Las Vegas Weekly

July 6, 2009 · 12:54 PM

Strip Scribbles: Pink reveals concert stunt that nearly killed her

By Robin Leach

Pink and Carey Hart at Wasted Space on New Year's Eve 2008.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

A daring bungee stunt during Pink’s show in Brisbane, Australia, went dangerously wrong, and the pop princess has revealed that it was a “near-death experience.” Pink, who recently called off divorce plans and reconciled with our hometown stunt motorcycle hero Carey Hart of the Hard Rock Hotel’s Wasted Space, wound up in serious trouble during a production number.

“I was flying through the air while singing one number. Then the bungees broke -- the whole motor broke,” she said. “I was hanging there upside down by my heels thinking if I fall, should I land on my feet and break my ankles, or should I land on my hands and break my wrists -- or worse. It was scary.

“Naturally, I stopped singing, and the crowd just held its breath in silence until the crew eventually hauled me down to safety.”

Wicked whispers & racy rumors

Cleveland concert promoters told the audience that reality TV star and rapper Flavor Flav wouldn’t be performing because he’d been hospitalized here in Las Vegas. … Which Strip hotel owner has the world’s largest collection of jade and is contemplating putting it on display at his casino? … Insider magicians are all a-gossip that the Steve Wyrick death-drop stunt that went up in flames Saturday sent one stunt double to the hospital with smoke inhalation and possible burns, but his people say he was treated by paramedics onsite.

*Even though the Las Vegas-filmed The Hangover dropped to No. 5 over the weekend, it racked up $10.4 million at the box office, propelling it past the $200 million mark.

*British TV personality Piers Morgan, known for his appearances on America’s Got Talent and Celebrity Apprentice, will film a one-hour documentary about Las Vegas for Britain’s ITV 1 in two separate weeks in August.

*Congratulations to Steve Wynn’s executive VP of design and development, Roger Thomas, who will be honored at the Global Gaming Expo with the 2009 Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his career achievements in casino resort interior design. Roger will be presented with the award during the Casino Design Conference at G2E 2009 on Nov. 16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

*Sixteen-year-old hometown baseball phenomenon Bryce Harper, who graced the June cover of Sports Illustrated, put down the bat and ball long enough to race and film segments for ESPN at Pole Position Raceway opposite Palms.

Star surveillance

Wherever one turned in Tao and Lavo, it was wall-to-wall stars! It was a guys’ only Fourth of July weekend at the Palazzo for Matt Dillon and his buddies. They gambled, hit Tao for dinner at The Venetian next door, partied at Tao and hit the new Azure Pool, where they had a VIP cabana to enjoy Wolfgang Puck’s pizza and coconut sorbet. Matt was tanning on a lounge chair in jeans, but when the ladies surrounded him, he stripped down to swim trunks. The second night of their visit, they had dinner on the Strip front terrace of Lavo in the Palazzo ordering Kobe meatballs before hitting Lavo nightclub, where Matt stood atop a banquette to watch the all-night action. … Actress Cheryl Hines was at Tao enjoying lobster won tons, satay bass, Buddha chicken, pad Thai and an assortment of sushi, along with white wine and cocktails. … D.J. Mbenga of the Los Angeles Lakers dined at Lavo and then obliged fans in the nightclub who wanted to see his NBA championship ring. … LeBron James donned black-rimmed glasses at the head of a 15-person table under the watchful eye of Tao’s Buddha when he came in early for the holiday celebrations. … Also there, headline-grabbing 24-year-old Trevor Ariza, who won the championship with the Lakers but has been traded to the Houston Rockets. He and his friends held court in a Tao Beach cabana, taking in the nighttime outdoor oasis and celebrating with shots of Patron. … Cedric the Entertainer dined with former NBA pro Kenny Smith and friends, while at a nearby table with his wife and in-laws was talk show host Montel Williams. … Actor Dean Cain, his wife and friends had Kobe meatballs, chicken marsala and shrimp scampi at Lavo, topped off with Oreo Zeppole for dessert. … Retired boxer Mike Tyson was at N9NE Steakhouse inside the Palms in a party of five drinking Fiji water and enjoying shrimp cocktail, followed by the Alaskan halibut with a side of creamed spinach. … A blinged-out Kevin Martin of the Sacramento Kings also was there ordering the calamari, filet mignon and a side of macaroni and cheese. … Up in The Playboy Club, poker legend Doyle Brunson wore his trademark cowboy hat to take in the scene at a VIP table with six others next to Tyson Ritter, All-American Rejects singer and guitarist.

*The timing couldn’t be better. No sooner does master magician Lance Burton announce his new six-year renewal at the Luxor than WGN, with 80 million viewers, starts a four-week run of his specials. First up tonight is Top Secret, where Lance will attempt a dangerous escape from the speeding roller coaster in Primm and then attempt to vanish a stealth bomber at Nellis Air Force Base. Next Monday, it’s On the Road With Lance, then July 20 Young Magicians Showcase and on July 27 Hocus Pocus.

Tonight’s tips

Platinum-selling artist Nelly will deal a winning hand despite being ousted from the WSOP when he performs live at Jet in The Mirage, and one of those numbers will be “Country Grammar” from his first album. … While Carmen Electra rehearses for her Crazy Horse Paris debut at MGM, fiance Rob Patterson of Korn takes on guest DJ duties at Prive in Planet Hollywood.

Tomorrow’s teases

Sexy Playboy cover girl and centerfold star Carmen invites us to rehearsals at Crazy Horse Paris ahead of her Thursday striptease debut. We also go one-on-one with Holly Madison’s Peepshow co-star Shoshana Bean at Planet Hollywood, plus one Strip hotel gets ready to throw what might well be the wedding of a lifetime!

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

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