Monday, January 05, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Groom gone, as is Spears' marriage

Britney Spears' wedding: A joke that went too far? Jason Allen Alexander left Las Vegas less than a day after his wedding.

The marriage of pop princess Britney Spears unraveled shortly after the wedding dinner Saturday and her husband left Las Vegas hours later, stunned that their quickie marriage was heading for court.

The bizarre 5 a.m. marriage was over by sunset with Spears and her childhood pal Jason Allen Alexander going separate ways.

"Her family wanted her out of it," said a source close to the situation.

Meanwhile, her fans were left wondering: What was she thinking?

It was a case of taking "a joke too far," her record label, Jive Records, said in a statement. The childhood pals "have filed for an annulment, which will become official on Monday," according to Sonia Muckle, Jive's vice president of publicity.

Spears' mother, Lynne, who reportedly knew nothing of the wedding until after it happened, did not attend the 4 p.m. wedding dinner at N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms, but was seen sitting with Britney at Rain, the Palms' nightclub, about 11 p.m. 'N Sync's Lance Bass was later spotted consoling Britney at the same nightclub.

A source said George Maloof, owner of the Palms, acted on the family's wishes and got lawyers involved.

A member of Spears' entourage said almost 40 friends and relatives were in town to spend New Year's with the pop star.

But their joy over word of the wedding quickly turned to shock Saturday when they heard the groom had left town and that the marriage was being dissolved.

Some friends and family, including Britney's brother Bryan, had left town but returned after hearing about the wedding.

"It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing," said a family friend. "They like each other. She had a crush on him for a while."

The source said Spears' breakup with former beau Justin Timberlake had a lot to do with a marriage ultimatum by her.

Spears attended the chick-flick "Mona Lisa Smile" at the Brendan Theatres at the Palms before getting married about 12 hours later.

Karaoke surprise

Ellis Island Casino & Brewery's karaoke room regulars couldn't believe their eyes.

The guy singing a righteous version of "My Way" on Friday was Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage.

The star of "Leaving Las Vegas" enjoyed it so much he came back Saturday and performed The Doors' "Touch Me."

"He made such a positive impression on everyone that when he left the whole place gave him a standing ovation," said Michael Koniski, vice president and general manager of the off-Strip property on Paradise Road.

The Scene and Heard

Danny Gans, through an intermediary, said Sunday that his recent cancellations have nothing to do with any contractual disputes with the MGM Mirage. He said a viral infection has been bothering him for some time.

Sightings

Hillary Clinton, spotted at Fiamma Las Vegas, the new Italian restaurant at the MGM Grand) with a half-dozen Secret Service agents, sharing pastas with Brian Greenspun and entourage on Saturday night. ... Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis at Rain on Friday night. ... Bellagio honcho Bobby Baldwin and his wife, Donna, socializing with Matt Damon and his new galpal Eva Mendes at Light, the Bellagio nightclub last week. The Mirage Resorts chief executive and Damon share a love of poker. Damon played a high-stakes gambler in the 1998 film "Rounders" and participated in the 1998 World Series of Poker. Baldwin is a multiple winner of the event. ... Kobe Bryant, flying out of Signature Airport on a private jet on New Year's Day with his wife, Vanessa.

The Punch Line

"There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne." -- Bette Davis in "Old Acquaintance."

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.