Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs makes surprise trip to Las Vegas

By Melissa Arseniuk

Friday, Aug. 14, 2009 | 6:16 p.m.

No big stars have been confirmed for Saturday night’s Midsummer Night Dream party at the Palms, but don’t throw in the A-list talent towel just yet.

It is Las Vegas, after all, and you never know who might pop by to say hello – or make it rain, for that matter.

In fact, the one and only Sean “Diddy” Combs was in town last night.

While the rapper/producer/fashion designer/Ciroc vodka spokesman is known for making an entrance (and changing his moniker), last night’s appearances were completely unannounced and relatively low-key.

He attended a cocktail reception at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and toured the facility with its founder, Larry Ruvo.

Later, he had dinner with N9NE Group vice president Michael Fuller at Southern Wine and Spirits.

Fuller self-shot a behind-the-scenes video with the star and posted it on YouTube.

“We’re just here having a good time,” Combs says in the clip. “We are plotting and planning on doing some innovative things in the nightlife industry.”

He calls Fuller his “man” and plugs him as one of the guys who runs the city’s club scene.

“Nightlife is an art,” Combs says. “Some people look at it as a business. This man looks at it like an art, as I do.”

Diddy also flashes a bottle of his signature brand of Ciroc vodka in front of the camera – a move he himself called a “shameless plug” -- before handing the camera back to Fuller.

“Who knew I’d be hanging out with Diddy on a Thursday night before Midsummer’s,” Fuller says to the camera, shamelessly plugging Saturday’s big Playboy-sanctioned party at the Palms.

“This is dope,” he said, “Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of him.”

While Combs is not scheduled to attend Saturday night’s soirée at the Palms, his appearance Thursday night effectively set the stage for what could be a weekend of star-studded surprises.

Maloof’s playground on Flamingo Road is synonymous with all things shiny in Las Vegas – so much so that even seasoned celebrity watchers are hard-pressed to recall weekends where no one recognizable was spotted on site.

While last year’s Midsummer Night’s Dream party featured Hefner’s then-girlfriend and “Girls Next Door” co-star Bridget Marquardt, the Playboy mogul has not announced any plans to send any of his girlfriends, past or present, to this year’s event.

Perhaps they’re all still recovering from last weekend’s party at the Playboy Mansion.

The annual night of whimsy and body paint that is Midsummer Night’s Dream went down at Hefner’s sprawling estate last weekend.

Marquardt made it to that one, along with an array of playthings and Playmates past.

Beyond Hefner and his recently expanded brood of girlfriends, other notable guests at the party included Shannon Elizabeth, Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Jack Osbourne, James Vanderbeek, Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Jonathan Silverman, Bill Maher, Jon Voight, and Shaquille O’Neil.

Brody Jenner and his former Playmate girlfriend, Jayde Nicole, were there, too. Curiously enough, Jenner and Nicole were in town two weeks ago and partied all weekend long at the Hard Rock Hotel. What’s more, two of Jenner’s three famous sisters, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, are set to put in an appearance at Wet Republic on Sunday – so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jenner or the two sisters Kardashian turn up at the Palms on Saturday.

As it stands right now, however, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan is the only star-like personality on the official, on-the-record guest list.

Melissa Arseniuk writes about Las Vegas entertainment and celebrity events. She can be reached at 702-948-7823 or by e-mail at [email protected].