Las Vegas Weekly

May 31, 2010 · 11:25 AM

Photos: Partying with Cher, Chelsea, Rashad, Gilles, Snoop and Shaggy

By Robin Leach

Gilles Marini at Azure Pool in the Palazzo on May 30, 2010.

Photo: IS Photography/ImagesofVegas.com

The stars continue to shine on The Strip as the third day of the Memorial Day weekend rolls on in high gear, and our contributing photographers and spywitnesses were everywhere it counted.

CHER AND CHELSEA HANDLER

It was a changing of the guard at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and Cher stayed a little later and Chelsea Handler arrived a little earlier for this photograph. Cher had just ended her show, and Chelsea waited for her new audience to be seated. There was no better way during that intermission than to snap a pic.

Photo: Courtesy

Chelsea Handler and Cher on May 29, 2010.

Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond was at Cher’s show last night -- both back-to-back weekend Cher shows were complete sellouts. Now the superstar entertainer gets a 16-day break before resuming June 15. Meantime, the Chelsea Lately host, who appeared at the 4,500-seat Colosseum last November, filled the Caesars Palace venue once again, proving her star power, and Editor Don Chareunsy posted today a report on the show.

RASHAD EVANS CELEBRATES VICTORY

It was a unanimous judges’ decision for “Sugar” Rashad Evans at UFC 114 over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night, and hundreds of loyal fans gathered outside Tabu Ultra Lounge at MGM Grand to catch a glimpse of the champion.

Our spywitness reported: “As he entered the hotspot for his official post-fight victory celebration, the crowd cheered wildly with shout-out congratulations. The sharply dressed Rashad, who was all smiles in his blue-checkered button-down and navy blue tie and suit, basked in the glory of victory with a 30-strong entourage, including his supportive wife LaToya.

“The thunderous applause continued inside as the champion immediately started dancing. He remained on his feet throughout the night enjoying the killer beats of DJ Matty Matt, and the party scene continued through early yesterday morning. UFC announcer Bruce Buffer made an appearance and took to the mic to offer congratulations to the man of the hour.”

At the nearby Studio 54, UFC fighters Forrest Griffin, Josh Koscheck and Cain Velasquez celebrated with fans at a post-fight party. Despite a brace wrapped around an injured arm, Forrest playfully posed on the red carpet with Studio 54 models, and Cain threw up fighting arms and peace signs as he posed for cameras. The fighters mingled and took pictures with fans before partying to the sounds of resident DJ Skribbles.

GILLES MARINI AND ICE CHAMPAGNE AT AZZURE

Handsome hunk Gilles Marini kick-started the Azure Pool party at the Palazzo yesterday and celebrated the launch of Moet Ice Imperial, the only bubbly in the world processed specifically to be poured over ice. The model and star of ABC’s Brothers & Sisters and Dancing With the Stars and Sex and the City had the bikini-clad beauties all in a whirl at the pool.

“I love Azure! It’s such a luxurious, high-end pool. It reminds me of the South of France,” Gilles said. Our spywitness reported: “While at Azure, Gilles cooled off by taking a dive in the pool, laid out under the sun, took photos with fans, relaxed in his cabana and hung out with UFC fighter Cheick Kongo.

Upon his arrival at the Palazzo, Gilles tweeted about his amazing Siena Suite. He also ran into former DWTS partner Cheryl Burke at VIP check-in, and they laughed and greeted each other as if no time had passed. Cheryl was in town celebrating her birthday.

He dined at Tao in The Venetian and Lavo in the Palazzo and had a Swedish massage at Canyon Ranch SpaClub. He also shared summer fitness tips with fans: “Cut carbs if you don’t work out like a maniac each day. They are not fueling your body.”

Gilles said he’d attended the Sex and the City 2 premiere before flying to Las Vegas: “It’s better than the first. It’s all about female empowerment.” He’s also excited about the upcoming season of Brothers & Sisters. “My character is going to be expanded. There is drama, but it’s going to be relatable to the viewer.”

SNOOP DOGG AND SHAGGY

Rap royal Snoop Dogg kicked off his holiday weekend with a concert at Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace’s new Garden of the Gods beach and pool complex. Our spywitness reported: “He sang five songs, including crowd favorites ‘The Next Episode’ and ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot.’ Off stage, Snoop sat with a large group of friends, and the group enjoyed Venus Pool’s mojitos and sliders. Nearby, hot new country singer Jessie James enjoyed the concert while sporting a neon orange, yellow and green bikini. Donovan McNabb, Larry Fitzgerald and Takeo Spikes also were at VPC.”

Later, Snoop took to the stage at sister hotspot LAX in the Luxor and sang seven songs for the crowd. Kurrupt from the Dogg Pound and other rappers in his entourage joined him onstage. LenDale White and Jessie also were at LAX.

Photo: Bob Burchess/FotoBob.com/Pure Management Group

Shaggy at Pure in Caesars Palace on May 30, 2010.

Photo: Bob Burchess/FotoBob.com/Pure Management Group

Shaggy at Pure in Caesars Palace on May 30, 2010.

Photo: Bob Burchess/FotoBob.com/Pure Management Group

Chelsea Handler and Jenny McCarthy at Pure in Caesars Palace on May 30, 2010.

Simultaneously at sister nightclub Pure in Caesars Palace, Shaggy performed and kept the crowd cheering. He was joined by a group of friends for Belvedere vodka and Veuve Clicquot. Blonde funny girls Jenny McCarthy and Chelsea, who’d brought Jenny to town for the weekend, also were at Pure. Chelsea and Jenny sat in the VIP area on the main stage and laughed and chatted into yesterday’s early hours. Jermaine O’Neal, Frank Tucker, Brian Urlacher and Larry Johnson also were at Pure.

Vegas DeLuxe will continue our photo features through today’s events and will post our wrap-up tomorrow just as first lady Michelle Obama arrives in town for a totally different kind of party!

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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