Columnist Kate Maddox: Warning: Fur flying over Houston

Kate Maddox

Friday, June 15, 2001 | 8:49 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Whitney Houston is famous for a few things: her voice, her rock 'n' roll-esque relationship with hubby Bobby Brown, her penchant for wearing fur and her somewhat spotty attendance record at scheduled performances.

Next week the last two issues will be the focus as Houston comes to Vegas to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from Black Entertainment Television.

The trouble is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is planning a red-carpet protest aimed at Houston, who earlier this year made the animal rights group's Worst Dressed List -- at No. 6, between Sharon Stone and Madonna, who also fancy furry designer duds.

Dan Matthews, director of campaigns for PETA, said in a phone interview that Houston has long been targeted by the group because the singer is unapologetic and unflappable in her allegiance to clothing made from animals.

Matthews added that the BET event, which will be held Monday at Paris Las Vegas, is the perfect opportunity to rally. "The irony of the whole thing is that she'll be getting a lifetime achievement award," Matthews explained, "since, quite often, she wraps herself in death."

A spokesman for Paris Las Vegas said Metro has been notified about the protest and that "any disturbance will be handled accordingly by the police."

Las Vegas Hilton entertainment brass has been so impressed by Sheena Easton's advance ticket sales that it is promoting her -- to the Big Room.

As of July 3 the singer will perform her greatest-hits revue in the hotel's 785-seat showroom, a step up from the 325-seat NightClub space where Easton currently does her thing.

Las Vegas Hilton Vice President of Marketing Richard Langlois said Easton's opening success has been "a big shocker for all of us." He added that her presold shows for July and August have almost reached the 10,000 mark.

"She's just been extremely well received," Langlois said. "The show is pure Sheena and she's really strong."

As for the NightClub, Langlois says he's looking for three acts to rotate at three-month intervals for the next 18 months or so. Look for the Fab Four, Elvis impersonator Trent Carlini and a yet-to-be-named Hawaiian production to be tapped for the open slots.

I'll venture cautiously into the realm of high-quality hairdressers again -- cover me.

Word is Michael Boychuck plans to open a swank new salon at the Palms, the George Maloof-owned resort that will open its doors on Flamingo Road in December.

AMP will be a hip new hairdo spot with all the trimmings (sorry) Boychuck has incorporated at his gig as color and salon director at the Canyon Ranch Salon at the Venetian.

Sophie Bernardin, co-owner of "La Femme," acknowledges that her "girls" do follow the rules of the Paris Crazy Horse, but she insists they live normal lives outside the group.

"Dancers don't mingle with the customers, they are safe and they feel respected," Bernardin said as she explained the strict regulations placed on the dancers. "But at home, their private lives are their private lives."

So they can walk and talk and eat and socialize as long as they aren't at the MGM Grand?

"They are expected to observe the rules of the Crazy Horse whenever and wherever they are seen in public as a group," Bernardin said.