Scintas star singer deals with setback
Chrissi Scinta’s comeback has experienced a setback.
Two weeks ago, after being sidelined for a year and half by vocal cord issues, she was rehearsing for The Scintas’ new show at The D when it happened.
“My voice just gave out on me again. I was hoping to go back full throttle,” said Scinta, the group’s star vocalist.
The crushing development means the group will have to move on. Opening night is April 10.
An audition is being set up for an “American Idol” participant, according to her brother, Joe Scinta.
“I plan on being onstage again, and a lot of people are praying for me,” said Chrissi , whose show-stopping voice was silenced by a paralyzed vocal cord that required surgery at Cleveland Clinic.
She has been singing since childhood. As a teen she was a finalist for the 1980s TV hit show “Fame,” losing the role to Janet Jackson.
The Scintas’ popularity was on full display about six weeks ago when an estimated 2,000 filled a convention hall at The M resort.
A stunned Joe Scinta surveyed the throng and quipped, “Are we opening for someone?”
BETTING ON FIVE
Celine Dion’s five-year contract extension should not have come as a surprise.
When confirmation came last summer that she had done a longer-than-usual extension, the length of the deal was not disclosed.
We should have bet on five.
It has been her lucky number since age 14, and Dion’s so superstitious about it that it shows up everywhere in her history: She started singing at 5, had her marriage vow renewal at Caesars on Jan. 5, 2000 (five years after the wedding), opened at Caesars on March 25, 2003, had her first child on Jan. 25, 2001, and had her twins, Nelson and Eddie, baptized on March 5, 2011.
Currently in the second year of a three-year deal, she will be performing at the Colosseum until 2019.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Britney Spears’ Las Vegas visit last weekend included a business meeting involving a hot new restaurant concept. Spears and her manager, Larry Rudolph, were seen sampling the fare at Carla Pellegrino’s Meatball Spot in Town Square. Spears and Rudolph are in talks about opening the meatball-and-pizza eateries in California and Nevada.
SIGHTINGS
Nicolas Cage, clean-shaven after months with a beard for his upcoming film “Joe,” hanging out backstage with Def Leppard after their show Wednesday at the Hard Rock Hotel. … Awwwkward: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were at the Bellagio on Saturday about the same time as Spears and her new beau, David Lucado. While Spears and Lucado attended the One Drop benefit at “O,” Timberlake dined at Yellowtail with buddies, and Biel joined gal pals at Fix.
THE PUNCH LINE
“T-Mobile announced yesterday that they are doing away with contracts. Apparently they got the idea from NBC.” — Jay Leno
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, 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.
