Las Vegas Weekly

July 27, 2009 · 2:02 PM

Photo Galleries: It’s Stacy Keibler vs. Melissa Rycroft in rival pool parties

By Robin Leach

Melissa Rycroft and her fiance Tye Strickland host at Azure Pool in the Palazzo.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Two Dancing With the Stars beauties found themselves hosting rival pool parties in Las Vegas this past weekend, and both were at competing resort pools in a head-to-head bikini battle!

Actress-model Stacy Keibler had hostess duties at MGM’s Wet Republic. The stunning, leggy starlet wore a red and white polka-dot bikini with matching white fedora. She showed off her amazing body as she partied with friends in one of the VIP bungalows.

Stacy, who finished third with Tony Dovolani in Season 2 of DWTS, took a break from dancing for a light lunch of fresh salads and assorted fruit. Then it was back to an afternoon of dancing with her friends as DJ Ody rocked the turntables.

Photo: Thomas Myers/Retna Ltd.

Stacy Keibler at Tabu Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand.

Later, Stacy took her entourage of girlfriends to MGM’s Tabu Ultra Lounge. The WWE veteran and Maxim Hot 100 honoree showed off her famous 42-inch-long legs in a black and gray leopard-print mini dress and black patent leather stilettos. Upon her dazzling arrival on the red carpet, fans surrounded the venue trying to get a peek of the blonde beauty and asking for photos and autographs.

Inside, Stacy hopped up on the platform table to show off her dance moves. She thanked the Tabu staff and mingled with fans on the dance floor.

Melissa and Tye at Azure

Over at Azure Pool in the Palazzo, gorgeous Melissa Rycroft, who also coincidentally finished third with Tony Dovolani but on the most recent season of DWTS, arrived sporting her dazzling diamond engagement ring with fiance Tye Strickland from her hometown of Dallas.

The couple’s Las Vegas visit was a three-day pre-honeymoon-styled vacation. They checked into their luxury suite at the Palazzo and then headed over to First Food & Bar for their first dinner here as an engaged coupled. They dined on filet mignon and salmon and sipped on cotton candy martinis for dessert.

Next morning, Melissa wore cut-off jean shorts and a colorful bikini, showing off her abs and her engagement ring when she hosted the Absolut party at Azure. This couple is hopelessly in love and played and teased each other by the pool, including one game where Tye tossed frozen grapes into Melissa’s mouth. She tossed them right back at him, and neither missed a mouthful!

“The newly engaged couple made it very clear to onlookers that they are very serious about their love,” reported my spywitness. “They remained mum about their future wedding plans but held hands and kissed passionately as they relaxed on the plush white lounge chairs outside their cabana. To cool down, they went in the pool, where Melissa jumped on Tye’s back and then playfully splashed each other before throwing each other a volleyball.”

Photo: Jacob Andrzejczak/ImagesofVegas.com

Tye Strickland and Melissa Rycroft host at Azure Pool in the Palazzo.

They sipped on Absolut Frozen Mango cocktails and ate a catered lunch from Azure by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, dining on margherita pizza, lobster salads, gourmet burgers and French fries. Melissa and Tye hit Canyon Ranch Spa Club that morning, so they had room for bruschetta, which she said was her favorite dish.

Then Melissa went into the DJ booth, where she threw on headphones and playfully pretended to spin records before shouting out to the crowd that she had no idea what she was doing! But she knew her business when it came time for the poolside fashion show with models wearing outfits from Poleci in the Palazzo Shoppes, and Melissa not only handled the announcements but also playfully strutted her stuff down the stairs as she smiled and laughed at Tye.

After the fun and relaxing day at Azure, Melissa and Tye hit Lavo for dinner. Next morning, they were up early enough to head back to Azure for a private cabana and Canyon Ranch’s signature poolside massages, “Champagne on the Rocks,” in the rotunda overlooking the Strip.

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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