“90210” & “Sharknado” Star Ian Ziering is heading back to Chippendales® Las Vegas June 12 – July 19 at The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
Due to popular demand, Chippendales® has announced that “Sharknado” and “90210” star Ian Ziering will return to its show at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas as a celebrity guest star from June 12 through July 19, 2014.
Since joining the acclaimed Las Vegas production of Chippendales last summer, Ziering’s career has skyrocketed with hits such as the SyFy “People’s Choice” nominated cult-film, “Sharknado” and, the forthcoming “Sharknado 2” set for release in July 2014.
Actor Ben Stiller is currently in discussions to play openly gay choreographer “Nick DeNoia” in director Alan Ball’s I Am Chippendales, a film that follows the rise of Chippendales becoming the most famous male revues of all time.
If Magic Mike has taught us anything, it’s that there’s an audience for movies about male strippers. But it sounds like I Am Chippendales will go beyond the stage to dig into the founding and expansion of the Chippendales night club and the eventual controversy related to attempted arson, racketeering and murder-for-hire, linked co-owner Somen “Steve” Banerjee.
Variety says Ben Stiller (Keeping the Faith), is in negotiations to play the role of Nick DeNoia, “the former choreographer/partner who helped conceive the idea for the dance troupe with Banerjee and attorney Brian Nahin.” He also played a big part in expanding the act on a global level.
Ball — who is set to direct, produce and adapt the script based on Rodney Sheldon’s book — is one of the minds behind the TV shows Six Feet Under, True Blood and the Oscar-winning film American Beauty.
You don’t have to wait for the movie, though, folks. Chippendales currently has two companies of the fun and flirty male revue – one permanent company at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and a second company that tours the world.
Las Vegas radio station Mix 94.1 is holding it’s second season of their on-air competition “The Matchelor.”
The campaign is designed to find women to be a part of a weekly competition with eliminations happening every week (just like the Bachelor) that culminates in making a “match” with James Davis of the Chippendales and The Amazing Race.
James Davis is a huge fan favorite in the Chippendales show at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino. In the Chippendales show, in addition to showing off this hard-bodied stud, he plays live guitar during the production.
For detail on how you can apply to become James’ “match” – click here.
By the way – why stop with only one calendar shot of James?
Michael, me, Don Turner and award-winning out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley
Kudos to SNAPI (Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc.) for a great 2013 LGBT Pride Festival yesterday. Special shout-out to SNAPI President Ernie Yuen for making the entire day fun, fab and a big success.
Great thing about Pride in Vegas is we get to see tons of friends in one day, plus take in all the booths from LGBT and LGBT ally groups & businesses. Huge corporations, small business owners, churches that welcome LGBT community members in their faith, social groups – many, many take part in sharing what they have to offer to the Las Vegas community.
One example I will list is LGBT owned and operated N2N Bodywear, based in Los Angeles but comes to Las Vegas every year to take part. Out and proud owner/designer Andrew Makay is a business success story that makes me proud to know him. And his energy at Pride events across the country is infectious to all who stop by to check out the sexy clothes (and models) on hand.
And the entertainment was terrific. I have to say my favorite act, who had the entire festival on it’s feet had to be God Des And She. A pop/rap act, they did original and cover songs that completely rocked the place. Pride organizers take note – book these two talented women and your crowd will thank you.There were also many other terrific performances, too long a list to name, of LGBT favorites from Las Vegas and around the world. Just know that Entertainment Director Brandon Johnson did a terrific job bringing something for everyone, and the crowd had a great time all day long.
The headliner for this year’s festival was Bleona, known as the “Madonna of Albania.” Very talented and brought four terrific back-up dancers who knocked the choreography out. I hope to see Bleona do more as she’s breaking into the US market. And she’ll definitely have a big audience with the LGBT folks. There were some production delays with her crew setting up that caused Bleona to take to the stage 15 minutes late. With an already factored in 20 minute break from the previous act, there was a 35 minute lull in the entertainment for the crowd. I watched dozens of attendees leave after a while, and I also felt some of the momentum in the crowd diminish due to the delay. My unsolicited but constructive advice to Bleona – I appreciate you want to put on a big show for the crowd, but I’d scale back a bit so you can hit the stage on time and keep the energy of the crowd on your side. A talented performer, I look forward to seeing what’s next for Bleona in the US.
I have to mention the amazing Chris Saldana, one of Las Vegas’ favorite news anchors/reporters. Chris never fails to show up, support and do whatever needs to be done for the LGBT community. Whether it’s hosting the Pride Parade telecast, hosting throughout the day on the Festival stage or jumping in to help Bleona’s crew get set-up, this Emmy Award-winning journalist does the gays proud. Las Vegas is lucky to have someone who gives so much throughout the year.
Here are a few pics from throughout the day at the 2013 Las Vegas Pride Festival:
Chippendales’ Ryan Stuart (L) & Chris Saldana (R) hosted the Pride Parade Awards ceremony. Pictured here with the winners of this year’s Parade Director’s Award for Best Float – MGM Resorts.
Michael, Chippendales’ Ryan Stuart, Festival Host Chris Saldana and me
The fashion at Pride can sometimes be “surprising”
Chippendales’ Ryan Stuart (L) & Chris Saldana (R) with Pride organizers Ernie Yuen and Brandon Johnson
You run into everyone at Pride in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Strip headliner Frank Marino and fiance Alex Schecter
Like I would pass up a photo opp with Chippendales and a Jubilee Showgirl? No chance!
God-Des And She rock the festival as the sun begins to set.
Pride Festival headliner Bleona and dancers
Because when I think LGBT Pride, I think “teriyaki bowl”…
At the N2N Bodywear booth, you get this hunky guy to model the clothes for you 🙂
I’m kind of obsessed with the Sharknado phenomenon 🙂
No, I don’t think it’s “great” movie (hello, the name of the film tells you the creators had a sense of humor…) but I think it’s fun since it’s soooo over the top, and everything the folks responsible meant it to be.
The pop culture response is so fascinating, how could you not have a good time with it?
Ian Ziering deserves “action hero” movie status here, plus points for his sense of humor how he’s handled the response today.
p.s. then there’s the fact that he’s uber-hot at 49. Check the recent pic below from his sold-out run at Chippendales in Las Vegas.
There was a Beverly Hills 90210 reunion in Las Vegas last night as Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty visited Chippendales at the Rio to show their support for fellow 90210er Ian Ziering currently headlining the iconic show.
Ziering — who played Steve Sanders on the Aaron Spelling drama, opposite Garth’s Kelly Taylor and Doherty’s Brenda Walsh — welcomed his former costars backstage, where they staged a mini 90210 reunion. The trio were thrilled to see one another and posed for pictures on the red carpet.
I was lucky to spend the evening with the two gorgeous ladies and I have to report they could not be nicer or more fun. They were bowled over the second they saw Ian and his awesome abs, and laughed and applauded through the 75 minutes of “twisted steel and sex appeal” onstage.
During pre-show conversation Shannen and I talked about her big LGBT fan base and she mentioned how she’s always been aware and appreciative of how loyal the gays have been to her through her career.
The three TV stars also mentioned that yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the “graduation day” episode of Beverly Hills 90210.
Cool that the three could have their own reunion in LV.
p.s. I should mention these three clearly don’t age. All are just as hot as ever. I think it has a lot to do with their genes and how great they are as people.
Shannen Doherty, Ian Ziering and Jennie Garth backstage at Chippendales
Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth with the men of Chippendales – Jon Howes, Sami Eskelin and Nathan Minor
Me with Shannen Doherty, Ian Ziering, Jennie Garth and my hubby Michael I’ve been a big fan for a long time 🙂
