Las Vegas Weekly

February 10, 2010 · 6:56 PM

Strip Scribbles: Platinum Modeling Agency responds to report of hijinx

By Robin Leach

2008 Miss Indiana USA Brittany Mason.

Photo: TVT

My story yesterday about certain model agency shenanigans set off a number of calls regarding two modeling agencies not following industry standards in sending models off to the Mideast on go-go dancing and escort gigs. To clarify the situation, which is well known to legitimate model agencies in Las Vegas, the hijinx apply to two so-called model agencies and not top ones in town such as Best, Platinum and AWG. Platinum President Laura Diane told me: “We are well aware of the offending agencies. It is absolutely something we do not condone or permit. We don’t want the bad actions of others to affect our legitimate businesses.

“National clients were concerned about this report yesterday, and we want to assure them and your readers that we are not involved. We have had great success placing Platinum Agency models and talent in our Las Vegas, Scottsdale and Los Angeles offices throughout the fashion industry. We have recently placed Platinum Agency model Brittany Mason in a photo spread in the current issue of 944 Magazine alongside Holly Madison and Josh Strickland; Platinum Agency model Mercedes Terrell recently shot an ad for LVCVA for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition; we had female and male models booked for the MAC Cosmetics Spring Forecast Event alongside Best Agency’s models at Town Square; and we currently have Platinum model Victoria Alexevva filming for Fuel TV in Los Angeles.

“These are just a few of the great projects we have recently booked. We strive hard to find our models outstanding work in the print and fashion industry. We keep a close eye on our models and talent to ensure they uphold the high Platinum Agency standards.”

*Congratulations to our hometown superstar Smokey Robinson, who stars at the first 2010 White House concert for President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama tonight, providing the East Coast snowstorm doesn’t shut down Washington. You can watch the show streamed on WhiteHouse.gov or on PBS tomorrow. Smokey will be singing with Queen Latifah, Natalie Cole, Seal, Jennifer Hudson and John Legend. Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp also are performing. Smokey returns here tomorrow to headline at Green Valley Ranch on Saturday.

*Paul “DJ Pauly D” Del Vecchio of MTV’s Jersey Shore will serve an exclusive residency this spring at the Palms, giving fans an up-close-and-personal experience with the Rhode Island turntablist. Dates and additional information are to come.

*After years in San Diego, the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament and Fan Festival is heading here this weekend for the showdown of 16 international teams at Sam Boyd Stadium. Some 45 games will be played, and tonight the players from the English, Scottish and Welsh squads have their kickoff celebration at the Hard Rock Hotel hosted by ULKV.co.uk. It’s a very physical sport without timeouts or protective clothing. I hated having to play it in school: The field was always muddy, and I always got bruised, battered and beaten whenever I was thrown the ball! To add to its insanity, the game with two 40-minute halves is played backwards -- the only time you can go forward with the ball is when it’s kicked. Otherwise, pass it back and run until you are violently tackled to the ground. I won’t even describe what goes on in “the scrum”!

*Legendary residents and entertainers Buddy Greco and Lezlie Anders will perform in Palm Springs at the Spa Resort this weekend in what will be their farewell concert before heading overseas. During his 60 years in the business, Buddy has recorded 65 albums. This spring, the couple will open their critically acclaimed stage show Fever! The Music of Peggy Lee in London’s West End.

*Star chef Wolfgang Puck continues to revolutionize fine dining with two options at Crystals. Brasserie Puck is his first French restaurant in nearly 30 years. Wolf tapped two of his Fine Dining Group veterans to head up the team: executive chef Dustin Lewandowski from Wolf’s MGM Grand outpost and General Manager Matt Dickerson, who moves over from Postrio in The Venetian. Located just an escalator ride below is the second restaurant, The Pods by Wolfgang Puck, a full-service coffee bar, cafe and bar located on the Crystals staircase.

Star surveillance

Benji Madden of Good Charlotte dined at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms last night with N9NE Group’s Jason “JRoc” Craig before heading up to Moon as the guest DJ. Also there was rapper DJ Kool, who partied with 15 friends. … Jersey Boys star Travis Cloer goes solo with two concerts on March 3 at The Liberace Museum performing his favorite jazz standards featured on his CD Setting the Standard.

Tonight’s tips

Those amazing Harlem Globetrotters, who’ve played more than 25,000 games, bounce to The Orleans Arena continuing their 84-year history with their magic basketball tricks, high-flying dunks and slapstick comedy. Bet there are some NBA teams who’d like to bring these guys back to play in the league! … Rap royal Rakim will perform his hits at LAX in the Luxor. … Carey Hart kicks off Mardi Gras with a House of Lounge gift bag party at his Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel.

Tomorrow’s teases

We’ll continue with our full photo coverage of the 2010 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition models and their party at Jet in The Mirage as they face Day 2 of their whirlwind Las Vegas vacation. We’ll also have Part 1 of our enthralling interview with Jason Alexander and a face-to-face with the world’s filthiest comic, the outrageous Andrew Dice Clay, who has started a run for the year at the Las Vegas Hilton.

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 at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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