Unpaid Braxton sues British insurer

Former Flamingo headliner Toni Braxton wants insurance giant Lloyd's of London to pay her for the months of work she missed because of an alleged heart condition.

The celebrity Web site, TMZ.com, reported Wednesday that the six-time Grammy winner has filed suit against the British company after it refused to pay for her losses.

Braxton signed a headliner deal with the Flamingo in 2006 and, after an extension, was scheduled to perform until late 2008.

However, she was rushed to a hospital on April 7, 2008, with chest pains and walked away from the contract.

According to TMZ.com, Braxton is suing for undisclosed damages, claiming she bought "non-appearance" and "cancellation" insurance which protects entertainers in case of cancellations.

Published reports indicate Braxton told a crowd that she discovered she had pericarditis, an inflammation of the sack surrounding the heart, after the birth of her second son, Diezel, on March 31, 2003.

Not long after leaving the Flamingo, Braxton competed on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."

Flamingo president Don Marrandino said Wednesday, "We worked with her for months and the way it went down wasn't great. It was a very frustrating period of time.

"She still had another nine months on the contract. She said it was health issues. We moved on."

BAD START, HAPPY ENDING

For all the exemplary acts of hospitality that boost this city's image in these tough times, there's still a knucklehead or two out there.

A taxi recently pulled up in front of Badda Bing gentlemen's club at 3500 W. Naples Dr. and dropped off a couple in their 60s.

After getting his $50-per passenger tip, the cabbie gunned it out of the driveway.

When the couple entered the club and saw half-naked dancers, Badda Bing owner Rick Belcastro noticed the couple turned around and headed for the door.

Belcastro approached the couple and asked if there was a problem.

Yes, said the husband and wife from Minnesota. They had asked the cabbie to take them to a "nice Italian restaurant."

"We weren't told it was in a strip club," one of them said.

Belcastro, who has an Italian restaurant upstairs at the club, offered a complimentary dinner for their trouble and they accepted.

A week or so later, after the couple got back home, Belcastro received a letter from the man thanking him for showing them the kind of hospitality "Las Vegas is famous for."

And, he added, they said it was the best time they had had in years.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Las Vegas remains at the top of Bravo's list, I hear, for "Housewives of Las Vegas" but it's not a done deal. In addition to the married candidates, they've interviewed a single woman, and, here's the potential bombshell twist, a high-profile gay man with a show business connection. No, not former "La Cage" star Frank Marino. ...

Playboy's Playmate of the Year announcement on Saturday at Palms Place will include 68 former Playmates. It's the first time the event has been held outside the Playboy Mansion.

SIGHTINGS

Mel B, heating up the scene at at the Palms Place pool on Wednesday. ... Malcolm-Jamal Warner of "The Cosby Show," attending a friend's 40th birthday party at Blush Boutique Nightclub (Wynn) on Tuesday. ... "Peepshow" co-star Kelly Monaco, having a cocktail at Palms Pool & Bungalows with friends on Tuesday. ... Sacramento Kings player Spencer Hawes, celebrating his 21st birthday at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Tuesday with a large group that included Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof.

THE PUNCH LINE

"To give you an idea how bad this swine flu is, today the U.S. government took down the border wall and replaced it with a giant sneeze guard." -- Jay Leno

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