Toni Braxton sued over Vegas outfits

AP is reporting today that Flamingo headliner Toni Braxton is being sued in a Los Angeles court by a wardrobe designer for her show at the Harrah's owned resort. In the suit, designer Anthony Franco claims Braxton still owes $15,000 for the creation of outfits worn in the Flamingo show:  "Toni Braxton: Revealed."  This happens at a time when locally things are going well for Braxton. Braxton's show, which had a rocky opening, celebrates a year on the Strip this month. Also, the Flamingo is said to have just extended her contract through February 2008.

So far Braxton's people have issued no comment on the wardrobe suit. But I will try to reach the Flamingo or Harrah's for comment when their offices open later this morning. It is curious that the resort does not seem to be named as a defendant. This suggests, but does not prove, that the Flamingo/Harrah's is not an investor in the Braxton production. In the past, the Flamingo has been known to four-wall its showroom. This is a practice where the artist essentially rents the room and does everything from pay for the production to pay for the marketing. Robert Goulet told me he lost a small fortune trying this at the Venetian a few years ago. Less harsh variations on these arrangements (often called a two-wall) are endless and can include the resort contributing marketing money or even a straight split of ticket revenue between artist and casino. But for some reason I thought Braxton was a more traditional headliner working for the resort. Maybe it is the large banner of her that adorns the exterior of the Flamingo. Now I realize I do not know Braxton's arrangement and status with the Flamingo/Harrah's. But I will try to find out as I look into the other issue.


(photo by Sarah Gerke)