The man is stocky, not very tall. He speaks in a deep voice. When you look seriously into his eyes, you might think you're in a Martin Scorsese film about Las Vegas. Robert De Niro could appear at any moment. After all, this 64-year-old gentleman is called Ciro Batelli and lives on a street named after him… in Las Vegas! And the story of how a boy from Ribeirão Preto became the vice-president of the gigantic Caesars International organization in the world's gambling capital is enough to make him a celebrity. Batelli is well known by a large circle of friends and clients who have visited Las Vegas in the last 20 years. Numerous Brazilians have been received by the fake Caesars legionnaires with special attention from the vice-president. He also became a regular on Amaury Junior's program on the Bandeirantes network and his image spread throughout Brazil. But Ciro truly became a celebrity when he decided to publicly acknowledge his relationship with the first lady of Brazilian television, Her Majesty Hebe Camargo. That's when he learned what it was like to wake up to phone calls from reporters and be chased by eight police cars from the gossipy press through the streets of São Paulo.
The surprising fame and contagious joy of his new girlfriend have erased any serious expression from Ciro Batelli. He displays his youthful smile amidst jokes and witty remarks. He's a winner. Not only because he has a Rolls Royce Cornish convertible parked in the garage of his mansion on Batelli Court, Las Vegas. He's a winner because his two children [Fernando, 24, and Flávia, 22] were very well raised and are following in the tourism industry. And Cristina, his wife of 25 years, remains his best friend. His relationship with Hebe was short. They both understood that the fundamental thing was to preserve their friendship, solid and above any fling. The Caesars years are gone, and with them the glamour of an era of Hollywood stars, international personalities, millions of dollars at the gaming tables, and also excessive work.
Today, Ciro Batelli heads the consulting and marketing firm Mr. Vegas International Inc. [with clients in the United States, France, and Andorra]. He fulfilled a long-held dream: opening his own restaurant with an Italian chef – Batelli's, of course. He doesn't earn as much, but he also works much less and can afford to spend his nights browsing the internet. In the Nevada desert, he wants to know everything that's happening in Brazil. This is his current great dream – to return. The reasons are compelling: he fears for the future of Las Vegas in this war on terror and wants to implement in Brazil everything he learned in the powerful tourism industry of the United States.
To interview Ciro Batelli, Playboy sent senior editor Dagomir Marquezi. His account: “There were two sessions, one before Ciro made his relationship with Hebe Camargo official, and another the following day. He received me at his São Paulo 'home,' the Maksoud Plaza Hotel. There, he knows and is known by everyone. The management knows that he likes a tray of typical Brazilian fruits (especially seriguela) when he settles into a suite. Ciro speaks with the intonation of a lawyer, he who was once a public prosecutor. At first, it's difficult to understand what he's saying. But his deep, grave voice gradually becomes more audible and soon bursts into laughter. It couldn't be any different with someone who won over Hebe Camargo.”
Even though he's addicted to plums and pomegranates, Ciro has developed a very American habit: he drinks buckets of 'chafé,' a decaffeinated instant coffee diluted in large mugs. And he smokes. Non-stop. Capri cigarettes, thin as Bic pen refills, short and low tar. 'Diet' cigarettes, in his own words. Ciro has acquired another good American custom: not being ashamed of what he has achieved in life. He has no problem listing his cars and talks about millions of dollars with the same ease with which we talk about paying bills of 100 reais in installments. Every dollar he earns can be easily explained. Las Vegas has become a cruel place for those who step out of line. Anyone who wants to do well in Vegas has to prove their honesty to the relentless Gaming Commission all the time. 'I pay all my taxes,' declares Batelli. 'Especially because paying a lawyer is much more expensive.'"
PLAYBOY – How did the boy from Ribeirão Preto conquer Las Vegas?
BATELLI – I came to the capital very early in life from the interior of the state. I graduated in Law. In the beginning, I wrote and produced photo-novels that were sold to Brazilian and Spanish magazines. Among my artists were Fulvio Stefanini and Agnaldo Rayol. It was a very enjoyable time, in the 60s. Then I bought some nightclubs in São Paulo, like Cave and Zumzum. At that time, the nightlife was very sophisticated, very lively, with a great mix of people. Artists, high society people, luxury prostitutes, great fashion designers. It was the peak of Denner's career, the emergence of Clodovil. It was also the era of Jovem Guarda, and I maintain great friendships from that time.
PLAYBOY — With what money did you buy these nightclubs?
BATELLI — I worked and saved. I didn't ask my parents for help because of the pride of "making me a man." I was never one to throw money away. Being a man back then meant having a car and a paid-off apartment. Even if it was a small apartment in Bexiga, the first property I bought, which I still own today. It's a reminder of my first achievement. Unfortunately, I couldn't save my first car, a 69 Volkswagen, which I polished every day.
PLAYBOY — And Las Vegas, how does it appear in your life?
BATELLI — Since the 60s, I traveled every year during my vacations. On my first trip to Las Vegas, I fell in love with the lights, the energy of the city, the shows, and the prices. That first time, in 1965, I stayed at the Sands, which was the must-see in the city. I stayed in a suite by the pool that cost $25 a night. The Frank Sinatra show cost $17, including two drinks. For a country boy from Ribeirão Preto, it was a shock. Just to give you an idea, when Frank Sinatra performed right here at Club 150 in the Maksoud Plaza, the entrance fee was $600 per person.
PLAYBOY — Until now, you were just a tourist.
BATELLI — In July 1966 I returned to Las Vegas; the first themed hotel in the United States, Caesars Palace, was about to open. I was drawn to the hotel, like everyone else. I started going to Vegas every year, and I began studying the casino phenomenon, more as a hobby.
PLAYBOY — But you're already thinking about the possibility of reopening Brazilian casinos, right?
BATELLI — In the 70s, I participated in a study group in São Paulo about the possible reopening of casinos in Brazil. In that debate, I heard a lot of nonsense. I researched real, official data from US government agencies and challenged those absurdities. I won over the audience. I was acclaimed president of the national committee for the reopening of casinos.
PLAYBOY — What was your first action in office?
BATELLI — I went to talk to Steve Karoul, who was the vice president of marketing for Caesars World. I asked for subsidies, legal support. I ended up being called to represent the Caesars chain in Brazil. I didn't know that there were so many players in Brazil interested in frequenting American casinos. I invented crazy marketing strategies that worked. In
In 1985 I was invited to work at the Caesars in Atlantic City.
PLAYBOY — How did the invitation come about?
BATELLI — In 1985 I was in Las Vegas to watch a Sugar Ray Leonard fight. This time, instead of my wife, I traveled with my mother-in-law, with whom, incidentally, I get along very well. The phone rings. It's Terry Lanni's secretary, the number 1 at Caesars at the time, inviting me to dinner. There were more executives at that dinner than I expected. Lanni invites me to take over the Latin American department of Caesars in Atlantic City. I said, "I'll give you the answer tomorrow." Nobody understood. "What do you mean, Ciro? We have 11 employees, and they all want the position we're offering you." I replied, "I'm sorry, Terry, but first I have to consult my mother-in-law."
PLAYBOY — The mother-in-law?!
BATELLI — Everyone burst out laughing. “With the mother-in-law?!” Then I explained: “I know that away from her mother my wife won’t be happy. And if she’s not happy, neither will I be. Therefore, my mother-in-law is essential.” They laughed a lot and thought it was typical Brazilian madness.
PLAYBOY — And did the mother-in-law agree?
BATELLI — After dinner I talked to Tata, my mother-in-law. She thought about it a lot, but agreed to change her life. We called my wife Cristina from Vegas to tell her she should take the children out of school and prepare to move to the United States. “You have no choice. Your mother and I decided this.” Of course, it was all in good humor.
PLAYBOY — Have you already boarded a plane with your green card?
BATELLI — No. I got an L-1 visa, for residency and work. I lived in a hotel for three months. I organized my debutante party and looked for someone who had never performed in Atlantic City. I brought [Russian ballet dancer] Rudolf Nureyev.
PLAYBOY — And things went well from the start?
BATELLI — They were very surprised by the presence of a Brazilian. But in 3 months I received a promotion, in six months I received another, and by the end of the year I was already president of operations in Latin America. We closed the books and I had increased Caesars' international business in Atlantic City by 61 percent.
PLAYBOY — But you only took care of Latin American clients?
BATELLI — Not only that. I helped open Caesars offices in Turkey, Australia, Spain, and Portugal. If there was vacant space, I would go there. I got along very well with the international office, and I worked with the European team, the managers from the Middle East and the Far East.
PLAYBOY — All of this in Atlantic City. And when did you move to Las Vegas?
BATELLI — I was recommended to replace a vice-president at Caesars Palace, a considerable promotion. I said goodbye to Atlantic City with a show by my friend Roberto Carlos. At first he resisted a bit, saying he didn't like performing in casinos because of his faith, etc. Then I said: “Roberto, I'm as Catholic as you are. You're not going to perform sitting on a roulette wheel. The hotel has an excellent theater for 1600 spectators, a marvel.” He was still hesitant. Then I asked our printing company to create a spectacular invitation in white and blue, which are Roberto Carlos's favorite colors, already with his name and the date of the performance. When he saw the invitation, he gave his okay. His 1988 year-end special on Globo was recorded in Atlantic City. The following month I was in Vegas. As a bonus for the work done in Atlantic City, I won a convertible Rolls Royce.
PLAYBOY — So, Las Vegas was your first place to discover Brazil?
BATELLI — I sponsored all of Maguilla's fights in the United States. We organized the "Rio Night," with a section of the Beija-Flor samba school led by Joãosinho Trinta. I threw many parties and organized promotions. Those were fabulous years. Over time, Caesars was sold to Starwood, which is a gigantic company, but not in the same business. As the economic situation in Latin America began to worsen, in 1996 I went to Sodiak, a casino equipment company. Later I became president of Mr. Vegas. But now I've been thinking more and more about returning to Brazil and working in the tourism and entertainment sector.
PLAYBOY — Does the current wave of terrorism have anything to do with this desire to return?
BATELLI — Adjacent to Las Vegas is the famous Area 51, a top-secret facility that can't even be flown over. There's Nellis Air Force Base, one of the most important bases on the West Coast of the United States, where Stealth bombers are based. There's the Hoover Dam, with Lake Mead, which provides water and energy to the states of Nevada, Arizona, and all of Southern California. Furthermore, Las Vegas is a symbol of capitalism. Therefore, a potential target.
PLAYBOY — Has there ever been a direct threat to Las Vegas?
BATELLI — No. But the mentality in America today is not to wait for the threat, but to take precautions before the threat arises. With great prudence, great caution. I appeal to God that our leaders have good sense and balance so as not to lose themselves in an impulsiveness that leads the world to a greater tragedy. May it not be a third world war, but an anti-terrorist campaign with allies in both the Western and Eastern worlds. God gave us the gift of speech, reasoning, and tolerance.
PLAYBOY — You're Catholic, right?
BATELLI — I am a citizen of all religions. I don't believe in the merchants of faith. To speak with God I don't need an intermediary. God understands any language and is available at any time of day or night. I don't need an international call center operator or translators.
PLAYBOY — What's this story about you living on a street named after you?
BATELLI — I'm a member of the Las Vegas Latino Chamber of Commerce. Because I've contributed so much to the city's tourism, I was honored by having Batelli's Court named after me. I felt obligated to move there. It's a very residential area in the southeast of the city. Close to my restaurant, Batelli's.
PLAYBOY — Is Las Vegas doing well or has it already shown any signs of decline?
BATELLI — They always talk about decline, but it never happens. Vegas is the major tourist destination on the US West Coast, along with Disney World on the East Coast. We are the leading city for congresses and conventions, comparable only to Chicago. We have the highest construction rate in the United States. By the end of 2001, we will have two new hotels, totaling 130 rooms. The success of all this is due to low taxation, which attracts investors. Nevada casinos pay 6,35% of their gross revenue. Just for comparison, in France that tax rate is 60%. But, between you and me, you've never heard of a casino in France, have you?
PLAYBOY — Did you meet many crazy people during your time in Vegas?
BATELLI — I saw many superstitious people. A Brazilian, a geriatrician from São Paulo, only played roulette wearing a white suit jacket. Another played with his shoes switched, his right shoe on his left foot, and vice versa. Another Brazilian didn't smoke, but only played baccarat with an unlit cigarette in his mouth. Every now and then an employee would come to offer a lighter, and he would argue: "Don't light it!". Some female customers changed clothes during the night to change their luck. One of them changed clothes eight times in a single night. It must have worked, because she started by losing $80 and left the table winning $15.
PLAYBOY — And what about the level of the stakes?
BATELLI — The record was set by a Mexican from Puebla. In 51 hours of playing baccarat, he won $13,5 million. He returned to Puebla, went back to Vegas five days later, and won another $10 million. In other words, in 15 days he won $24 million.
PLAYBOY — Wow! What's this guy's secret?
BATELLI — Luck. Casino games are about luck. This Mexican was playing baccarat at $200,000 per hand. He hit several ties, which pay 9 to 1. We also have an Australian media mogul named Gary Packer, very well-known in Las Vegas, who won $10 million at the MGM-Grand [hotel-casino]. He holds the record for tipping — $620,000 to the roulette team that shift. He only plays blackjack and baccarat.
PLAYBOY — And the biggest loss?
BATELLI — Gary Packer himself lost 9 million dollars on one trip. We count it per trip, about 3 to 5 days of gambling. Mexicans lost 3,5 million, Italians lost 5 million.
PLAYBOY — What goes through these people's heads?
BATELLI — Take the case of Stanley Ho, owner of casinos in Macau and Hong Kong. A millionaire, he gambled very heavily. One day I asked him: “Mr. Ho, why do you gamble? You have all the money you want.” He replied: “Ciro, wherever I go, people roll out the red carpet for me. My thought in Macau is an order. So I gamble for the challenge: these damned cards don't recognize me!”
PLAYBOY — Is there a lot of debauchery in casinos?
BATELLI — Casinos have their own security. So your behavior can be excessive as long as it doesn't bother the customer next to you. Then you're asked to leave, regardless of the volume of bets. In our philosophy, a million-dollar customer is not worth more than a $50 customer. The million-dollar customer has more benefits, but not more rights. But if you have a large volume of bets, you will be entitled to great courtesies.
PLAYBOY — What kind of courtesy?
BATELLI — I once chartered a Concorde to take clients to Paris. In Paris, there was another plane waiting with two of my assistants for a cruise along the Riviera. Limousines awaited clients for three-day stays in Barcelona and five days in Paris, with Rolls Royces at their disposal. All paid for by the casino. One Christmas, I bought 18 Cadillacs to distribute to the wives of the gamblers. My clients never arrived at Caesars without receiving a Chanel bag.
PLAYBOY — Is this before we start playing?
BATELLI — These gifts are given upon arrival, regardless of whether they win or lose. Giving a gift after they've lost is even offensive. The customer will say, "He's giving me a gift with the money I lost." The gesture of appreciation to the customer has to be at the entrance, when you don't know the outcome.
PLAYBOY — What was the profile of the Brazilian who frequented Caesars?
BATELLI — From upper middle class upwards, betting between 10 and 5 million dollars. During the 1994 World Cup, I bet all my money on Brazil. I had to buy tickets for the games in advance, chartered two planes to take our clients to the stadiums, limousines to take them to the airports, waitresses to serve them in the stadiums. All the Caesars employees wore the colors of the Brazilian flag. Our legionnaires greeted the fans arriving from the stadiums after each victory of the national team. Davidoff cigars were distributed with the Brazilian flag on the ring. Whenever I could promote the green and yellow, I promoted it.
PLAYBOY — Before you, Brazilians didn't go to Las Vegas?
BATELLI — I can say that I revealed Las Vegas not only to Brazil, but to Latin America as well.
PLAYBOY — What's the secret to attracting players?
BATELLI — You have to find out what the player's wife wants. A man plays if his wife lets him. You have to please the woman who lets him play, with attractions specifically for women. For Brazilian women, I've already promoted exclusive fashion shows by Scada and Neil Maurcus. A woman who doesn't go to the mall isn't a woman. That's where she has orgasms.
PLAYBOY — Have you ever been disappointed?
BATELLI — Nothing that hurt me, no hard feelings. Maybe a bad payer. But that doesn't really affect my personal relationship. I think nobody has to sell their house to pay off gambling debts. Even if that debt is with me.
PLAYBOY — Did you lend your own money to the players?
BATELLI — No, but I authorized loans up to one million dollars. For more than one million, I needed my authorization and the president's. In the world of casinos, you deal with such high values that you need to be realistic and learn to say no.
PLAYBOY — Do you like to play games?
BATELLI — I love a game of tranca. It's my favorite game.
PLAYBOY — With or without a bet?
BATELLI — It has to be worth something. "Duck milk" games are only for the Catholic Ladies' League.
PLAYBOY — Are you lucky?
BATELLI — From time to time. Last week I went to get a haircut and there was a client ahead of me. While waiting my turn, I stopped at a pub next door for coffee. I bet a hundred dollars on a video poker machine. On the third play, the machine gave me a ready-made Royal Street Flash, worth twenty thousand dollars. It financed this trip to Brazil.
PLAYBOY — Working in Las Vegas, weren't you tempted to gamble more and more?
BATELLI — It's that old story: you love ice cream too much. You go to work at an ice cream shop. The first week, you eat ice cream like crazy. The second week, you won't want to see ice cream in front of you. It's like drugs: either you snort or you sell. Selling and snorting doesn't work.
PLAYBOY — Is there gambling outside of Las Vegas?
BATELLI — Las Vegas is the Vatican of gambling. The rest is just a parish.
PLAYBOY — Including the casinos in Europe?
BATELLI — What?! That is decadence.
PLAYBOY — Where outside the United States are there good casinos?
BATELLI — In South Africa. In Latin America there's Punta del Este and the rest is a joke, including the Caribbean.
PLAYBOY — And what about prostitution in Las Vegas?
BATELLI — It's a crime. It's illegal, but it happens. At Caesars, there was a philosophy: any employee, at any level, who facilitated the work of prostitutes would be summarily dismissed. Our business is gambling and hospitality, not prostitution. Many hotels adopt this policy. Some hotels have a bar, and prostitutes frequent it. If a client finds one at the bar and goes out with her, the hotel is not to blame. But American prostitutes are awful. The best are Brazilian. Brazil is a unique country: here the prostitute enjoys herself, the drug dealer snorts cocaine, and the pimp falls in love.
PLAYBOY — How many cars do you own?
BATELLI — My pride and joy is a 1991 Toyota MR-2 Turbo. It's my everyday car. Back then, it was called "the Japanese Ferrari"—200 horsepower, a wonderful sound, a fun car to drive. I also have a Mercedes 600 V-12. A white Rolls Royce Corniche convertible. A Ferrari Testarossa. I have a Honda Insight hybrid that uses gasoline and electricity. Every time you brake, it charges the battery. It gets 80 miles per gallon. And I have a Honda CRV station wagon. No American cars, which require a lot of maintenance. I really like the comfort of the Cadillac, but my daughter thinks it's tacky. She told me: "Dad, Cadillacs are old people's cars!"
PLAYBOY — Is your net worth high enough to be included on Forbes magazine's list of the richest people?
BATELLI — What's this?! I might appear on the Donald Duck magazine list, at most. And without being Uncle Scrooge. I have a comfortable life. I like living like a rich man, but with my feet on the ground. I'm not a spendthrift, I'm very careful. Merrill Lynch manages my investments. I lost a lot of money in the stock market during the New York Stock Exchange crash. But it's not a monumental, millionaire sum. All my dollars have a justified origin.
PLAYBOY — What do you teach your children?
BATELLI — Don't lie. For me, lying is a mortal sin. What I tell them is: whatever your profession – shoeshine boy, chauffeur, executive, lawyer – strive to be among the best. Work hard, dedicate yourself, don't wait for opportunities to be handed to you on a silver platter. Dream and fight to achieve your dream. Work hard, be loyal to your coworkers and to the company that pays you.
PLAYBOY — So, why aren't there casinos in Brazil?
BATELLI — First of all, because of false morality, it's been going on for a long time. Hypocrisy, even longer. And there's a lack of serious regulation. Casinos are a very serious business. You can't educate yourself about casinos by watching Hollywood movies. That's fiction. Or who has any idea of American casinos from before the 1960s?
PLAYBOY — What happened in the 60s?
BATELLI — That's the dividing line. That's when they started organizing gaming commissions in the United States. They act with a rigor worthy of the Gestapo. Any casino employee, from the doorman to the president, has to be licensed by the Gaming Commission, with a 20-year background check. Every three years this license is renewed and the investigation begins again. Lying is a cardinal sin in Las Vegas. If you tell a lie, your license is suspended.
PLAYBOY — Who started this purge?
BATELLI — It was a cleansing process imposed by large corporations. After all, who are the shareholders of Las Vegas casinos today? The California teachers' pension fund, the Bank of Japan, large multinationals. Organized crime was sidelined. The gaming commission is a state agency with complete autonomy. If you fail the commission's decision, there's no point in going to the Supreme Court. Frank Sinatra owned 25% of the Sands Hotel. His license was revoked simply because he appeared in a photo with gangster Carlo Gambino in New York. It was this seriousness that opened Las Vegas to large investors. If I want to hire you to work at my hotel-casino, I'll first have to consult the FBI. If they refuse, I won't even make the offer, no matter your talent.
PLAYBOY — Is this level of rigor possible in Brazil?
BATELLI — Nobody wants to be more realistic than the king. Regulation has to be adapted to the Brazilian context. I was summoned by the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, and we had our casino regulation project approved in the Chamber. The Justice Committee held a hearing with me. The project went to the Senate, approved by 9 to 4. Now the regulation is in the hands of the Vice-President of the Senate, Senator Edison Lobão. He told me that the project is almost ready to be approved, but that the moment is not opportune, as we have other priorities. And I have to agree with him. There is a cleansing process underway in the Brazilian Congress, as happened in Las Vegas.
PLAYBOY — What would Brazilian casinos be like?
BATELLI — These would be casino-hotels located in tourist resorts registered with Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Board). There are over a thousand tourist resorts, including the entire coastline, mountain resorts, and mineral springs. They wouldn't just be gambling halls, as we already have bingo halls, a very honest and serious activity, despite some unsavory elements. It's just a matter of regulating them with legal parameters.
PLAYBOY — Who is lobbying against casinos in Brazil?
BATELLI — Nobody. The Church only opposes it when asked. Despite the Vatican Bank having an 8% stake in Casinos Austria. I received proof of this from the Austrian government. And this business of the Church getting involved in industrial or recreational activities… the Church has to take care of souls. It shouldn't mix things up.
PLAYBOY — And who supports the regulation of casinos in Brazil?
BATELLI — The entire tourism industry supports it. The Waiters' Union, the Hotels and Similar Establishments Union, the National Tourism Confederation, the National Confederation of Commercial Employees, everyone supports it. Those who don't support it either have some personal problem or are unaware of the reality of casinos. It's that old story: I don't like casinos but I've never been to one. I don't like Coca-Cola, but I've never tried it.
PLAYBOY — And the Brazilian government?
BATELLI — One of the casinos' biggest enemies is José Serra. It seems to me that he's very connected to the Assembly of God. As Minister of Health, he's one of the best Brazil has ever had. My compliments. But he seems to have been born from a lemon tree. He always has a sour face.
PLAYBOY — But is this his personal position or an official government position?
BATELLI — It's not official, because when I was invited to testify in the Senate, I was accompanied by the Minister of Justice at the time, Mr. Iris Rezende, who dedicated a lot of time to me. His statement is recorded in the Senate: “As an evangelical man, I am not in favor, but as Minister of Justice I have to recognize that this project, as it is being presented, is a benefit to our country.” As a minister, he would never have given a favorable opinion if he had not consulted the president.
PLAYBOY — How many presidents have you spoken to about this project?
BATELLI — Since the time of João Figueiredo [president from 1979 to 1985]! His son, Paulinho Figueiredo, invited me to a cocktail party and asked me in front of the president: “When are we going to have roulette wheels spinning in Brazil?” I replied: “Paulinho, that depends on His Excellency, your father.” Then President Figueiredo put his hand on my shoulder and said: “Batelli, you're a madman. I'm a military man. I've never been to a casino. I have nothing against casinos. But I have 419 sons of bitches in Brasília, and they'll each want a casino. So I'm against it, for convenience.” Back then there were 419 deputies, not 513, as there are today.
PLAYBOY — What would be the economic impact of opening casinos in Brazil?
BATELLI — First of all, gamblers would stop going to Las Vegas or Punta del Este. I mean the average to low-stakes gamblers. The big players wouldn't be exposed to journalists and gossip, they would continue traveling abroad. Economically, what's important for Brazil isn't the gambling itself, but the attractions, the shows, the restaurants, the sporting events. It would be an injection into the domestic tourism economy, especially seasonal tourism. A show keeps a tourist there for another day or two. There would be more stages for Brazilian artists. More incentive for dance and drama students. Today, this artistic job market is very small. Today, you can't even do a monologue without sponsorship. You go to a casino and you don't need to gamble anything, not even 25 cents. You go to have dinner, to enjoy a show. Silvio Santos, for example: he goes to Las Vegas to read and watch shows. He's never spent 25 cents on a slot machine. And I've known Silvio Santos for years.
PLAYBOY — Do you still have plans to partner with Silvio Santos?
BATELLI — We have an agreement to explore the Jequitimar resort in Guarujá if hotel-casinos are allowed to reopen. Then, we will work together.
PLAYBOY — If casinos were legalized, would you return to Brazil?
BATELLI — I would go back for much less! Today I don't need any big excuses to want to return to Brazil. I never lost touch with Brazil.
PLAYBOY — During your years in Las Vegas, you met a lot of celebrities. It seems like Anthony Quinn became a close friend, right?
BATELLI — A wonderful person. I was at his house in New York, I met his wife, his children, his secretary, who later became his wife… Sometimes he would argue with Yolanda, his first wife, call me and ask to hide at my house in Las Vegas. He gave me one of his paintings with a dedication. Anthony Quinn and Warner had bought the film rights to Jorge Amado's book *Captains of the Sands*. I wanted the film to be directed by Carlos Manga, shot in Bahia, and I would be a co-producer. Tony had a lot of affection for Brazil.
PLAYBOY — Did you ever work with Anthony Quinn?
BATELLI — I recorded four hours of his testimony. At one point in the interview I asked: “Tony, you’ve made over 300 films, worked with so many famous actresses. Who was the best in your opinion?” He replied that it was Anna Magnani, a difficult, temperamental artist, but a first-rate actress. Then I asked: “Among all the actresses you’ve kissed on screen, which one impressed you the most?” He replied: “Ingrid Bergman. She gave me goosebumps. Ciro, if I weren’t friends with Roberto Rossellini, he’d be a cuckold!”
PLAYBOY — Which other VIPs have crossed your path?
BATELLI — I became very good friends with the Mexican singer Luis Miguel. I took him to Caesars for the most successful Latin show in Las Vegas history, comparable only to Julio Iglesias's. The success was so great that the ticket price for the show, normally $70, went up to $250. He performed at Caesars for three consecutive years starting in 1992. I was recently at his house in Acapulco. He started dating the singer Mariah Carey, and I didn't approve of it. That woman is crazy.
PLAYBOY — More Hollywood stars?
BATELLI — One of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of meeting was Bruce Willis. Very friendly, down-to-earth, a cool guy. We sat side-by-side during one of the boxing matches at Caesars. At the opening of Planet Hollywood in Vegas, I also met Sylvester Stallone, Schwarzenegger, and Demi Moore, who, by the way, looked awful. Schwarzenegger is a gentleman. Steven Seagal, who must have thought I was a mobster, because he only spoke to me in Italian. Very kind, but he thought he was talking to Don Corleone. Another one I met many times at Caesars, and later in Paris, was Michael Douglas. Very friendly, attractive, easygoing.
PLAYBOY — And the blacklist?
BATELLI — Eddie Murphy is a detestable guy. An arrogant, unpleasant, incredibly conceited African-American. It was during a fight at Caesars where several Brazilian and Latin American women were present and took pictures with Billy Crystal and other stars. When it was Eddie Murphy's turn, he said he didn't take pictures with fans. Then a black woman came up, asked to take a picture, and he did. Another disgusting guy is Macaulay Culkin. He was at Caesars, some teenagers asked to take a picture. When it was time for the photo, he hid his face and walked away laughing with a friend. Ridiculous.
PLAYBOY — You must be very good to break the ice with these stars.
BATELLI — A funny incident happened with the singer Shirley Bassey, who became world-famous singing James Bond movie themes. I had arranged an interview with her for Brazilian TV, on Amaury Junior's show. After the show, Amaury and I went to her dressing room. Her secretary greeted us at the door and said, "Mr. Batelli, Shirley doesn't want to give an interview." I said, "Then I'll go into the dressing room." The secretary panicked: "She's wearing a peignoir!" I didn't care. I grabbed a bottle of champagne and went in.
PLAYBOY — So?
BATELLI — She was quite startled. “I came to have champagne with you, Miss Bassey.” I begged her to give the interview to Brazilian TV, and she didn't want to hear it. She had been acting very strangely because she had lost a daughter. So, I appealed to her: “Brazilians already know the talent of singer Shirley Bassey. It just so happens that Brazil is a Black country. And you are incredibly sexy to Brazilian men! Brazilians masturbate looking at you! They see your picture and take it to the bathroom!” To keep the story short, I danced the lambada with her in the dressing room! I gave her a few bumps, she gave me a few bumps. “That's how Brazilians want you, sweaty, sexy!” After the lambada, Shirley gave an interview that Amaury had to shorten because she didn't want to stop talking.
PLAYBOY — Do you have any hobbies?
BATELLI — Internet. I stay up from midnight to 4 am reading newspapers and chatting with friends in various countries.
PLAYBOY — Do you support any team?
BATELLI — I have sympathy for São Paulo, but I'm really a fan of the Brazilian National Team.
PLAYBOY — How did your relationship with Hebe begin?
BATELLI — I've known Hebe for many years. I was very close to her ex-husband, Lélio, and also to Lelinho, their son, wonderful people. When I heard about Lélio's death, I didn't even call. I don't like to call to say goodbye or offer condolences. I don't know what to say at those times. I don't feel well. Months later, Hebe called me once to ask for some information. And she asked about my separation from Cristina. I explained that it was a very civilized separation, and that Cristina remained my best friend. Then I asked Hebe: "How are you?" She replied that she was single. I declared myself a candidate for a fling, a relationship. "I'm going to start flirting, I'm letting you know." We started calling each other two or three times a week. I would call the florist Kátia Gianini and order flowers for Hebe, with a little note, a word of affection and tenderness. This culminated in our dinner on Tuesday [October 9th].
PLAYBOY — How was dinner?
BATELLI — The media attention was crazy. I never imagined this story would generate this much journalistic attention. But it was very private, with the presence of the “Hebe kit,” which includes Nair Belo, Rosinha Goldfarb, Helena Mottin, Carmo Tuffy, and his wife, Claudia Moraes, owner of Kopenhagen chocolates. The “Hebe kit” is turning into a container! A very cheerful, very cool group. That's what Hebe transmits: a volcano of good humor, joy, and well-being, both within herself and with life. Since she's unencumbered and I'm unencumbered…
PLAYBOY — Was the relationship made official at this dinner?
BATELLI — We haven't made anything official. These things don't get made official, they just happen. Right now we're getting to know each other better in person. We're going to enjoy the present.
PLAYBOY — How did she react to the encounter?
BATELLI — She looked like a schoolgirl, she was nervous.
PLAYBOY — How did an old friendship turn into a flirtation?
BATELLI — We've always been friends. On our last trip to Punta del Este, I ran into Hebe by the hotel pool, wearing a sarong. And that girl has some beautiful legs, man! She really takes care of herself. It's divine providence there. It's the touch. The skin. You need to date someone attractive, pleasant. And especially someone without problems. The worst thing a boyfriend or girlfriend can hear is that the other person is having problems. That kills anyone's mood. When the relationship matures, then we can help solve the problems. But in a relationship, you need good humor, constant joy. And Hebe is like that all the time.
PLAYBOY — Had you ever sat on Hebe's couch on her TV show?
BATELLI — Several times, clarifying the fight for the legalization of casinos. But I think I won't be back anymore.
PLAYBOY — Are you thinking of taking Hebe to Las Vegas?
BATELLI — No. Eventually I think about returning to Brazil, for other reasons. Not to big cities like São Paulo or Rio, which are too violent. Who knows, maybe opening a guesthouse in the Northeast? The “Gracinha” Guesthouse?
(We are republishing on BNL Data the interview given by Ciro Batelli to the editor of Playboy, Dagomir Marquezi, and published in Issue 317 of the magazine on December 13, 2001.)
