Ludacris decides to sign a few autographs after the crowd booed him when he initially refused to sign at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden arena on Monday. Photo by Jane Kalinowsky.
Kevin Federline, America's favorite punching bag, took another whuppin' Monday night.
Federline, the wannabe rapper who is being divorced by Britney Spears, received the biggest laugh of the Billboard Music Awards, in absentia.
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Early in the Fox broadcast of the two-hour show at the MGM Grand Garden arena, the show announcer teased the crowd at a break by saying the telecast would return with a surprise performance by Federline, whose debut CD has been a disaster.
With that, stock footage was shown of a frenzied crowd fleeing.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
A high roller at Wynn caught an early case of the Christmas spirit. After winning $500,000 in the Winner Take All blackjack tournament on Saturday, he gave it all to charity. A Wynn rep said the high roller, who did not want to be identified, donated the windfall to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center. ...
The Sahara has signed Elvis tribute artist Trent Carlini to a one-year deal. Carlini's "The Musical History of the King" will open Dec. 29. ...
Latin Libido Nights at Prince's Club 3121 (Rio) is being renamed Club Azucar and will feature Grupo Fantasma and salsa dancers. Prince joined the Texas band on stage during the group's debut outing. ...
Las Vegas showbiz vets Freddie Bell, Babe Pier, Carme and Peter Anthony have teamed up on "Those Were The Nights," a nostalgic salute to a bygone lounge era. Michealina Bellamy and Linda Angeline added their voices to the CD, which was written, produced and arranged by Richard Friedland and Ray Streib. The song will air tonight on KLAV-AM, 1230, ("Esperanza y Maggie Por La Manana") from 8-9 p.m.
SIGHTINGS
Rapper Ludacris, rushing back to sign autographs after being booed for ignoring the fans during his Billboard red carpet appearance. His publicist sent him back posthaste. ... Ageless wonder Tony Bennett, with a large group of friends at the Eiffel Tower restaurant (Paris), after winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billboard event. ... Janet Jackson, rehearsing with her dancers in the Palms' Hardwood Suite on Sunday. Her personal chef borrowed the N9ne kitchen to prepare Jackson's special orders. ... Kid Rock, creating traffic-stopping Kidlock as he partied at Bellagio on Sunday, first at Fix (Bellagio) with Shooter Jennings, Drea de Matteo, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and later at Light with pals Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy. Also in the house: Flavor Flav, Boyz II Men, Ian Ziering and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger. ... Chicago Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, partying at Bellagio hot spots Light and Caramel after Sunday's division-clinching win over Minnesota. ... At the National Final Rodeo on Sunday: Wayne Newton. ... Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his family, dining at ESPN Zone (New York-New York) and competing with his kids as a jockey on a mechanical horse in the arcade. ... Gwen Stefani's hubby, Gavin Rossdale, dining with tennis player Mark Philippoussis at N9ne (Palms) and later checking out the Playboy Club. At Moon (Palms): Jesse Metcalfe.... ... Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas, suggesting during her sound check on Sunday that a couple of tequila shots would perk her up after a night of partying. ... Dave Navarro and Young Jeezy, hanging out at Tryst (Wynn) on Sunday. ... Norm Nielsen, being honored as Magician of the Year by the Fantasma Ring No. 257 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians at The Orleans. ... At Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Sunday: Flavor Flav: Black Eyes Peas (minus Fergie), Young Jeezy, Nas, Criss Angel and Ludacris. ... Lance Bass, back at Social House for a second night in a row on Saturday. ... Bass and friends, at Nove Italiano (Palms) and Pure on Friday. At another table: Kid Rock, chatting with Jay Grdina, Jenna Jameson's ex.
THE PUNCH LINE
"The popular toy this Christmas is the new doll the 'Heckle Me' Kramer." -- David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
