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Jun. 03, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Pamela Anderson makes hot debut

NORM CLARKE
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Andre Van Pier holds a drawing of his idea for a six-story, laser-firing Michael Jackson robot.

Pamela Anderson's Las Vegas magic show got off to a smokin' start.

Midway through Friday's final preview, fire sirens went off moments after Anderson made her grand entrance amid a pyrotechnic haze in "The Beauty of Magic" at the Planet Hollywood Theater.

After some confusion over whether the siren was part of the act, the room was evacuated as smoke seeped onstage from a small pyrotechnic fire that broke out backstage.

"I didn't realize I was so hot," Anderson told the crowd, estimated at 1,000.

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    • An announcement said the source of the smoke was being sought. A "very orderly" evacuation emptied the venue, and the fire was quickly contained, with no one injured, according to Amy Sadowsky, spokeswoman for Planet Hollywood.

    The audience was offered a refund or free tickets to another performance.

    Anderson performs as a magician's assistant with featured illusionist Hans Klok.

    WACKO FOR JACKO

    A lot of "ifs" come attached to that proposed six-story, laser-firing Michael Jackson robot. Chief among them: If somebody else will put up the money, and if Las Vegas city and tourism officials buy into it.

    In Las Vegas, the land of slick pitches, that adds up to a hard sell.

    "It's something that will change Las Vegas forever," said Andre Van Pier, an eccentric New York fashion designer.

    For his Friday "press conference" in his room at Planet Hollywood Resort, he had covered the floor, table and bed with dozens of fading press clippings and fashion sketches, mostly from the 1980s. There were few robot drawings.

    His dream is to have a multimillion-dollar robot/entertainment complex built on a patch of desert where a gazillion tourists can see it from planes and cars.

    "It would have slot machines and music videos. It would be like the Statue of Liberty," said Van Pier, without a hint of a smile.

    He's counting on the city "to get involved" because, as he said in his news release, the iconic robot would be "the first step in helping to transform Las Vegas into the city of the future."

    After listening to Van Pier's pie-in-the-sky ramblings and celebrity name dropping for an hour plus, I asked him if anyone ever considered him crazy.

    "Some people think I'm crazy, but a good crazy," said the 50-something Van Pier, who changed clothes five times during a TV interview the day before.

    His partner in the plan, Michael Luckman, is co-executive producer of the Signal to Space Concerts, which will beam live music by major recording artists to the solar system and beyond.

    Luckman believes Jackson's music contains coded messages to space aliens.

    SIGHTINGS

    Sylvester Stallone and David Hasselhoff, catching lunch Saturday at Planet Dailies with Planet Hollywood Resort owner Robert Earl. Stallone and Hasselhoff were in town for opening night of "The Beauty of Magic." Also on the red carpet: Rita Rudner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy of "Dancing With the Stars," "La Cage" headliner Frank Marino and Nathan Burton. ... Anderson and actress Dita Von Teese, partying together Friday at Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace). Also at Pure, actress Michelle Trachtenberg of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" fame and actor Seth Green. ... At Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Friday: The Killers and Dave Navarro, celebrating his 40th birthday (Thursday) early. ... Former NFL star Tony Siragusa, hosting a party Friday at Venus Pool Club (Caesars Palace) attended by fellow NFL alums Dan Marino, Carl Banks, Terry Kirby, Johnny Davis and Vencie Glenn. Also in attendance, Kato Kaelin and boxing beauty Laila Ali, who was a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars." ... Comedian Wayne Brady and former New England Patriots running back Corey Dillon, partying Friday at Moon nightclub (Palms). ... Marino, Joey Porter and Marcus Banks, at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Friday.

    THE PUNCH LINE

    "Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, after his scuffles with teammate Michael Barrett on Friday at Wrigley Field.

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



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    Jeff Ross wrote on September 03, 2007 02:50 PM: The super spokswoman for Michael Jackson should learn some more about his superstar client as she contradict herself from publication to publication. Here is some records found archived in the Web.
    During a recent Planet Hollywood press conference, Van Pier showcased several of Michael Jackson's trademark costumes that were featured on Jackson's world tour and on videos in the 1980's and 1990's that will be displayed at the ultra posh Andre Van Pier American Couture Museumto be built in New York City.In stark contrast to the controversial auction of Michael Jackson familly memorabilia held recently in Las Vegas (which Jackson himself opposed), Van Pier paid homage to the Gloved One as a one of a kind pop music legend on the world stage by displaying these iconic masterpieces on a recent world tour along side of stage couture worn by Madonna, Bono, Beyonce, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Tom Jones and other celebrities.Van Pier was invited at the last minute to be interviewed by the news media at the controversial memorabilia auction in Las Vegas, but politely declined the offer out of respect to the superstar singer and the designer's strong belief that American pop culture was being trampled upon.

    Van Pier is hardly a stranger to the Jackson family. He created the white outfits that Janet Jackson wore in the film, "Poetic Justice," with Tupac Shakur and the jewelry and diamond lingerie worn by
    LaToya Jackson for the cover and inside of Playboy magazine. Van Pier has designed clothing for famous celebrities from Madonna to Mick Jagger over a distinguished career that has spanned over two decades. The European press called him "The American Versace." The World Gold Council
    based in the United Kingdom called Van Pier "one of the hottest haute couture designers in the fashion world." Princess Diana favored his signature blazer.


    donnie wrote on June 23, 2007 07:11 AM: WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND, WOULD PAY TO SEE THIS PORN STAR. JUST RENT HER TAPE OF HER ESCAPADES ON THE BOAT!


    W Kris wrote on June 16, 2007 07:52 PM: From Style New York-LA, Film, TV, Print and Media

    I would have to disagree with the writer of this article, Facts: In the 80' and early 90's I worked with the wardrobe people for several Michael Jackson productions. I saw many of the Andre Van Pier fashion label hanging on the racks for Mr. Jackson's wardrobe try out and for the dancers staff as well. Also I like to thank Mr. Van Pier for duplicating the arm band jacket for Jackson's world tour.

    S.K. Wardrobe Stylist for film print & video. West Hollywood California

    Was gasping when reading the editorial from Las Vegas Review Newspaper article about fashion designer Andre Van Pier and Michael Jackson is totally absurd. Myself like many other stylist to famous people, celebrity designer Andre Van Pier is on top the list. One can always go to Mr. Van Pier's showroom for innovative and exciting wardrobe. It is a "stylist Haven's" if not a fashion paradise to said the least. He provided me with the sarongs that were later translated for the "Walk like an Egyptian," theme "Remember the Times" music video with Iman and a wardrobe in white silk shirt, pants and several other garments for the Black & White video shoot. Thank you Mr. Van Pier. One can always count on your creative genius, high caliber super fashions and creative suggestions and collaboration with production crew and wardrobe stylist. You are the best!

    J.C. Manhattan New York, stylist to the stars, Fashion Rock magazine editor


    David R Huntington wrote on June 03, 2007 01:33 PM: In light of Andre Van Pier's plans for a laser-firing Michael Jackson robot and themed resort casino, may I also suggest an O.J. Simpson themed resort? That idea may work in Sin City. I think it would make a killing!