It was in 2009 that entrepreneur and nightlife mogul Cy Waits’s three Las Vegas venues and one Los Angeles venue grossed a reported $130 million. The Las Vegas venues included the XS Nightclub at the Encore, the Tryst Nightclub at the Wynn and Drai’s inside Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall and Saloon along with his Los Angeles venue also named Drai’s.
The nightlife success has now led him to South Florida. It has been reported in the near future, Cy and his fellow Las Vegas partner Cory McCormack are opening the anticipated new venue on South Beach in Club Adoré. The club is set to have a lighting system that has been used at the Super Bowl and the Olympics and a sound system that Cy says will be the best in Miami nightlife. It is located at 2000 Collins Avenue.
Last year we brought you a timely and important panel on the subject of coaching [see here]. We were joined by CYInterview regular, Washington State head football coach Mike Leach, former President of CBS Productions Andy Hill and financial services professional Rob Gill.
One year later, we welcome back Coach Mike Leach and Rob Gill, with featured columnist Jay Bildstein joining us this time, for an important discussion about coaching and training fundamentals, which can help lead individuals and organizations to success.
Back in July 2012 we met pop music star Christina Milian at the opening event of Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week Swim on South Beach [see here]. Now, some 15 months later, we caught up with the Cuban beauty for her CYInterview.
Last year, the Dip it Low singer launched a Havana Nights swimsuit collection. This year, Ms. Milian came back to Miami, off her recent Dancing with the Stars run, to promote Viva Diva wine.
Recently, we shared with you our overview of the first annual Miami Beach Gay Soiree, held on South Beach [see here]. That evening brought together celebrities and politicians to raise money for the ever growing Miami Beach Gay Pride weekend.
At the evening’s festivities was director/producer Richard Jay–Alexander. He has worked with a who’s who on Broadway and has ongoing working relationships with stars like Barbra Streisand and Kristin Chenoweth. Over the last year, Richard toured the world with Ms. Streisand for her latest set of concerts.
Also at the event was Brazilian model and actor Rodiney Santiago, best known from the TV show A-List: New York on the Logo channel. What started as a CYInterview turned into an industry discussion between these two men as Richard was thinking about career possibilities for Rodiney’s future in show business.
With Washington State’s football team at 5-5, head coach and CYInterview regular Mike Leach has them within striking distance of a bowl. Back in July, we saw Mike down in Key West [see here] and he predicted his team would make postseason play. If the Cougars win one their remaining two games, they will, indeed, make the postseason.
Coach Leach joins us to talk about his team, as well as what he is up to beyond football. The NY Times Bestselling author of Swing Your Sword let us know that he has heard about the 6’4, 400 lbs. high school running back from his state, Tony Picard, who has been grabbing national attention. He also shared with us that he will be seeing his friend Matthew McConaughey’s film, Dallas Buyers Club, which has generated an Oscar buzz.
Gabrielle Anwar danced the tango with Al Pacino in the movie Scent of a Woman and, most recently, starred as Fiona Glenanne in the USA Network TV show Burn Notice. In 1994, she was named one of People Magazine’s most beautiful people. Additionally, but no less of note, Ms. Anwar supports philanthropy in Miami. We spoke with the British actress at the 19th annual InterContinental Miami™ Make-A-Wish Ball.
Don King has promoted some of the most compelling boxing matches in history. The controversial promoter is tied to some of the great heavyweight boxers of the latter portion of the 20th century, like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson. Some of his most widely known accomplishments include the “Thrilla in Manila” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and “The Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and past CYInterview guest George Foreman [see here].
We caught up with the outsized boxing personality recently at the InterContinental Miami™ Make-A-Wish Ball, where Don told us what is coming up for him and gave his thoughts on the state of boxing.
Miami’s celebrities and politicians were out in force, recently, for the 19th Annual InterContinental Miami™ Make-A-Wish Ball. The event included CYInterview friends Lea Black of The Real Housewives of Miami, shoe designer Lisa Pliner and PR Powerhouse Tara Solomon.
New acquaintances we made included Jackie Siegel of the newsworthy 2012 documentary film The Queen of Versailles and Miami news anchor and meteorologist Trina Robinson of WTVJ’s NBC 6.
Celebrities and newsmakers we met and CYInterviewed for the first time included legendary boxing promoter Don King, former Governor of Florida Charlie Crist and actress Gabrielle Anwar. You will get to read and hear those conversations in the coming days, here on CYInterview.
The last year has been one adventure after another for Miami entrepreneur /philanthropist/socialite Lea Black. With the expansion of her skincare line, her handbag collection now in stores and a novel slated for publication in 2014, The Real Housewives of Miami star is busier than ever.
From her office in Brickell where we first CYInterviewed her back in January [see here], to our second CYinterview at her home in Coral Gables [see here], to attending The Blacks’ Annual Gala at the Fontainebleau hotel [see here], to being invited back to her home for a private party with country music star John Rich [see here], we have seen the lovely Lea in a host of Miami contexts.
With a seemingly perpetual smile and an upbeat attitude, reigning Miss New Jersey USA, Libell Duran, finally found beauty pageant glory last year. The Dominican beauty competed numerous times for the Garden State crown. Finally, it came together last October. Previously coming up short in the Miss New Jersey and Miss Dominican Republic pageants did not frustrate this beauty queen, as she always believed better times were ahead.
With a little more than a month left in her reign as Miss New Jersey USA 2013, the 22 year old William Patterson University student sat down with us to reflect about her year as the queen of the Garden State, what is ahead for her future and how she became good friends with past CYInterview guest, the now former Miss Florida USA, Michelle Aguirre, at the Miss USA pageant – among many other topics.
