The United Talent Agency, one of the largest talent agencies in the world, has opened offices in Midtown Atlanta and held a grand opening party Wednesday evening to celebrate its arrival.
The party drew hundreds of people including Mayor Andre Dickens, former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, actress Awkwafina (shooting an Amazon Prime movie in town “Grand Theft Lotto”), singer/songwriter Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child fame, “The Resident” actor Manish Dayal, “Stranger Things” star Myles Truitt and “Vampire Diaries” alum Kat Graham.
“UTA being here is yet another sign that Atlanta is a city that people want to live in and do business in,” said Dickens in a brief interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the party. “They are betting on Atlanta’s talent and influence around the world. That means that UTA is going to find the talent, harvest it and invest in it.”
UTA is not only known for representing actors like Timothée Chalamet, Harrison Ford, Julia Garner and Jennifer Coolidge but also musicians, directors, writers, authors, podcasters, athletes and artists.
“The idea that if you want an agent, you have to come Hollywood is old fashioned,” said Jeremy Zimmer, UTA’s chief executive officer, who came to the party. “If you’re an actor or writer or musician or athlete, to have your representation more geographically convenient for you is important.”
He said the Atlanta office already has 22 employees, most of them talent agents. “People understand we’re making a real commitment here so they’re excited to be part of it,” he said.
Credit: Ben Gray/ABImages
Credit: Ben Gray/ABImages
Credit: BEN GRAY FOR U
Credit: BEN GRAY FOR U
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Credit: Chris Haston/NBC
Credit: Chris Haston/NBC
The lone Atlantan competing on season 23 of “The Voice” is 32-year-old Cait Martin.
During an audition round episode that aired earlier this week, Martin’s rendition of Harry Styles’ “As It Was” received a four-chair turn from all four judges.
Coach Kelly Clarkson pressed her red button first, very early, followed partway through by fellow coach Niall Horan, who is new to “The Voice.” Near the end when Martin hit a solid high note, both Chance the Rapper and Blake Shelton pressed their buttons.
Clarkson began lobbying hard.
“I turned around instantaneously,” Clarkson said. “I could tell in your voice and how much control you had in the beginning. That beautiful vibrato is so crystal clear. And then I knew you’d go big and powerful but I didn’t know how big your range was. That was high and you did it so effortlessly.”
Horan said she is a storyteller and he is as well. He added that he has performed on a show like this (”X Factor UK”) and can “break hearts” with her. Shelton used the fact he is in his final season and wants to close out with a win as his selling point. Chance said in a bid for flattery, Martin’s lower tones reminded him of Whitney Houston.
No surprise: Martin chose Team Kelly. She will be competing in the battle rounds starting next week.
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Credit: WARNER BROTHERS
Credit: WARNER BROTHERS
Atlanta-based Turner Classic Movies is celebrating 100 years of its parent company’s Warner Brothers by only airing movies from its rich library throughout the month of April.
It will show films from every decade of the studio’s existence, a variety of documentaries, shorts and Looney Tunes cartoons, and interviews with stars and directors focusing on the cinematic achievements of the storied movie factory.
Several of the classics are getting 4K restorations, including 1959′s “Rio Bravo,” Howard Hawks’ classic western starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Angie Dickinson, and Elia Kazan’s 1955 drama “East of Eden,” starring James Dean.
Other films TCM plans to broadcast in April include “Land of the Pharaohs” and “Storm Warning” (both films introduced by Martin Scorsese), “Rachel, Rachel” (introduced by Ethan Hawke), “Safe in Hell” (by Alexander Payne), and “A Lion is in the Streets.”
This celebration coincides with the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood in mid April.
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