Celine Dion has a rare ear disease that could linger.
Caesars Palace headliner Celine Dion has been suffering from a rare ear disease that can have long-term lingering effects.
Dion, who had to cancel almost a week of shows, was back at work Friday. She has been telling fans at the Colosseum that the condition, known as Labyrinthitis, could last "from a couple weeks to a year."
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Rene Angelil, her husband-manager, said her problems began with a viral illness. She began suffering from severe vertigo caused by fluid in the inner ear, he said.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
It's a good thing Steve Wynn wasn't planning a birthday opening of Encore for his wife, Elaine.
It would be impossible to top the birthday party he threw for her at last year's opening night of Wynn Las Vegas.
After a dinner at Alex that was prepared by an all-universe lineup of star chefs (Paul Bocuse, Daniel Boulud, Alain Ducasse, Thomas Keller, Nobu Matsuhisa, Charlie Palmer, Charlie Potter, David Robbins and Alex Stratta), Elaine was treated to a dance with Hugh Jackman and a performance by her favorite singer, American opera star Renee Fleming, who sang from atop the "Hello Dolly" staircase at Alex.
"What a way to open a restaurant," said Stratta, who somehow made his 5 a.m. appointment on NBC's "Today" show with Matt Lauer and Katie Couric.
"No pressure at all," he said.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Those auditions for Simon Cowell's TV show "America's Got Talent" are maxed out; booked solid, according to organizers. Tapes can still be submitted by contacting Hedda Muskat at 323-782-0430 or e-mail: heddam@aol.com. The auditions are today, Monday and Tuesday inside The Chippendales Theatre and the V Theatre (Aladdin) with producer David Saxe. ...
Hoo-wah! Eight-time Oscar nominee Al Pacino has joined the "Ocean's 13" lineup. Pacino, 66, will play the role of Willie Banks, a tough casino boss.
SIGHTINGS
Stacey Keibler of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," turning heads at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Saturday. ... Dion, arriving at Neon Sun tanning shop Friday in the company of two bodyguards. ... Sting, ordering the halibut and bittersweet chocolate tart at Daniel Boulud Brasserie (Wynn) on Friday. He performed at Tiger Jam IX on Saturday at Mandalay Bay. ... Tiger Woods, with a party of 10 in the private dining room at Charlie Palmer Steak (Four Seasons) on Friday. ... Andrew Firestone and friends at Aureole (Mandalay Bay). ... Keyshawn Johnson of the Carolina Panthers and David Hasselhoff, at Aladdin/Planet Hollywood on Saturday. ... At the Palms: NFLers Simeon Rice and Tony Gonzalez, actors Rob Schneider, Scott Caan, Jeremy Piven, Jesse Metcalfe and Michael Vartan and Melissa Rivers. ... Former NFL All-Pro Junior Seau, with galpals at Pure on Friday. Also there: Schneider, taking photos of fans. ... At Tao (The Venetian): Caan and Haylie Duff, at separate tables. ... Ray Allen of the Seattle Sonics, at Jet (Mirage). ... Haloti Ngata, Oregon's massive defensive tackle, celebrating his NFL selection by Baltimore as the 12th overall pick, with family and friends at ESPN Zone (New York-New York) on Saturday. ... Twisted Sister'sDee Snider and Mark "The Animal" Mendoza, renting Harleys on Saturday at the Las Vegas Harley Davidson shop on Eastern. ... UFC star Chuck Liddell, lunching with friends at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab at the Forum Shops. ... The rock band Godsmack, filming a music video on the roof of the Aladdin, with illusionist Criss Angel stepping in for a turn as lead vocalist with Vince Neil of Motley Crue manning a video camera.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Why did I agree to cook for Stan? I must have been sober. That won't happen again." -- Karen (Megan Mullally) on "Will & Grace"
