Kiki Tyson shines as show debuts

Throughout the rebirth of her husband's career, Kiki Tyson has steadfastly stayed out of her husband's limelight.

But it was impossible to miss her, or her contributions, on Saturday at the grand opening of the former world heavyweight champ's one-man show, "Undisputed Truth," at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre.

She had a lot to be proud of on opening night. She and Tyson collaborated on a script with director Randy Johnson that's been drawing raves.

Her writing background is paying off, she said. She's involved in two writing projects for Tyson's Tyrannic film production company.

The former Lakiha Spicer, now 35, met Tyson when she was 13, through her father, a Philadelphia Muslim cleric who had boxing connections.

She studied fashion design and worked as a party promoter in New York.

"I attended the school of hard knocks," she said Saturday.

She and Tyson, who live in Seven Hills, will celebrate their third anniversary in June. They have two children of their own. Tyson, 45, has eight in all.

I asked her to clear up a rumor about Tyson's famous gap-tooth look.

A year ago, it was reported here that Tyson had a dental makeover that closed the gap.

She confirmed that took place but he has since returned to the gap-toothed look.

"We debated whether to keep (the closed-gap look) but the gap was his signature," she said.

Gone is the gold front tooth he infamously used to bite off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear.

The gold cap was the result of a freak mishap more than a decade ago that only adds to Tyson's lore.

He lost the tooth, Kiki said, "when his tiger, Kenya, headbutted him."

SIGHTINGS

At Tyson's show at the MGM Grand: Paula Abdul, Andrew Dice Clay, George Lopez, Joe Jackson, ESPN columnist Rick Reilly and Bishop Don "Magic" Juan, who brought one of his custom pimp cups to Tyson. ... At Elton John's show (Caesars Palace) on Saturday: CBS president and CEO Les Moonves, with his wife Julie Chen, singer-songwriter Carol Bayer Sager, her husband Bo Daly and "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe. ... Actress-choreographer Debbie Allen, spotted at Le Reve (Wynn) on Saturday. ... Vince Neil, joining his house band, the Sin City Sinners, onstage Saturday at his new strip club Girls, Girls Girls. ... Carlos Santana will be performing tonight on "Dancing with the Stars," which is Latin night. He opens his two-year residency at the House of Blues Las Vegas on May 2.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Flying to Vegas to see Mike Tyson's one-man show at the MGM. The mind reels. Any guesses what he'll do? Will crowd be issued ear muffs?"

This article originally appeared in : Kiki Tyson shines as show debuts : lvrj.comPosted:  : Apr. 16, 2012 | 2:02 a.m.