Bookies and bookmakers are the people who take bets on sporting events. They are usually thought to be men. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Marisa Lankester was one of the few women working in what might be termed the bookmaking industry, taking sports bets and grading them as wins or a losses.
In the United States, it is illegal to partake in sports betting outside of a regulated establishment, like a Las Vegas sportsbook. In 1986, Ms. Lankester went to work for Ron “The Cigar” Sacco. The media has called him one of the most successful people in that industry. At the end of his operation, before authorities got involved down in the Dominican Republic and shut it down, the FBI reported that Ron’s operation was taking in over one billion dollars a year.
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.
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.
It was earlier this year we introduced you to first time author Ed Jakubik [see more]. At the time, the writer told us his psychological thriller The Doll Collector would be available for purchase on June 1st. However, sometimes things do not go as planned. Mr. Jakubik claims he ran into some editorial issues that prevented the release of his book in June. Recently, the title was finally released on Amazon in an ebook format.
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.
On Monday November 4th, former Governor of Florida, then Republican, Charlie Crist announced his plans to challenge Florida’s current governor, Republican Rick Scott, in the upcoming 2014 election cycle. This time, Mr. Crist will be running as a Democrat.
Two days before his official announcement, Mr. Crist told CYInterview, at the InterContinental Miami™ Make-A-Wish Ball, that he was definitely going to run to be Governor of the Sunshine State again. The former Governor of Florida has taken time off from politics, since losing a race for the U.S. Senate in 2010 against Marco Rubio.
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.
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.
