Today in Las Vegas Magazine

Do You Want To Meet The Next American Idol?

Contrary to what TV critics have been saying, American Idol, now in its seventh season, is still enjoying a good run, here in the states and across the globe, with fans forming camps, taking sides and laying bets as to who might be the next American Idol.

Idol fans, pay attention. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas has something that you will definitely want – they’re giving away two tickets to see the American Idol finales, complete with airfare and accommodation. For complete details on the promotion, visit the Madame Tussauds website at: www.mtvegas.com, beginning April 15, 2008.

Marketing Manager for Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, Kurt Moseley, adds, “We’re really excited about this promotion, because it’s so hard to get tickets to the American Idol finale. You can’t buy them because they’re not for sale. We’ve been wanting to do this in the past, but just unable to get tickets. This year, we received an opportunity from Fremantle Media, the producers of the show, and we jumped at the chance.” It’s not only the Vegas location that will be giving away two tickets, but also the Madame Tussauds branches in New York and Washington, DC, making it a nationwide promotion.

While they can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to meet any of the Idols, or judges, you are guaranteed one of the most glamorous nights you will most likely ever have – where you can mingle with the rest of the audience as well as enjoy the performances – live.

The people at Madame Tussauds are definitely on to a good thing by not underestimating the popularity of their current American Idol interactive experience. On a recent on-site visit, we saw there was a line to get to perform ‘live – on stage,’ even if it’s only to hear a taped critique from a wax figure of Simon Cowell or Ryan Seacrest.

In fact, on top of the popularity of the American Idol interactive experience, you might be surprised to hear that other than the “Marry George Clooney experience” at the museum, two other figures – that of Jenna Jameson and Hugh Hefner – are the most often-photographed. Kurt adds, “We’ve seen everyone from teenagers to grandmothers having their picture taken with Jenna.”

The folks at Madame Tussauds definitely don’t rest on their laurels. In the works is a renovation of the “Legends Room” which will now carry a “Viva Las Vegas” theme, in part because it’s one of the rooms which has not been updated since the museum opened in 1999. More figures are going to be introduced – among them Howard Hughes, and possibly one that reflects Vegas’ early gangster days. We asked Kurt if we can expect the unveiling of a local celebrity, and he replied, “Well, we’re this close to doing a celeb-personality, a local Las Vegan.” After further prompting, he laughingly adds, “Well, I can’t tell you who it is - but it’s not a musician, or an entertainer, but someone who’s been in the news a lot these days.” We’re guessing Mayor Oscar Goodman, but don’t hold us to it.

We don’t envy their selection process. A lot of people might not know this, but every year, there are only a handful of celebrities that they can unveil. A part of the decision is based on surveying museum visitors about who they would like to see immortalized in wax. Lately, of course, the requests are leaning heavily towards the political arena – specifically, figures of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. In the entertainment field, there’s Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. All of this are, at this stage, merely proposals, with nothing set in stone, though Kurt confirmed “We don’t always do American presidents, but we’re definitely having one this time, whoever wins this election.” Just another thing to look forward to at Madame Tussauds.

-Rachel M. Sugay

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas,
located on the moving walkway in front of the Venetian. 3377 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 2001. 862-7800. Opening hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday-Sunday; til April 12. Ticket prices: $24, adults; $18, seniors; $14, children, aged 7-12; children ages 6 and under, free.