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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 31
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Local audition wants next ‘Y&R’ soap opera star
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Considering the usual 40-plus pages of memorization, blocking and taping normally involved in an average workday, “The Young and the Restless” actor Michael Graziadei has a comparably light schedule here in Atlanta Thursday and Friday.
The two-time Daytime Emmy nominee who portrays Daniel Romalotti on the popular CBS sudser merely has to Taser his way through a thousand or so fans auditioning to become his co-star.
The soap has selected Atlanta as the first city to “screen test” one female fan between the ages of 18 and 30 to be flown to Hollywood to appear in an episode of the daytime drama.
One red-eye flight across the country and a radio and TV appearance later Wednesday, Graziadei contemplated pigging out on the bacon that arrived with his salad entree at Trois in Midtown as he happily answered our questions.
Wearing a backward Boston Red Sox baseball cap and a “Stay Weird” T-shirt, the young actor who portrays the offspring of rock star Danny Romalotti and the forever scheming Phyllis Summers Abbott on the show explained what he’s looking for at the auditions.
“They need to step up to the plate and be someone who will challenge me,” he told us. “We’re not necessarily looking for the most beautiful girl in the world, but they have to act.”
Oh, and you should be accustomed to potentially societally sensitive plot twists. Graziadei’s most recent storyline has centered on Daniel’s descent into an Internet porn addiction, a problem that appears to have doomed the character’s fan fave marriage to Lily Winters.
“When the executive producer told me about the story, I did some research and found that this has become a real problem out there,” Graziadei explained. “I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from people who have gone through this for real. It’s kinda shocking.”
In order to participate, potential actresses must go to www.theyoungandthe restless.com, download and fill out the necessary forms and bring them to AmericasMart, Building One downtown today from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today. Call backs will take place on Friday.
Author McCarthy tackles autism
Comedienne and author Jenny McCarthy will speak at next week’s National Autism Association conference, planned for Nov. 8-11 at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. Her talk is scheduled for 4-4:30 p.m. Nov. 9. In a recent piece for CNN, she described the day she learned her son Evan, 5, is autistic, and her efforts to seek treatment for him.
“Don’t give up hope and remember that acceptance of your child’s condition does not mean giving up; it’s just simply loving your child for being the perfect little spirit he or she is,” she wrote in the CNN piece. McCarthy told People magazine a while back about the special relationship her beau Jim Carrey has with Evan. Her book, “Louder Than Words,” about her experience dealing with her son’s autism, was No. 9 on the Oct. 28 New York Times nonfiction bestseller list. For details on next week’s conference see www.nationalautismconference.org.
Jackson: ‘I’m an Atlantan’
Atlantan and Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?” actress Janet Jackson phoned in on Q100’s “The Bert Show” Wednesday morning to thank fans for supporting the locally based film director’s latest No. 1 box office comedy. And record producer Jermaine Dupri’s main squeeze also told listeners that she now considers the ATL home. “I definitely feel a connection here,” Jackson said. “I’m definitely an Atlantan.” And then Perry himself, a Q100 listener, phoned in to join his “Married” co-star. On the possibility of getting hired as one of the pop star’s dancers for her next tour, Perry cracked: “Sure, and Janet and I are going on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ next season!” Jackson also disclosed that she’s hard at work here (with Dupri eventually joining her) on a new album, due out early in 2008.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Country singer and former Decatur resident Bill Anderson is 70. Country singer/author Kinky Friedman is 63. Singer Lyle Lovett is 50. Singer Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers is 45. Drummer Rick Allen of Def Leppard is 44. Country singer Big Kenny of Big and Rich is 44. Actress Toni Collette (“The Hours,” “Muriel’s Wedding”) is 35. “American Idol” runner-up Bo Bice is 32.
OVERSCENE
Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan taking in the treats, tricks and terror at Netherworld Haunted House in Norcross. The popular seasonal attraction is open through Saturday night. OutKast’s Andre 3000 at Canoe enjoying a special vegan tasting menu whipped up for him by executive chef Carvel Grant Gould.
Contributing: Jennifer Brett and news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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