Spears not that political, manager says
Britney Spears' manager Larry Rudolph insists the pop star was "by no means endorsing" Hillary Clinton when Spears posted photos of herself posing with the Democratic presidential candidate last week.
Rudolph said he initiated the meeting, which took place Thursday in Clinton's suite at Caesars Palace.
"Hillary was in town," Rudolph said. "I got connected with one of her top aides, whom I spoke to. Hillary said she really wanted to meet Britney, and Britney really wanted to meet her."
Several photos of the meeting were posted on Spears' Instagram account, but #ImWithHer, Clinton's social media hashtag, was quickly deleted.
That led to speculation on the Internet that Spears was withdrawing her endorsement.
"It wasn't intended to be disrespectful," said Rudolph, who suggested the hashtag was posted on Spears' Instagram by someone else.
"After it got pulled back, she put out her own statement right after that," he said.
Spears' caption read: "Being in Vegas for #PieceofMe is amazing for many reasons ... Especially today ... because I had the incredible opportunity to meet @HillaryClinton!! Such an inspiration and beautiful voice for women around the world!!! This woman had an intense presence and I felt very honored to meet her!!!"
Rudolph said Spears "was there because she respects Hillary as a strong successful female role model in male-dominated world."
He said Spears relates to Clinton, "but she doesn't believe entertainers should necessarily try to be political in the sense that she would endorse this person or that person."
Rudolph characterized their conversation as "light chitchat. It certainly wasn't anything about politics. It was a conversation between two very strong women who really enjoyed each other's company."
In one of the photos released after the meeting, Rudolph and Clinton are seen having an animated exchange.
Rudolph said that it was a conversation about a favorite restaurant, Mr. Chow at Caesars Palace.
He said Spears chimed in, said she had reservations there that night and wanted a recommendation.
Rudolph recommended the green shrimp. Clinton is seen emphatically pointing toward Rudolph, agreeing. Which got Clinton engaged in a debate, he said, over "how do they make the shrimp green?"
The scene and heard
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, fresh from a double-digit win in South Carolina on Saturday, will join Fox News' Sean Hannity for a one-hour live broadcast from Las Vegas at 7 p.m. Monday. ...
In town this past week, mixing politics with a 75th birthday celebration, was former three-term Denver Mayor Wellington Webb (1991 to 2003). Over dinner at Lago in the Bellagio on Friday, he recalled running Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign in Chicago in 1980. Webb arranged to have boxing great Muhammad Ali come to Chicago and campaign for Carter and his running mate, Walter Mondale. Webb smiled at one of the memories: Ali nicknamed Carter 'The Right White.'"
On this day
Feb. 21, 1956: "Meet Me in Las Vegas," a corny musical comedy about a cowboy (Dan Dailey) whose gambling luck improves when he holds the hand of a pretty dancer (Cyd Charisse), has its world premiere in Las Vegas. It's best remembered today as a window into how the city looked in the mid-50s.
Sightings
MSNBC's "Hardball" host Chris Matthews, taking in "Jersey Boys" at Paris Las Vegas with friends on Friday. Matthews, who was broadcasting live from the Brooklyn Bridge in front of New York-New York, tweeted he was attending "Jersey Boys" for the third time. ... Minority Senate Leader Harry Reid, with his family Friday night at Pasta Shop Ristorante in Henderson. ... At Crush in MGM Grand on Friday: former Real Madrid legends Michel Salgado and Luis Figo, who are in town for the Global Legends Series at Sam Boyd Stadium. Also at Crush: Fox News' chief White House correspondent Ed Henry, who was spotted at Lago on Thursday. ... Actress Chloe Grace Moretz, who played the lead role in "Carrie" in 2013, at Lavo Italian Restaurant in the Palazzo on Friday.
The punch line
"The 140th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show wrapped up last night, and CJ, a German shorthaired pointer, took Best in Show — not, as Steve Harvey announced, "BEETHOVEN!!"
— Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. On Twitter: @Norm_Clarke
