Friday, Sept. 17, 2004 | 10:42 a.m.
She seemed OK for her big TV appearance the night before. But on Thursday night, with zero notice, Celine Dion abruptly canceled her performance of "A New Day ... " at Caesars Palace, leaving a few thousand fans -- and the assembled national media -- in the lurch.
"Her throat is sore. She is sick -- something that has been going around," show producer Concerts West exec Kris Lingle told VegasBeat in a phone call just before the curtain was supposed to go up. "A few shows may be canceled."
Diva Las Vegas had invited the media to Thursday night's performance and then for a question-and-answer session afterward, where she was supposed to address such topics as her reported contract extension.
The show was to mark the midpoint of her current three-year, $100 million contract. Reports have indicated that she is to sign a three-year, $150 million extension. But she called in sick, leaving all questions unanswered and 4,000 paying customers out in the cold.
In an almost comical posting on Dion's Web site Thursday, she offered a possible solution to meeting with the media despite her self-proclaimed inability to speak.
"On days when she is not performing, Celine often rests her voice completely by not speaking at all. But this doesn't prevent her from communicating via the telephone," says the posting on www.celinedion.com. "She taps answers into the mouthpiece. One tap means yes, two taps means no."
Instead, she was apparently tapped out after Wednesday's engagement, when she appeared live on the World Music Awards at the Thomas & Mack Center and performed "Love Can Move Mountains" with the cast from her Caesars show.
In other Dion news, her "Miracle" project is due Oct. 12. She and acclaimed Australian photographer Anne Geddes have teamed for the music/photo book project. The release, which honors "the unique and steadfast bond between mother and child," will be available as a combination book, CD and DVD, as well as a stand-alone audio disc.
Also, Dion will play her only scheduled U.S. show this year outside of Las Vegas on Oct. 15 at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden. It is a charity concert organized by New York's 106.7 Lite FM.
Award leftovers
Random notes from Wednesday night's World Music Awards:
Backstage after the show, many of the stars -- LaToya Jackson, Kelly Clarkson, Brian McKnight -- signed a commemorative surfboard for producer Rick Garson. Best inscription came from Alicia Keys, who wrote, "Do not sell this on eBay."
After the show and before the Body English afterparty, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Seal and Hilary Duff all had dinner at Nobu (Hard Rock).
Courtney Love, Patti LaBelle, Michael Clarke Duncan and Dan Estrin and his band, Hoobastank, had dinner at Simon Kitchen & Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Although Mr. and Mrs. Marc Anthony were both in attendance, Mrs. Anthony -- aka Jennifer Lopez -- worked hard to maintain a low profile during her brief Vegas visit.
The couple entered the arena separately, were careful not to be photographed together, and she again refused to confirm or deny anything about her personal life. She refused any comment on her marriage and continuing swirling rumors that she is pregnant.
Before his appearance on the show that night, Usher spent much of Wednesday afternoon browsing at the Fashion Show mall.
Proudest person in the Thomas & Mack audience was probably gospel singing star Cissy Houston. Her daughter Whitney Houston delivered a boffo performance that many insiders are already saying may lead to a reunion with her former mentor, Clive Davis, and a new recording deal.
Page turner
There is a big book signing and poolside party tonight at the Golden Nugget for VIP host Richard Wilk.
His new tome, "Connected ... Vegas Style," is full of stories from the front lines of the high-roller gaming world. He dishes on everyone from Eminem to Charles Barkley to his time playing blackjack with Matt Damon.
Some of his other famous pals contributed cover blurbs -- including James Caan, Joe Pesci and Mike Piazza.
"I'm Richie's biggest fan," offered "Joey" and former "Sopranos" star Drea de Matteo.
The open-to-the-public event starts at 8 p.m.
VegasBits
Shoppers: When they weren't judging local hopefuls for their hit TV show "American Idol," stars Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson were shopping at Mandalay Place this week. She was spotted at Just Cavalli and Nora Blue, and he bought a couple of suits at Elton's ...
Dinner: At one table at Charlie Palmer Steak (Four Seasons) on Wednesday night: Kenny Loggins. Across the room at another table were KTNV Channel 13 anchors Cathy Ray and Ross Becker ...
Show: Pierce Brosnan and a party of 14 were at "O" (Bellagio) on Tuesday night ...
Clubber: Ivan Kane, who is opening a Mandalay Place branch of his hot Los Angeles cabaret Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce, had lunch Thursday at The Cafe at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay ...
Club: David Copperfield and WBC super lightweight champ Arturo "Thunder" Gatti partied (but not together) at Tangerine (Treasure Island) Wednesday night ...
Beauty: Las Vegas resident Paige O'Hara, the voice of Disney's animated heroine Belle in the Oscar-winning film "Beauty and the Beast," visited Merryhill Elementary School on Durango Drive on Wednesday to talk to the students. The theme of her address was how beauty comes from within ...
Depart: Where magazine editor Rob Bhatt is leaving Las Vegas for San Francisco. He'll edit the Bay Area edition of the tourist glossy. Former Las Vegas Life staffer Matt Jacob replaces Bhatt temporarily until a permanent editor is hired ...
Mea culpa: Our apologies to Las Vegas Review-Journal publisher Sherman Frederick for not calling him Wednesday for comment on an item headlined "Rumor of the Day," which ran in this space Thursday. For the record, Frederick says that there are no discussions between Stephens Media Group and the Chicago-based Tribune Co. regarding a possible sale. "There's nothing going on," Frederick told the Sun on Thursday. He added that any report of a sale was "out of left field."
From Sun wires
Affleck to host: He's not former President Bill Clinton, but Ben Affleck will do.
Although Clinton was invited, Affleck will host the 30th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" with musical guest Nelly on Oct. 2, NBC announced.
Clinton had been invited to host the not-ready-for-prime-time show, but turned down the offer, NBC said last month. No reason was given for Clinton declining to appear on the show.
Actor accused: Anthony Anderson, the rotund comedic co-star of "Kangaroo Jack" and the original "Barbershop," has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman who visited him on the set of his TV show last year.
Anderson, who also is facing rape charges in Tennessee, denied both allegations.
The latest allegation came in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Wednesday. The lawsuit, which identifies the woman as "Jane Doe," names as defendants Anderson and the show's producer, Warner Bros. Television.
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