A $20 tip sparked a violent confrontation on the Las Vegas Strip.
Two women accused of posing as Las Vegas showgirls allegedly attacked a pair of tourists after demanding a tip of as much as $180 instead of the $20 they had received. The dispute escalated into a larger brawl as the women pursued the visitors along the famous Strip.
Jennifer Ortiz and Magdellena Romero are accused of attacking two tourists from North Carolina outside Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on Sept. 30.
The altercation began after the tourists approached three women dressed as showgirls to take a photo. The visitors tipped them $20 and started to leave.
According to video obtained by TMZ, Ortiz demanded between $60 and $180. She allegedly followed the tourists down the concourse before the physical confrontation began.
Wearing revealing costumes and the feathered headdresses associated with Las Vegas showgirls, the women allegedly threw multiple punches at the tourists during the daytime attack on Las Vegas Boulevard. Dozens of onlookers watched in apparent shock.
The female tourist attempted to intervene, but Romero allegedly tackled her, pulled her by the hair and punched her in the face and head.
The male tourist, who had lost his shirt during the struggle, rushed toward the women to free his partner. The pair then allegedly attacked him several times, including with a high-heeled boot.
Ortiz was identified as the suspect who used the shoe as a weapon. She allegedly struck the man in the forehead with the boot, causing a 2-inch cut, Fox 5 Vegas reported, citing a police report.
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Police allege that the male tourist was hit 22 times.
As security personnel broke up the fight, Ortiz launched into a profanity-filled tirade in front of other tourists, according to the video.
The third woman in the showgirl group was not charged. She told police that she had only attempted to stop the fight.
Both suspects told police that the tourists had started the altercation and that Romero intervened to help her co-worker.
Ortiz and Romero were arrested and charged with battery.
Ortiz also faces a fraud allegation stemming from a separate encounter. In that incident, another tourist agreed to pay her a $60 tip but was charged $218 after tapping his debit card against the showgirl’s phone.
The unidentified tourist confronted Ortiz about the payment. He told police that she responded by giving him a fake phone number.
According to Fox 5 Vegas and court records, Ortiz faces a charge of obtaining money by false pretense.
The street performer was already facing scrutiny over a similar incident in March 2026, when she was ordered to stay out of trouble, Fox 5 reported.
Ortiz and Romero were booked into the Clark County Detention Center and are scheduled to appear in court in December.
