Last week was a busy week and a story I put a lot of time into fell apart. That happens sometimes. And, as I was frantically looking for things to write, I sent a hasty e-mail in response to a press release requesting an interview with Christina Aguilera, who was making some sort of hosting appearance Friday night at Tao at Venetian. Imagine my surprise when the answer came back: "Yes."

This being Vegas, I should have looked at once for the strings and stared into the mouth of that gift horse. I would not have had to look far. Advertisements for Aguilera's appearance at Tao on Friday gave her  second billing to Stephen Webster, a famous jewelry designer. And, in fact, had I read the advertisement, in slightly smaller font but still  in pretty big print, I would have seen quite clearly that the event was to "celebrate the launch of the 2009 collections by Stephen Webster."  A little homework would have told me that there was a huge jewelry convention going on in Vegas. Aguilera was at Tao to have a private dinner and then host that evening at the club to impress jewelry buyers and industry insiders using her fame to push the product line. It worked too. With national as well as local media, Aguilera's presence brought coverage usually not afforded trade shows in Vegas. Or, as the talkative Stephen Webster put it: "The biggest jewelry show in America is going on now. Everyone launches new products here. It is not so much about Las Vegas as it is about this show is in this city and that is why we do our events here." That is a pity to a blogger who covers Vegas.

My interview was set for five minutes, and I was told Aguilera would only do interviews alongside  Webster. But as these things happen, by the time I was brought back to Aguilera in her private dining room at Tao, everything was running late. I was told I would be allowed to ask only one question that did not relate to jewelry and that question would be the sign: After she answered, the interview was over. The public-relations people were not quite that strict, but with everyone hovering nervously, the conversation between us lasted a little more than three minutes before she had to end it. I did not get a chance to ask her about her ownership steak in LAX at Luxor, which I am very curious to hear her view on. But I am guessing she would have expertly said nothing. Asked about Eminem's new disc, she expressed no knowledge of it. Asked about her own disc that may be coming out this year, she claimed to have made no decision about the title. The most interesting aspect of her music-making process that came up is that she uses a mood board to help plan albums. Do you think Bob Dylan has done it that way?

Of course, this mood-board thing came up,  unsurprisingly, because the mood board was the connection between this untitled Aguilera disc and Stephan Webster's jewelry line. "I am not part of the design; I am merely the face," Aguilera told me. Then she clarified: "What actually happens is that I give him the direction I am going with my next album. My last album had a vintage, retro, glam appeal. And this next album which I am almost finished and am about to release has a very modern sense about it."

Webster added: "A year ago, I was at Christina's house, and she was showing me her mood boards for her new album; this was before any recording was done. I am quite good at looking at a mood board and understanding what the vibe is going to be about. I then go off and do my jewelry design and she goes off and does her album. But what you have is the same starting point. So, it works."

"Right," Aguilera agreed. Asked the mood of the new disc, she added: "Futuristic in terms of looking into the future and giving it a new twist and a new sensibility." How do you give a new twist to a future that hasn't happened yet? Aguilera explained: "I am working with a lot of electro artists to make that come alive. That is what really inspires me at the moment. And what is great is that I interpret it in my musical way and he interprets in his jewelry way." 

With that, everyone started signaling it was time for me to leave, but Webster wanted to add one thing:

"The other night, I was fortunate enough to listen to Christina's new album, and the next day, I e-mailed Christina about one track for the name of a jewelry line. But that really is the way we collaborate with each other."

After the brief interview, Aguilera posed for a photo with Webster (of course). Then the two of them hit the red carpet for a few minutes before returning to the dining room to eat. The expert skill the duo displayed for staying on message about jewelry would make them the envy of any politician.  At the end of the red carpet, I saw Robin Leach ready to interview Aguilera, but the tiny singer vanished under his arm, which was extended, holding out a tape recorder. Instead, Leach was left to talk jewelry with Webster.

So, if you want to know what Christina Aguilera's new disc will sound like, check out the bling on these two. After all, both spring from the same mood board.

Photo: Sarah Gerke