LOOKING IN ON: ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 | 7:18 a.m.

Elvis Presley is hard to beat, even 30 years after his death.

Trent Carlini, who does an awesome version of The King at the Sahara, was the winner last week in ABC's "The Next Best Thing," a show featuring tribute artists competing against each other.

For the final round in the competition, Carlini dressed in black leather and sang "Heartbreak Hotel."

"Throughout the competition I made sure I sang a different song every time I was on," he said. "That was an important thing to do. For the finals, when America voted, I chose one of Elvis' best looks - the '68 comeback look in leather and sang that version of 'Heartbreak Hotel.'

"I think that was what put me over the top. They said I won by a landslide, by millions."

During his appearances on the two-month series, Carlini also sang "Unchained Melody" and "Suspicious Minds."

Carlini said the experience was great, but tense and physically demanding.

"That was the first time I was ever up against other impersonators, other than Elvis," he said. "I had to fly out during the day and then fly back in time to do my show at the Sahara at night. I'd only get two hours of sleep a night. It was overwhelming and exciting."

For doing what he does for a living, Carlini won $100,000. "And it made me a household name. I was on 'Access Hollywood.' I've been contacted by some film people. I expect a lot more offers."

Carlini didn't forget the one s who made it all possible.

"To all the fans, thank you so very, very much for believing in me and I promise not to let you down."

Details: "The Musical History of the King," 9 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, Sahara. $49 and up, 737-2878

Around town

Belly dancers from around the world are attending the International Belly Dancing Convention through Saturday at the South Point. Call (866) 707-4679 for information and prices for various events Taking a cue from the hit TV series "America's Got Talent," producer David Saxe is launching "Vegas's Got Talent," a search beginning Aug. 17 at the V Theater. "I'm looking to add an extraordinary entertainer to the show," Saxe said. The winner will receive a performing contract worth up to $150,000 and will be the new act in Saxe's revue, which includes magician Nathan Burton, comedian Joe Trammel, a trained cat act with Gregory Popovich and blues harmonica player LD Miller. Participants should arrive at the theater at 9 a.m. for a tech rehearsal.