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All of Las Vegas is abuzz today with reports that PEEPSHOW, the new burlesque at Planet Hollywood, will not only be losing star performer Kelly Monaco on June 22, but its sexy ringleader Melanie Brown as well. The news comes rather suddenly and surrounded by rumors that Mel B is devastated that her contract couldn’t be renewed.
The British superstar was always set to do four months of performances just like Kelly Monaco as part of a contract that expires on June 22. PEEPSHOW producers knew from the start that Kelly Monaco wasn’t going to renew, which is why they recruited Holly Madison to be her replacement. However, it was always implied that Mel B would be continuing in her role as the Peep Diva, an empowered, sexy, and singing guide to Bo Peep.
Now, it seems that producers have suddenly been left with two weeks to find a replacement for Brown, who, according to show producers, couldn’t make her schedule sync up with show performances.
“We discussed with Mel the possibility of an extension and perhaps she will return to the show some day. However, we simply could not make the show and Mel’s schedules align at this time,” said show producer Scott Zeiger.
“I’ve loved every moment of being a part of the PEEPSHOW family,” Brown said in a statement. “This has been an incredible experience.”
Indeed, Mel B seemed to embrace her role in PEEPSHOW more so than Monaco, as she even led a prayer/ritual before every show. Some sources are saying that the former Spice Girl is “gutted” at her departure from PEEPSHOW, though other sources say it was always the plan that she was only going to do four months of shows – unlikely, we say, or the show would have made this announcement much sooner.
And actually, this is the second bit of bad news for Mel B in a few days. British tabloids are reporting that Mel B’s fashion line in the US has fallen through. The People states that after not receiving enough orders for her Catty Couture line, Brown has had to put the project on hold.
“Mel was pinning her hopes on [PEEPSHOW], believing it would help her crack America. She was furious she heard the news. As far as her clothing line is concerned, she did launch it to a number of buyers in America. But it has not developed as quickly as Mel wanted it to,” an insider told The People.
All the same, one thing’s certain, and that’s that nobody’s going to miss Brown’s husband, Stephen Belafonte. Norm Clark of the Las Vegas Review Journal has reported that Planet Hollywood employees are tired of Belafonte’s ego, what with the movie producer expecting special treatment like free food and drinks. But they won’t have to deal with any of that anymore, as Brown and her husband will be moving back to Los Angeles.
In the meantime, PEEPSHOW will hunt for a replacement, and sources say they’ve already got their eye on a Broadway performer named Shoshana Bean. Bean is best known for playing Elphaba in the musical Wicked, and she released her first album, Superhero, last December.
When PEEPSHOW officially names their replacement for Mel B, you can expect to read all about it here on BestOfVegas.com.
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