Las Vegas Weekly

March 21, 2009 · 8:15 AM

Photos: Holly Madison pays visit to Luxor headliner (and it’s not Criss Angel)

By Robin Leach

A very blonde Holly Madison and a very redheaded Carrot Top.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Dancing With the Stars contestant Holly Madison put in six hours of rehearsals at a Las Vegas studio yesterday before making a return visit to the Luxor. While she was dating Luxor headliner Criss Angel for four months -- they split Feb. 18 -- she lived there in the pyramid’s penthouse with the Mindfreakmagician. They’d gone public with their romance on the Oct. 31 red carpet premiere of his Cirque du Soleil show Believe.

I can confirm that the breakup was “amicable.” Criss and Holly’s split was mutual and in the interests of their careers. They have remained good friends and text each other regularly, chat occasionally and follow each other’s careers.

Photo: Pure Management Group

Wilmer Valderrama, Holly Madison and Criss Angel at LAX.

Holly wanted her own career and to stand on her own two feet. She wanted to be her own money earner and to pay her own bills, including her new Santa Monica condo. She’d turned down an offer as a headliner in one Strip revue and was in serious discussions with two others.

Returning to L.A. after the bust-up, Holly landed on DWTS just five days before the premiere, replacing injured singer-songwriter Jewel. Jewel damaged her tibias, and doctors said no more dancing. She’s been on crutches but did perform on last Tuesday’s results show while seated.

Holly has committed to a rigorous rehearsal schedule of six hours a day seven days a week! “There’s no time for anything else in my life,” Holly told me. “I can’t even think about dating. I haven't even had time to file my taxes! I feel as if I am living out of my car. I think I may just have to sleep in my camper at the studio between rehearsals to get caught up instead of driving back and forth from home.”

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Holly Madison and Carrot Top keep it casual, it being their clothing.

However, Holly last night took Vegas girlfriend Angel Perino to the Luxor, but instead of her ex’s dressing room, she went backstage to visit comedy king Carrot Top. I dispatched our contributing photographer Erik Kabik there for our exclusive photos.

I talked with Holly and her DWTS partner Dmitry Chaplin yesterday at Tony Delgado’s Dance Studio, where they’ve been rehearsing since Thursday. Over the three days here, she will have been immersed in 18 hours of rehearsals.

Click HERE for our story and photos yesterday when dance students and parents alike mobbed the couple. After today’s rehearsal for ABC cameras, Dmitry heads home to L.A., and Holly has the night off for dinner at Planet Hollywood, followed by hosting a party at Prive.

Photo: ABC TV

Holly Madison and Dmitry Chaplin.

We’ll have our exclusive interview and photos with Holly on Monday before she competes in the third show of Season 8. Holly talks candidly about love, life, fears and her future plans, which include a lot more time here!

Holly says if there’s time, she will fly in for Playboy founder and ex Hugh Hefner’s April 4 birthday dinner at N9NE Steakhouse and the after-party in The Playboy Club, even though Hef will be with his three new playmate girlfriends. Holly added: “Kendra and Bridget are rooting for me, and I’ve heard that Hef is watching the show every week to see how I do.”

Holly and Dmitry will dance the samba Monday twice, once in the afternoon dress rehearsal and then for the broadcast. Holly has designed her own low-cut, short and sparkly dress for the routine. We’ll have the sneak preview of Monday’s show to kick off the week, and the live, as-it-happens report Monday evening before the telecast airs in our time zone.

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