Spears may become ‘queen of Hard Rock’

Britney Spears' first multiweek deal as a Las Vegas resident headliner is being discussed with the Hard Rock Hotel.

Vegas Confidential has learned Hard Rock President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Pusateri and Spears' manager, Larry Rudolph, have been talking.

Spears, who has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, would perform at The Joint, the Hard Rock's concert venue that can accommodate 4,000.

"The queen of pop will be the queen of the Hard Rock if all goes according to plan," a source close to the talks said.

Talks intensified after the success of Mötley Crüe's recent two-week engagement, "the most successful shows in the hotel's history," the source said.

The Hard Rock's new management team wants to change the fan experience by offering more accessibility to celebrities.

"People will be able to rub shoulders with the celebs. Gone are the days of hiding them behind velvet ropes," the source added. "You'll be able to gamble with DJ Pauly D, have dinner with Britney and have drinks with Mötley Crüe."

Now 30, Spears continues to be a force in pop music. Last year, her seventh studio album, "Femme Fatale," was her first to yield three top 10 singles in the United States.

She ranks among Twitter's most popular personalities with nearly 16 million followers .

According to reports, Spears is close to a deal that would earn her $15 million as a judge on Simon Cowell's "The X Factor."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Add Debra Root's name to the list of locals under consideration for the "Vegas Elite" reality show that's currently being taped. Her husband, Wayne Allyn Root, is a former sports handicapper who turned to political commentary and reality show producing. ...

Imperial Palace headliners Human Nature will perform Motown hits on "Dancing with the Stars" (8 p.m. today, KTNV-TV, Channel 13).

SIGHTINGS

Nicolas Cage, having breakfast Sunday with his son at The Original Pancake House on Charleston and Decatur boulevards. Swarmed by fans, he accommodated their photo and autograph requests. ... Mixed martial arts star and actress Gina Carano, celebrating her 30th birthday as a host at Tabú Ultra Lounge (MGM Grand) on Saturday. ... R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo, attending "Mystere" (Treasure Island) on Saturday with his fiancée, Monyetta Shaw. It was his first Cirque experience. ... Sam Nazarian, the Los Angeles entrepreneur whose nightclub empire includes the Sahara and Hyde Bellagio, having lunch with friends Sunday at Dom DeMarco's Pizzeria & Bar in Summerlin. ... Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine, celebrating her Las Vegas performance at an after-party in Marquee's BoomBox in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. After the party, she boarded her tour bus and returned to Palm Springs for a Sunday appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. ... Singer/author Deana Martin, attending the unveiling of the bronze sculpture of her father, Rat Pack icon Dean Martin, at the Regis Galerie in The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian on Saturday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Work like I don't need the money, love like I've never been hurt, and dance like nobody's watching." - From David Letterman's Top Ten Things I, Dave, Hoped To Do By The Time I Turned 65.

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.