Larson is looking for a L.A. home

Sarah Larson's modeling career must be paying off.

She told reporters during a red carpet appearance at Tao Las Vegas on Friday that she's looking for a house in Los Angeles to get closer to more prestigious runways in the fashion world.

But before George Clooney's ex-girlfriend stepped on the red carpet, a club rep set the ground rules: No Clooney questions, or interviews would be cut off.

In one of her first public interviews since the split with Clooney in May, the former cocktail server at the Palms said she's in no hurry to leap back into the dating pool.

"I'm staying single," Larson, 29, told People magazine.

Asked if she was spending more time in Los Angeles or Las Vegas, she said she's been in Los Angeles more of late.

"I'm still holding onto my house out here, but eventually I might have to make the move completely. I'm actually looking for a place more permanent in L.A. right now."

She hasn't decided if she's going to sell her Las Vegas residence or rent it, she said.

As far as her modeling career, she just finished a shoot for a Los Angeles magazine and "things are going very well," she said. A photo shoot in England has been discussed.

BACKSTAGE DRAMA

Some backstage drama erupted, we hear, after the Mrs. United States pageant at The Orleans on Thursday.

One of the semifinalists, who should have known nothing gets around faster than gossip about beauty queens gone bad, was irate and letting one of the local pageant organizers know about it.

I put in a call to local socialite Sandy Peltyn, who was the production coordinator. "On the contrary," she said. "They were very happy with me. There was no incident whatsover. Everybody understands somebody's got to win."

The winner was Mrs. South Carolina Gariane Phillips Gunter, a psychiatrist.

Nevada was represented by real estate agent Jill Barnhart, who was one of the 12 semifinalists. The last Mrs. Nevada to win the title was Michele Berk in the late 1990s.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Director Brett Ratner has lined up his three-time "Rush Hour" star, Chris Tucker, for a big-screen film about Frank Sinatra's personal valet. Ratner will direct and produce the film adaptation of George Jacobs' memoir "Mr. S: My Life With Frank Sinatra," according to Internet reports. In his exposé, Jacobs revealed details about Sinatra's trysts with Marilyn Monroe and others. Jacobs became Sinatra's confidant during Sinatra's Rat Pack years.

SIGHTINGS

Trumpeter Chris Botti, Katie Couric's ex-boyfriend, wasn't hiding his affection for his date Saturday at Hank's steakhouse at Green Valley Ranch. During dinner, he was seen feeding KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs after his show at GVR's Ovation venue. Later, they were seen dancing when members of Botti's band provided the dinner crowd with some cover songs of Sting's hits. Botti previously worked for Sting. ... AnnaLynne McCord, who was recently cast in the new version of "90210," celebrated her 21st birthday Saturday at Pure (Caesars Palace). McCord, who turned 21 on July 21, will play Naomi, a popular high school girl from a wealthy family. ... "Entourage" star Jeremy Piven, celebrating his 43rd birthday Saturday at The Bank (Bellagio) with friends. Also at the club: Actors Amy Smart and Elden Henson, along with Richard Brener, CEO of New Line Cinema, celebrating publicist Kate Fenney's birthday. ... At the Smashtime party at Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday: Rapper Lil Jon, performing; Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, actor Amaury Nolasco from "Prison Break" and "Transformers."... At 40/40 Club (Palazzo) on Saturday night: Antoine Walker of the Memphis Grizzlies, boxers David Estrada and Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs, the Cleveland Cavaliers' Joe Smith, and retired NBA player Howard Wright.