Las Vegas is one of those love it or hate kind of places. To some people, the glittering gambling Mecca in the desert is pure heaven. To others, it more closely resembles hell. For Las Vegas’ detractors, one of the biggest problems with the city is its “cheesiness factor.” Vegas has traditionally been home to some of the most “unhip” entertainment acts this country has ever produced (Wayne Newton, anyone?).
The stereotype of a Vegas performer is well known to us all: a has-been who (once upon a time) had a few hits, but hasn’t produced anything relevant in years. Lately though, Vegas has been actively trying to shake off the cheesy image of the past, by bringing in better (and more current) entertainment. Elton John and Céline Dion are two big stars that have recently made Vegas their home, and are performing near-nightly amid the neon glitz and glitter of casino row.
There are now reports that suggest the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson, may soon be following in the footsteps of Dion, John and others by performing on the Las Vegas strip. Although Michael Jackson is not the hip and trendy performer he once was, there is little doubt that he would be the biggest star to ever set up camp in the gambling capital of North America.
Jackson has suffered a series of personal and financial setbacks over the last decade, including the near foreclosure of his Neverland Ranch in Southern California. The New York Times is reporting that entertainment industry insiders say Jackson is considering an extended engagement in Vegas as a way to pay off his $23 million debt to the private lending company that bailed out his Neverland Ranch. The lending company, Colony Capital, also owns the Las Vegas Hilton and is a shareholder in Vegas’ prominent Station Casinos.
With Mr. Jackson in debt to Colony Capital to the tune of $23 million, having the performer “work off” what he owes by performing at their Las Vegas establishment would seem a reasonable solution — assuming Michael Jackson would agree to “go Vegas.”
In an interview from 2001, Jackson expressed his fondness for Vegas, and a reporter tagged along as the performer flew there in his private jet to purchase art work from a gallery on the Las Vegas strip. Considering that Jackson is already in the “love Vegas” column, there is reason to believe the rumors of an extended Vegas gig could be true. More evidence: Jackson is now reportedly living in Pahrump, Nevada, approximately 60 miles (or a 10 minute helicopter ride) from the Las Vegas strip.
