Deluxe Version Magazine Las Vegas | Issue 13

Images courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue Las Vegas

Shop Your Favorite Styles At Saks Fifth Avenue Las Vegas.

NEIMAN MARCUS at Fashion Show Mall THE ATRIUM at the Palazzo TESORINI at the Bellagio Lobby Shops RADIANCE at Aria Lobby Shops

A R I A . C O M /C ATC H

YOU AR E WH E R E YOU EAT

PUBLISHING & EDITORIAL PUBLISHER: TIM HANCOCK

CO-PUBLISHER: SHYON KEOPPEL MANAGING EDITOR: JEN CHASE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: STACEY GUALANDI INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: JAMILLETTE GAXIOLA MEDIA DIRECTOR: DANI REEVES FASHION DIRECTOR: KRISTA WHITE STYLE & BEAUTY DIRECTOR: ASHLEY LIDDELL FASHION MARKET DIRECTOR: ALISHA ALEXANDER CULINARY DIRECTOR: SCOTT COMMINGS ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR: ANDY GIL HEALTH & FITNESS DIRECTOR: DANA WONG EXECUTIVE BRAND AMBASSADOR: ALLI GARCIA CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: STACY D’ALESSANDRO, OLIVIA FIERRO, ALLISON KUGEL, DANI REEVES, JJ SNYDER, SAMANTHA THOMAS, PAUL ZAHN MEDIA PARTNERS & CREATIVE CONTRIBUTORS: AVA ROSE AGENCY, EDEN SASSOON, NICK & BLAIR PARMELEE, KATHRYN MOSELY,

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NATIONAL COVER: SAMANTHA HARRIS HAIR: SASHA GLASSER | MAKEUP: LISA ZIMMITTI STYLISTS: DEBBI MILES, DANI REEVES WARDROBE: SAKS FIFTH AVENUE LAS VEGAS LOCATION: KIMPTON LA PEER, WEST HOLLYWOOD

SPECIAL THANKS

LAKE LAS VEGAS, MONDRIAN LOS ANGELES, SCORSETTI DESIGN, AMY WATTS, JEFF TOMASTIK, PHILIP KNOTT

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60 THIS ISSUE TRAVEL

26 // LUXE SPA GETAWAYS 53 // ELECTRA: BAR OF THE FUTURE 51 // SOUL CYCLE SPINS INTO WYNN PLAZA 54 // THE GETAWAY GALS 65 // TOP PENTHOUSES & SUITES 77 // TIVOLI VILLAGE: SHOPPING & DINING 83 // SHOT IN TOKYO: TEQUILA DRIFT

ENTERTAINMENT

29 // DJ RUCKUS ON THE RISE 31 // REIGN OF THE FUTURE: DUSTIN DRAI 32 // THE EPICALLY HEALING JOURNEY OF MEL B 35 // INSIDE THE HEART OF A POP MUSIC LEGEND 36 // TAUREN WELLS’ HIGHER CALLING 60 //FEATURE STORY: SAMANTHA HARRIS 72 // THE ONES TO WATCH 76 // ON POINTE: NEVADA BALLET’S MIRELLA COSTA NETO 89 // MIX IN LUXURY

FINER LIVING

41 // FROM FORTUNE TO TRAGEDY & BACK 42 // FLYING ABOVE THE REST WITH GENTRY AVIATION 58 // THE ELITE ADVOCATE: STEVE DIMOPOULOS 78 // SETTING THE BAR HIGH IN REAL ESTATE 79 // DESIGNING FOR A SHIMMERING INDUSTRY 81 // NEW IN LAKE LAS VEGAS: VARENNA

HEALTH & WELLNESS

45 // WORKING TOGETHER IN MEDICAL MATRIMONY 46 // IT’S ALL SMILES WITH SANDRA LEE, D.M.D.

ISSUE Nº13 TRAVEL 2019

8440 SUNSET BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES, CA 90069

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Insider Intel: Peek inside

our top luxury suites and penthouse escapes.

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Note From The Publisher BREAKING NEW GROUND Often, as we travel the world and visit places we grow to fall in love with, we ask our inner self, “What if I could live here, or work here, or maybe somehow make my mark in this place?” It’s a spirit within our human nature to pioneer again, knowing there is more than the place where we came from. With each new destination comes new ideas, new visions and new dreams of breaking new ground. The more you see, the larger your vision becomes as relationships, resources and possibilities unfold.

SHYON KOEPELL CO-PUBLISHER

We’re so thrilled to see Deluxe Version Magazine breaking new ground as our print distribution expands beyond our Las Vegas headquarters to new cities.

With our newest locations—Scottsdale, Ariz., and Los Angeles, Calif.—we have also been privileged to expand our team.

It’s an honor to welcome JJ Snyder as a new addition to our Las Vegas crew; we are thrilled to welcome Olivia Fierro and Jennifer Deputy to our Scottsdale, Ariz., coverage; in Los Angeles—where we’re enjoying an additional 10,000 prints in the market!—we welcome Ashley Liddell; and we especially welcome our new co-publisher, Shyon Koepell.

ASHLEY LIDDELL

STYLE & BEAUTY DIRECTOR

We’re not not just dreaming big, we’re doing things bigger in 2019. To that end, we challenge you to travel this year and enlarge your vision.

Be inspired by this beautiful country and world…starting with this, our travel issue featuring Samantha Harris, photographed inside Kimpton La Peer on our national cover; our best picks for top-notch lodging (and we mean that literally: We’re showing off topshelf, top-floor gorgeousness via West Coast penthouses and suites); luxey spa getaways; and the first installment of a new recurring feature travel that shines a light on the humor and heart of our new writer JJ and our revered Contributing Editor Stacey Gualandi.

There are so many reasons to pack your bags and travel this year! Wherever you go, save room in your carry-on for one of our glossy, silky mags…say, for when the cabins go dim and all electronics must be stowed (though don’t forget that you can always read us online, too!). With all Deluxe Version Magazine has planned in 2019, you won’t want to miss an issue.

Sincerely,

Tim Hancock

Tim.Hancock@dlxvrsn.com IG:@IamTimHancock

Meet The Team

WWW.DELUXEVERSIONMAGAZINE.COM

Jen Chase

Stacey Gualandi

Dani Reeves

Scott Commings CULINARY DIRECTOR

ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR

Dana Wong

Reshawnda Jones

Octavio Rodriguez

MANAGING EDITOR

MEDIA DIRECTOR

HEALTH & FITNESS DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

LAS VEGAS DIRECTOR

Krista White

Jamillette Gaxiola

FASHION DIRECTOR

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Andy Gil

Tyra Bell-Holland

LOS ANGELES DIRECTOR

MEDIA PARTNERS

CONTRIBUTING PUBLICIST

Jen Deputy

SCOTTSDALE DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTING

WRITERS

Paul Zahn

JJ Snyder

Olivia Fierro

Derek Sante

Samantha Thomas

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Welcome to a radical departure from the familiar, a new dimension where style endures and good taste is paramount:

THE COCKTAIL COLLECTIVE

THE DORSEY Cocktail Bar

ELECTRA

Cocktail Club

ROSINA

Cocktail Lounge

Three distinctly different destinations for full sensory indulgence where the music beguiles, the cocktails slay and the atmosphere conquers all.

INFUSED WITH O N LY 1 0 0 % REAL BANANAS

@ambroswhiskey www.ambroswhiskey.com

ONE OF THE MOST AWARDED CHINESE RESTAURANTS IN ASIA A MODERN APPROACH TO CHINESE CUISINE

FOR RESERVATIONS, VISIT VENETIAN.COM

CHECK INTO CHECK OUT: THREE LUXE SPA GETAWAYS TO GET YOU FROM WINTER TO SPRING – By Paul Zahn

What better way to relax after the holidays than with a recharge for the

mind, body and soul? Here’s a round-up of Deluxe Version Magazine’s au courant list of favorite exotic resorts that are sure to please any traveler.

With personal juice bars and innovative spa treatments amid its 16 treatment rooms, the Grand Velas spa menu—conceptualized by world-renowned spa guru Diana Mestre—offers more than 20 treatments that fuse flavors, aromas and refreshing touches inspired by Mexican tradition. The spa’s signature treatments utilize the blue agave plant native to Mexico and its healing benefits that date back to ancient Columbia. Spa guests can also enjoy a seven-step water journey; a eucalyptus-scented steam room; a polar pool; a sauna; and a luxurious jacuzzi. Bonus? A “spa valet” provides personal attention to each guest, ensuring they leave pampered and smiling from cheek to cheek.

AWE SPA AT MOON PALACE JAMAICA Located on a gorgeous sheltered bay, Palace Resorts’ Moon Palace Jamaica boasts Four Diamond accommodations, exotic dining, top-shelf mixology, and an out-of-this-world spa experience. The resort’s Awe Spa spans 35,000 square feet and includes everything necessary for a self-care escape. Of its 23 treatment rooms, 17 are for single treatments; there are five double-treatment rooms; and one master suite—perfect for a pair of honeymooners. Additionally, the hydrotherapy facilities help guests decompress from daily life with hot and cold plunge pools; a steam room and sauna; and a sensory pool relaxation area. Following a spa treatment, guests can swing by one of Moon Palace Jamaica’s four restaurants or six bars to eat and drink the day away. Rasta beads not included.

LE BLANC SPA RESORT LOS CABOS Between personal butler service, a nightly in-room aromatherapy menu and bath products by BVLGARI, Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos blends luxury and sanctuary in the same space. Its more than 29,000 square feet houses a hydrotherapy area; hot and cold plunge pools; an ice room; a steam room; and a full menu of invigorating spa treatments. Notably on the menu is the Pericue Massage: a four-hand ritual inspired by the history of the region’s native Pericue Tribe.

Guests can also experience a Diamond Facial at Le Blanc Spa, which involves an anti-aging component that revives and revitalizes skin cells… leaving your face feeling as youthful as the rest of the resort leaves your soul.

SPA AT GRAND VELAS, LOS CABOS The newly opened, $150 million Grand Velas Los Cabos offers every amenity a luxury traveler needs for a restful beachfront getaway…yet despite its 304 ocean view suites, five gourmet restaurants and a staff ratio of 3 to 1, it’s the bi-level 35,000 square-foot Se Spa that offers guests a next-level experience.

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For fitness-fanatic guests, the spa includes a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal trainers and a spinning studio. After getting their sweat on, guests can beautify at Le Blanc Spa’s stunning salon before a night of luxurious libations and cuisine at the the resort’s selection of gourmet restaurants.

ABOVE THE NOISE

TALENT SPOTLIGHT

DJ RUCKUS ON THE RISE – By JJ Snyder

Artists often refer to key childhood memories that first sparked their creativity, and for DJ Ruckus, née Gregory Andrews, there were two important events that led to his becoming a DJ. The first were the disco parties he attended growing up as a kid in Puerto Rico. “For every birthday party or holiday, the parents of my friends would hire a DJ,” says Ruckus. He soon became mesmerized by the music, and the equipment: two turntables and a microphone.

The second was an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (S1 E2, to be exact) where DJ Jazzy Jeff interrupted the family’s tea-time enjoyment of classical music by boldly scratching a record. This offense got him thrown out of the house face first…a moment so funny, it’s resurfaced as a popular meme. Watching this episode left a mark on a young Ruckus not only for its hilarity, but because he thought it was “cool that DJ’s were on TV.” By the time he was a teen living with his family in Miami, DJ’s were front and center on the club scene. Ruckus’ older brother, a promoter, took him to a club called Crobar for hip-hop night. The club offered the then 15-year old aspiring spinner a spot on Thursday nights—his first gig—as long as he kept a promise to his Mom to show up to class the next day.

That inauspicious start led to hundreds of gigs for the teenager, from birthdays to bar mitzvahs and eventually, to the big time: Ruckus has racked up thousands of frequent fliers miles traveling the globe from London to Dubai, Ibiza to Las Vegas, playing a style of music he calls “open-format,” and he’s known for incorporating multiple styles into his

sets ranging from electronic to hip-hop to Latin…even a little country, if the occasion calls for it.

Today, Ruckus has become a regular at Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where his open-format style is perfectly suited to the crowd he says comes from all over the world, and is committed to having a good time.

“Las Vegas is a fun and funny scene at the same time,” says Ruckus. “You can play the Spice Girls and people will be into it.”

Traversing the globe is the name of the game for any successful DJ and Ruckus has the lifestyle down to a science. “You have to have discipline,” he says. “After doing it for years, you get over the party. You can’t drink, you can’t smoke, you can’t party.” Instead, he says he maintains a workout regime of running, CrossFit and boxing…none of which is hard to believe if you look at him in a photograph. (#drool) Speaking of photos…you may have seen the wedding snaps of Ruckus saying “I do” with Victoria Secret model Shanina Shaik. The elegant wedding took place on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The couple share many things in common, among them an adorable French Bulldog named Choppa. But like many hard-working celebrity couples who are always on the go, their biggest challenge is making time for togetherness. Their solution? Find ways to work together! These days, they can be spotted hosting parties and working photo shoots. And while the travel is tough for Ruckus, “I’m in love. That’s what you do.”

Deluxe Version Magazine | 29

Talking to Dustin Drai is like talking to that positive friend you

crave being around thanks to their natural excitement for life…and if anyone is excited these days, it’s Drai. He is excited about his role as Director of Marketing for Drai’s Beachclub and Nightclub and Drai’s AfterHours at The Cromwell; he’s excited about the evolution of nightlife on the Las Vegas Strip and beyond; and he’s excited about following in his famous father’s footsteps while feeling free to explore his own path. He’s pumped up about it all, and his energy is downright contagious.

The son of film director, restaurateur and nightclub developer Victor Drai, Dustin was attending business meetings with his dad as a child and, occasionally, was given the floor when his father would ask for his thoughts. Honing his business acumen beside that wildly successful dad of his, the young Drai learned to back up his opinions with substance; to accept and value feedback and ideas from many sources; to notice every detail; and to ward off complacency by always asking what, if anything, could be done better. Each one is a quality he’ll need to effectively grow his father’s legacy amid an operation of this caliber.

Drai’s secret weapon is to always be several steps ahead. For example, he says, just because pool parties take a break doesn’t mean the beach club doesn’t require attention. “Everyone thinks [in the winter], ‘Oh you’re going into slow season,’ which is true,” he explains. “But within two or three weeks of closing you’re already planning for 2019.

He continues. “We open the first weekend of March. Before that, we go through the hiring process, [the] new outfits, the new ideas.

Plans we’re going to implement in the next season have to be done in December and January.” It all requires tremendous focus, energy and organization to stay on top of the volume, he says…not to mention having the vision to keep changing, “If you’re not [changing], you’ll be left behind very quickly.”

Drai says that when he details his responsibilities and workload, people are pretty shocked. “They tell me, ‘What do you mean?

I thought you just drink Champagne, come to the club, hang out with celebrities!” While Drai admits (happily) that he does in fact do all of that—both at The Cromwell, where the club is located, and while scouting and supporting other clubs in town—there is a lot more on his plate. Drai learned every aspect of the family business, and he’s proud to put in the work to earn his leadership role, from scheduling, to paying, to managing, to customer service in both the front and the back of the house.

But his duties don’t stop there. Lining up talent for Drai’s live concerts is pivotal to the continued success of the club and Drai spends considerable time signing artists like The Wknd, Chris Brown and Migos. “We’re not The Staples Center, but in the summer we do somewhere around eight concerts a week,” he says. He’s particularly proud of the experience guests have during these live, 45-minute shows because “at Drai’s, there’s no bad spot, whether you’re paying $40 at the door for general admission or $5,000 for a dance floor table. What we’re doing at Drai’s its completely different than what they’re doing at any other nightclub in Vegas, and almost any other nightclub in the world.”

Except, perhaps, his own. Drai’s Las Vegas is expanding beyond the Strip, with a club in Vancouver and a Drai’s Dubai that opened in February 2018. “It is a great thing for the brand and for the direction of where Drai’s is going in the future,” says Drai. “We’ve been wanting to expand the brand name and that’s going to be the focus for next couple of years: really trying to focus on what Drai’s is going to be, not just in Las Vegas, but all over the world.”

For those who live in Las Vegas or just love to visit, let’s hope the Drai’s global expansion doesn’t move too quickly. Victor Drai wanted his son by his side all the time for a reason, and we want him here, too.

REIGN OF THE FUTURE

DUSTIN DRAI

– By Olivia Fierro Deluxe Version Magazine | 31

HOW SEX, DRUGS AND ABUSE PAVED, SAVED AND MADE HER ROAD TO SALVATION –By Allison Kugel I would imagine it took courage to keep a lot of these passages in the book. Was it harder to write the pages, or to keep them in the final draft? The physical and emotional abuse had already kind of been out there, whether it [was] just a journalist presuming or my ex getting a story out there somehow. I just wanted to make sure that I clarified, and made my puzzle understandable.

Melanie Brown (aka, Mel B) has

reigned supreme as the spiciest of her bandmates since bursting onto the entertainment scene as Scary Spice in 1996 with the group’s number one hit Wannabe. With her wild hair, piercings and raucous personality to match, she made instant headlines and never stopped: her tempestuous marriages and romantic near misses—including her split from Eddie Murphy heard ‘round the world—have, at times, overshadowed her on-camera talent on hit shows like UK’s X Factor and America’s Got Talent.

For years, rumors swirled about drug use and the party-girl image she cultivated during her marriage to ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.

What few knew was the house of horrors she lived behind closed doors that Melanie’s oldest daughter, 19-year-old Phoenix, and Melanie’s mother, Andrea, both attest to in great and excruciating detail in Melanie’s recent memoir, Brutally Honest. In it, the outspoken girl from Leeds, England, with the heavy Yorkshire accent recalls everything from growing up in a mixed-race family, to her Spice Girls fame and subsequent drug use; bisexuality; and a 10-year marriage she claims was so abusive, it drove her to attempt suicide in 2014.

Four years after that horrific episode that damaged her organs and her pride, Melanie slowly rebuilt her strength. Having filed for divorce from Belafonte in 2017, the two remain embroiled in a bitter legal battle. Still, Melanie takes solace in spreading her message about domestic abuse and violence. Along with promoting her book, motherhood, and hitting the road in 2019 for a Spice Girls tour, she is advocating for others who have experienced intimate or domestic partner abuse as a part of her daily work with UK’s Women’s Aid. After getting to know Melanie, I feel compelled to add that despite some reports associated with her recent fall and subsequent rib and hand injuries, she insists that she is now substance-free, and I believe her.

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How are your spirits these days? Obviously, I’m still on my healing path and it’s going to be an ongoing thing. Just taking care of myself, meditating, doing my reiki, and eating well. I actually couldn’t be happier right now. I know there are happier times to come, but right now I’m in a really good place and it’s taken me a long time to even get to this place, so I’m thankful.

Let’s go back a bit so people can get the big picture. What did the Spice Girls fame and hysteria of the 1990s feel like at the nucleus of it, from the inside looking out?

It was tiring, but we really didn’t care because it was five girls together who all had each other, living our dream life. We were living in England, struggling financially, not having much to eat, convincing people to let us borrow their recording studios so that we could sit down and write and [record] our music. There was a phase of a couple of years where it was really, really tough. When we got to release our first single, Wannabe, and we signed with a record company and got Simon Fuller involved to manage us, it was really good—happy times that all five of us had dreamt of, and we were actually living that life. We were traveling the world, singing, performing, dancing, writing music, and making a movie. It was a really beautiful few years. Of course, we were tired, because we didn’t allow ourselves any time off. But we were in control of what we did and when we did it, and we knew that we had to soar through life like a big tornado and strike while the iron was hot.

What do you feel you came into this life as Melanie Brown to learn? Well, I think the number one thing is that I come from a white mother and a black father. Back in the 1970s, when they got together and had me, that was seen as something that wasn’t really done.

They had a lot of things that they had to overcome in bringing me into the world and raising me in an area of England, four hours outside of London, where there weren’t any other mixedrace girls. That was one thing I had to find: my own identity. Apart from the likes of Neneh Cherry and maybe Tracy Chapman, there really wasn’t anybody that I could look up to where I felt like I belonged, or anyone who I felt like I even looked like. For me, it was all about creating a path where, hopefully, other mixed-race girls—and other mixed-race kids— could actually follow. For example, I never had my hair braided. I always wore my hair out. I’m very opinionated, but for the right reasons; not just to cause a ruckus. I do believe that I am here, somewhat, to make it okay to be in the skin that you’re in and the color that you are.

When you read my book, you do understand that certain things were due to coping mechanisms, which are very common with somebody that’s in an abusive relationship. The book addresses things like why it took me so long to leave. (It’s because you’re trapped, and you don’t have friends and family because you’ve been isolated due to how your abuser does things.) That’s why in the back of my book, I put the 15 warning signs of what an abusive relationship looks like. Sometimes, we don’t know until it is too late and you’re heavily in it. In my book, I address an array of points and situations that hopefully make the reader understand everything that I’ve been through.

There are certain things I did leave out due to legal reasons. I didn’t want it to be a legal war.

I wanted my book to be more of an education, and [give] insight into what it looks like to be in an abusive relationship.

My takeaway from your book was, do not go into a new relationship when you are feeling depleted, because you’re likely not going to make empowering choices. But sometimes, you may think that you’re over your ex, or you’re over the drama of having a baby with somebody and then breaking up… you think that you do feel fine. Sometimes it’s the kind of thing where you say, ‘I’m just going to smile, because the more I smile, the more I feel good.’ And you’re thinking that you do feel good. There is no set time as to when you definitely feel at your most confident, or your vulnerability is gone. We’re women. We’re always going to have that little bit of self-doubt or that moment where before our period we feel a bit bloated and a bit frumpy. Women are very emotional, so there’s no set rule as to whether an abuser can come into your life.

They don’t show up and go, ‘I’m an abuser.

I’m going to do this and that to you.’ No.They gaslight you. They make you feel like a princess one day, and then they make you feel like you’re a fat, ugly, unworthy cow the next day.

And like I said, they find you, you don’t find them.

Do you pray? I meditate. I became a reiki master at 19. I’m all about affirmations and meditation, and just being mindful and thoughtful. I do go to church. I go to the Agape Church which is very spiritual. I go there two or three times a month with my kids, and it’s very uplifting.

Why make a public declaration that Eddie Murphy is the love of your life? It wasn’t really a public declaration. Don’t forget that when I started writing the book with my friend, there was no contract between me and my friend, there was no book publishing deal; there was nothing. I was writing it for self-healing…[a] just-for-me kind of a thing. The more we researched, the more we learned that it didn’t just happen to me. It happened to many, many women, and we realized we needed to get this story out. We decided to delve deeply into all of the issues that people don’t talk about.

I’m very much a source of information when it comes to coercive behavior and abuse, because I’ve lived it for 10 years.

But what was the connection to speaking about how you still feel about Eddie? Oh yeah, back to that (laughs)!

One of the parts of the book that my friend couldn’t quite piece together was… why was I at my most vulnerable when my abuser came

into my life. I’d just had Angel. She was 2 months old and then the monster came into my life. My friend and co-writer, Louise, was trying to figure out why I was feeling so vulnerable. Then it became, ‘Oh, you felt vulnerable because of the Eddie situation, so let’s talk about that.’ I wanted to be able to talk about it and express it. I didn’t even fully understand it when we started talking about it…what went wrong and how it all kind of fell apart. It was important for me to put it all down on paper and do it from my recollection, to remind myself that I do know what a loving, respectful relationship is, because I had that and much more with Eddie. It was so important for me to put pen to paper with that, because I also had never spoken about it. I wanted people to know, and I wanted my daughter to know that it wasn’t just a wham, bam, thank you ma’am, and let’s move on to the next. It was a very loving courtship. It didn’t end well, but it was a major love story that was one of the biggest love stories of my life.

You’re about to run off to a Spice Girls meeting later. Can you share? It’s about the tour. We put six shows up for grabs and we ended up doing 13 because they sold out.

We’re going to be talking about staging, choreography and our dancers. It will be all of us on tour, but without Victoria. She sends all of us her blessing, but she has always been adamant that performing is not really her thing.

She’s busy with her family and her fashion empire. I still have hope that at some point she joins us, but as of right now she’s not.

The Scary Spice of 20 years ago was brash and bold, and very tell-it-like-it-is. You were the tough girl. After everything you’ve been through, who will Scary Spice be now?

The same. A little more educated and more aware, and I would say more honest…which could be misinterpreted as being even more brash and even more loud (laughs).

What qualities will you now look for at some point when you want to find love again? I’m very happy being single. I’m raising three kids, I’m on my own healing journey and I’m busy with work. I’m the only one paying my bills, and I’m paying the monster’s bills also every month and the lawyer’s bills. I’m focusing on the time I have off from work, just being with my kids. I’ve just put up the Christmas tree two days ago and I’m putting decorations all over the house, and it’s nice.

What is the rainbow or silver lining in the cloud for you? My kids. They’re the ones that I wake up to every morning and I go to sleep with every night. It’s reassuring for me that they’re happy, they’re on track academically, they’re on track with me as far as our mother/daughter relationships goes. I’m so very, very proud of them. Also, what has been eye opening and reassuring for me is the fact that Women’s Aid (https://www.womensaid.org. uk/) had made me a patron of their federation.

They deal with these kinds of abusive relationships. They find you help, they find you refuge, they help you get educated, they help you if you need help through the legal system. They reassure you that you are not alone, that this happens a lot, and they make you feel safe.

If you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship and in need of assistance, contact https://www.womensaid.org.uk/ in the United Kingdom or The National Domestic Violence Hotline at https:// www.thehotline.org/ in the United States for help and resources.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Melanie Brown/Hardie Grant Publishing Brutally Honest by Melanie Brown with Louise Gannon is available in bookstores and on Amazon. Download the audible version of Melanie’s book exclusively through Audible.com.

Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment columnist, and author of the book, Journaling Fame: A memoir of a life unhinged and on the record, available on Amazon. Follow her on Instagram @theallisonkugel and at AllisonKugel.com.

MEL B THE EPICALLY HEALING JOURNEY OF

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PAULA ABDUL: INSIDE THE HEART OF A POP

MUSIC LEGEND – By Allison Kugel

On Oct. 3, 2018, Paula Abdul hit the road on her first North American tour since her wildly popular Under My Spell tour, which grossed $60 million in ticket sales—a mint by 1992 standards—yet yielded tragedy that nearly leveled the beloved performer’s dance career.

The world knows Abdul at the plucky, iconic dancer and pop-star-turned American Idol judge-turned legacy performer. What people may not know is that this Grammy-winning legend had to climb a mountain of physical and emotional adversity to dance again. The launch of her fall 2018 Straight Up Paula! tour was a miracle, and audiences that have since come out to see her have witnessed one of the greatest comeback stories in show business.

Because Abdul handles tough times privately, the following conversation (which took place prior to her tour) may shock you. It will also make you root for her, since Abdul’s imitable strength is in refusing to allow her story to end with tragedy. She insisted on a second act with her long-running stint on American Idol as the judge with “heart”—a foil to Simon Cowell’s stone-cold critiques—and the decision to join the judges’ panel introduced her to a new generation of fans. Her Straight Up Paula! tour is a triumphant third act where she’ll share not only her catalog of music and iconic choreography, but her surprisingly poignant life story.

Beyond her singing and dancing, Abdul’s million-dollar smile, huge heart and humble responses during international interviews captured the public’s attention, and affection. Beginning with her first number one hit, 1998’s Straight Up, Abdul was a Gen X darling of epic proportion: by matching meticulous dance choreography with pop music, she brought something new and engaging to the mix.

Paula Abdul’s warmth and accessible appeal made an entire generation smitten. As someone put it to me recently, “She could have been your best friend’s sister, your cute neighbor… the girl next door you just had to get to know.”

Let’s talk about Straight Up Paula! Are you going to make each song’s choreography and costumes reminiscent of the original music videos, or will you change it up to reflect present day? It will be a little of both. I know that fans come to hear those songs, and they will, but I’m not doing a direct replication of those [music] videos. There is a nod to them, with a little bit of nostalgia. But for me, this is an opportunity to create my own vision of what I want to do in terms of interpreting the songs. I’m incorporating lots of technology and multimedia, and with some storytelling as well. I’m also going to cover some fun things, and some not so fun things, from my life in this show. It’s giving people a little bit more insight into who I am, and the career I’ve had.

Going back to what we were talking about before, about being in the zone… how do you know when you’re in that zone and your creativity is flowing versus when it feels forced? For me, there is such a difference when there is a flow. Eight or nine hours can go by, and I can’t even believe it. And then there are times when it seems like the day will never end. I’ve learned that when the latter is happening, I have to do an abrupt about-face and change the environment…step outside; do some other activity to wipe the slate clean. When you’re hitting a wall, it’s stagnant energy. It’s not creative, and it’s not conducive to a rehearsal hall or anything else I’m trying to accomplish. For me, muscle memory is now a tricky thing….Things that were natural in my body, from so many years of injuries, I need to re-address certain dance moves and change [them] to what feels better for me now.

When you were talking about time flying (or crawling) by…if you’re in the zone, you lose track of time and nine hours feels like nine minutes. It’s the best feeling, I’m sure you know! I can’t stand the latter, when time crawls. It’s the worst. You want to just cancel the day and start fresh the next day.

I always say that if you are in a creative field, it’s an odd thing, because you can’t just clock in and clock out. You have to be in a certain creative flow or nothing much is going to happen. Sometimes the best thing you can do when you feel that way is to not work. It’s true, because it’s more of a wasted day, and it’s miserable. (Laughs) I ask this question of everyone, because I learn so much about people through this question… when you pray, who or what do you pray to? I believe in God, and I do pray to God. But I am also spiritual in the sense that I know I have angels around me, and I know to pay attention to the signs I get from the universe. I used to not pay attention to the signs that were right in front of me. I feel that I finally get it. I do pay attention now, as I’ve gotten older, to those signs the universe gives me.

Do you see yourself as a pioneer who put dance at the forefront of the pop music industry? I definitely do. I feel that’s one of my biggest contributions. That’s what people herald me as doing, and it’s nice to know that. It’s nice to know that you can create and spark those kinds of dance crazes, but also that they can stand the test of time. A lot of dancers will say, “You’re American Music Awards dance opening numbers are ‘almanac.’” (Laughs) And artists that will say, “Man, I watched and learned everything that you ever did.” It’s wonderful to hear that.

You came into the business as a dancer and as a choreographer, and then you ventured into recording music. At that time, although you were commercially successful, you had your share of critics. A lot of other artists at the time said, “She’s really a dancer trying to be a singer. She’s off-key, she should stick to choreography….” How did you handle that kind of criticism then, and how do you handle it now? I feel like being in this business for over 30 years, you learn how to handle constructive criticism and just plain-old simple criticism. What I have learned is that, although I can’t just say what the formula is for success—because success is different for everyone—I do know that a recipe for failure is trying to please everyone.

You never will. For me, I’m an entertainer that happened to resonate with millions of people. I’m grateful for that. I’ve never claimed to be the best at anything. I’m a constant, perpetual student, and I love learning. I love improving upon weaknesses and nurturing the strengths, and being able to draw upon inspiration from others.

What do you hope audiences will experience when they see you on the Straight Up Paula! tour? I hope during the show they feel a celebration of fond memories of their time growing up with me. I also hope people get a chance to know me further, and get a better sense of who I am…with my whimsical ways and my sense of humor.

It’s going to be a nod to everything that has inspired me since I was young, and celebrate my career, with the ups and the downs, and everything in between. I hope everyone leaves with a smile on their face.

For dates and tickets to Paula Abdul’s North American tour, visit https://tour.paulaabdul.com/.

Tickets also available through Ticketmaster.

Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment columnist, and author of the book, Journaling Fame: A memoir of a life unhinged and on the record. Follow her on Instagram @theallisonkugel and at AllisonKugel.com.

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TAUREN WELLS’ HIGHER CALLING – By Stacey Gualandi

Christian performer Tauren Wells wasn’t always a saint. As a rambunc-

tious 8 year old, he was constantly playing drums on his desk, singing out loud and talking nonstop. “Basically, all the things I use now for my career I was getting in trouble for in school,” says Wells.

Since then, however, the 32-year-old singer/songwriter has certainly earned his angel wings. Wells is now one of the top singers on the Christian music scene—thanks to God and a legion of faithful followers—and has just come off a year many artists pray for.

Hills and Valleys—his 2017 debut solo album—continues to produce top 5 singles on the Christian radio charts, including Known and When We Pray. Last year he was invited to join Lionel Richie’s All the Hits tour with Mariah Carey. (“I just wait every day for that email, ‘Lionel wants to take you back out,’ ‘cause it was just so fun!”) And he won four of his eight nominations at the 49th annual Gospel Music Association’s DOVE Awards in October.

Wells credits his dad for introducing him to Sunday school. At 10, he began singing in the church choir, writing his own songs and eventually leading his youth ministry. Now, not only is he a successful performer, but he also leads worship at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston’s Lakewood Church as part of a new wave of young, hip and popular pulpit pastors.

I caught up with this married father of three as he was ready to take the stage in Denver as part of the 30-city Hope Encounter tour. “If you’re gonna tour as much as I tour, you have to enjoy traveling,” he says.

“Every night, the hope is that people experience something bigger than entertainment—bigger than music—[and] that they experience the hope that only God gives us.”

From God’s lips to our ears,Tauren.

Why do you love performing? What I love about performing is engaging with the audience and being connected. I love to dance and really put on a show, but my whole purpose and intention is to bring people beyond the show and really into the presence of God, because I think that’s what we deeply crave more than anything else.

What is your “why”? I just want to make honest music, so everything that I’m talking about is going to come through the filter of my faith and my relationship with Jesus. That doesn’t mean that I have to say Jesus or talk about the cross in every song. I believe that I’ve got real life music that’s just a soundtrack to your everyday life.

Did you encounter negative people growing up? Yes. That started in fourth grade. I had a teacher tell me that kids like me ended up in jail. I did not end up in jail. I ended up in Bible college. I found that resistance from people is just the apparatus God uses to draw you back like an arrow so that he can release you into your purpose. Criticism and negativity come with the territory of wanting to do something great. If you go through the Bible, you’ll realize every person that did anything great had haters. How we handle our haters determines how we handle our success. [I’ve learned] it takes humility to handle criticism and it takes humility to handle success.

When did you realize this was your calling? I would say at 16. That was a big year in my life, in just discovering that I could live my life for other people. That’s kind of a really self-absorbed age—high school—and I was definitely a little arrogant. Luckily, I had parents and pastors [who] were like, “No, why don’t you come up to the church and pick up garbage off the front yard? How about you come up to the church and set up chairs?” I refocused my creativity and my energy toward what I could do for other people and what I could do for the church. I fell in love with pastoral ministry. Really, I’ve never looked back from that point.

What if your dad hadn’t taken you to Sunday school? Man, that’s a scary question. I don’t know where I’d be. I’m so thankful for my family. We don’t have the capacity to make a lot of those decisions when we’re young, so I’m grateful that my parents made some good decisions and that my motivation eventually caught up with my obedience.

Are young, hip, fashionable young pastors the wave of the future? You’ve got a lot of new churches with new leaders that are just a product of a younger generation. What’s been cool is there are many leaders in that senior generation that are happily handing the baton, training, giving platform to, raising up, and supporting these next-generation leaders. It’s so cool to see it happening in every pillar of society: in science, industry, entertainment, and of course, religion. I think we are a product, in large part, of the culture that we’re in, but we’re also products of grace. That’s why we’re carrying the message that we carry.

Do you believe this younger generation will help unite our country? We will never legislate enough bills or laws to make us as equal as the cross makes us. We will never have a person in power that will bring us together in unit like Jesus would. You can look at religion and say that it’s caused a lot of division, but when you look at Jesus, and you study his life and scripture, all you really read is unity.

Is that message for everyone? There may be some people who like or dislike the message of Jesus and would not choose it, but there is a compelling story, a compelling force, real truth, and grace. That’s actually what I wrote my song Known about: the idea that God can fully know us, and have complete access to all the information about [us], and so truly and deeply love us, beyond any other love that we’ve ever experienced. I think those messages are certainly connecting with many, many people.

What are your plans for the immediate future? I’ll be on tour this spring with Chris Tomlin for The Holy Roar Tour, so I’m looking forward to that. Over that time, I’ll be writing and getting in the studio, but I think I’ve got one more single on this album that I’m gonna put out after Known, and then we’ll start exploring what the next album looks like, but I’m not rushing that.

What advice do you give your three children? Man, if you don’t do much else in life, just have a heart for God, because this life is so short and eternity is really long.

One last question for you, the avid traveler: What one thing do you never travel without? You’ve got to have a lint roller. You never know when you’re gonna have a weird fuzzy situation, so you’ve got to keep that lint roller handy.

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FROM FORTUNE TO TRAGEDY AND BACK,

HELDER MEJIA PUSHES FORWARD – By Dani Reeves

Helder Mejia is known as Las Vegas’ luxury real estate agent to the stars,

and with over $30 million in sales after only 5 years’ experience, his genuine hope is to inspire others who seek his success to never give up. “I’d love my story to…motivate [anyone] who may not be feeling the way I am now, because I’m here to tell you that 2 years ago, I was not in a good place.”

Mejia came to Las Vegas from Chicago 12 years ago with a solid background in sales. Beginning in retail, he quickly moved into the more expensive market of real estate (“I was born for sales,” he says confidently); however, his introduction to property sales presented itself in an unlikely environment.

“I had friends from out of town visiting,” remembers Mejia. “After about an hour with them in [a] nightclub, I needed to step out.” He ran in to a well known broker in the casino, and through conversation, the broker inspired Mejia to look into it for himself. “The very next day, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Since he’d always wanted to sell real estate, there was no hesitation about starting right away.

Mejia’s first sale was a $50,000 condo. “It wasn’t really anything…but my next sale was a $1.67 million unit at the Mandarin Oriental [now the Waldorf Astoria]. At [that] point, I had only been in the business for 3 months.

In that same year, I had sold the highest-priced unit, at that time, at the Mandarin, for $3 million,” he says with a humble smile.

Before long, Helder Mejia was on the Las Vegas real estate map…picking

up clients at private airport hangers in the morning and toasting Champagne after closing deals at night. In his second year in the industry, he sold over $10 million in luxury homes, and his future looked bright: business was booming, and he had welcomed his first son, Kingston, into the world.

“Everything was going great…I had thought,” says Mejia, until 5 months later when he learned from a phone call during a business meeting that his son had stopped breathing.

“I lost my son that day,” he recalls.

What followed, through heartache, was his goal to fight tragedy and dedicate every day to the memory of his son. In the following year, Helder Mejia’s business did more than $45 million in sales, and was he blessed again with another beautiful boy: Kashius Río.

Life tests how strong we really can be, and few know that like Mejia. “Every day, I wake up blessed to be alive, blessed to be able to see my son….I just want to give both Kingston and Kashius everything, and that’s why I am so focused right now.”

While Mejia does in fact cater to the luxury set, “You don’t have to be looking for a $3 million home to receive a high-end experience with me,” he says.

Buyers at all levels are encouraged to call or text him at 702.635.0899 to begin the V.I.P real estate experience they deserve.

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FLYING ABOVE THE REST WITH

GENTRY AVIATION – By Dani Reeves

Nothing says class and style like your own private jet. At

Gentry Aviation—an all-in-one aviation enterprise—not only can you receive a quote for your next trip, but if you happen to be in the market for your very own private jet, owner Gentry Long can help you with that as well.

The most popular route Gentry Aviation flies is Vegas to Los Angeles. For a round trip, the average cost is $10,000; however, occasional discounts can bring the cost down to $2,000 per leg.

Gentry Aviation’s fleet comprises FAA Part 135-certified aircraft and pilots. While it doesn’t directly own the airplanes, the company has access to a network of certified available aircraft for charters.

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With nearly a decade of flight experience, Long is currently the personal pilot for a high profile athlete in Las Vegas.

However, you don’t need to be athletic to have the ultimate experience.

“We have years of experience managing charter companies and aviation personnel [and] are able to assure we use the appropriately certified aircraft,” says Long. Additionally, if your company or life insurance requires a certain amount of liability before stepping onto a private jet, Gentry Aviation can meet those needs. Says Long: “This includes vetting the pilots to ensure they have met all the legal requirements to fly, and have plenty of fight time hours and experience for your flight.”

DOCTORS HAYLEY & STEVE BROWN: WORKING TOGETHER IN MEDICAL MATRIMONY – By Stacey Gualandi

The couple that operates together propagates together, and nowhere

is that more apparent than inside the Desert Hills Plastic Surgery Center.

The Henderson, Nev., base for beauty makeovers boasts not one but two Doctors Brown, and while it’s an uncommon arrangement, it works well for them, and keeps their center growing.

“Our patients feel safe in our hands, and it feels good to offer that,” says DHPSS’s Hayley Brown, MD, FACS, one of the city’s leading female plastic surgeons.

For over 20 years, the surgeon and her husband, anesthesiologist Steve Brown, MD, have practiced medicine as a married couple. Both say they were raised in households filled with doctors, so they feel right at home… in the operating room.

“When I get into the OR, it’s like a switch, says Steve Brown. “It’s like working with any surgeon: I’m busy doing my job, making patients feel safe and not in pain. “I’m not focused on my home life.”

And that’s exactly what she said. “There’s a curtain that divides us both— I’m doing my job, he’s doing his—but we are in constant communication at all times,” says Hayley Brown.

“A lot of patients have fear of going ‘under.’ I feel comfortable knowing that I trust [Steve],” adding jokingly: “And it’s the sounds he makes. I know what’s happening with him based on his sounds alone. Ha!” The Browns’ cosmetic coupling provides “personalized attention and expert care along with realistic expectations and minimal downtime,” making Desert Hills a sought-after destination with local clientele as well as people visiting from across the globe.

“Once they start, they come back for more,” says Steve Brown. “They like the fact we’ve been here so long and are stable. They know us. Sometimes, [if] I can’t show up, they get mad! Ha!” While it’s a true family affair at work, with four teenage kids at home, for the Browns it’s a constant work-life balancing act…so what happens at the office stays at the office.

“We have a relaxing, fun, great time together [as a family]. We are excited to go home, with all that chaos,” says Hayley Brown. “I wouldn’t want to practice any other way.”

For more information and to schedule a consultation call 702.664.6684. And to see Luxe News Live’s interview, visit www.deluxe-version.com.

Deluxe Version Magazine | 45

IT’S ALL SMILES WITH

SANDRA LEE, D.M.D. – By Dani Reeves

What do you think of when you hear the word “smile? A friendly hello? A sign of happiness? Unfortunately, not everyone is all smiles when it comes to theirs, and for any of those individuals living in the Las Vegas Valley, they have Sandra Lee, DMD, and her team at Flamingo Smiles Dentistry to help them.

As the new owner of Flamingo Smiles, Lee is proud to have opened her office in her hometown. Born and raised in Las Vegas and a UNLV School of Dentistry grad, Dr. Lee specializes in general dentistry, but her passion is in cosmetics. “It’s a combination of art and science, all while tailoring a smile that is specific and perfect for my patients,” says Lee with a...smile. (Wink) Dr. Lee and her team uses dentistry’s latest technology including same day crowns with the CEREC CAD/CAM machine, digital radiography and laser technology to address periodontal disease. Dr. Lee’s same day crowns includes crowns made from zirconia which are one the strongest materials found in dental labs.

46 | Deluxe Version Magazine

Dr. Lee not only prides herself on offering the best technology to her patients, but she also believes that the patient comes first. “From the moment my patient walks through our door to when they leave, the experience is comfortable and personable,” says Dr. Lee. “We offer heated blankets if a patient is cold, Chapstick if their lips are dry…[and] there is always coffee!”

And, Dr. Lee is as proud of her office as she is of being a true Las Vegan. “It’s important, as a Las Vegas native, to give back to your community,” she says after sharing a story of how she and her team donated over $10,000 in dental work to those who don’t have access to dental care.

There is no doubt Sandra Lee is in love with what she does. “If I had to do [dental school] all over again, I would absolutely do it!”

For more information on how to obtain your perfect smile, contact Sandra Lee, DMD, at Flamingo Smiles Dentistry: 702.254.3135.

Deluxe Version

Images courtesy of Soul Cycle & Denise Truscello

IN ACTION

SOUL CYCLE SPINS INTO WYNN PLAZA –By Stacey Gualandi

For traveling cycle-junkies who like their ride with a side of soul, your prayers have been answered. SoulCycle—fitness for body and mind—has landed on the Strip and is ready to transform more bodies…and lives.

With 90 studios across North America, it was a matter of time before the celebrity-friendly SoulCycle moved to town. The indoor cycling sanctuary (Nevada’s first) is located at Wynn Plaza…the resort’s recently opened two-story retail destination. And The Chainsmokers (pictured) just launched their exclusive retail collaboration with the fitness company.

“As a premier travel destination for both business and leisure, Wynn Las Vegas attracts people from across the globe, and we can’t wait to bring our unique workout to an even bigger audience,” says Melissa Xides, senior vice president of Studio Experience.

As a former Hollywood-based spinster myself who’s given SoulCycle a try more than once, I’ve often wondered what took it so long to set up spokes in Las Vegas. Now, I can honestly say, it was well worth the wait: Filling 3,000 square feet of dark candlelit space are 62 cycles, world-class instructors and (eventually) DJs playing high-energy music…a core molecule of SoulCycle’s DNA.

I went to a sold-out, 45-minute Thanksgiving day class, and it was just as I remembered. You feel pleasantly disconnected from your daily life as you “ride with the pack;” get lost in the popular playlist; and, end feeling stronger, and, of course, really sweaty. This studio will definitely cater to both locals (can you say resident discount?) as well as the frequent visitor looking for their favorite fitness fix.

Xides says upon entering the space, the fusion of art, neon technology, and unique in-studio visuals are exclusive to Las Vegas. “We united with a group of senior SoulCycle instructors and Soul HQ design experts to create a studio and workout that would take the existing SoulCycle experience to a new dimension,” says Xides. (Doesn’t hurt that The Chainsmokers—pictured—just launched an exclusive retail collaboration with the fitness company, as well.)

So if you’re looking to do some soul-searching; want to buy some soulstyle sportswear; or crave sitting beside regular rider (and new Strip-resident performer) Lady Gaga, it’s time to take SoulCycle for a spin. Because believe me: This one-of-a-kind experience is good for the…you know.

Deluxe Version Magazine | 51

Soulful Italian cuisine.

Simple. True. Italian. Now at The Venetian Resort.

Located on Restaurant Row

Deluxe Version

BAR OF THE FUTURE

ELECTRA A Collision Of Energy & Style The future of nightlife is now at Electra Cocktail Club, the imaginative experience located at the epicenter of The Palazzo’s casino floor. An inventive collision of energy and style, Electra completes the trinity that is The Cocktail Collective, comprising the sophisticated Dorsey; the romantic Rosina; and now, the kinetic Electra. A digital display spanning 40 feet serves as a focal point for Electra’s guests, featuring original art in a mind-blowing 70 million pixels and more than one billion colors. This visual canvas—the highest resolution video display in Las Vegas—features a curated selection of art providing story lines that unfold throughout the evening. (Oh: The cocktails are worth the visit, too.)

Deluxe Version Magazine | 53

This feature goes out to all the ladies in the house: The struggle is real.

THE GETAWAY GALS LAKE LAS VEGAS EDITION –By Stacey Gualandi and JJ Snyder

Repeat: The.struggle.is.real.

With work responsibilities, household chores and family obligations, we women rarely make time to relax. We start each week with good intentions but make excuses for why we’re way too busy to slow down, sit back and literally smell the rosé.

As host of the Las Vegas talk show The Morning Blend, Deluxe Version Magazine contributor JJ Snyder admits that while she’s with people all day, she almost never spends time with friends outside of work. (“Why do that when I can jump on an unending hamster wheel of dirty dishes, laundry and dog walks?” she jokes.)

Sound familiar? Recently, JJ brought up the matter with her gal pal Stacey Gualandi who confirmed Snyder is not alone. As a Las Vegas-based freelance entertainment journalist, podcaster, television producer, and DVM contributing editor, Stacey’s own desperation for downtime stems from her deadline-driven work schedule that seemingly controls her rather than being the other way around.

In an attempt to carve out some personal QT, our two DVM media mavens hatched a brilliant plan: prove they’re capable of taking a time out. And what better place than in their own backyard…the self-named Hospitality Capital of the World.

New to the concept of “staycations,” it didn’t take long for JJ and Stacey to agree on a place that was a stone’s throw from home yet luxey enough to feel like a getaway. At a mere 20 miles from the Strip—nestled on a Tuscan-inspired village by Lake Las Vegas yet worlds from an ordinary Sin City experience—the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa was the Getaway Gals’ first destination. Husbands Bill and Marty held down the family forts as the gals set out for 24 hours of spa, golf and late-night girl gossip.

(After all, 42 million annual visitors can’t be wrong about where to slow their roll.)

—Jen Chase, DVM Managing Editor

54 | Deluxe Version Magazine

THE FOOD AND DRINK JJ: The night we arrived, Lake Las Vegas (LLV) hosted a Culinary Feast, a big outdoor food and wine event held at Reflection Bay Golf Club, and we were invited!

LLV holds outdoor events like these at Reflection Bay several times a year, and hundreds of locals come out for small bites and cocktails al fresco. Socializing is easy, as you are rubbing shoulders and making friends at every station. We enjoyed samples from some of the finest kitchens in town. Among my favorites: the Ahi tacos from Beauty & Essex and Tao’s Bao dumplings.

Stacey’s ability to have fun while doing just about anything is contagious. For instance, no matter the time of day, when someone offers her a cocktail, her answer is frequently, “Why not?” and I admire her for that.

It’s fair to say we both enjoyed our share of cocktails. But there comes a point when you physically can’t eat another roast beef slider…so after a failed attempt at sand kayaking, we checked into our rooms at the Hilton, one of two world-class resorts to visit in Lake Las Vegas (the other is Westin). Onward….

Stacey: JJ is correct: Rarely have I met a drink offer I didn’t accept. My experience also tells me that you must have plenty of prosecco to wash down all the food that a feast like the one we went to that night provides…and boy did I indulge. (Hey, I’m on a getaway! No judgement!)

Featuring 16 chefs, this event was one-stop shopping for tasting the town, all under one roof, and it was the perfect start to our getaway. I, too, thoroughly enjoyed the tacos and dumplings, but I gotta say, Hell’s Kitchen winner and chef Scott Commings had me at bananas foster….

Since we hadn’t checked in yet, we had to eat, (drink) and run, but not before the aforementioned attempt at sand kayaking. Lucky for me, I seem to have found a kindred spirit in JJ: a woman who isn’t afraid to get her feet wet … or in this case, sandy. Sure, we may not get out much, but she is definitely my new sightseer-in-crime!

At check-in, waiting in our luxurious rooms, were strawberries; a note from the staff; aaaaaand…more prosecco! We were feeling the Hilton hospitality love.

THE STAY JJ: When Stacey and I rolled our luggage into the lobby, my eyes went straight to the high ceiling and then to the view off the giant balcony. On the way to our rooms, we gave a shout-out to a lively group of people sitting at the lobby bar along with one very well-behaved Labradoodle. That’s when it hit me: We were officially on a staycation.

I was settling into my room, unpacking my bag, when suddenly there was a knock at my door. I opened it to find Stacey in her pajamas, declaring, “I lost my tennis shoe!” while

holding a glass of bubbly and eating a chocolate-covered strawberry.

“I went to unpack my bag and apparently I lost it, so the valet is helping me look for it,” she explained. (How she managed to change into her pajamas, lose a shoe and make it back and forth to the valet was beyond me. I hadn’t even finished unpacking.)

At that point, there was only one option: Find the shoe! So I put on my PJ’s and a sweatshirt and in true slumber-party spirit, we scoured the hotel.* THE GOLF Stacey: After a late night of searching for missing shoes and watching TV way past my bedtime (an unwritten rite of hotel getaways), I forced myself to get up promptly and out the door by 8 a.m.

The pressure was on because JJ is an early riser, and I, sadly, am not (evidenced by her beating me to coffee by 90 minutes); but I had motivation. This was a big day for us: We had a tee time…my first in, like,15 years!

When JJ suggested we play golf at Reflection Bay’s award-winning, Jack Nicklaus championship golf course, I admit, I was afraid. Very afraid. My handicap is… me! But outfitted in our newly purchased Tory Sport golf getups (uh, duh!), we were ready for the runway fairway. We corralled a cart and some clubs, and we got some last-minute tips from head golf pro Brad Harmon before making our way to the front nine. Marshal Alan tried to prepare us on the first tee, but much to our horror, there was not one, but two bodies of water. And a bridge. Trees.

Oh, and some cute ducks.

I had a great drive, right into those trees I just mentioned. JJ, too. While we looked cute fetching the balls, we took too long, so I remembered rule number one of golf etiquette: let waiting golfers play through.

By the third hole, I was finding my rhythm.

Perhaps it was muscle memory, or more likely that Sauza shot I got from Reflection Bay’s bartender-on-wheels (I never turn down a drink…remember?), but we decided to play “best ball” and not keep score.

For a couple of hackers, our selfie game far exceeded our golf game, but I found the experience unexpectedly empowering. I realized I’ve still got a little swing in me, so it did wonders for my confidence. And, my wardrobe.

Reflection Bay’s General Manager Eric Dutt also shared some good news: The course will soon open a new golf academy. So after a few lessons, I’ll hit the links again and actually finish 18 holes. (Can you say more Tory Sport?)

THE SPA JJ: It was the moment I had been waiting for the whole staycation: walking into Spa Rav-

ella for a massage. There is no better way to turn the tables on a busy schedule than shutting off your smartphone, putting your hair in a pony and slipping into a steam room.

Stacey and I quickly shed our golf wear and put on matching robes. Then, we applied facial masks with one hand while clutching Champagne in the other. Stacey even delighted our fellow spa goers by wearing some authentic Dutch slippers she’d brought back from a recent trip to Europe. We spent a few minutes giggling about literally nothing in the outdoor courtyard as we awaited our appointments.

Point of interest: No matter how fancy the spa, I’ve learned that a great massage comes down to finding a talented therapist, and I found my perfect match in Takeisha. She led me down the hall to her room and asked, “How gentle do you like it because I tend to massage on the hard side?” (“Score!” thought I. I’m all about firm pressure.)

For the next hour, I believe I visited heaven; but before nodding off and drooling, we chatted about her nearly 20 years as a therapist in Las Vegas. I instantly liked this woman. Years before, she’d traded in the hustle-and-bustle of working on the Strip for escaping each day to the desert bliss that is Lake Las Vegas. Apparently, there are plenty of Las Vegas locals who share in the secret as half of her clients live nearby.

Stacey: Two things I took away from my experience at the 30,000 square-foot Spa Ravella and Salon: 1) It feels like you’re being massaged in a gorgeous (and quiet!) Italian mansion with beautiful views.

2) My therapist, Terra, was right: I need to be getting massages more frequently. I had more knots than an eagle scout convention.

(Ba dump-bump).

Actually, there is a third thing: Make sure to eat before you go. JJ and I were staarrrrrving when we arrived—I mean, come on, we just played five… er 18 holes! But no fear, the spa team was on it and got us salads and fruit so you couldn’t hear our stomachs growling over the drooling. Same time next month, Terra?

As a wise (and probably just little bit sad) woman once said, all good getaways must come to an end. But like so many staycation warriors before them, DVM’s JJ and Stacey have decided to escape their routines more frequently to decompress and report on it.

So for all you over-worked ladies reading and the men and women who love you…our Getaway Gals dare you to do the same. If only for 24 hours, it’s well worth it. (*) Editorial Note: Cinderella’s tennis shoe was under her hotel room bed the whole time.

THE ELITE ADVOCATE:

STEVE DIMOPOULOS – By Olivia Fierro

Dictionary.com defines the adjective “elite” as: “Repre-

senting the most choice or select; best.” Fittingly, Steve Dimopoulos, founding attorney of Dimopoulos Injury Law, brands his firm as Legal Elite.

Dimopoulos began his career as a corporate attorney in his home state of Michigan, and before going into practice, Dimopoulos showed considerable legal promise: he scored in the top one percent, nationally, on the multistate bar exam, and he would go on to obtain licenses to practice in three states. For most young lawyers, landing a fancy job with a multinational company would’ve been living the dream. But it wasn’t enough for Dimopoulos, who describes himself as “entrepreneurial-at-heart.” With an affinity for risk, Dimopoulos set his sights on life in fabulous Las Vegas with a legal practice that was a big shift from corporate law: personal injury and wrongful death.

Dimopoulos founded his firm in May 2015. In the beginning, it comprised only himself and one legal assistant; however, in fewer than 4 years, the firm has grown to a legal-all-star-team of six attorneys and 20 assistants. “Our team is licensed in four states and we speak six languages fluently,” Dimopoulos adds proudly.

The firm has recovered millions in compensation on behalf of its clients, many of whom were in the grips of the toughest times of their lives. Dimopoulos shares a recent story in which the firm recovered $1 million on behalf of a homeless man hit by a vehicle. “I don’t mean to be cliché,” says Dimopoulos, “but changing people’s lives for the better and seeing the looks on their faces when we do it are some of my favorite things about my job.”

Dimopoulos admits he’s most rewarded when he does what his peers couldn’t or wouldn’t do. “Few things are 58 | Deluxe Version Magazine

more gratifying than recovering for a client when a number of competitors didn’t see an angle.”

While Dimopoulos loves the type of law he practices, he made the jump to this specialty with eyes wide open about how outsiders perceive his niche. “Corporate law is on one end of the spectrum—more respected and highly regarded,” he says.

To be honest, personal injury has sort of taken on a bottom-of-the-barrel reputation in terms of prestige and respect in the legal profession. It was very important to me, at the outset…to have a high-end, respected brand.

Today, Dimopoulos pushes back on the stale, ambulance-chaser stereotype…replacing it with something new: Himself. He’s brilliant, handsome, chic, and yes…elite. Locals are well acquainted with Dimopoulos’ Las Vegas billboards that are more Tom Ford than L.A. Law. Any visit to his office reveals elegance. And a glimpse at his showstopper car—a Ferrari 488 GTB in Rosso Corsa—is an outward reflection of an inner sense of flash that’s complemented by his pastimes of Jiu-Jitsu, marksmanship and fine food.

Yet what makes Dimopoulos unique in a city of fun is his passion to give back to his second home. Local organizations like the Injured Police Officers Fund are recipients of his good fortune thanks to Dimopoulos feeling “an even greater connection to the city” in light of its renewed strength and sense of community in the aftermath of the October 2017 shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

What’s the next big thing for Dimopoulos’ law firm? Look forward to its fancy new office opening in Townsquare in July 2019. We bet you won’t be able to miss it.

Deluxe Version

FEATURE STORY

Deluxe Version

FEATURE STORY

STAR PROFILE:

Something ABOUT Samantha From Hollywood maven to health advocate, Samantha Harris is helping women recognize and protect what matters most: Their lives –By Stacey Gualandi

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Entertainment

host-to-the-stars Samantha Harris rarely turns down an opportunity to explore new and exotic locations. “I have wanderlust,” so says the intrepid reporter. “I yearn to travel.”

So where to next on her bucket list of must-visit-vacations? She’s set her sights—and favorite travel pillow—on the Maldives, a tropical paradise located thousands of miles away in the Indian Ocean.

“I’m dying to visit Soneva and The Four Seasons! There is a two-story hut with water slides from the second floor to the ocean. The water is so clear crystal blue,” she says, “but it’s an insane plane ride…there is no fast way to get there.”

Well, if there is anyone who can tackle a difficult journey, it’s Samantha Harris. In 2014, the married mother of two young girls found a lump in her breast just 11 days after an all-clear mammogram. As someone who covers breaking news for a living, this was a devastating headline.

For years, this Emmy-winning TV personality was the picture of perfect health as a host for E! Entertainment, extra, Entertainment Tonight and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She’s struck many a cover pose for fitness magazines, and when we found ourselves covering the same celebrity news stories, I admired her for being one of the healthiest people I knew.

I was the exception to scientific evidence.

When I caught up with her for our Travel Issue cover shoot in the penthouse of West Hollywood’s Kimpton La Peer Hotel, you would never know that Harris had been through such a life-threatening ordeal. But not only is she surviving, she is thriving.

After the initial shock, Harris quickly turned a big negative into a positive. She went public with her personal pain and became an advocate for other women with cancer.

“It became a passion,” says Harris. “There’s no way that I could have sidestepped it because it was something meant to be.” She spent nearly 2 years researching and writing what she calls a labor of love: her first book, Your Healthiest Healthy: 8 Easy Ways to Take Control, Help Prevent and Fight Cancer, and Live a Longer, Cleaner, Happier Life.

Harris is currently on a U.S. book tour, and is savoring the chance to meet and visit new people and cities. It’s a journey the author-turned-advocate was proud to take. “It makes my heart so full, knowing how lost I felt in my diagnosis, that I can help in some small way to alleviate that for other people.

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How did a cancer diagnosis change your life?

I was blindsided by cancer. I was just sidelined.

But what it did, is it ignited in me something so powerful that it compelled me to find out why I had cancer. When diagnosed with any disease, there is a search for answers [for the] why: you want to make sense of it. It helped me to write this book. It was a cathartic experience that gave me purpose for why I had been diagnosed. I needed to make sense of my own diagnosis.

You are a public person, so why go public with your diagnosis? Really, what tipped the scale for me to make that choice to go public, was if there was one other woman walking around with a lump in her breast, and [she] was told by doctors it was nothing and [it] then [had] gone undetected for God knows how long. [If] I can help that person by sharing my story, that’s why I wanted to go public. And when I did, I had so many unbelievable people who were so open and candid reach out to me.

So many people are not shying away from revealing a cancer diagnosis. Why? There was a stigma that once surrounded cancer. It was a word whispered in the shadows. Thankfully, that’s not the case anymore. In order to survive—and more importantly, to thrive—we have to build resiliency, and part of that is to have a community of support.

It’s been over 2 months since the release of your book. Have you reflected on its impact?

I’ve gotten a lot of feedback, but the most impactful message I got was from a woman, a nurse for 30 years, who was recently diagnosed.

She told me she thought she had been leading a healthy lifestyle…a very similar story to mine.

Her message was how helpful my book has been. There is so much conflicting information out there…and my book, that I held so close to my heart while working on it for 2 years, is out in the world and making a difference for some people…that is the reason I wrote it. If I help a few people, that’s good enough for me.

What is your book about? Your Healthiest Healthy is a guide that is about small steps: small, manageable steps. So as you read it, don’t try to do everything. Don’t try to change overnight. For lasting changes, we need to do it in slow steps.

of seeds, greens, organic fruit…but on the road, I can’t always get that, especially in smaller cities and in airports. One trick I’ve learned, if you don’t want to wait in long lines at the airport for food, [is to] seek out the less obvious spots with healthy options and you may not have any line! I get green juices sometimes and can usually find veggies and hummus, and salads.

Another challenge is how to work out. That might mean using the hotel gym, or if [there’s] no gym, try the hotel stairwells. Climbing slow paced up a few flights is a fantastic workout; that, and taking the stairs instead of an elevator.

Try to get your heart rate up three times during the day, for 10 minutes each time, while on the road.

How do you look at your life going forward?

I’m 45 now. Having gone through cancer, it has given me a unique perspective. I don’t care as much about the small stuff. In my book, I write about toxic people. I found that the people who aren’t showing you kindness aren’t worth your time.That detracts from your life and overall well being. Some parents in some schools can get real catty—[it’s] like high school all over again.

That’s not the game I want to play. I don’t have time for that. I have time for my family, my work and my passions.

What words do you live by? I’m happy. I’m healthy. I’m fit and strong!

Are you planning a follow-up to Your Healthiest Healthy? It is something I’m looking forward to. Interest is there from the public. But I want to give this one time to breathe…and then we’ll see where it takes us in expanding the brand.

For now, where does your “wanderlust” take you? Side trips. I’d like to do more [of those] with my hubby and kids. We went to Catalina Island recently; we went zip lining, and got to ride the ferry across the ocean. It’s nice as a family to try new things and have new experiences together.

And not have to go across the world.…

Well, I still want to go to the Maldives!

What is the most important message from your book? We have to be our own best health advocate. But, in order to do that, we also have to know our bodies…what I call your “Body IQ”: knowing your body and having the tools. And I try to help give you those tools to understand your body, as best as you can to notice—God forbid—any changes as they come throughout your life.

Can you share some tricks for staying healthy on the road? One of the biggest challenges [to] maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling is food. I start my day with a smoothie concoction

Get your copy at www.samantha-harris.com/yhh

Deluxe Version

FEATURE STORY

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Kimpton’s new LA PEER

LUXURY SUITES & PENTHOUSE ESCAPES DVM’S TOP DESTINATIONS TO CONSIDER IN 2019:

Soak in the subtle, swanky elegance at La Peer.

West Hollywood’s

LUXURY SUITES & PENTHOUSE ESCAPES

“THE HOUSE” Defining Unbuttoned Luxury West Hollywood has a unique distinction among Los Angeles neigh-

borhoods: walkability. And right now, all sidewalks lead to the Kimpton La Peer, a European-style, boutique hotel nestled neatly in the heart of this design district.

“We wanted Kimpton La Peer to be the living room of the design district,” says Director of Sales Chris Rodgers. “We want five-star level, but [while] keeping the integrity of Kimpton. Our philosophy is unbuttoned luxury…that is more approachable and comfortable.”

Named 2018’s “Top Hotel in West Hollywood” by Trip Advisor, that philosophical approach appears to be working. La Peer opened in January 2018 and offers 105 California-style rooms; 8000 square feet of lounge space; a rooftop terrace for private events (think Oscar and Emmy parties, which is a one-of-a-kind feature for this area); and Chef Casey Lane’s latest dining venture, Viale die Romani.

Renowned architect, designer and WeHo resident Gulla Jonsdottir says the neighborhood itself inspired her vision for La Peer’s dramatic design and

decor. “It’s all about fashion, high-end art and furniture,” says Jonsdottir.

The Iceland transplant, who has designed over 20 hotels and started her own all-female company a decade ago, points out La Peer is modern but has soul. “It has a poetic, voluptuous design: l like curves. Every contractor tries to give me a ruler but I throw it out,” she jokes.

Not to be missed is “The House” (aka, the penthouse), the site of our cover shoot. Jonsdottir says she convinced owners to “let me do my own limited-edition furniture collection” that she sells through galleries, including one of her own in the hotel. (Our interview actually took place on two Jonsdottir-designed chairs, once featured in a Taylor Swift video).

In a few short months, Kimpton La Peer became a central hub of the neighborhood…calling itself a “curated place for those who live and work here and for those who come from Europe to visit.” And that’s all by design. So if your next trip (to LA) calls for high-end amenities in a casual small space, my advice is run, don’t walk to Kimpton La Peer.

—Stacey Gualandi

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Las Vegas’

LUXURY SUITES & PENTHOUSE ESCAPES

NOBU VILLA Luxury Within Luxury

Celebrating 5 years this year as the premier boutique-hotel-within-a -hotel at the center of the Las Vegas Strip, Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace is home to the exquisite 10,300-square-foot Nobu Villa. Designed by David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, the $35,000-per-night Nobu Villa features three luxurious bedrooms, including a spacious master bedroom complete with an in-suite massage room. Reminiscent of a private spa, the villa’s master bathroom features a Japanese-style daybed; sauna; and an elevated round soaking tub with Natura Bisse luxury bath accessories.

Additionally, Nobu Villa’s expansive 4,700-square-foot-terrace boasts

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unsurpassed views of the famed Las Vegas Boulevard and features a Robatayaki grill and Zen garden, as well as an outdoor Japanese onsen tub (which was initially flown in via helicopter). Villa guests enjoy lavish amenities including complimentary roundtrip airport limo service and around-the-clock butler service. The Nobu Hotel Villa is one of the most sought-after villas for celebrities and celebrity events, including parties for Jennifer Lopez, Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift. Additionally, the spectacular villa has hosted A-listers such as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and more.

NOBU VILLA From $35,000/night

CINEMA SUITE From $5,000/night

Las Vegas’

LUXURY SUITES & PENTHOUSE ESCAPES

CINEMA SUITE Indulge Like A Star Located at the Palms, the 1,960 square-foot Cinema Suite features a dark

and moody aesthetic with coffered wood ceilings, parquet floors and distinctive cognac upholstered walls. An in-suite screening room equipped with a 98-inch flat screen with theater seating for nine is the perfect spot to host guests to watch anything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to a live sporting event. The viewing room comes equipped with luxurious blankets for added comfort as well as popcorn and various candies to

satisfy all of your movie cravings. A curated room service “movie menu” is available for more elevated movie snacks that includes wings, nachos, sliders, pizza, popcorn towers, and dessert platters. The one-bedroom, oneand-a-half-bathroom suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive views of the Strip are complemented by amenities such as a pool table, a fully functional bar, and leather upholstered seating area. Hand-picked art pieces from Maripole, Faile and Aroe are featured throughout the suite, as well.

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Las Vegas’

LUXURY SUITES & PENTHOUSE ESCAPES

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Las Vegas’

LUXURY SUITES & PENTHOUSE ESCAPES

REVOLVE SUITE Where Glitz & Glam Collide The glamorous Revolve Suites atop the Palms welcome guests ––with a sophisticated palette of blush rose and cream tones that are complemented by touches of marble and gold, and floor-to-ceiling views of the Las Vegas Strip. Curated art for these suites include pieces from Faile and Aroe throughout the space. The one- and two-bedroom suites, which range from 1,960-2,350 square-feet, are equipped with a fully functional bar and multiple large-screen televisions throughout. The lavish central beauty

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bar with custom vanity mirrors, allows up to four friends to simultaneously primp and prime for their day’s adventures together. The oversized master bathroom includes a dressing room with seating areas and multiple sinks and vanity mirrors that also make it easy for the whole gang to get ready at the same time. In-room amenities include complimentary Wilson Gabrielle x ColourPop make-up kits, Dyson hair dryers, satin robes, and a welcome amenity for celebrating whatever brought you to Las Vegas.

ON POINTE

WITH NEVADA BALLET’S MIRELLA COSTA NETO Ballerina Mirella Costa Neto’s career almost didn’t get past first position.

“I remember my director telling me when I was 9 that I would never be a ballet dancer because I didn’t have the body for it,” recalls the Brazilian beauty. “I was like, ‘I’m just starting, and this lady is telling me I cannot do it!”

Well that director should see her now.

Twenty-four-year old Costa Neto is now in her second season at the Nevada Ballet Theater company, having already performed the lead in several classic Balanchine ballets, including Serenade and Tarantella, and when I caught up with her during a pilates workout at Pure Private Fitness in Las Vegas, she was weeks away from her principal role as the captivating Svetlana in the Las Vegas premiere of Ben Stevenson’s Dracula.

“I’d like to invite [my former director] to see Dracula, but she lives in Brazil,” she says playfully.

At 16, Costa Neto left Brazil—and her parents—to pursue her dream in the United States. She says all it took was hard work to make the dream a reality.

“When I’m on stage, I just forget about everything and really dance with my heart,” says Costa Neto. “Then, the feeling that you have after you just performed is something so magical to me. I feel like all the hard work has paid off. [But] I really miss my family and I really wish they were here to see me.”

Costa Neto says she has now found a second home, and better opportunities in Las Vegas, thanks to NBT’s new artistic director Roy Kaiser.

“Working with Roy was my first time feeling comfortable with a director,” she says. “I always felt so scared with my directors in the past. With Roy… he just treats you as a professional ballet dancer.”

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That’s probably because Kaiser didn’t just belly up to the barre. He began his classical dance career as a teen; performed nearly every principal male role at Pennsylvania Ballet (except in Balanchine’s Apollo, the proverbial one that got away); and later became that company’s artistic director for 19 years. He un-retired a year ago to join NBT, the resident ballet company of The Smith Center, now in its 47th season.

“I was like, ‘Wow: there’s something going on here, and I think I can make a difference,’” says Kaiser of his decision to join NBT. “I just think [ballet] is the most accessible of all the art forms. You really can walk in off the street.”

His compelling repertoire choices this season, which include Stravinsky’s Firebird, a yet-to-be-announced world premiere by Nicolo Fonte, and Alice in Wonderland, are more focused on a mix of classic with contemporary that “showcase the artists in this company,” and are helping to broaden the local audience, one plie at a time.

While touring with Kaiser last October behind-the-scenes of Dracula’s rehearsals and last-minute costume changes, I could see his passion for preparation is on pointe. “I really want to expose more people to the company…and I want to keep creating new works that will be the unique identity of Nevada Ballet Theater. And once that happens, I want to take the company nationally. I want to really get national exposure for the company.”

By sinking its teeth into Dracula—which one reviewer described as “a phantasmagorical treat”—NBT might well be on its way. Following her haunting and dramatic turn as Svetlana, Costa Neto kept on her toes for her next challenge: the Winter Fairy in The Nutcracker, which rounded out what was an outstanding 2018 for this busy ballerina.

And while it is frustrating that ballet careers can be too short, Costa Neto says she’s making the most of her time in the spotlight.

“I’m getting to dance. As long as I’m dancing, I’m happy.”

– By Stacey Gualandi

TIVOLI VILLAGE World-Away Escape To Shopping & Dining

Imagine walking down elegant cobblestoned streets while the

scent of freshly baked croissants waft around rustic architecture.

With crisp air and warm sun—the weather here is always in your favor—this place feels familiar yet looks like you flew across the world. To your surprise, it’s only 20 minutes off the Las Vegas Strip and nestled against Red Rock’s stunning horizon.

With so many options at Tivoli Village, it’s hard to decide whether to start a day where high fasion lives at Visari, or get lost inside that 60,000 square-foot interior design heaven known as Restoration Hardware. You could get a beard trim at the Gentleman’s Quarters inside Look Society, or schedule an impromptu appointment at L Makeup Studio…though your destination decision

might be made for you once the wind catches and carries your way the rich smell of Leon Cafe’s Nutella Cappuccino.

Your day is limitless at Tivoli Village. With new restaurants and shopping for every generation—and, on-premesis art galleries for the occasional stopping—there is so much to explore…like Goat Yoga (it’s a thing); walkways for your dog; and even our Deluxe Version Magazine Pop Up Shop, where you can always pick up a copy of our pub to make your own.

Come! See why Tivoli Village is one of Las Vegas’ favorite local hotspots for families and their four-legged members alike.

– By Dani Reeves

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SETTING THE (REAL ESTATE) BAR HIGH WITH GENTILLE CHHUN – By Dani Reeves

Gentille Chhun is a Houston native who’s called Las Vegas home for

the past 18 years. A realtor and experienced investor—she bought her first home at 19—Chhun was bitten by the Vegas bug before moving to the entertainment capital of the world…and who wouldn’t, if they were as gifted at blackjack as she? Earning $30k-$40k per monthly trip to the Strip, Chhun chose to become a resident; however, a massive loss forced her to re-evaluate her income strategy. That’s when she turned to what she knew best: Markets.

“My fiancé, at the time, made me get a job,” Chhun says smiling, so with having bought property so young (and so successfully), getting her real estate license was an obvious choice. It was 2008, and while the country’s recession harmed many, it was just the second chance Chhun needed to rebuild after her own loss.

“When the crash happened, I was actually the busiest,” remembers Chhun. “Everything was 90 percent off. At that time, I was working under my mentor, John Edmunds. He had 60-plus investors who wanted to buy property in Vegas….I would be up until midnight writing offers.”

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The consistency of her work helped Chhun become not only well versed in the real estate industry, but it prepared her for all aspects of closing a deal.

“I was learning so much, every day,” Chhun says, and if a realtor wasn’t able to reinvent themselves, says Chhun: “you wouldn’t survive.”

Chhun took full advantage of her opportunities and began to invest in and flip properties around the Valley. “I have had lots of experience being an investor,” she says. “I know this side of the business very well….I understand what it takes.”

Looking ahead, Chhun hopes to explore commercial real estate…something that she’s learned back-handedly that she may be good at. “I used to refer my clients to commercial agents,” says Chuun, “but then they would come back to me asking if I would do their deal, instead.” Why refer elsewhere when she can seal the deal herself? “If it’s a business, an opportunity, or a challenge for myself...I want to do it,” Chhun says.

For more information on how Chhun can help you with your home, call 702.467.3131

DESIGNING FOR A SHIMMERING INDUSTRY – By Dani Reeves

For over 25 years, LA-based ForPlay Style House has been setting the standard for designing exclusive high-end and uniquely tasteful costumes, club wear, swimwear, lingerie, and nightlife uniforms. Now, it’s got a second home in Las Vegas.

Recognizing the nightlife industry’s high demand for a shop like ForPlay in a place like Las Vegas, about 5 years ago, Bianca Rahim—a lead designer for ForPlay—opened a private showroom in the city’s up-and-coming Art’s District. Weeks after moving to the Valley, Rahim met a VIP cocktail waitress at the club XS who knew the ForPlay brand well, having worn the line’s costumes and swimwear for years. Before long, Rahim had a meeting with one of the heads of Wynn nightlife to begin working on new uniforms and themed bottle presentation costumes.

In short order, Rahim’s clients now include exclusive brands and clubs like TAO group, SBE (Hyde), MGM, Wynn Nightlife, Tecate, Top Rank, and more. How? Emphasizing true fashion over transient trends across all her styles, Rahim balances the importance of how her clothing looks on the outside with how it makes women feel on the inside. When they’re in her dresses and costumes for hours at a time, the quality,

the fit and the feel must be perfect. You never get a second chance to make that first impression, and a server who’s comfortable in her skin (and uniform!) will always look more beautiful than one who isn’t.

With Las Vegas’ short winter and 2019’s pool season on fast approach, Rahim’s #galpreneurgoals include styling for all the Strip’s day clubs (“Our swim line is amazing!”) while looking ahead to fulfilling custom orders for EDC and Coachella festival goers. Rahim also provides studio rentals to photographers and models.

“Every day club should be wearing ForPlay!” says Rahim…noting that her other style aspiration is designing for the Vegas Golden Nights hockey team.

Sounds like a winning combination to us.

For information on being style by ForPlay Style House, contact Bianca Rahim directly at 818.421. 5702 or visit her work on Instagram (@forplay_stlyehouse) to book a showroom visit.

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NEW IN LAKE LAS VEGAS

SALES UNDERWAY FOR PULTE HOMES COMMUNITY: VARENNA – By Stacy D’Alessandro

Three of Pulte Homes’ best-selling floor plans

in the southwestern United States are available for purchase at its new Varenna community in Lake Las Vegas. Sales for the all single-story community are underway at Pulte’s Bellano sales office in Lake Las Vegas until the models open at Varenna in early 2019.

Home shoppers can explore the Gateway, Gardengate and Parklane floor plans, which appeal to a wide demographic because of their versatility and generous square footage.

The award-winning Parklane floor plan spans 2,400 square feet and features three to five bedrooms, and two-and-a-half to three-and-ahalf bathrooms. It boasts an open kitchen with a large island along with private den space and a two-car garage. Prices for Parklane start at $440,880.

The Gardengate floor plan showcases an entertainment element with an optional wet bar and an abundance of open space. It spans 2,294 square feet and features three to five bedrooms, and two- to three-and-a-half bathrooms.

Prices start at $430,880.

For homebuyers looking for an open floor plan with practical functionality, the 1,959-squarefoot Gateway floor plan is a good fit with prices starting at $410,880. It displays unique architectural appeal with an angled island in the kitchen. The Gateway offers three to four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage.

“Our Bellano community at Lake Las Vegas was so successful that we felt Varenna was the natural next step to offer larger single-story floor plans for individuals or families who want a little more space,” says Bridjette Shelfo, division vice president of sales for PulteGroup. “The innovation found within the new homes that Pulte offers is better than it’s ever been. These are consumer-inspired homes. We use a lot of consumer feedback to improve on our already good plans.”

The 38 home sites at Varenna will be built on one long street with a cul-de-sac at the end, and none of the homes will directly back into another home. All will be near the amenities of Lake Las Vegas, including a 320-acre lake; two award-winning golf courses a sports club and water sports activities. Residents can also enjoy fine dining and grocery shopping at Montelago Village.

According to Shelfo, interest rates are still historically low, so it’s making buying power stro ger for Pulte customers.

“What we have had in the last 5 years under the four to five percent interest rate has really helped a lot of people get into the home of their dreams,” she said. “Pulte has confidence in the Las Vegas market which has allowed us to grow at a comfortable pace and still take care of our customers and build quality homes.”

Shelfo said Pulte anticipated having sold and built nearly 700 homes s in 2018...an increase from just over 600 homes it closed and built in 2017. The company expects to have 750 homes sold and built in 2019.

A grand opening for the Varenna sales office is slated for early 2019, and the first homes will be completed in late spring.

For more information, call 888-333-5932 or visit the Bellano sales office on Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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MEGHAN MARKLE LOOKALIKE BRINGS ROYAL SMILES TO ANYONE SEEKING A SELFIE

One look at British actress Sarah Mhlanga and you can guess why she’s

had plenty of practice posing for pics this year: her uncanny resemblance to another brunette beauty—Meghan Markle, aka the Duchess of Sussex— has logged Mhlanga more photo ops in 2018 than most of us (non-Kardashians) have in three lifetimes.

“I still, to this day, do not see it…but everyone else is, like, dropping what they’ve got in their hands, or tipping their heads when they see me,” says Mhlanga of Meghan Markle fans. “I’ve probably been asked to take 7,000 selfies this year.”

You can count me among them! After seeing photos of Mhlanga-doing-Markle (and to fuel my “When in Windsor, do as the royals do” ‘tude) I invited the Duchess doppelgänger to attend my own wedding-vow renewal during a vacation to England’s Windsor Castle in August 2018. Requests like mine have been commonplace for Mhlanga ever since Prince Harry popped the question to the American actress. “The day they got engaged, I was getting messages from, like, 5 o’clock in the morning on my Facebook—literally [it was] ‘just ping, ping, ping, ping, ping,’” she admits. “And then it was coming to a point where [I was getting] over 50 messages a day.”

One of her first gigs involved a bunch of little girls dressed up as princesses. “Elsa was there, and the cast from Frozen, and they wanted me to be ‘Meghan’ getting off the train and having princess lessons on how to drink tea. It was a really nice job.”

For Mhlanga, pretending to be someone else goes back to her childhood.

At age 3, she was doing Kylie Minogue shows for her family. She later spent a year in a girl band called Seraphims (“a cross between Eternal and Spice Girls”). That was followed with a number of acting roles, modeling gigs and more recently, an opportunity to run a performing arts school for kids.

“I think performance can make such a big difference in children’s lives,” says Mhlanga. “Once they know they can stand and do something and everyone will clap and not laugh, it just does wonders for their confidence.”

As it turns out, the two Meghans have more than just looks in common. Like Markle, Mhlanga started doing charitable work as a young girl, helping her mother’s youth group charity reduce crime in poor areas of her hometown in Manchester, England.

“I used to get quite moved about children in poverty. I just wanted to change the world,” says Mhlanga. She says her newfound notoriety is giving her a platform to continue empowering young children in need. “I want people to see I have something more to offer than everybody ‘look at me.’”

Mhlanga—who now has her acting sights set on America—is a married mother of two. (Asked if her husband looks at all like Prince Harry, she said, “No, he’s black! Ha!”) She thinks the royal couple will make fantastic parents and correctly predicted they would get pregnant quickly.

Not one to give parenting advice, she does hope to meet the Duchess some day. “I think I would say to her, ‘I really hope you don’t mind that we look alike.’”

As for the Duchess…maybe she’ll ask for a selfie.

–Stacey Gualandi

DARREN BARNET:

WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF If emerging actor Darren Barnet had listened to the naysayers, he never would have been cast on NBC’s award-winning This Is Us. Or, landed a series role on Vice’s Simi Valley.

And his short film Glass definitely wouldn’t have won a New York Film Award for Best Original Story.

Fortunately for this Los Angeles native, not listening to direction helped launch a promising career in Hollywood. And that’s just where I recently caught up with the self-described hermit—in Hollywood on a rare night out—at Hyde Sunset for a Deluxe Version Magazine mixer.

Photo by David John (www.meghanlookalike.com)

“I knew when I was 5 I wanted to act,” says Barnet. “My parents were actors and said no, that it would be a life of heartbreak, yada yada. And an agent told me at 8 I couldn’t do it…that I didn’t have it. It crushed my dreams.”

But after earning a full-ride, work/study scholarship—the first in his family to do so— Barnet says he got bit by the acting bug all over again while studying theater and film at Georgia’s Berry College. He says he could have been successful (yet miserable) pursuing work that he didn’t want to do, or chase the uncertainty and be happy.

“It is continuing to work out [for me],” he says…and boy, that’s for sure. When casting directors noticed his determination and dashing good looks, it led to his foot-in-the-

door role on This Is Us. (“I was so humbled to be a part of it. It made me believe in myself that if [they] will choose me, maybe I have something to offer.”) Later, more work followed on shows like Criminal Minds and SWAT. Cut to last summer. Barnet’s Neo-noir crime thriller Simi Valley was up for Emmy consideration; his pushing-the-envelope digital drama Turnt debuted on Facebook; and his short film Mr. Machine was a film festival winner…all while he shooting his first Lifetime movie. While Barnet knows success is not going to happen overnight (though by all accounts, it seems to be) he confesses, he wouldn’t want it to.

“I learned I’m tougher than I thought I was,” says Barnet. “This life is a roller coaster…I’ve been so close to the point where my life is going to change forever, and then it goes up and down and it’s crazy, but I love it so much and would never trade it for anything.”

That level-headed attitude has taught him to enjoy the slow periods while pursuing parts (like Brad Pitt’s Tyler Durden in Fight Club, his fave character), and has now made his once-reluctant mother his biggest fan. For Barnet, it pays to follow your dreams.

“I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” he says. “I just have to be better at what I do every day, to be honest. That will lead me to where I want to go.”

–Stacey Gualandi

Deluxe Version Magazine | 87

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