A dispute over a $20 tip for photographs with Las Vegas showgirl performers allegedly erupted into a violent fight that injured two tourists. One visitor was reportedly struck more than 22 times and hit in the forehead with a high-heeled boot.
FOX 5 in Las Vegas reported that Jennifer Ortiz and Magdellena Romero were arrested following the Sept. 30 altercation outside Planet Hollywood. Police were called to the Strip after receiving reports of a fight involving women in showgirl costumes.
According to an arrest report reviewed by the station, the confrontation started when two tourists from North Carolina stopped to pose for pictures with three women dressed as showgirls. The visitors agreed to pay a tip for the photos.
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After the tourists handed over $20 and began leaving, Ortiz allegedly followed them and demanded an additional payment ranging from $60 to $180 for the pictures.
A shirtless man walks away from a woman dressed as a showgirl during a confrontation on the Las Vegas Strip Sept. 30, 2026. Two women were arrested after police said a dispute over a $20 tip turned violent. (Credit: TMZ)
Police allege Ortiz repeatedly hit one of the tourists, then took off her white high-heeled boot and struck the woman in the forehead. The blow caused a laceration measuring nearly 2 inches, and investigators said surveillance video captured more than 22 strikes against the victim.
Additional video of the chaotic scene appears to show two showgirls fighting a man and a woman. One performer is seen pulling the woman’s hair while repeatedly punching her in the face and torso.
When the camera shifts toward the man, he appears shirtless, with blood on his face and his shirt tied around his left hand. He then moves toward the performers while one of them continues attacking the woman.
“Hey! Get off her,” the man shouts before striking one of the showgirls and shoving another to the ground as he attempts to end the assault.
A third showgirl can be seen in the vicinity but does not appear to take part in the fight. FOX 5 reported that police said she attempted to intervene and break up the confrontation.
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A shirtless man confronts a woman dressed as a showgirl during a brawl outside Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas Strip Sept. 30, 2026. Police said two tourists were injured during the confrontation. (Credit: TMZ)
Both tourists received treatment at the scene but declined transportation to a hospital. They later submitted written statements and requested that authorities pursue charges.
The arrest report also described a separate allegation from a man who said he was billed $218 for photos after agreeing to pay $60.
The man told investigators that he tapped his debit card on Ortiz’s phone to pay. He later noticed the larger charge and, when he confronted the women, they allegedly gave him a fake phone number as a means of addressing the dispute.
Ortiz told police that one of the tourists had become confrontational and hit her first. Romero said she intervened after seeing her friend under attack.
A woman dressed as a showgirl appears to pull another woman’s hair during a violent confrontation on the Las Vegas Strip on Sept. 30, 2026. Two showgirls were arrested after the fight, which police said began over a $20 tip. (Credit: TMZ)
Ortiz faces charges of battery and obtaining money under false pretenses involving less than $1,200. Romero was charged with battery. Both women were booked into the Clark County Detention Center.
FOX 5 further reported that Ortiz was already under a court order requiring her to avoid trouble after an alleged similar incident at the Fremont Street Experience in March.
Ortiz and Romero are due back in court on Dec. 3.