Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com
Justin Bieber performs at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012.
Monday, Oct. 1, 2012 | 10:57 a.m.
Pop prince Justin Bieber dazzled and wowed his teenybopper fans at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday night 24 hours after he’d been mysteriously KO’d four times onstage and offstage at the tour debut in Phoenix.
“You would never have known he’d been ill just hours earlier,” one eyewitness told me. “He showed no signs of the stomach flu or problems that made him ill on the premiere of his new ‘Believe’ tour.”
In Phoenix on Saturday, Justin twice left the stage and twice remained onstage doubled over from being ill and throwing up. He asked fans if they could “stomach” him or if he should leave! They yelled their support, so he said that he’d continue to do his best under the circumstances. He finished the show without cutting it short.
Justin’s now two-year romance with Disney actress and singer Selena Gomez shows no signs of fading. They were inseparable this weekend, and she had the ideal medicine to help Justin over his stomach bug: more stomach churning.
A horror film fan, Selena took Justin to Eli Roth’s new year-round Goretorium horror house attraction on the Strip opposite CityCenter. I’m reliably told that the two of them not only loved it, but also held onto each other for safety from the shocking, deranged and 3D-interactive portions of the bloody and haunted hotel.
Justin’s “Believe” tour played almost directly opposite Criss Angel’s “Believe” at the Luxor. Justin -- like Criss -- said as he spectacularly flew in Cirque du Soleil-style: “If you believe, you can do anything. Believing is my big thing.” Usher, who has been a mentor to Justin, was a surprise guest at MGM Grand last night.
Contributing photographer Tom Donoghue told me: “Security was really tight. Thousands and thousands of screaming girls tried to break through the barrier set up around his walkway out into the audience.
It was a spectacular show right from the start when he flew in. The set was the front of either an ancient ship or a space cruiser that gave a Titanic theme to the look for his poses while up top of it singing.
“It was sort of strange. I’d spent an entire week shooting Criss for his ‘Believe’ show and wrap up with Justin at his own ‘Believe’ show. I guess I now believe!”
Justin’s opening act was fellow Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen, who thrilled with her performance of her mega-hit “Call Me Maybe” as she introduced a surprise 15-year-old pop singer Cody Simpson from Australia who we’re told will be the next big teen sensation.
Our thanks to Tom for his photos to kick off the week in the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
MGM Grand, a AAA Four Diamond resort, offers 5,044 rooms and suites.
MGM Grand features KÀ by Cirque du Soleil; Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club; and world-class entertainment at the Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood Theatre.
The resort offers signature restaurants by celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Grill and Michelin three star and Forbes Five Star restaurant, Joël Robuchon.
As part of its ongoing “Grand Renovation,” MGM Grand has remodeled all rooms and suites in its main tower and is adding several new experiences to its lineup including Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub, a new upscale dining/nightlife concept (coming in April 2013).
MGM Grand also features a state-of-the-art, non-smoking conference center, the Grand Spa, Cristophe Salon, "CSI: The Experience" and an inviting pool complex featuring the tantalizing daylife of Wet Republic.
Upscale accommodations include The Mansion, an exclusive hotel within the hotel; the luxurious two-story SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand; and The Signature at MGM Grand, a luxury all-suite, non-gaming hotel located adjacent to the main resort.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.
If you would like to submit your comment as a letter to the editor, you may submit it here.