Flavor Flav considers hosting SHE Weekend again, a sequel in 2027. The topic itself is a challenge.
“I hope — I really hope so. Yeah,” Flav says during a Sunday night phone chat. Then his voice halts.
“Hold on … I’m sorry, I’m yawning,” the 67-year-old entertainment legend says. “I’m so tired. It’s been a very long four days for me, man.”
Flav shares that he’s walking through the Bellagio with his extended family, “My kids, my grandkids, everybody’s here.” As always, he is being pulled in several directions.
We have often referred to the hip-hop legend as tireless. Not on this night. But he regroups quickly.
“Put it this way, I’ve got a feeling we have a good chance on doing it again because the first time around, everything went smoother than Skippy peanut butter,” Flav says. “Everything went really, really, well. I’m looking forward to this being an annual event. I hope it goes that way.”
Flav’s resort partner is up for that chat. MGM Resorts International Vice President of Public Relations Ashley Farkas said the event “exceeded our expectations and was a true celebration of community, culture, and women making an impact.”
“The response has been incredible,” Farkas said in a statement. “While there are no announcements to make about next year, we’re always open to exploring opportunities.”
SHE Weekend was a civic phenomenon sparked when President Donald Trump belittled the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team while speaking with the champion men’s team about a visit to the White House.
Flav seized the opportunity to invite that women’s hockey team, and then all U.S. winter games and Paralympic athletes, to a long weekend in his hometown of Las Vegas. More than 100 athletes convened for the event. The 67-year-old hip-hop star nodded to his manager, Rhiannon Rae Ellis, for ”quarterbacking this whole thing.”
SHE Weekend kicked off with Thursday’s parade along a segment of the Strip and a performance at Toshiba Plaza at the entrance of T-Mobile Arena. Flav and Chuck D, in full Public Enemy flourish, headlined. Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom awarded Flav and the athletes keys to the Las Vegas Strip and proclaimed July 16 as “Flavor Flav Day.”
Friday night, 80 athletes were honored with a dinner at The Cosmopolitan, led by members of the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team: Hilary Knight, Hayley Scamurra, Alex Carpenter and Laila Edwards.
Olympic champions Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn (figure skating) and Madison Chock (ice dancing) were in the house. So was rugby athlete/“Dancing With the Stars” alum Ilona Maher. Bobsled pioneer Elena Meyers Taylor won the inaugural Flavor Flav Icon Award for being the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Games history, and for her role in organizing the event.
Flav presented Shinola clock necklaces to all athletes. Those who made it to Vegas ventured to after-parties at On the Record at Park MGM (where R&B star Montell Jordan was the unbilled headliner) and Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan (DJ Arie leading the party).
The athletes hit the town with zeal, taking in the Backstreet Boys at Sphere, Blue Man Group at Luxor and Cirque productions “Ka” at the MGM Grand and “Mad Apple” at New York-New York. They took over cabanas at The Reserve pool at Park MGM and Clique Hospitality’s Tailgate Beach Club at Mandalay Bay.
Flav did not make his announced appearance at the latter (nor did Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys, a late callout). The party went on anyway, until a fatigued Flav hugged it out with his family Sunday night.
Flav is asked for his favorite moment. He takes a beat, then says, “Flying up to Salt Lake City to get the athletes to fly them here on a private, Delta chartered jet.”
Delta was among the event’s corporate sponsors.
“That moment let me know, ‘Oh wow, this is really, really happening,’” Flav continues, “‘and it has never happened before.’”
He is the rare personality who could give the SHE Weekend vision flight. This recording superstar and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer seems as impressed as anyone with his capacity to unify.
“Well, honestly, to tell you the truth, I’m so down to earth with people and myself. I don’t really get to feel the power,” Flav says. “People look at me like this humongous star – bigger than King Kong! But I’m not that big. I know that I’m famous, but I’ve never felt it. I don’t care about feeling it. The only thing I care about is making people happy and putting smiles on people’s faces.”
Cool Hang Alert
Sand Dollar Lounge is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week. Take note:
The Pro Jam musical exploration and the Bootylicious Deluxe horn-powered, party band go back-to-back Tuesday night. Pro Jam opens at 6:30; Bootylicious is at 10 p.m. All You Can Eat Orchestra is 10 p.m. Wednesday. The Stoney Curtis Band is at 10 p.m. Thursday, Frankie Lee & The Infernos are at 10 p.m. Friday. The Chris Koman Band is at 6:30 p.m., and the Moanin’ Blacksnakes are at 10 p.m. Saturday. That should catch you up. No cover, 21-over. As always, try the pizza.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.