LAS VEGAS’ STAR STUDDED 2008 NEW YEAR’S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA
*It was the largest and most expensive superstar turnout in Vegas history with everybody from Jay Z & Beyonce, LeBron James, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton and Avril Lavigne. Even Britney’s ex, Kevin Federline helped the fireworks fly on the four day holiday weekend:
*Music mogul Jay Z and superstar fiancée Beyonce Knowles told me that recent reports of their runaway marriage in Paris were completely false as they waited right up to eight hours before getting official permission to throw open the doors to their new $20-million club.
*Pamela Anderson and newlywed husband Rick Salomon were apart for her midnight countdown—and she admits that they’ve got serious problems.
*Paris Hilton and sister Nicky were still standing and looking fabulous after five days of nonstop partying—although she did admit, “I don’t know how we did it, but it was the best New Year’s ever for us and for Vegas.”
*Actress Mischa Barton dropped out at the last moment to open the new Cathouse restaurant and ultra lounge at the Luxor after being arrested for DUI and related drug charges.
*It was a $100-million nightclub showdown war as four brand-new venues opened over the holiday with stars earning million dollar paydays for hosting parties, handling midnight countdowns, popping champagne and posing, pouting and primping for those provocative red carpet parades!
LUXE LIFE has the full photo report from start to finish along with a look ahead at what’s in store for this first weekend of 2008. To make it easier for you to follow all the action, we’ve broken it down club by club.
It was 100-years ago that the New York tradition of dropping a 700 pound ball covered in crystals and lit with 100 light-bulbs first began. Over one-million revelers showed up there this holiday weekend, but Vegas—with its 300,000 partygoers spending over $210-million in restaurants, nightclubs and shows—can also claim the record for having the world’s largest turnout of celebrities and VIP’s, along with the longest, most expensive and most spectacular $300,000 fireworks extravaganza exploding with more than 30,000 special pyro-effects! Over three-miles of wires stretched over seven Strip hotel rooftops for the eight and a half minute spectacle.
Baseball hunk Alex Rodriguez managed to hit both—first in Vegas at the opening of pal Jay-Z’s new club, and then he jetted home in time to arrive for the Times Square countdown!
Multi-millionaire mogul Jay Z gambled $20-million to preside over the glittering superstar opening of his new 40/40 sports lounge and nightclub—just one of the four brand new mega-party venues that opened in Vegas over the holiday.
At the Luxor resort the new $28-million+ erotic brothel lingerie-themed Cathouse restaurant-ultra lounge opened with Iron Chef Kerry Simon welcoming celebrity guests Tommy Lee, Adrien Brody and XXX adult-rivals, Tera Patrick and Jenna Jameson.
At Planet Hollywood, Avril Lavigne, Lil John and Ice-T with bombshell wife, Coco performed the opening ceremonies for the $25-million+ Prive, while at the new $30-million+ makeover from LIGHT into the chic tri-level BANK nightspot in the Bellagio, Leonardo DiCaprio reunited with Israeli supermodel galpal Bar Raphael as Adam Sandler and Kevin James actually banged heads while on the dance floor! Around town at other resorts and clubs it was also stars, stars and more stars!