Las Vegas. With a 12-strong entourage of friends, Benji partied up a storm at Body English inside the Hard Rock Hotel -- and even helped give away $25,000 to the rowdy revelers.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Benji Madden at Body English on New Year's Eve.

After handling the 10 to 1 countdown to usher in 2009, Benji went straight into his guest DJ set. He wound up having so much fun, he went right over his scheduled 90-minute set time.

“He was in a great mood, and it looks as if he’s over the split with Paris,” my spywitness told me.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Benji Madden at Body English on New Year's Eve.

Even though Benji was guest DJ at the Hard Rock, he stayed in one of George Maloof’s Palms Place tower condominiums -- and got himself a new hairstyle for 2009 at Michael Boychuck’s Primp salon there. Benji is an investor in Carey Hart’s Wasted Space and also met up with Pink’s ex and checked up on the club while he was in the rival hotel.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Carey Hart and Benji Madden at Body English on New Year's Eve.

Meantime, Paris with sister Nicky and beaufriend David Katzenberg were at the Trademark nightclub in Sydney, Australia, for the Bongo Virus party. The Times newspaper there reported that the sisters were paid $600,000 for the appearance and countdown.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Benji Madden at Body English on New Year's Eve.

Paris wore a vintage Versace dress and abstained from all alcohol for the big night! Her Hollywood “friend” Brandon Davis, also in Australia, allegedly tried to crash the party but was rebuffed by security forces. And two men who tried to throw sand at Paris were physically knocked out by two others who sprang to her rescue!

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