Shields: Other side to life with Agassi

Brooke Shields is suggesting her memoirs will address a few things that came up in Andre Agassi's recent book.

In an article in the April issue of Ladies Home Journal, Shields was asked about Agassi's unflattering comments about her and their brief marriage.

"She brushes off much of it with a wave of her hand," according to the article.

But one passage in the book particularly struck a raw nerve.

Agassi wrote that he became incensed when he was on the set of "Friends" the day Shields -- in a guest-starring role in which she stalks Matt LeBlanc's character, Joey -- was required to lick LeBlanc's hand.

In Agassi's account, he said he rushed back to their house and smashed his Wimbledon trophies.

In the article, Shields expressed anger that the story ended there.

"Does he mention I spent the next three years replicating those trophies? He doesn't say that, does he? Of course not. That'll be in my book!"

The article goes on: "Still, says Shields, Agassi helped her break away from her mother. And she needed that help. Sometimes -- even with her mother as sick as she is -- she still does."

Shields said she and Agassi bonded over dysfunctional childhoods. Much of their courtship involved faxed letters because she was out of the country making a movie.

When she returned to the United States, Shields had surgery on her feet, and Agassi camped out on the floor of her hospital room, she said.

"With Andre it was like, 'Please be the adult. Please take care of me,'" Shields recalls. "And he did."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

I'll be signing my book "Sinsational Celebrity Tales" tonight at Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin (5-7 p.m.) and Hussong's Cantina & Taqueria (7:30-9 p.m.) at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place. Hussong's continues a long tradition tonight of hanging charcoal portraits of local personalities on the wall, which dates to the 117-year-old Hussong's in Ensenada, Mexico. I'm honored, fellas, to kick it off, but hold the margaritas. In the words of old pal Michael Floorwax, who could have been talking about my still-hazy days at Hussong's in Ensenada: "If I didn't have flashbacks, I'd have no memory at all."...

Speaking of that faulty memory of mine, saloonkeeper Henry Poreda at Sonny's Saloon on Industrial Road pointed out, in a kind way, that in Sunday's column I had Richie Sambora as a drummer for Bon Jovi, instead of Tico Torres. Poreda knows this "because Richie and Tico played my club in Mercerville, N.J., every Wednesday for over a year prior to hooking up with Jon Bon Jovi. Richie's band was called The Next. I paid them $150 per night, and that included their sound man ... ah the good ol' days."

SIGHTINGS

Comedian and actor Kevin James, in the audience at Jason Alexander's "Donny Clay Experience" at Planet Hollywood Resort on Saturday. ... Six-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist swimmer Amy Van Dyken, celebrating her 37th birthday Saturday with husband Tom Rouen, former Denver Broncos punter, and friends at Little Buddha (Palms). A cake and special table wrap with photos of her awaited at XS nightclub (Encore), but they canceled reservations. ... Keyshawn Johnson in the lobby at Aria (CityCenter). ... At N9NE Steakhouse: coaching legend Jerry Tarkanian, having dinner, and former UNLV golf standout Jeremy Anderson, who said he's planning a pro comeback. ... The Whiffenpoofs a cappella group from Yale, performing at Moon (Palms) Saturday for a fundraiser for Alexander Dawson School. ... Criss Angel, Angelica Bridges and Carrot Top, hosting a fundraiser at Eve nightclub at Beso (CityCenter), with proceeds going to the Red Cross for Chile quake victims.

THE PUNCH LINE

"This show was so long 'Avatar' now takes place in the past." -- Academy Awards co-host Steve Martin

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