Friday, Dec. 12, 2003 | 10:39 a.m.
What price vanity? Try $350,000.
That's what Sharon Osbourne says she spent on plastic surgery and a variety of other grooming procedures to drop from 275 pounds to the 125-pound beauty she is today.
"(The dollar figure) comes right from her mouth," Robin Leach told us this week. "In front of the camera, she goes over her entire body, piece by piece, and details what she had done and what it cost."
Osbourne is one of the people Leach profiles on his upcoming ABC show, "Life of Luxury," which airs Dec. 29.
"When I stopped doing 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' in 1994, it was because the show had reached a ceiling. I thought there was nothing newer or richer than what we had already seen. Segments were chosen based on what made my jaw drop, and my jaw had stopped dropping."
But the economy has picked up, and the hip-hop, flash-the-cash, bling-bling lifestyle has taken over.
"We used to be amazed at a $50 million house," Leach said. "Now there are $100 million apartments. When you watch the show, be sure and wear sunglasses. The wealth on display is blinding."
Aside from Osbourne, other subjects in the hourlong special include Virgin Records founder Richard Branson, who owns Necker Island, a private Caribbean hideaway; 17-year-old actresses-turned-entrepreneurs Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen; and real estate developer and casino boss Donald Trump.
Of course, for Leach, some things never change. One segment has him in a familiar locale -- tableside, with hip-hop moguls Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons. They are all drinking Dom Perignon and munching on $100-a-teaspoon caviar.
For one night at least, "champagne wishes and caviar dreams" are back.
Benefit
When Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, died in October, she left $220 million to National Public Radio.
Curious about the trickle-down effect, VegasBeat called Lamar Marchese, president of KNPR, Southern Nevada's NPR affiliate.
"There will be no raise for (program director) Flo Rogers and no raise for Lamar Marchese," he told VegasBeat. "We'll get some indirect benefits, such as better programming out of the national office, but there is no direct cash infusion to any of the stations."
Marchese said that about $30 million of the gift will go toward programming, but the bulk of the gift will go to an endowment fund. Marchese estimated the fund would generate about $10 million a year for programming and other operational needs.
Picky Nicky
Give Nicky Hilton some credit -- she knows how to not embarrass herself. She happily stops on red carpets to talk to folks such as correspondents from "Entertainment Tonight," who rarely ask questions more challenging than "What is your favorite color?" or "Who designed your shoes?"
But when she saw our friend Adam Goldman, an Associated Press reporter in Las Vegas, she glanced at his ID and credential and kept on moving.
"I heard her tell whoever was with her that my questions would be too hard for her," Goldman told us after the Billboard Awards show.
Nod couple
It's as official as it gets. Tommy Lee and Pink are an item. Not only did Pink nod her head in the affirmative when she was asked point blank at ghostbar (Palms)at the Interscope Records Billboards party Wednesday night, but the couple were also making out at a party attended by her former boyfriend, motocross champ and Vegas resident Carey Hart.
Also making the Interscope party: Backstreet Boys Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson and AJ McLean (still sober and still drinking only bottled water), footballer Ray Crockett, famous porn star Ron Jeremy, Black Eyed Peas, cast members from Fox's "The O.C." (including 17-year-old Mischa Barton -- who also drank only water), Gwen Stefani and Adrien Young of No Doubt, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Joe Jackson. The club's VIP host Marko Greisen also assures us that while Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton were both there, they kept to themselves and chatted about the success of "The Simple Life." There was no dancing on tables, like the last time Hilton was at the trendy rathskeller in the sky.
Following up
More from the Billboard Awards: the crosstown gossip was his usual inquisitive self in the media room under MGM Grand after the awards, asking not one single question of any of the stars. But he listened to all of ours. In fact, it was our question to Shania Twain about her interest in being a Vegas headliner that was his lead item in Wednesday's paper ...
VegasBits
Dress: World-renowned fashion designer Bob Mackie -- Cher's favorite -- will be making appearances Saturday at the two area locations of Northern Lights, an upscale lighting fixture and home accessory store ...
Buy: Self-described "professional shopper" Rita Rudner and the women from the "X" show were shopping at Tiffany's (Bellagio) on Thursday morning. Cameras followed; the excursion will be part of a segment on Rudner's syndicated "Ask Rita" talk show ...
Disc: Harrah's headliner Clint Holmes does a unique version of "Little Drummer Boy" on a new holiday-themed CD, "Peace on Earth." Also singing seasonal favorites: Willie Nelson, America, Moody Blues and Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night. Proceeds benefit the Angels on Earth Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to make music and music therapy available to kids all over the country.
From Sun wires
Mick Jagger sealed his place among Britain's establishment today, accepting a knighthood from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
"It's very nice to have honors given to you as long as you don't take it all too seriously," said Jagger, the 60-year-old prancing frontman for the Rolling Stones. He sported black suede and leather sneakers for the occasion.
Tenor to marry: Opera star Luciano Pavarotti will marry longtime partner Nicoletta Mantovani in the tenor's hometown on Saturday before celebrities including Bono, Sting and fashion designer Donatella Versace.
Pavarotti, 68, and Mantovani have been living together since 1996, when their love story took gossip columns by storm. The wedding will take place in Modena, Italy.
Jackson's brother claims mistreatment: Michael Jackson's brother said the pop star was physically mistreated while in custody of the Santa Barbara, Calif., Sheriff's Department. Department officials disputed the claim.
Jermaine Jackson told MSNBC in an interview broadcast Thursday that his brother has proof that "he was very much mistreated."
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