We’ve gotten word from BravoTV that it’s given the greenlight to “The Kandi Factory,” a new special following “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star and multi-platinum songwriter Kandi Burruss.

Quoting a Bravo press release,  “Burruss will give two protégés the opportunity to come to Atlanta and learn the fundamentals of pop music success. … Burruss and her team of experts at ‘The Kandi Factory’ will work with the two contestants in order to turn them into music superstars.”

Bravo didn’t release any pesky who-what-when-where info, but it did supply this tasty morsel we can all chew on till that magic moment arrives:

“Ever since Burruss turned Kim Zolciak‘s single ‘Tardy for the Party’ into a digital download phenomenon, she has been bombarded by thousands of wannabe artists desperate for her popstar secrets. Burruss believes she can turn anyone with raw talent and drive into ’something hot’ and wants to give aspiring artists a shot at their dream.”

(The Queen …

Continue reading ‘Housewife’ Kandi Burruss wants to make you (well, maybe not you, but somebody) a star »

Country singer Claude King is 87. Actor Stuart Damon is 73. Writer-producer Stephen J. Cannell is 69. Singer-songwriter Barrett Strong is 69. Actor David Selby (”Dark Shadows,” “Falcon Crest”) is 69. Singer Cory Wells of Three Dog Night is 68. Singer Al Kooper is 66. Actress Charlotte Rampling is 64. Actress Barbara Hershey is 62. Actor-director-comedian Christopher Guest is 62. Actor-comedian Tim Meadows (”Saturday Night Live”) is 49. Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh is 48. Actress Laura Linney is 46. Bassist Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver (and Guns N’ Roses) is 46. Singer Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors is 42. Singer and former Atlanta resident Bobby Brown is 41. Country singer Sara Evans is 39. Actor Jeremy Sumpter (”Peter Pan”) is 21.

−AP

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays Feb. 5: Bobby Brown, Laura Linney, Sara Evans, Jennifer Jason Leigh »

Actress Elaine Stritch is 85. Actor Robert Mandan (”Soap,” “Three’s a Crowd”) is 78. Comedian Tom Smothers is 73. Singer Graham Nash is 68. Actor Bo Hopkins is 68. Singer Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers is 64. Actor Brent Spiner (”Star Trek: The Next Generation”) is 61. Bassist Ross Valory of Journey is 61. Model Christie Brinkley is 56. Actor Michael Talbott (”Miami Vice”) is 55. Actress Kim Zimmer (”Guiding Light”) is 55. Bassist Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots is 44. Actress Jennifer Westfeldt is 40. Atlanta rapper T-Mo (Goodie Mob) is 38. Actress Marissa Jaret Winokur is 37. Singer Shakira is 33.

−AP

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays Feb. 2: Shakira, Christie Brinkley, Elaine Stritch, Brent Spiner, T-Mo »

Actor Stuart Whitman is 82. Actor-comedian Garrett Morris is 73. Singer Don Everly of The Everly Brothers is 73. Singer Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show is 73. Actor Sherman Hemsley is 72. Jazz pianist Joe Sample is 71. Bluegrass singer Del McCoury is 71. Actor-writer-director Terry Jones (Monty Python) is 68. Guitarist Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is 60. Actor-writer-producer Billy Mumy (”Lost in Space”) is 56. Singer Exene Cervenka of X is 54. Keyboardist Dwayne Dupuy of Ricochet is 45. Actress Sherilyn Fenn is 45. Singer Lisa Marie Presley is 42. Comedian Pauly Shore is 42. Drummer Patrick Wilson of Weezer is 41. Actor Michael C. Hall (”Dexter,” “Six Feet Under”) is 39. Atlanta rapper Big Boi of Outkast is 35. TV personality Lauren Conrad (”The Hills,” “Laguna Beach”) is 24.

−AP

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays Feb. 1: Big Boi, Michael C. Hall, Lisa Marie Presley, Lauren Conrad »

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Tyler Perry was named one of Barbara Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating People for 2009. It was no surprise that Michelle Obama, complete with sleeveless dress, topped the list, which also included Sarah Palin, Bret Favre, Glenn Beck and Michael Jackson’s children. Controversial performance artist Lady Gaga also made the list (and even got Ms. Walters to say “muffin” on air).

During last night’s show, the filmmaker recounted his violent childhood and meteoric rise to fame and fortune by tapping into a faith-based, comedic core that appeals to middle-class African-Americans – mostly women. When asked how he knows what women want, he talked about spending time at shops and hair salons with his aunt and mother, the late Willie Maxine Perry, who were trying to shield him from his abusive father at home.

Continue reading Tyler Perry, Michelle Obama, Glenn Beck ‘most fascinating’ of 2009? »

Several notable Atlanta men were honored this week during the “Men of Style” Awards. The event, held at the Geisha House in Atlantic Station, was hosted by actress Vivica Fox (who looked fab in a short, fitted black dress!) as well as Atlantans Kenny Burns and Fonzeworth Bentley. The awards were part of Gillette Fusion’s MVP Prime Time 5-city tour, which ends today with some stops in local barbershops.

RED CARPET PHOTOS

As for the “Men of Style,” Atlanta honorees included:

Bernard Bronner (Publisher, Upscale Magazine); Mark Hayes (Good Day Atlanta), Frank Ski (V103 Frank & Wanda Morning Show); Doug & Ryan Stewart “the 2 Live Stews” (790 the Zone/ ESPN); Will Packer (Rainforest Films); Ryan Cameron (V103 and Atlanta Hawks announcer); Big Boi (Outkast); Lance Gross (House of Payne); Munson Steed (Publisher of Rolling Out Urban Style Weekly); Sean “The Pen” Garrett (singer/producer); and Shondrae “Bangladesh” Crawford (Music Producer).

Continue reading Atlanta ‘Men of Style’ honored »

• Bella Cucina founder Alisa Barry is getting all sorts of love just in time for the holidays, with a mention in InStyle magazine and on “The Today Show” recently.

• Persistent mayoral hopeful Mary Norwood (right) received a warm welcome at Monday’s Forward Arts Foundation luncheon at the St. Regis. Chaired by Peggy Clinkscales and Susan Forehand and honoring Frances Woodruff “Duffie” DuBose, the event featured an Akris fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue and benefited the foundation’s charitable activities. Norwood, much in demand during the reception hour, told Buzz that she is pressing forward with a recount effort and noted the new citizens group, Citizens for Fair Atlanta Elections, that has asked Secretary of State Karen Handel to review certain aspects of the recent run-off.

Continue reading Buzz in our ear: Mary Norwood at fashionable benefit »

Kevin Gillespie will either be crowned “Top Chef” winner Wednesday, or pack up his knives and head on back to Woodfire Grill. (Read John Kessler’s show recap on his Food and More blog)

Either way, he and his new Bravo buddies seem to have bonded. A group of contenders hit town over the weekend to graze their way through their fellow aspirants’ kitchens.

On Saturday, Jennifer Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio and Mike Isabella visited Hector Santiago’s Poncey-Highland tapas bar, Pura Vida, checked in with Eli Kirshtein at Eno by Zaza in Midtown and then headed to Gillespie’s Cheshire Bridge Road restaurant. The crew brought what was left of their appetites to Holeman & Finch Public House for burgers and brew.

On Sunday the gang tailgated at Community Q BBQ in Decatur and wrapped up their culinary tour of Atlanta with a visit to Flip, former “Top Chef” finalist Richard Blais’ Westside burger boutique.

Gillespie is pitted against Voltaggio and his brother, Michael Voltaggio, in …

Continue reading Will Atlanta’s Kevin Gillespie be ‘Top Chef’? »