Agassi reveals bad vibes with Shields
Andre Agassi's new book reveals the friction that surfaced early in his brief marriage with model/actress Brooke Shields, who made it clear she didn't approve of his inner circle.
His autobiography, "Open," goes on sale Monday. Agassi's first book signing is 7 p.m. Monday at the Wynn Las Vegas. Tickets for the signing session must be picked up at Borders stores.
Agassi was not happy when he saw a tattoo of a dog on her hip shortly after their wedding.
According to the book, the exchange went like this: "Did it cross your mind to run that by me?"
"The exact wrong thing to say," wrote Agassi. "Controlling, she calls it. Since when does she need my permission to decorate her body?"
Their dysfunctional relationship hits another rough patch when they bickered about her frequent nights out in the Hollywood swirl and his preference to be a homebody.
One night, she told him all his friends -- Perry Rogers, John Parenti, brother Phil and coach Brad Gilbert -- were bad for him. "Not one has your best interest at heart," she said.
All of them, she said, except Gil Reyes. "Especially Perry," she added.
"Andre, I consider you a rose among thorns. ... they're holding you back. ... you're unevolved."
Rogers and Shields had been feuding, according to the book, to the point that Rogers gave up his producer role on "Suddenly Susan."
Later, on the day that many friends and media showed up for groundbreaking ceremonies for the Andre Agassi College Prepatory Academy, Shields was a no-show.
When people asked why, "I told them the truth. I don't know," wrote Agassi.
Agassi shoulders his share of blame for their split, which ended with a divorce in 1999.
After one of the most devastating losses of his career, to Boris Becker in the 1995 semifinals at Wimbledon, Agassi, then ranked No. 1 in the world, and Shields flew to Nassau in the Bahamas to decompress on a beach.
Still smoldering over the loss, he didn't talk to Shields for two days. He gets over it and apologizes, but he's not through with Becker.
It's all in Chapter 17, and Agassi fans will relive his "Summer of Revenge" to the hilt. That chapter alone, folks, is worth the price of the book.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler, who announced Thursday that she's ending her two-year run Jan. 31, didn't score many PR points during her stay. "She refused to support our community," Alicia Jacobs, KVBC-TV, Channel 3, entertainment reporter, said on the air Thursday. Examples cited by Jacobs included Midler's lack of cooperation in helping to promote Nevada Ballet Theatre's major fundraiser, the Black and White Ball, in which she was feted as the honoree. Honorees traditionally agree to media interviews prior to the event. Midler not only turned down media requests and reneged on a scheduled interview with Jacobs, but made one of the shortest acceptance speeches in the history of the event and left minutes after arriving. ... I'll be tweeting during today's media tours of MGM Mirage's massive CityCenter. Follow me on the Twitter feed at normclarke.com or at norm_clarke on Twitter.
MAY I RECOMMEND...
Marche Bacchus French Bistro and Wine Shop has added a menu created by new chef Jean Paul Labadie, a longtime Emeril Lagasse lieutenant. Jeff and Rhonda Wyatt's lakeside wine-and-dine nightspot is at 2620 Regatta Drive in the Lakeside Center in the Desert Shores community. Reservations recommended: (702) 804-8008.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Big losses for the Democrats yesterday. Here's how bad it was: Earlier today, Democratic leaders were begging Rush Limbaugh for painkillers." -- late-night TV host David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
