Miss USA’s reign off to a shaky start
The reign of Miss USA Nia Sanchez is off to a shaky start.
While appearing on a New York City morning radio show, the former Miss Nevada USA was stumped when asked to name the capital of Nevada.
Sanchez, who ran for Miss California USA three times before trying her luck in Nevada in January, came up empty.
After stammering, “Oh, oh, ahhh, ummm, oh my gosh!” Sanchez was thrown a lifeline by the host of “The Todd Show.”
“Carson City,” he said.
“Thank you, I was gonna say that,” Sanchez replied. “I was like, that one DJ host on MTV, back in the day, his name, that’s how I always remembered it.”
“Carson Daly, yeah,” said the show’s co-host.
It has been a rocky first week for Sanchez, who has been fending off questions about whether she faked her residency in Nevada.
The brouhaha erupted Monday when FoxNews.com quoted an unnamed source who made the allegation that Sanchez “never actually moved to Nevada, but continued to work at Disney and live in California, setting up some minimum paper trail to appear like she was in Nevada and allow her to compete.”
The Miss Nevada USA organization requires two documents for proof of residency for six months before the pageant.
So far, the Miss Universe Organization, parent company of Miss USA, has responded by saying Sanchez acquired a Nevada driver’s license a year and a half ago.
The Review-Journal asked Miss Nevada USA director Shanna Moakler, through a publicist, if other documentats of proof would be made public.
Moakler, responding by email, said: “I take pride in my job, and I follow the rules and regulations set forth by the Miss Universe Organization.
“Nia has complied with all of the rules, and has provided all of the necessary documentation to classify her as a Nevada resident. Anyone trying to say otherwise is looking to harm a wonderful, honest young woman who should be enjoying her reign.”
AIRING COMPLAINTS
Caesars Entertainment Corp. executive Tom Jenkin and celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis took to Twitter last week to air their frustrations with American Airlines.
Jenkin, who flies often as global president of destination markets for Caesars, suggested American Airlines could use a traffic controller on board to handle a different kind of congestion problem.
He tweeted: “@AmericanAir @USAirways would be nice if the people in 1st class would not have to fight their way to the restroom past all the coach users.”
De Laurentiis, who recently joined Caesars’ restaurant family with Giada’s at The Cromwell, tweeted: “Dear @AmericanAir ….it’s midnight….40 min waiting for bags at LAX….please please give us our bags. We just want to go home!”
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Tommy DeVito, a co-founder of The Four Seasons, celebrates his 86th birthday on Thursday at a private screening of the Clint Eastwood-directed “Jersey Boys” film at the Palms. DeVito left the group in 1970, a decade after they formed and shot to stardom. He moved to Las Vegas that year and later invited longtime pal, Joe Pesci, to stay with him for a couple years. Pesci, who went on to bigger things, hired DeVito as his personal assistant for years…
Former UNLV football player Marquel Martin was among three contestants cut Monday by Andi Dorfman in episode five of ABC’s “The Bachelorette.” The UFC sales coordinator made such a strong impression there are rumblings that he’s a candidate for the first season of “Bachelor in Paradise.”…
Chris Saldana is returning to his home state of Texas to co-host a lifestyle and interview show on KEYE-TV in Austin, Texas, population 850,000 and market No. 40. “I have been very patient about where my next stop would be after Vegas because of how much I love this community,” said Saldana, who grew up in Del Rio, about four hours from Austin. “KEYE-TV was the fit I was looking for.” Saldana will hosting Golden Rainbow’s Ribbon of Life show on Sunday at the Penn &Teller Theater (Rio) at 1 p.m.
SIGHTINGS
Snoop Dogg, inviting fans into a cabana while partying at Marquee (Cosmopolitan) on Monday night, the kickoff to Electric Daisy Carnival week…
RJ Mitte of “Breaking Bad,” dining with “PinUp” star Claire Sinclair at the Top of the World restaurant at the Stratosphere on Monday. Later, he attended her show. Mitte, who played the son of Bryan Cranston’s character, Walter White, is in town shooting the indie film “Who’s Driving Doug”…
The Las Vegas company of “Jersey Boys” showed up at AMC Town Square for Monday’s advance screening of the film adaption of “Jersey Boys.” It features former Las Vegas cast member Erich Bergen, who plays Bob Gaudio, one of the founders of the iconic group The Four Seasons.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Some Northern California counties want to form a separate state. They smoke a lot of weed up there. What would you call a state based on marijuana? Toke-lahoma. Flori-duh. How about Spliffs-consin? Dela-weed. New Hemp-shire?” — Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
