Lisa Vanderpump relaunches Strip resort with VIP party — PHOTOS

The woman knows how to make an entrance.

With a Bravo camera crew in tow and hundreds of invited VIPs and hotel guests gawking and cheering, Lisa Vanderpump formally christened her self-named resort on the Las Vegas Strip on Thursday night.

The Vanderpump Hotel, driven by celeb personality, supplants The Cromwell, which had none.

Vanderpump arrived via a parade of buffed models in bellman uniforms toting a bell cart laden with flowers. Stilted models donning purple flowers and matching lace greeted guests at the hotel’s east porte-cochere.

In short, it was a whole thing.

Commissioner Tick Segerblom presented Vanderpump with the key to the Las Vegas Strip near the resort’s Strip-facing entrance.

In a shining, silver strapless gown and long, lilac-colored gloves, Vanderpump called out to the city that has embraced her entrepreneurial vision.

“Las Vegas has been so incredible to me, they’ve supported us, they’ve embraced us, as (Nevada Ballet Theatre) Woman of the Year,” Vanderpump said, to a cheer from onlookers. “I love it here. I love Caesars Entertainment … they are like family to me.”

Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President and COO Anthony Carano, Caesars Palace and Vanderpump General Manager Terrence O’Donnell and Caesars Entertainment Regional President and Chief Commercial Officer Sean McBurney joined Vanderpump on the cozy stage. Billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s Fertitta Entertainment Inc. is in the process of acquiring the company.

Segerblom referred to the northeast corner of Flamingo Road and the Strip as “the most important corner in the world,” noting Caesars Palace, Bellagio and Horseshoe as the resort’s iconic neighbors.

The invitation VIP party at the Soleia, the former Drai’s on the club’s roof, Vanderpump was joined by such celeb friends as Sharon Osbourne, Lance Bass of N’Sync and actress Garcelle Beauvais (“The Jamie Foxx Show” and “NYPD Blue”). Cast members from “Vanderpump Rules” and “Vanderpump Villa” were around the scene.

Vanderpump-themed cocktails and small bites from Giada and a requisite 600-drone show were event highlights.

In remarks at that party, the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower in the backdrop, Vanderpump spoke to the women in attendance as a pillar of empowerment and achievement.

“To every young woman watching this, in this room and beyond, no doesn’t always mean no,” Vanderpump said. “Sometimes it means, try harder. Sometimes it means, find a different door. Don’t stop, don’t sit down, don’t let anyone else’s limitation become yours.”

Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, have developed 40 venues in the U.S. and the U.K. The internationally famous personality has become ubiquitous on the Strip. Her brand is stamped on Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, Pinky’s at the Flamingo and Vanderpump à Paris at Paris Las Vegas.

She has announced a new reality series, “Lisa Las Vegas,” chronicling the run-up to the hotel’s relaunch. The Bravo cameras tailed her through Thursday’s opening. Count on many of the guests and execs being in the new show.

Vanderpump became a reality show legend as star of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and executive producer of “Vanderpump Rules.”

Groovy BTS thing closing

All things must pass, and that is sadly the case for Arte Museum’s BTS “The City” takeover, which ends as scheduled on Wednesday. The immersive museum at 63 CityCenter on the Strip presents visual installation and tracks from BTS’ latest album, “Arirang.” Go to lasvegas.artemuseum.com for intel.

Sean Lee, CEO of d’strict, which operates the venue, says 5,000 fans visited the exhibition daily in its first two weeks after opening on May 20. He said the enthusiasm sparked by the attraction “has been extraordinary and far beyond our expectations.”

BTS, in person, is back for the iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on Sept. 18 and 19.

Beverly goes morose

The Beverly Theater goes dark, mood-wise, for “Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair” running through Tuesday. These are unsettling and raw films — though we can debate if “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” belongs in the same series as “Leaving Las Vegas.” Both are in the lineup. So are “Barry Lyndon,” “Deliverance,” “The Doom Generation” and “Flesh for Frankenstein 3D.”

A $30 Existential Access Pass allows access to the whole series, or pay $14 for individual tickets. Go to thebeverlytheater.com for intel, and how to become a B+ member, which will save money, if not your soul.

Cool Hang Alert

Alt-grunge rockers Fuel headline the next Downtown Rocks Summer Concert Series free show at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Fremont Street Experience’s First Street Stage. The band’s hits include “Hemorrhage (In My Hands),” “Shimmer” and “Bad Day.” Download accordingly. Also Saturday, Bling plays from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Main Street Stage; Tony Marques Band is from 8 to 11 p.m. followed by Pour Choices (a play on words, that) from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Third Street Stage. Go to vegasexperience.com for intel.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.