Jeremy: Kelsall ‘goofing around’
Who better to put a sex controversy into its proper perspective than porn film star Ron Jeremy.
At issue is a photo sent to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that appears to show reigning Miss Nevada USA Jade Kelsall pantomiming an oral sex gesture while posing for a photo with Jeremy.
In one corner of the debate: Shanna Moakler, executive director of the Nevada Miss USA organization, saying "there is no photo considered salacious and scandalous to our knowledge."
The photo in question was sent to the R-J after it appeared on Kelsall's private Facebook page Nov. 1.
Moakler, who gave the above quote to a Fox entertainment writer this week, said Kelsall will not lose her crown.
Backing Moakler and Kelsall is Paula Shugart, the president of Miss Universe.
"This sounds like a nonstory from a Halloween party," Shugart said in a text message on Thursday. "No one has called about it."
No one, except the Fox reporter and a certain Las Vegas columnist.
The latter reached Jeremy for his take, and no one has had more takes than the veteran of 2,000 adult films.
It happened, Jeremy told me.
He had just finished judging a Halloween costume contest at KISS by Monster Mini Golf, and the party had moved across the street to the Hard Rock Hotel.
Kelsall was among dozens of women who asked to take a photo with him.
"It was make-believe oral sex," he said. "She was just goofing around.
"Someone told me after the fact that she was competing for Miss USA."
Shugart and Miss Universe owner Donald Trump decided Miss Nevada USA 2007 Katie Rees had to go, not because raunchy photos surfaced, but because Rees lied about it.
Pageant rules state that participants must sign a statement that they are "of good health and moral character."
The bylaws also state, "I represent that I have not and will not engage in any activities, which if disclosed to the public, would bring, or tend to bring, myself, Miss Universe L.P., LLLP, Trump Pageants, Inc., The Trump Organization, NBC Universal, Inc. or any of their subsidiaries, affiliated or related companies into disrepute, ridicule or contempt not limited to, but to include any type of use of illegal drugs, any other illegal behavior or activity ... nude dancing ... modeling ... photographs ... any felony conviction, probation or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude."
Shugart was asked twice by text message whether she had seen the photo.
"She is not losing her crown. I can ask our (Nevada) director to contact you if you want."
I texted back that I would welcome it.
Moakler, who served as Miss USA in 1995 after Miss USA Chelsi Smith won Miss Universe, did not respond by deadline.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
In restaurant news, Kim Canteenwalla, executive chef and a partner with Steve Wynn at Society Café (Encore), confirmed he is leaving at the end of the month. Canteenwalla and his wife, Elizabeth Blau, a longtime restaurant consultant for Wynn, just opened Honey Salt in Summerlin. It was an amicable parting: Canteenwalla and Blau have been working on an off-Strip dream project for some time.
SIGHTINGS
Boxing legend Mike Tyson, dining on vegan pizza and vegan meatballs at Carla Pellegrino's new Meatball Spot (Town Square) on Wednesday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"There's talk that ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer seemed drunk on the air (Tuesday) night. Sawyer was like, 'Breaking news - we are now calling ... my ex-boyfriend Nick to see what he's up to these days.' " - Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
