Luxe Life readers already know that Celine Dion has begun her final year of Caesars Palace shows and will be replaced by both Bette Midler and Cher after her "retirement" begins next New Year's Eve! But since there's been no "official announcement" yet, some have laughed off our predictions. Not only did I confirm the signed contracts (click here for that Luxe Life exclusive) but now I can also confirm the official announcements about the two-delicious divas will be made next month (February). The world press conference will also reveal that Bette will debut first starting in February '08 and Cher's first shows will get underway in April '08! Take it to the bank folks!

ROCKER'S BIRTHDAY BASH

Meantime musician/actor Jared Leto (read AIM Interview) became the newest celebrity to birthday in grand Vegas fashion dining at Social House and partying at PURE Nightclub. Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars accompanied by nine friends, including his brother/band mate Shannon and fellow actor Danny Comden, dined on Chef Joseph Elevado tastes menu including rock shrimp tempura, tuna tataki, fried tofu and yellowtail hamachi. After receiving a massive surprise birthday cake, Leto rallied his group and headed to PURE for his 35th birthday bash. Seated on the main VIP stage at PURE and listening to the beats of legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash, Leto was surprised yet again as the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls sang happy birthday and presented him with his 2nd birthday cake of the evening. Without any hesitation, Leto reached for the cake and took several bites before turning his attention back to the Dolls as the crowd went crazy and flash bulbs looked like fireworks.


Desperate Housewives' bad boy Jesse Metcalfe (above) was also dining at Social House and then went downstairs to TI's Tangerine nightclub to host his sizzling weekend party!. He was accompanied by girlfriend and British pop star Nadine Coyle for Kobe rolls, crispy tuna rolls and shrimp tempura prepared by Chef Joe Elevado. They ate in the Newspaper dining room seated just across from Nick Lachey and a group of friends including his brother,' Dancing With The Stars' champ Drew, devouring Nick's favorite Kobe Burgers, yellowtail jalapeno, and seared tuna salad. Comedian Pauly Shore was also alongside enjoying the exciting celebrity scene.

ROCKY REIGNS

I am so happy for my pal, Sylvester Stallone for having 'Rocky Balboa' score such knockouts at the box-office this holiday season. As our exclusive Planet Hollywood photograph shows Sly and I in deep conversation over the holidays, I thought I'd finalize our conversation that I didn't bring you during the movie premiere party coverage. Sly said:"To me it is the most satisfying accomplishment of my career. Because it was really an uphill battle, I hope the audience likes it and that it was worth it and that the character deserved a better send off than it got in 'Rocky V.' I wasn't focused then, but a lot of things have happened in the past 16 years and I know when you get to a certain age, you feel as though your options have been diminished and I tried to put my feeling into the character and hopefully there are people out there that can identify with that. I never thought 30-years ago it would even go one year. It is really gratifying. It was not a plan by any means. I am not that intelligent. It is just something that happened and touched a nerve."

"You know what it really means to me is that if you have certain feeling that you think they are just yours they are not. We are all connected," Sly continued. "There are certain emotions, loneliness, and the ability to have dignity and to feel like you want to go the distance in your life. I didn't realize it at the time, but they are just universal themes and if you can express them, everyone is on board with that. I think we may even see a real-life version of this Rocky story. George Foreman did it when you think about it and I believe that health medicine, physical culture, training and actually the methods of competition and with orthopedic reconstruction of the body that athletes will have a very long career. We will see records being broken by men in their late 40's. I really believe it will happen."

SUPER-FIGHT
It's an unprecedented battle between former Olympians and reigning boxing superstars. Mark the date on your diary: Sat., May 5 at MGM Grand when 6-division world champ Oscar De La Hoya meets unbeaten 4-division world champ Floyd Mayweather (left) for the biggest fight to hit the sport in decades. Said Oscar: "Fighting Floyd Mayweather is the type of fight that truly gets me motivated to go through a hard training camp and make the sacrifices I have to make to be the best." Mayweather commented: "I'm excited to get this opportunity to once again show why I'm pound-for-pound the best in the world and to add another title to my collection. I respect everything Oscar has accomplished in this sport, but this time he's in over his head." Floyd has been spotted all over our town's nightclubs in recent weeks -- sipping water though on his late night excursions -- and fans expect he'll drop from sight now as he moves into the training phase of preparation.

ALL-STAR ACTION HEATS UP
I'm reliably told that George Maloof is pushing hard to have his new Pearl concert theater at his Palms Casino debut during the NBA All-star weekend. In a note to me, George said: "The vision is materializing right before our eyes. Some walls are up and even receiving their 1st coat of primer. Private lounges and skyboxes are taking shape and the foundation for the stage has been set." George won't confirm or deny yet that several NBA events will take place at the Pearl and in his Fantasy Suites tower over the basketball blowout bash!

Tickets for the Feb 16 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at Mandalay Bay, sponsored by McDonalds go on sale today. It will feature a star-studded cast of celebrity players including 'Scream' alum and executive producer of the new FX series 'Dirt,' David Arquette, 'Desperate Housewives' hunk James Denton, 'Daybreak' star Taye Diggs and Academy Award nominee Michael Clark Duncan. Other stars will be named closer to the event which for the 4th consecutive year will be televised by ESPN. Tickets are also on sale now for the NBA All-Star practice session for Sat Feb 17 at Mandalay bay when the Western Conference all-stars practice first followed by the Eastern conference squad for the big game on Sunday Feb 18 airing on TNT at 5pm PST/8pm ET. ... Meantime, Basketball dangerman Dennis Rodman, at Seamless stripclub where he threw $100 bills in the air for the topless dancers to scramble after, said that he'll field his Bad Boy All Star team against the Harlem Globetrotters during NBA All-Star weekend at The Orleans. Now, why did he go shopping for eyeliner at the drugstore around the corner before partying? For himself or the dancers?

STRIP SCRIBBLES
In our weekly "check-in " with heavyweight comic Jeff Beacher (right) and his plan to lose 100 lbs by December, he reports he's now shed another 7 lbs for a total of 11 lbs. Says Jeff: "I'm literally getting 1,000's of emails supporting my weight loss challenge." Jeff and fellow comic Pauly Shore huddled during their TAO holiday weekend celebrations planning a large comedy event for next month. ... Marlon Wayans and seven pals celebrated the New Year over 2 bottles of Cristal champagne at Sushi Roku in the Caesars Palace Forum Shops. ... A new 52-acre mini-city of entertainment amenities, retail stores and luxury condo apartments is on the drawing boards by New York's giant Fisher Bros. Developers and Station Casinos at its Palace Station on Sahara and the I-15. Apparently no new casino facilities will be added.

TONIGHT'S TIP

It's time for the 'Crazy Girls' to return from their annual break and start a whole new season tonight and in the lineup will be Denver dancer Cheryl Vick (above) who started her jazz and gymnastic steps when she was just 5 years old. Cheryl, a 24-year-old graduate from the University of Colorado with a BA in Biology admitted: "My parents are conservative and don't like me dancing topless, but it was my dream to be in `Crazy Girls' at the Riviera and I'm now living that."

TOMORROW'S TEASE
Can Cirque's next Strip spectacular possibly hit the monster magical $200-million mark in pre-opening costs? Plus, Luxe Life takes a tour of the world's newest and most luxurious spa right here on the Strip complete with Arctic Chambers with falling snowstorms. And bucking broncos and championship bull riders compete in the world championships.

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