Former Mayor Shirley Franklin and real estate tycoon Jenny Pruitt dazzled the judges and patrons at the recent Dancing Stars of Atlanta event, but the Alzheimer's Association's Georgia Chapter was the true winner. The fundraiser, held at the Lowes Atlanta hotel in Midtown, brought in more than $226,000, event chairwoman Joanne Truffelman told us. More than 500 guests attended. Franklin, who tangoed with dance professional Melbin De La Cruz, won the judge's choice award while Pruitt, CEO of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty, earned people's choice award honors after waltzing with pro David Spencer. We have posted online a great video of Franklin perfecting her moves. (The shortened web address is http://bcove.me/7llk1d0s.) "I am learning the tango because it's a lot of fun but primarily so that I can help to raise funds and awareness about Alzheimer's and the need to have more research so that we can find a cure," Franklin said.
Buzz in our ear
OMG! Did you hear about Usher's sassy business proposal for Pippa Middleton? He wants to make the It Girl, dubbed Her Royal Hotness by those wags across the pond, a lingerie model. "I'm going to be approaching her in the next few weeks and setting up a meeting this summer," the Atlanta R&B star told Us magazine. Uh, good luck with that. Given The Firm's collective heart attack when Carole Middleton, mom of Middleton and the newly wed and titled Duchess Catherine, was caught chewing gum in public, we're thinking this idea won't get very far. Then again, the former Kate Middleton is a former lingerie model, sort of, kind of, herself. (While in school she graced the catwalk in a student fashion show that classmate Prince William attended, and the rest is history). If nothing else comes from Usher's big plans, we leave you with the hope that MTV-UK's nickname for the famous sister sticks: P-Middy.
Filming updates
The new USA show "Necessary Roughness" has been filming in Midtown, in case you wondered why camera crews were set up near the Plaza Midtown on Friday afternoon. In other news the new Cameron Diaz movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting" put out the call for crew members the other day and then put out another call to beg for an end to the torrent of emails. They're set in the crew department. We'll let you know if and when they need extras or stand-ins.
Celebrity birthdays
Business executive and former presidential candidate Ross Perot is 81. The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Army Gen. John Shalikashvili, is 75. Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt is 73. Singer-musician Bruce Johnston (The Beach Boys) is 69. Actress Julia Duffy is 60. Actress Isabelle Adjani is 56. Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 52. Actor Brian Drillinger is 51. Writer-producer-director J.J. Abrams is 45. Olympic gold and bronze medal figure skater Viktor Petrenko is 42. TV personality Jo Frost (TV: "Supernanny") is 41. Actor Yancey Arias is 40. Actor Christian Kane is 37. Actor Tobey Maguire is 36. Gospel singer Leigh Nash is 35. Actor Drake Bell is 25. Actor Ed Westwick is 24. Actress Madylin Sweeten is 20.
Contributing: news services
About the Author
