Las Vegas Weekly

June 16, 2009 · 2:23 PM

Strip Scribbles: Why Paris Hilton switched from baseball to soccer (players)

By Robin Leach

Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt.

Photo: Scott Doctor/www.greatscottstudios.com

Apparently it was in our N9NE Steakhouse HQ in Chicago when the romance between Paris Hilton and The Hills star Doug Reinhardt actually collapsed. Respected and well-informed Chicago Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker says the ex-ballplayer bragged too openly about his “romantic skills with Paris and that, as a result, she would be his meal ticket for life.”

That tidbit got back to Paris, allegedly, just about the same time, says Bill, that she discovered him ringing up clothes, watches and jewelry purchases on her credit cards without her permission. What with a couple of text messages indicating he was still prowling for other women, the romance blew up in one huge showdown.

Hours after the explosion, Paris was in the arms of handsome Cristiano Ronaldo, now the richest soccer player in the world with a $134 million contract. Bill says Paris and Cristiano were amorous admirers from a year earlier. Cristiano spent two nights with Paris in Los Angeles before he flew here with his pals and Paris took off for the East Coast. The invasions of European paparazzi photographers are on alert for the next moves.

Photo: Scott Doctor/www.greatscottstudios.com

Paula Abdul.

*More on the Paula Abdul planned show we reported yesterday (click HERE for that story): We can now tell you that Paula and Wayne Brady had long conversations while at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT Steakhouse. That could indicate what we were led to believe when we first reported 10 days ago that Paula will get his theater in The Venetian either when he’s away on hiatus or in an earlier time slot or both.

Meantime, congratulations to Wayne, who celebrated his 37th birthday at nearby Lavo in the Palazzo. Before performing in his show, he had a celebration dinner with 15 friends. Then he returned after the show with a group that had doubled to 30. He was presented with a cake and toasted by cast, crew and friends. DJ Vice provided the birthday shout-out and played several songs from Wayne’s CD.

Photo: Al Powers

Wayne Brady celebrates his 37th birthday at Lavo.

*Holly Madison and her Playmate girlfriends celebrating a girls’ night out on the town had to turn around at the entrance to Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel because one Bunny was under 21 years old. Check out our Las Vegas Weekly colleague Melissa Arseniuk’s story HERE.

*My Twitter told you yesterday that for a second weekend, The Hangover filmed here at Caesars Palace held onto its top spot at the box office. The comedy starring Bradley Cooper and Heather Graham has surpassed $100 million in 10 days. Go see the movie if you haven’t already, and keep watch for Carrot Top’s cameo. At the end of the movie, the stars reveal the reason why and how the bachelor party gone horribly wrong happened. The scene was shot in Carrot Top’s dressing room at the Luxor and depicts a series of still photos showing the four stars drinking with him. It produces huge crowd reactions!

Photo: Warner Bros.

Three men and a baby: Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms in The Hangover.

*We also tweeted yesterday the exclusive scoop that nightclub queen and our esteemed Las Vegas Weekly friend Xania Woodman wrote about the sudden collapse, closure and bankruptcy of Nicole Durr’s ND nightclub at The Rio. Shortly after her report, The Rio’s PR people confirmed with a statement. “The visionary force behind Club Fuego, ND, has opted to close the nightclub in order to pursue future projects in other formats. The closure is effective today. We regret that ND has decided to close Club Fuego, however we have enjoyed a positive partnership with ND and respect her desire to explore alternative projects,” said Marilyn Winn, president of The Rio, Paris and Bally’s Las Vegas. “We have benefited from her originality, creativity and enthusiasm and wish both ND and her talented team much success as they continue to develop the various elements of the brand.”

Photo: TVT

Thomas Keller.

*Star chef Thomas Keller, named America’s Best Chef by Time magazine, launches his new cookbook Under Pressure today at his restaurant Bouchon in The Venetian. I’m taking Miss America Katie Stam with me to catch up on the first six months of her reign since she was crowned back in January here at Planet Hollywood. Thomas will host a Q&A session with food fans and will then sign copies of the $75 tome.

Photo: Pure Management Group

Bill and Giuilana Rancic.

Photo: HTZ

Terra Jole, aka Mini Lady Gaga.

Star surveillance

The husband and wife team of Bill Rancic, The Apprentice Season 1 winner, and Giuliana Rancic filmed an upcoming episode of their new show Bill and Giuliana at the Palazzo, where they also had lunch on Dal Toro’s terrace. Their series premieres in August on the Style Network. … Poker star Dan Quach celebrated his girlfriend’s birthday at XS in the Encore, where actor Ethan Embry also celebrated his birthday. Ethan also hit Tryst in the Wynn, where poker stars David Williams, Nenad Medic, October 2006 Playboy Playmate Jordan Monroe and NBA veteran Jerry Stackhouse were living the nightlife. … NFL legend Warren Moon dined at Lavo, with British soccer stars Joleon Lescott of Everton and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey of Wolverhampton Wanderers nearby at separate tables. … Marisa Ramirez of Fox’s Mental watched Peepshow in Planet Hollywood. … Iron Chef Kerry Simon played host to actor Willem Dafoe at his pajama brunch party. … Terra Jole has shed her Britney Spears persona for Mini Lady Gaga, and she performed “Poker Face” and “Just Dance” to fans at Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood. … Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine had an entourage of 10 for dinner at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms. He shared the shellfish platter and rock shrimp with the group and then split a 24-ounce rib eye with a friend. The next night, he turned up at Nove Italiano there for another 24-ounce rib eye, plus New York cheesecake and chocolate truffle cake! Also in Nove, actor James Caan with son Scott Caan and actress Erika Christensen before hitting The Playboy Club, where they were joined by comedian Pauly Shore. … Magician Penn Jillette was at N9NE in a party of nine enjoying the lobster bisque and bone-in filet, and for some still-unexplained reason, Adam Levine bought The Rio headliner a cup of hot tea. … Rapper Too Short spent time at Ghostbar and Moon in the Palms, while at The Playboy Club pro skateboarder Adam Dyet took a VIP table and sipped on Ketel One. … Terrell Owens of the Buffalo Bills had a VIP table at Moon, where large entourages piled in with linebacker Shaun Phillips of the San Diego Chargers, New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, superbike racer Johnny Rock Page and the Deftones. … After their poolside performance at the Palazzo, members of Live did shots of Patron at a VIP table in Lavo, even bringing some of the fans from the concert with them. … And at neighboring Tao in The Venetian, Season 1 American Idol finalist Ryan Starr won applause from fans.

Photo: Alex Loc Thieu

Carey Hart at Tryst.

Tonight’s tips

One of the original Latin Kings of Comedy, Alex Reymundo, performs his stand-up for the next six nights at the Improv in Harrah’s with supporting acts Jodi Borrello and Greg Brightwell. … Carey Hart presents the Von Bondies at his Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel. … My friend DJ Shoe hosts the debut of Sake Play Day at the Buddha Bar in the Palms with more than 100 sakes being poured while he twists the turntables for three hours.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Elaine Wynn and Andre Agassi attend the first-ever graduation ceremony of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.

Tomorrow’s teases

Tennis legend and hometown hero Andre Agassi celebrates the first class of graduates from his College Preparatory Academy, and President Obama sends congratulations! … We hit the music and party scene with Live in the band’s performance at the Palazzo pool, get close-up with Testament, dance with Amanda Righetti and play poker with the skateboard stars. … And Smokey Robinson launches Human Nature’s salute to Motown.

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.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

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