Las Vegas Weekly

September 29, 2009 · 10:35 AM

Photo Gallery: Debbie Allen celebrates new Fame at the Paris

By Robin Leach

Debbie Allen arrives at a screening of Fame at the Paris Las Vegas.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Golden Globe and Emmy winner Debbie Allen was just a dance teacher in the original Fame movie. Now nearly 30 years later in the retelling of the Oscar-winning hit, Debbie has graduated to principal at the New York City High School of Performing Arts.

Debbie choreographed and directed Mariah Carey’s new tour, including her recent stop at The Pearl in the Palms (Mariah returns there Oct. 9 and 10). Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, artists and actors for four years at the school.

Our Paris played host at its Theatre de Arts red carpet screening, with Debbie and new stars Kristy Flores (Rosie), Walter Perez (Victor), Asher Book (Marco), Paul McGill (Kevin), Paul Iacono (Neil), Kay Panabaker (Jenny), Kherington Payne (Alice) and the film’s director Kevin Tanchereon.

It’s difficult to believe that Debbie’s original Fame is nearly 30 years old. The 1980 flick showed that it was diligence, determination and discipline that turned hard-working students into stars way before reality shows gave the naughty ones 15 minutes of notoriety.

“A lot of hard work and focus on the craft can pay off with a respectable career that lasts much longer than just 15 minutes,” Kevin said.

Debbie added: “I had no idea when I did the original movie how much it would do for me and wind up meaning for me. Fame has become my baby, and it belongs to me.”

She portrayed teacher Lydia Grant in the movie and TV series, for which she directed 11 episodes from 1984 to 1987.

Several of our Las Vegas entertainers turned up for the red carpet to support the young stars of tomorrow’s showbiz headlines, including Human Nature, Nathan Burton, Anthony Cools, Vinnie Favorito and Frank Marino.

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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