Impersonator’s return celebrated

Trina Johnson-Finn came home to a red, white and faux welcome Wednesday night.

In a show of support, more than a dozen fellow celebrity impersonators were among 50 well-wishers who waited in the baggage area at McCarran International Airport with flowers and balloons.

Looking like he just came off stage, Willie Nelson, with a hint of whiskey on his breath and minus his braids, was there, along with a dead-ringer for Jimi Hendrix (Jimi Taylor). Others from the tribute artist community, but not dressed as their alter egos, included Elvis (Greg Miller), Celine Dion (Elisa Furr), and Liza Minnelli (Suzanne Goulet).

"We're here because she's an impersonator who got a raw deal and we've got to stick together," said 72-year-old Roy Hammock, who makes a living as a Nelson knockoff.

They all hooted and hollered when Johnson-Finn was finally spotted, after several false alarm sightings, at the bottom of an escalator about 7:30 p.m.

The former backup singer for Barbra Streisand and MC Hammer was finally back among friends and family after being jailed for more than 100 days in the South American nation of Suriname. She was recently acquitted.

She was accused of fraud after a South American promoter tried passing her off as Toni Braxton. She was told she was going to lip-sync five Braxton songs at a birthday party.

Instead the "party" turned out to be a concert featuring Braxton in a sports venue, with hundreds of people paying more $50 for a ticket.

"She was completely entrapped," Elvis grumbled under his breath.

The 5-foot-6 Johnson-Finn, 15 pounds lighter after a diet that mostly consisted of rice and fish, thanked everyone for their support and told reporters she was looking forward to her first steak in many months.

"T-Bones (at Red Rock Resort)," she said.

"Or maybe N9NE Steakhouse (at the Palms)," said her husband, local real estate agent Raymond Finn.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

In a shocker that dominated opening-day buzz at CineVegas at Planet Hollywood Resort, word quickly circulated that Michael Carr was out as president of Greenspun Media Group. In that role, Carr was also publisher of Vegas Magazine. He is moving into a consulting role, according to a source. Carr joined Greenspun in 2003 as vice president of business development and was promoted to president a few months later. Carr was the former president of Playboy's publishing division. ...

A billboard campaign is about to roll out, I hear, for a Fourth of July daredevil escape involving magician Steve Wyrick and the band Linkin Park. Wyrick and Chester Bennington, the group's frontman, are scheduled to be part of an 80-foot "death drop" stunt that will take place at 8:30 p.m. atop the parking garage at Planet Hollywood Resort. A spy said it's part of Wyrick's upcoming reality show. ...

KLAS-TV, Channel 8, longtime investigative reporter Mark Sayre confirmed by e-mail that he has left the station after three years. His contract is up June 19 but he has not been on the air and has not been coming into the station. He previously worked at KTNV-TV, Channel 13, for 13 years.

SIGHTINGS

Film legend Dennis Hopper, having lunch at Simon at Palms Place on Wednesday. He's in town for CineVegas.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor fell and broke her ankle -- and she's expected to be on crutches for several weeks. In a related story, Republicans have announced that Sotomayor's confirmation hearing will consist of 3 questions - and a timed obstacle course." -- late-night TV host Conan O'Brien

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.