From the VEGAS INC editor: Elizabeth Taylor personified Las Vegas

By Richard Pérez-Feria

Monday, April 11, 2011 | 3 a.m.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Elizabeth Taylor lately. In a surprising way, I relate to her as I now relate to Las Vegas. Some explanation is required.

Taylor, one of the most glamorous stars to ever—ever—come out of Hollywood, was at her core nothing if not real. Real brassy. Real honest. Real talented. Real generous. And, yes, real hungry to gobble up all that life had to offer: food, men, booze, diamonds, fame. But as loud and crass as she unquestionably was at times, Taylor was equally as compassionate, smart, stunningly beautiful and loyal. Has there ever been a more fascinating movie star? Ever?

A decade-and-a-half ago, I had the opportunity to meet Taylor in L.A. for a casual chat. She was everything I thought she would be. As star struck as I was, I was mostly surprised by her revelatory candor, her comfort in her own skin and, unforgettably, her wall-rattling laugh that seemed to emerge directly from her soul. As I was leaving, literally light-headed from the experience, she turned serious and faced me. “It all matters, Richard. All of it.” I believed her then as I do now.

How this relates to Las Vegas—let alone Las Vegas business—is interesting. Like Elizabeth (never, ever call her Liz), Vegas is unrivaled for its glitter and glamour but can turn on a dime and be home to crass and boorish behavior. Vegas, like Taylor, is pretty damn tough. And, like Taylor, Vegas is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. There will never be another Elizabeth Taylor just as there will never be another Las Vegas.

This week’s cover story—on the reasons why Nevada should immediately join 44 other states and give significant tax incentives to Hollywood film and television studios so they can shoot movies and TV shows in and around Las Vegas—is one that’s close to my heart. As a life-long editor-in-chief for dozens of celebrity-centric national magazines, I’ve been fortunate to know hundreds of well-known folks and even consider a few of them very good friends.

One lazy afternoon a couple of years ago at the fabulous Chateau Marmont, the legendary West Hollywood hotel I called my second home for many years, I found myself among half a dozen A-listers as they chatted about Las Vegas. The talk was very specific about Las Vegas and particularly the real frustration a movie star in this well-moisturized group was voicing at the fact that he wouldn’t star in an upcoming blockbuster because Nevada didn’t give the movie studio a tax incentive to shoot there. Hence, the film was sent to shoot in New Mexico, a location not all desirous to this really famous dude. The award winner was adamant: “New Mexico? Um, no thanks.” Can’t say that I blame the guy.

At the time, I didn’t have a stake in the Las Vegas discussion, just recently moving here myself. But even then—and now—I can’t figure out the downside to giving substantial tax incentives to the Hollywood studios so they can start shooting more films and TV shows here. VEGAS Magazine Editor-in-Chief Abby Tegnelia breaks all of it down for us in brilliant fashion. And a very special kudos to Chris Morris, our genius illustrator, for our amazing cover and story opener. That’s how it’s done, people.

After reading this week’s cover story, I caught myself fantasizing about what Elizabeth Taylor might have said to Governor Sandoval about finally getting Nevada on board with tax breaks for Hollywood: “What are you waiting for, Governor? Hollywood wants to come to Vegas. Don’t you want their money?”

It really does matter, Elizabeth. All of it. Rest in peace.