UNLV shines in pair of prime-time roles
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas has a lot to cheer about this week.
First it was Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, flanked by a dozen UNLV cheerleaders, while singing her hit “Fancy” during the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden.
Emblazoned across her chest was the word “Rebel.” The UNLV cheer squad wore their Rebels skirts and custom tops with the word “Fancy.”
Monday night provided more national exposure when Marquel Martin, a former UNLV football player from coach Mike Sanford’s era, appeared on the Season 10 premiere of “The Bachelorette.”
Martin, 26, was among the 25 bachelors seeking the hand of Andi Dorfman, an assistant district attorney for Fulton County in Georgia. She became a fan favorite during the most recent season of “The Bachelor” when she rejected Juan Pablo Galavis for his jerky behavior.
Martin, who works for the Ultimate Fighting Championship in sales, was an oft-injured reserve defensive back from Rialto, Calif.
Nakia Jackson-Hale, head coach of the UNLV cheer team for the past 13 years, was contacted May 10 about the possibility of her cheerleaders dancing for Azalea and Charli XCX. Official word came May 13.
“They were so excited,” Jackson-Hale said. “It was such a great thing for the university.”
It was doubly emotional for Jackson-Hale, a former cheerleader at Penn State who coached UNLV to Best Stunt Group honors in the National Cheerleading Association finals in 2012. It was her last event as head coach. Her 6-year-old daughter had her picture taken with Azalea and Ariana Grande, who sang her hit, “Problem.”
WANNA MARRY HARRY?
That Prince Harry look-alike on the red carpet of the Billboard Music Awards was promoting Fox’s dating show, “I Wanna Marry Harry.”
Matt Hicks, 24, is a British environmental consultant who dyed his blond hair red to pass himself off as the royal bachelor. The show premiered on Tuesday.
The 12 American women are led to believe the show is a dating contest with one of them winning the right to date Prince Harry.
The wicked twist at the end has Hicks revealing his true identity to the final bachelorette, with the hope she won’t walk away when she realizes she’s been duped.
And yes, right off the bat, he got hit with questions about that rowdy Vegas visit in 2012.
GALLAGHER’S NEXT MOVE
Gallagher has a reality show in the works: He’ll marry couples by day and turn the chapel into a comedy club at night. First, to promote his new path, he plans to marry comedy magician The Amazing Johnathan and girlfriend Anastasia Synn on June 7 in Las Vegas.
“Everyone will be there,” he promised.
On July 12, Gallagher starts a two-week run at the Golden Nugget in the main theater, where he will be marrying visitors and “doing my act.”
“I have many clubs around the country that would like me to bring this reality show to their venue for an episode,” he wrote.
Johnathan proposed to Synn in February and days later announced he had “serious” heart issues that would prevent him from touring. Gallagher has his own health problems: He’s had four heart attacks.
SIGHTINGS
At Hakkasan (MGM Grand) on Saturday: Jennifer Lopez, with boyfriend Casper Smart, longtime manager Benny Medina and Epic Records CEO and chairman L.A. Reid and wife Erica Holton-Reid. Lopez was celebrating her Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards. … Also at Hakkasan: pop sensation Carly Rae Jepsen, “Revenge” star Emily VanCamp and co-star Ashley Madekwe. … Taking in Pia Zadora’s show over the weekend at Piero’s Italian Cuisine: country star Luke Bryan, “Batman” legend Adam West and actress Sally Kellerman.
THE PUNCH LINE
“The Billboard Music Awards were last night, and there was an amazing hologram of Michael Jackson. He performed a new song called ‘Slave to the Rhythm.’ It was so realistic, Tito actually asked it for money.” — Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas,” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
