Las Vegas Weekly

January 19, 2009 · 11:47 AM

Photo Gallery: Joaquin Phoenix stumbles in rap career debut at Lavo; brother-in-law Casey Affleck films the antics

By Robin Leach

Joaquin Phoenix on the stage at Lavo.

Photo: Michael Muller

When a celebrity falls off the catwalk stage at the end of his premiere as a rap artist, it very well could be an omen for his new career! That was the first thing I thought of after two-time Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix debuted his three weird and wacky mumbling rap numbers at Lavo nightclub in the Palazzo over the weekend.

Joaquin’s rumpled, disheveled and bushy-bearded appearance prompted bizarre comments from the fans who showed up for his surprise mini-concert. His new look, if you can call it that, even shocked some. The “wafting from the weed” also was another subject of much discussion, and Joaquin’s antics became the talk of the town.

In addition to his stage fall, he surprised some of the visiting 2009 Miss America candidates. After flirting bizarrely while walking alongside and singing to them, he insisted that he try on one of their tiaras and a state sash. At that point, he could have claimed title to a sash reading Miss Understood!

One has to understand that his brother-in-law Casey Affleck -- yes, the Oscar-nominated younger brother of Ben -- was filming the entire Joaquin Phoenix appearance! Casey claimed it was a rapumentary, but remember that strange Spinal Tap rockumentary? It’s only about three months ago that Joaquin shocked Hollywood and the film community with his announcement that he was retiring from acting. When the actor who played Johnny Cash so brilliantly in Walk the Line arrived at the Palazzo, his mangled mess of hair was even in a ladylike bun!

Now the Gladiator star says rap will be his new forte, although he’s the first to admit that he might not be good, fans might not like it -- and he may even retire from that career choice before it even gets started! At the Lavo show, he tucked his long hair up into a holed-filled beanie -- all a drastic departure from his Golden Globe win for Walk the Line! Though maybe just for the filmed documentary showing his transition from screen star to rap royal.

Photo: Michael Muller

Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix.

At Lavo, he entertained on the Strip front terrace and then enjoyed a vegan meal in a private dining room prepared by Chef Ludo Lefebvre. In the nightclub, he was swarmed by fans but pleasantly agreed to pose for photos. He sipped a beer and smoked a cigarette while performing the three rap songs. He was oblivious to the camera phones flashed by fans.

A spywitness told me: “He was so excited, he tripped leaving the stage and slid down the banquette. He celebrated by dancing around and jumping up and down so hard his beanie flew off. When it came time to make his exit, he grabbed the railing next to his VIP table like he was on a jungle gym and went swinging through to the walkway as the camera crew followed.”

And then there was silence! Joaquin was not spotted again over the weekend, and nobody really knows if he left town quietly or is still here recovering! Obviously, if we find out anything more about his whereabouts after he left Lavo, we’ll be the first to let you know!

For now, you can watch the performance and the fall on YouTube:

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