TAO Las Vegas 5th Anniversary Celebration
Celebs made their way to Las Vegas to help the famed TAO restaurant and nightclub celebrate 5 years of success (Pictured above: Christina Milian and Karina Smirnoff – Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage).
The party started early on Friday at LAVO, as Brothers & Sisters actress Sarah Jane Morris along with her husband Ned Bower from the band Rooney enjoyed dinner and their first vacation away from their son who was born earlier this year. Also dining at the Italian eatery was Kelly Bensimon of The Real Housewives of New York, who enjoyed Mojitos and the ever popular Kobe Meatball. Comedian David Spade dined at TAO before his show at The Venetian and stopped by LAVO later in the night to say hello to the TAO Group partners. Christina Milian headed straight to the nightclub at LAVO where she danced on the banquette with two girlfriends.
Kelly Bensimon and Karina Smirnoff at TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
The main event was Saturday as notable names flocked to TAO to celebrate the anniversary and the night kicked off with breaking news of a celebrity engagement. Fans clamored for a glimpse of Dancing With the Stars favorite Karina Smirnoff, who shimmered in a sequin Marc Bouwer sheath that the designer tailor-made for her specifically for her weekend in Vegas with girlfriends. Smirnoff finally revealed the secret that she’s been keeping when she flashed the bling on her left hand to a cheering crowd—she’s engaged!
Karina Smirnoff shows off Everlon Diamond Necklace at
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
“I said thank you before I said yes,” Smirnoff said of the moment beau Brad Penny, star pitcher of the St. Louis Cardinals, got down on bended knee and asked her to be his wife. “He planned it very well and this is actually the first time I’m even talking about it.” The blushing bride-to-be admitted she hasn’t started thinking about wedding plans, but there’s one thing she’s sure of: “I’m going to keep Smirnoff as my last name.” And although Penny couldn’t make it to celebrate the night’s festivities, he sent his bride to be a token of his love in the form of an Everlon Knot Collection diamond necklace that he had delivered to her inside TAO’s signature fortune cookie dessert.
Brittny and Lisa Gastineau at TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
The party was a dual occasion for some celebrating their birthdays early, with Jack Osbourne, who will turn 25 on November 8th and Brittny Gastineau who turns 28 on the 11th both blowing out candles. Osbourne was joined by Sarah McNeilly while Gastineau gathered with her mom Lisa and a group of girlfriends.
Jason Strauss, Rich Wolf, Noah Tepperberg, Marc Packer & Lou Abin at TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
Notables spotted dining at TAO before hitting the club included Olympian Michael Phelps, Ryan Eggold of 90210, David Spade, Ashley Hamilton, who appeared on season 9 of Dancing with the Stars, Sean Stewart and Jurnee Smollett from the new TV show The Defenders. Rhys Wakefield, the Australian actor best known for his role in the long running TV series Home and Away was also on hand, as was Cody Longo, who appeared in the remake of FAME and Adam Rose from the movie Up In The Air. Former White Sox MVP Frank Thomas was spotted with the girls of BelleVoxx, the pop trio he manages.
Sarah Jane Morris and Ned Bower inside TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
Kelly Bensimon, who lunched at Dos Caminos and Christina Milian also joined in night two of the celebration while Brandi Glanville was spotted hanging with friends Ashley Hamilton and Sean Stewart and dancing with a group of girlfriends on the catwalk.
Jack Osbourne and Sarah McNeilly at TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
Many of the celebs on hand congratulated Smirnoff as they celebrated her engagement and TAO’s anniversary upstairs in the packed nightclub, where models in body paint and a contortionist act welcomed guests at the door and dancers took the main stage to keep the high energy flowing. “I am happy for Karina and wish her the best!” Bensimon said. Osbourne joked, “She should get a prenup! I’m definitely going to get one when I get married.”
Brandi Glanville, friend and Ashley Hamilton at TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
The crescendo of the night came when the TAO Group partners were presented with a human cake and a celebration cake congratulating them on five years of success. Bottle after bottle of Champagne was delivered via zip line to the tables on the dance floor, while performers twisted in cages and around poles on the center catwalk. As always, DJ Vice provided an amazing soundtrack for the night, keeping the party going well into the wee hours of the morning.
Over at LAVO Erik Estrada dined with his wife and kids, enjoying Spaghetti and Meatballs, Sea Bass and more. Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice was spotted dining at LAVO, as was Frank Thomas.
Kelly Bensimon on TAO Las Vegas red carpet
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
Ryan Eggold at TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
Karina Smirnoff on TAO Las Vegas red carpet
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
Jurnee Smollett at TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
Christina Milian at TAO Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello.
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