Abba set for £1billion Sin City deal as Las Vegas hotels start bidding war for live show
THEIR comeback after almost 40 years saw them land a No1 album and their first Grammy nod, for new song I Still Have Faith In You.
But now ABBA could be on course to make some serious Money, Money, Money — after three Las Vegas hotels started a bidding war for the Swedish supergroup’s “Abbatar” concert show Abba Voyage.
Insiders revealed how it was hoped the ground-breaking show, which kicks off in East London next May, would move on to Sin City after its run in the UK.
And if they sign the deal, the band — made up of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – will be laughing all the way to the bank.
A source said: “There is a huge appetite for Abba’s new show Voyage in Las Vegas.
"MGM resorts, Caesars Palace and Resorts World are desperate to secure it and have been locked in a bidding war over it.
“Abba’s appeal is global and it would be a huge showcase to have this new avatar technology on the Vegas Strip.
“Talks are are in the early stages between promoters and the big three casinos here for entertainment.
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“The word is that the major decision, aside from the money deal, is about the best fit for the sound facility and creating an intimate crowd.
“The dream would be for the show to move to the States after its London run and in Vegas it’s believed it could make almost £1billion.
“Plans at the moment are centred around a suggested 2024 opening which would coincide with the 50th anniversary of their Eurovision win and the release of chart-topper Waterloo.”
Abba’s Voyage show begins at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on May 27.
It will see the group appearing as digitally created versions of themselves alongside a ten-piece band.
Speaking about the show and its meaning, Bjorn said recently: “I have been thinking about that a lot, about what it actually means existentially.
"In that respect I am eternal. And we were the first ones to do that.
“And the first ones are always remembered and always referred to in the future — they were the pioneers.
“For me, I look at myself as an avatar from 1979 and I don’t even think it’s weird.”
Bottoms up, RiRi
GOOD Girl Gone Bad Rihanna is making me blush with her new Savage X Fenty loungewear range.
Turning up the heat, the chart-topper turned business woman posed in the multicoloured tartan set which sported a bizarre cut-out section on her backside.
Smouldering away, Rihanna showed off her derriere as she promoted the new collection online.
Clearly sexy sells for bad gal RiRi as the superstar was recently declared a billionaire by Forbes, thanks to her uber-successful lingerie and make-up lines.
She looks amazing but for her family’s sake I hope she doesn’t wear those PJs on Christmas morning.
Danny ready for a hammy Christmas
DANNY Jones is counting down the days until December 25 after grabbing himself some Christmas goodies.
The McFly star who is a guest on TV chef James Martin’s forthcoming festive special on ITV, bagged himself a massive cooked ham.
Danny told me how he made a beeline for tt as soon as filming wrapped and now has it stored in his freezer.
Danny said: “I’ve got three ‘Christmases’ over the festive season this year – one in London, one in Leeds and one in York.
“And I’ve got this huge ham that is full of marmalade from James Martin from when I filmed his Christmas Day show.
“I can’t wait to get that going. I was on the show and he was just like, ‘Do you want it?’ so I took it.”
If there’s space around your table, feel free to drop me an invite, Danny.
Long-time no speak
ROD Stewart says he can only communicate with long-time “frenemy” Elton John through the media after the Rocketman star stopped returning his calls.
The legendary singers have traded countless barbs over the years but Rod says his attempt at calling a truce fell on deaf ears.
He said: “He is my old mate. We don’t speak to each other much any more. I miss him.”
Asked why he doesn’t just pick up the phone, Rod continued: “I did. I invited his sons to play on my football pitch and never got a reply.
"We have not spoken since. He just had a hip op so I wish him well. We still love each other.”
Speaking last November, Elton claimed he was keen to end the feud once and for all, saying: “There’s no point carrying on vendettas.”
I have a feeling these two will never truly bury the hatchet.
Gary fears a Covid KO
TERRIFIED Gary Barlow has been forced to put extra security measures in place to stop fans coming too close during his UK tour.
The Take That singer kicked off his Christmas trek in Belfast over the weekend but admits he thinks it will be a “miracle” if he makes it to the end of the dates due to the ongoing pandemic.
Gary is so scared of the new Covid variant that he has even stopped watching the news.
He said: “We just want to make it through to the end of the tour, which will be a miracle. I won’t be coming near anybody. If fans start trying to come near us we are going to be running.”
He added: “We have to be so strict. One bad encounter and that could be the tour gone.
“I am really going to keep myself to myself. I am going to be slipping in and out of the venues and hotels quickly.
“I want to make sure I am on stage every night.”
The singer, who is on the road with former X Factor winner Leona Lewis, added: “I’m trying not to watch the news as it scares the life out of me but right now the show is great.”
One check of a look, Bey
IT’S checkmate for Beyonce as she wows in this black and white two-piece.
Proving that if you want something doing well then do it yourself, she modelled the latest collection from her new Adidas x Ivy Park range.
After keeping a low profile of late, it’s rumoured Bey could release an album next year.
Despite a series of singles and her Homecoming Netflix show, Jay Z’s missus hasn’t put out an album since 2016’s Lemonade.
She’s one hell of a businesswoman but I can’t wait to hear what she’s been up to in the studio – hopefully in the not-too-distant future.
'Fashion superstar'
DONATELLA Versace led the tributes to fashion designer Virgil Abloh, who died yesterday aged 41 from a “rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma”.
Abloh, who founded label Off-White, also had a close working relationship with Kanye West.
Donatella said: “The world has lost a fashion superstar.”
Bikini Mabe a Brits hit
I’LL soon be dusting off my dinner jacket once more as the countdown to the 2022 Brit Awards is officially on.
I can reveal that Anne-Marie, Joel Corry and Mabel will all perform at the The Brits Are Coming nominations show next month.
Glass Animals and Mimi Webb have also been booked for the event on December 18.
It’s been a bumper year for music, with Adele and Ed Sheeran both releasing chart-topping albums.
The one-hour TV special will reveal all the nominations ahead of next year’s glitzy ceremony.
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As part of a revamp to be more inclusive, the awards, on February 15, feature four new genre-based gongs.
After four years at the helm Jack Whitehall gives way to fellow comic Mo Gilligan at the O2 Arena bash.
Smiling again
AFTER a seriously rocky time in the showbiz spotlight, it’s great to see Lindsay Lohan smiling again.
The actress revealed yesterday that she is engaged to boyfriend of two years Bader Shammas.
Holding up her hand to show off her giant rock, the couple looked smitten as they posed for snaps.
Lindsay’s career looks as if it’s finally on the up too.
She will play the lead role in an as-yet-untitled Netflix Christmas rom-com due for release next year.
It’s also rumoured that hit US writer Ryan Murphy is eyeing up Lindsay for one of his future projects.
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