CES 2016 light on celebrities; most star power found at private events

This year’s CES, aka Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas was light on A-list celebrity appearances. The big stars performed at private corporate events during the show, which ended Saturday.
A press release from the Consumer Technology Association, which owns and produces CES, called CES 2016 a “star-studded show.”
But here’s what passes for stars nowadays, according to CTA: YouTube vloggers Justine Ezarik, aka iJustine, and Joey Graceffa, who served as ambassadors for the Entertainment Matters Program at CES; and “Hell’s Kitchen” season 10 finalist Chef Dana Cohen, who presented cooking demonstrations at Haier America’s booth.
Wow, where did I leave my autograph pad?
Other celebrities appearing at CES 2016 included actress and anti-vaccination idiot Jenny McCarthy (for Sirius XM and FCA’s Uconnect), actress and singer Christina Milian (Monster Cable), celebrity magician Penn Jillette (Withings), and TV/radio host and producer Ryan Seacrest (iHeartMedia).
Under Armour hosted a bunch of athletes at its booth, including Tony Romo, Michael Phelps, Buster Posey and Cal Ripken Jr.
Turner Sports broadcast the NBA on TNT live from CES with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
At the Netflix keynote presentation, comedian Chelsea Handler conducted an interview session with stars of several Netflix original shows including Krysten Ritter (“Marvel’s Jessica Jones”), Will Arnett (“Flaked”) and Wagner Moura (“Narcos”).

CES 2016 private parties

Much of the celebrity firepower at CES 2016 was reserved for private parties.
Lady Gaga performed an hour-long set of classics with the Brian Newman Quartet for a MediaLink event. (See articles by Gaga Daily and Breathe Heavy.)
Elton John rocked the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for Harman and its reseller partners.
Chris Brown was the centerpiece of iHeartRadio’s annual CES party. (See article by Banjo.)
X Ambassadors (“Renegades”) performed at a bash sponsored by Intel and Lenovo.
Hip-hop artist Fetty Wap performed for about 15 minutes at a Google cocktail party, which was co-sponsored by Chromecast, Google Play and YouTube. (See articles by Fader, Popular Science and the Verge.)
TiVo held a CES party featuring rap artist Nelly. (See articles by Fox 5 Vegas and VegasNews.com.)
CNET hosted a performance from singer-songwriter Beck.
Hip-hop artist Flo Rida performed at a CES party for AOL. (See posts by Macy Kate and Banjo.)
Joe Jonas and DNCE performed at the Havas Media party at CES. (See article by Beautiful Ballad and video on YouTube.)
Microsoft held a wild party featuring a performance by world-famous DJ Steve Aoki. (See articles by Venture Beat and Business Insider.)
Lil Jon was featured at an event sponsored by Urbanears at the Hakkasan night club at MGM Grand.
Vevo, the music video platform, hosted a private event in a penthouse suite atop the SLS Hotel that featured a performance by up-and-coming artist Seinabo Sey and a DJ set by Nick Cannon. (See article by the Verge.)
Monster Cable held its annual CES concert for its dealers at the Axis Theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. It was a tribute to Michael Jackson. The program featured performances by Ne-Yo, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Rick Ross, and the four remaining Jackson brothers (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon). (See article by Twice.)

Photo: Actress Krysten Ritter at the Netflix keynote at CES 2016.