Carey makes a big PDA for beau during show
Name the last time you saw a superstar singer during a Las Vegas show thank a billionaire from the stage for the jewelry around her neck.
Maybe never, right?
The rare public display of affection happened Wednesday night at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Mariah Carey not only publicly thanked her beau, Australian mogul James Packer, but dedicated her hit song "Hero" to him.
"I have a new heart tonight," she said, referring to what appeared to be a huge multicarat diamond necklace attached to a bejeweled butterfly.
Holding a hand near the necklace, she said, "James is in the house tonight."
Afterward, while waiting for Carey to greet a roomful of VIPs, I introduced myself to Packer.
Is a second tower a possibility after his $4 billion Alon project is built?
No, he said. "I've learned my lessons. This time we've got the right place, the right people, the right plan."
His focus is on Alon, the 1,100-room Las Vegas project, and Crown Sydney, that city's first six-star hotel.
"They will be art," as in masterpieces, he said.
He confirmed that Carey plans to perform in Israel for the first time later this year. They spent time together in Israel in June, when they started seeing other and toured the Mediterranean on his yacht.
Carey took an immediate liking to Israel, said Packer, who is friends with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
When I brought up the necklace, Packer started backpedaling, with a smile.
Modestly, he shook his head and held up the palms of his hands. That was a subject he wasn't going to discuss.
Also in the room: Packer's business partner Hollywood director and producer Brett Ratner (they own the movie-funding company RatPac), billionaire Elaine Wynn, several Hollywood bigwigs, Jeff Beacher of Beacher's Madhouse and Las Vegas attorney Richard Schonfeld.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Flamingo headliner Olivia Newton-John has teamed up with her nephew, professional race car driver Emerson Newton-John, to launch a wine brand to support cancer awareness and treatment. They unveiled the wine, Pink and Blue for Two, also known as PB42, at a media event Wednesday at the Flamingo's Center Cut Steakhouse, where the wines will be sold. She made the final decisions on the two varietals and went with a 2013 Anderson Valley chardonnay and a 2013 Lodi merlot. She’s a merlot fan, she said. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of the wines will benefit the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre. Last month marked her return to major recording labels when she collaborated on a new live album with another Australian singing legend, John Farnham. The CD, titled "Two Strong Hearts," topped Australia's Aria Albums chart. ... Stitched, the men's haberdashery at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, got a surprise plug during MLB.com's red carpet interviews before the All-Star Game in Cincinnati. Las Vegan Bryce Harper, the Washington Nationals slugger, was asked about his wardrobe. His red, white and blue checked jacket came from Stitched of Las Vegas, he said, and he held it open, revealing his uniform number, 34, and the Washington Nationals "W" logo repeated throughout the custom lining. The owners are celebrating the opening of their luxury warehouse, known as UnStitched, from 5-9 p.m. today at 4310 Cameron St.
SIGHTINGS
Beacher, escorted onto the stage by Carey's staff late in the show to take part in the fake bondage scene on a bed. He was handcuffed and blindfolded while Carey tantalized him with a large feather. ... Carey and Packer, dining at Andiron Steak and Sea at Downtown Summerlin on Tuesday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"I've never seen anything like this. Giving phone numbers out, it's like Trump's running for president of a sorority or something." — Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter: @Norm_Clarke
