Paris Hilton had to walk •a fine line on New Year’s Eve.

Paid more than $100,000 to host Tao nightclub’s party, she was a no-show for the midnight countdown when Michael Buffer of “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” fame ticked off the final seconds of 2005.

Spies tell me her Greek shipping-heir boyfriend, Stavros Niarchos, 19, was initially turned away from the club because he’s on the radar of state liquor watchdogs.

Paris did a countdown, but it was in Tao’s restaurant, and she and Stavros were seen going into the nightclub about 12:30 a.m.

When they arrived at the nightclub, he was holding a champagne flute filled with what appeared to be orange juice.

In August 2001, The Venetian’s C2K nightclub played with fire by allowing Britney Spears, then 19,and boyfriend Justin Timberlake, then 20, in a VIP area from 2:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.

SIGHTINGS

Stevie Wonder, a surprise arrival at Pure (Caesars Palace) at the midnight roofdeck cork-popping of a 20-liter megamagnum of Cristal champagne, hosted by Nicky Hilton and her boyfriend, Kevin Connolly. Paris and Stavros, along with her parents, Rick and KathyHilton, joined the Pure party. Wonder showed up at the door with his wife and bodyguard, asking if they could see the fireworks. … Denver Broncos All-Pro defensive back Champ Bailey was on the terrace with friends, checking out the fireworks as a heavy beat version of “What a Feeling” from “Fame” blared over the sound system. … Kanye West and Fantasia, his opening act, leading the New Year’s Eve countdown at Curve, the nightclub at Aladdin/Planet Hollywood after their concert. In the crowd at the concert: the Rev. Al Sharpton and Tichina Arnold of “Everybody Hates Chris”… Egged on by ghostbar VIP host Marko Greisen, Kelly Clarkson and her galpals sang her hit “Since You’ve Been Gone” when the fireworks show ended. Also at ghostbar and Rain: Terrell Owens and his agent Drew “Next Question” Rosenhaus, Javon Walker of the Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees reliever Shawn Chacon and NBA vet Anthony Peeler. … At Mix (The Hotel at Mandalay Bay): Kenny G and Rob Lowe, hanging out together. … Shannon Elizabeth of “American Pie,” finishing first among 83 players, including pros, in the grand-opening celebrity poker tournament in the new poker room at Caesars Palace. The win was worth $55,000. Among the field: George Eads of “C.S.I.,” Lance Bass of ‘N Sync and poker professionals Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Phil “The Unabomber” Laak, David Williams and Layne Flack. … Paula Abdul, shopping in high heels at Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance near Anthem on Saturday. She bought a flat iron for hair. … Susan Hawk of “Survivor,” being hypnotized by Michael Johns on Friday during “Hypnosis Gone Wild” at the Stardust. Later they all went to New York-New York for the dueling pianos at Times Square. … Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton will be performing his magic on the FTD float today in the 117th annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

THE PUNCH LINE

“With grades like that, you’ll be able to operate any Slurpee machine in town.”
– Roseanne in “Roseanne,” to her daughter Darlene (Sara Gilbert).

Copyright and Published by Las Vegas Review-Journal on January 01, 2006
Written by Norm Clarke

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
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