Las Vegas

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

The Malibu fire was one of the biggest stories coming out of Hollywood this week and here’s what we know. While it was reported that Cher had to evacuate her beachfront mansion, what WASN’T reported was that she picked up the tab for some less affluent residents to stay at a hotel a few miles down from the evacuation zone in nearby Santa Monica. My source says that when Cher heard through the grapevine that a few older residents were being brought to shelter, she arranged to pick up their tab for a hotel until the area was safe to return to and insisted on doing her good deed anonymously.

Selena Gomez had an especially good week, getting engaged and getting a Golden Globe nomination for Only Murders in the Building. While she posted a massive diamond engagement ring from new fiance Benny Blanco, we just heard that this wasn’t the first ring he used to pop the question. Benny actually proposed weeks before, but the ring he had custom made wasn’t ready, so he used a lab created diamond ring and explained that her actual ring was on the way. My source says that Benny wanted to propose on a specific day and time since he’s big into numerology, so that’s why he was forced to use a substitute ring when he asked Selena to marry him.

Donald Trump Jr. made the news after he ended his engagement to Kimberly Guilfoyle and went public with Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson. While this is hardly news to our loyal readers (since we wrote up this months ago) we just heard this: No sooner did Junior officially dump Kim, but he’s now planning to propose to Bettina and he wants a White House wedding in 2025! My inside source reveals that Donald Sr. LOVES the idea of having his son marry in the White House.

Taylor Swift was talked about this week since her highly successful Eras tour just ended. We just heard that while Taylor is taking some time off from performing her hiatus won’t be that long. She’s working on a pay per view live concert from Las Vegas which will likely take place in mid 2025 if all of the arrangements can be worked out.

Another huge story of the week was Megan Fox dumping her boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly even though she’s nearly in her third trimester of pregnancy with his baby. We had the scoop that she was pregnant and we also had the scoop she was having a girl. Here’s what we know. While we also previously reported that the couple were still having some issues we just heard that Megan is planning to sue for full custody and child support and my source says she’s confident she will get it because she allegedly has some very unflattering information on MGK. My source adds that this split was a long time coming and that Megan and MGK are now only communicating through their respective attorneys.

Finally, Donald Trump made headlines for so many reasons including being named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Here’s the latest on Donald. He’s always been like a month to a flame when it comes to people who have more money and social standing than he does, and now he’s finally being welcomed into their social circles. My source says that behind the scenes, a campaign is being conducted to butter him. up. Donald was even invited to become a member of The Union Club, one of the oldest and most exclusive social clubs in NYC. Ironically, Donald is the only Republican president whose portrait isn’t hanging in the club, but all of that is about to change since people have seemed to finally figure out the easiest way to manipulate narcissist Donald is to shower him with compliments.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

SNL DID ARIANA GRANDE A BIG FAVOR!

Most of the critics agreed that Ariana Grande nailed her recent hosting duties on Saturday Night Live, and her quick wit and impersonations caught the attention of the powers that be in Las Vegas. Mere hours after she hosted SNL, Ariana was presented with an offer to have a residency at the still under construction Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The property formerly known as The Mirage is being rebranded and a new guitar shaped tower is currently under construction. The property won’t be open until 2027 but nonetheless Ariana was offered the opportunity to be their first residency. Since these shows and their elaborate productions can take a great deal of time to produce, Ariana has until the end of the year to sign on the dotted line. Ironically, if she passes, the next in line is someone she impersonated – Miley Cyrus!

PHOTO: SNL

BIG NEWS FROM BEYONCE- AND TAYLOR SWIFT TOO!

Here’s TWO hot gossip items for the price of one! All eyes are on Las Vegas as it hosts the Super Bowl, but that’s not the only big news coming out of Sin City. According to our dependable source, Beyoncé is close to announcing an upcoming residency at the Sphere! That’s the first scoop – now here’s the second: Taylor Swift is in top secret negotiations to announce HER residency there as well, but it won’t happen until AFTER the buzz dies down about Beyoncé’s shows…

Photo: Instagram -Mason Poole

FRIENDS PROFITABLE CAST REUNION CALLED OFF

Our observant source – the same one who gave us the scoop about the Friends cast releasing a statement TOGETHER addressing Matthew Perry’s death – now shares this tidbit: The Friends cast was in top secret negotiations to reunite and film a TV commercial that was slated to air during next year’s Super Bowl. The game is being played in Las Vegas, so Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and of course, the late Matthew, were being courted to film a 60 second commercial promoting Vegas tourism with the tagline, “Have a Friendscation.” While it wasn’t a done deal, they were set to make a few MILLION each for one day’s work, but now with Matthew’s unexpected passing, the project is a no go.

Photo Credit: David Bjerke/NBCU Photo Bank

MARK WAHLBERG THE BARTENDER: NO TIPS NECESSARY

Mark Wahlberg recently revealed that he wasn’t quite sure how long he would continue acting, but who knew he was pivoting to bartending! On October 19, Mark attended the opening of The Pendry Hotel in Newport Beach, California, and he played bartender for the who’s who of Orange County. Here’s the backstory: Mark is a longtime friend of the owner of the property so he flew in from Las Vegas and agreed to bartend at the event to surprise the guests. Here’s what you won’t read anywhere else – Mark is in talks with the owners to partner with them and open up Pendry Hotel in Las Vegas, where he lives now.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA Mark at another bartending job

ADELE FIGHTS THE TEMPTATIONS OF LAS VEGAS

Her residency at Caesar’s Palace is a monumental hit, but spending weekends in Las Vegas is NOT doing Adele’s diet any favors. The talented songbird dropped a ton of weight since she first made a splash in 2011 with Rolling In The Deep, losing nearly 100 pounds from her heaviest. She still looks great, but is complaining to pals she’s having a hard time resisting the fine dining, 24 hour room service, and endless buffets that living even part-time in Las Vegas offers. She’s back to wearing mostly black flowing gowns on stage until she loses the extra pounds.

Photo: Caesar’s Palace

OPRAH WINFREY HAS DESIGNS ON LAS VEGAS

Will Oprah Winfrey be the next celebrity to move to Las Vegas? Oprah is NOT ditching her Montecito, California home, but she IS thinking about purchasing a $15 million mansion in The Summit, the posh planned community that many other LA celebrities now call home. The reason? NO STATE INCOME TAX. Oprah could save MILLIONS each year if she makes Las Vegas her permanent residence. She travels a lot as it is, so it wouldn’t be too hard for her to spend a majority of her time in Las Vegas. Another reason she’s considering the move – she’s in secret talks to take up residence at one of the resort casinos with a plan is to launch a show called An Evening with Oprah. She’ll entertain her audience with stories of her long career as a TV host as well as welcome the a rotating surprise celebrity guest to perform…

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

LISA VANDERPUMP IS EXPANDING, NOT DOWNSIZING

Is a rent increase the REAL reason that former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Lisa Vanderpump closing her successful West Hollywood restaurant Pump? Lisa has owned the popular place located in the center of boys town (where the gay bars and restaurants are located) for a decade, and recently revealed she‘s closing the doors because of a rent increase. A Bravo insider says that might not be the ONLY reason. Lisa, who already owns restaurants in Las Vegas and is opening more, is in talks to be the lead of The Real Housewives of Las Vegas, which is quietly being developed. Lisa and her husband are also looking at estates in the posh Lake Las Vegas area. My Bravo insider says the plan is to cast Vegas movers and shakers, and have familiar face Lisa also star.

Photo: Instagram

WHO WILL FOLLOW RIHANNA AT NEXT SUPER BOWL?

Rihanna had barely left the stage after her Super Bowl performance when the search began for the stars of next year’s halftime show. It’s going to be a BIG one. The 2024 game will be held in Las Vegas for the first time ever, and according to an insider. Producers plan to make the halftime show all about Sin City. They’re looking to hire numerous musical performers- especially those who’ve had popular residencies at the casinos. Unlike Rihanna’s show, (which she did solo) expect a stage packed with surprise  entertainers next year. Topping the diverse list of potential performers are Elton John, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Adele, Britney Spears and maybe even “Mr. Las Vegas” himself Wayne Newton. It’s going to be the most star-studded halftime show ever!

Photo: Vogue/ Instagram

MATT DAMON AND BEN AFFLECK: VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Matt Damon is packing up the wife and kids and moving to Las Vegas and he wants his best buddy Ben Affleck to join him. An insider says that Matt is making the move for various tax reasons -including no state income tax and the the city recently passed a huge movie production tax incentive in hopes of becoming the next Hollywood. Here’s where it gets interesting: Ben’s better half is open to the idea because she’s been offered a residency at one of the casinos. Ben and Jen are discreetly looking at houses in the same posh area where Matt bought a home.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA