Monday, January 26, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Blond Celine Dion unlocks new look

Celine Dion feeling like a "Barbie" COURTESY PHOTO Will Smith at birthday party Dr. Phil learning about fast cars Jennifer Lopez throws bash

Celine Dion says she feels "like a Barbie" in her new Rapunzel-like platinum blond tresses.

She showed off her dramatic makeover Saturday at the Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black and White Ball, where she was the "Woman of the Year" honoree.

After being saluted before the creme de la creme of Las Vegas society at Caesars Palace, she told reporters she recently decided she wanted to "become a blonde for a while, for a moment."

I had to ask, of course, if blondes indeed have more fun. The Caesars Palace headliner glowed and added, "sometimes. I'm like every woman; I like to play and have a good time."

Life is good, she said, as her megashow "A New Day..." nears its first-year anniversary in March.

Her son, Rene Charles, turned 3 on Sunday, but the birthday party was delayed until today, her day off, "so we can spend the whole day with him

without rushing anything."

"We're going to celebrate at Chuck E. Cheese," Dion said, and with "a cake, Bob the Builder, from A to Z."

She addressed the issue of having a second child, acknowledging that it's in the plans.

"After this project, we've said we'd love to try it again," she said.

The Scene and Heard

Wine mogul Larry Ruvo tells me that he's planning "the most extravagant party ever" to honor star chef Wolfgang Puck on May 15 at The Mirage. Ruvo said he's assembling many of the greatest chefs in the world, including Alain Ducasse, Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud, for the annual Alzheimer's fund-raiser. ...

Mark Pfister, longtime KLAS-TV, Channel 8 weatherman, gave notice Dec. 24 to work until Jan. 30, but somebody changed his/her mind, and he picks up his last check today. "Everyone's been professional about it. But it did come as a surprise less than 36 hours before I started my last week to hear 'uh, don't show up.' " It's a time-honored tradition in TV that veteran staffers get a chance to say farewell on air. His friends are joining him Saturday at Capozzoli's Italian Restaurant on Maryland Parkway. ...

Ted Grevelis of North Las Vegas, among many others, set us straight on a geographic faux pas: "As a Colby (Maine) College graduate (also ranked in the Top 10, by the way), I'd like nothing better than to see arch-rival Bowdoin pick up stakes and move to Massachusetts, but alas, it remains in Brunswick, Maine.

Sightings

Dr. Phil McGraw of the "Dr. Phil Show," getting instruction Sunday from four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. The segment will air next month. ... Drivers Gordon, Paul Tracy, Jimmy Vassar and Jimmy Johnson entertaining a bevy of beauties at Nobu and Pink Taco (Hard Rock Hotel) on Saturday night. ... Jennifer Lopez, living it up at the Los Angeles birthday party of her former agent Benny Medina on Saturday, while the Hard Rock Hotel would neither confirm nor deny Ben Affleck's presence over the weekend. Also at Medina's bash: Mariah Carey, Will Smith, Paris Hilton and Medina client Jeff Beacher, who brings his madhouse comedy back to the Hard Rock on Saturday. ... NFL legend Gale Sayers, climbing on stage and joining the group Class One at the Indigo Room (Bally's). ... Former NFL great Joe Theisman at Nora's Italian restaurant on Friday.

The Punch Line

"I used to rock and roll all night and party every day. Then it was every other day. Now I'm lucky if I can find a half an hour a week in which to get funky!" -- Homer Simpson

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