Lisa Vanderpump studied ballet when she was a little girl. Although she says, “If you’d seen me on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ you wouldn’t have believed it.”
Vanderpump’s training took place when she was grade-schooler at Corona Academy in London. As she says, “I was born into the acting thing, and dancing was a big part of that education.”
Vanderpump’s stage training, primarily dance and acting, led her to a TV show in London. A star, and an international pop-culture icon, was born.
Vanderpump, 65, will be honored as Woman of the Year at Nevada Ballet Theatre’s 42nd Annual Black & White Ball on April 11 at Encore Las Vegas. The event is among the year’s charitable and social scene highlights, hosting about 500 supporters and Las Vegas community leaders.
A select Black & White Gala committee reviews and reaches out to Woman of the Year candidates.
Vanderpump has parlayed her reality show fiefdom into a strong entrepreneurial presence on the Strip. The Vanderpump Hotel, a rebranding and revamp of The Cromwell, is scheduled to debut this year.
Caesars Entertainment officials say only that the upgraded property will be unveiled in ’26, with details to follow. Earlier reports have indicated a spring opening.
Vanderpump’s imprint is already stamped on Vanderpump Cocktail Garden at Caesars Palace, Vanderpump à Paris at Paris Las Vegas and Pinky’s by Vanderpump at the Flamingo.
Vanderpump is famously generous to many philanthropic causes, including LGBTQ, suicide prevention and canine-rescue initiatives. Most recently, she was a VIP invitee at the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Gala last month at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where she said, “If you have all the advantage of celebrity, I think it’s irresponsible if you don’t use it wisely and give back.”
The founder of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and executive producer of “Vanderpump Rules” joins a list of iconic Woman of the Year honorees that includes inaugural recipient Elaine Wynn, Debbie Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Celine Dion, Rita Rudner, Paula Abdul, Marie Osmond, Priscilla Presley, Eva Longoria, Debbie Allen, Olivia Newton-John, Giada De Laurentiis, Rita Moreno, Shania Twain and Debbie Gibson.
“Lisa Vanderpump’s life and work reflect the discipline and dedication of dance and the bold imagination of Las Vegas,” NBT President and CEO Beth Barbre said in a statement.
Vanderpump appeared on the 16th season of “DWTS” in 2013. She and pro partner Gleb Savchenko were eliminated in the fourth week, finishing 10th.
She says joining the list of NBT honorees is “really humbling.”
“It’s sometimes hard to gain perception of where you are in your life, so this is really special,” Vanderpump said. “Las Vegas has been very welcoming for me. Coming from England to this playground, and being recognized this way, is very much an honor.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.