The 1989 film, “Steel Magnolias” depicts a group of women living through love and loss in the great state of Louisiana. The original movie cast a remarkable catalog of actresses including Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, and Olympia Dukakis. However, when the Lifetime Network had the opportunity to make a modern version of this iconic film, they jumped at the chance! The new version, which should premiere this year will feature an all African-American cast of equally fabulous talent. Actress and singer, Queen Latifah will take on the role of “M’Lynn”, with Alfre Woodard as “Ouiser”, Phylicia Rashad as “Clairee”, Grammy winner Jill Scott will be in the part of “Truvy”, Adepero Oduye will play “Annelle” and Condola Rashad will take on Roberts’ part of “Shelby”.  Sources are not certain if the film will still be set in Louisiana, but they are confident that it will shoot in Atlanta, GA.
       
Taking on the task of remaking such a famous, and favored film, poses many challenges. But the production staff for this film is equally as talented as the new cast. Sony Pictures Television will produce the new “Steel Magnolias”, and the movie will be executively produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (of "Chicago" and "Hairspray"), as well as actress Latifah. The three have worked together before on several projects and are hopeful to sustain their creative chemistry. Kenny Leon of "A Raisin in the Sun" will be consulting on the script as it is adapted for television.

This incredible talent and exciting new project has audiences and industry experts all anxious for its’ release. Helen Verno, Vice President of Movies and Miniseries at Sony Pictures Television even said that it is “an honor… to be revisiting the classic Sony film Steel Magnolias under the creative auspices of our producing partners…acclaimed director…and  team of brilliant actors.”

For more on this story, visit CNN Entertainment.

Celebrity super-couple, Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were spotted sight-seeing around Louisiana! Cruise, who is here filming new movie "Oblivion" took a break to spend time with Katie, daughter Suri, and son Connor this past week. They enjoyed tours in Baton Rouge, a ride on the streetcar, and some shopping at J.Crew- all while dodging the many cameras! For more pics of this famous family, visit POPSUGAR. 

   The last weekend in April and first weekend in May marks the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. This year’s impressive line-up (which is available on their official site) includes the one and only Bonnie Raitt. Raitt rose to fame in the late 1970’s and remained there with hits like “Nick of Time” and “Something to Talk About”. Over the course of her career, this soulful American-blues singer has released more than a dozen albums. Her last album, in 2005, however marked the start of a 7 year hiatus from recording. Raitt enjoyed time off as an audience to the musical community. But, Southern Celebrity Gossip is happy to report that Bonnie is BACK with a brand new album to accompany her appearance at this year’s Jazz Fest. The new album, “Slipstream” features the soon-to-be hit single “Right Down the Line”. You can watch the video of this song on youtube. Everyone is excited for the singer’s show at Jazz Fest, and for her re-entry into writing and performing. Raitt is quoted saying, “you can be off only so long when you have this in your blood."

For more on this story, visit NOLA.com.

      Our local celebrities are at it again! Giving back to the community they love, many of the area's most celebrated chefs are dedicating their time and talents to benefit St. Michael Special School here in New Orleans. Here are the details...

35th Annual Chefs’ Charity for Children

What: Some of New Orleans finest chefs present a cooking demonstration and luncheon to benefit St. Michael Special School in New Orleans, which serves developmentally disabled students of all ages in the New Orleans area.

When: Tuesday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets are $65 and cover admission to the chefs’ demonstration, a sampling of all the dishes prepared by the chefs, and a cookbook featuring more than 35 of their recipes, including those prepared for the luncheon. Tickets can be ordered by calling 504.524.7285. They can also be purchased at the door. Visa and Mastercard accepted.

Featuring:

Emeril Lagasse -- Lasagna Bolognese

John Besh of Restaurant August -- Chicken and dumplings

Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea’s -- Crawfish ravioli

Frank Brigtsen of Brigtsen’s – Crawfish cornbread

Leah Chase of Dooky Chase – Tutti frutti pork

John Folse of Chef John Folse & Company – Mirliton and spinach-stuffed breast of chicken

Gunter Preuss of Broussard’s – Bouillabaisse

The Wong Brothers of Trey Yuen – Pineapple delight

David Woodward of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside – Bermuda fish chowder

Lazone Randolph of Brennan’s – Steak Diane

For more information: visit NOLA.com!

  Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet portrayed the iconic lovers in James Cameron's Titanic in 1997. The duo has once again captured audiences attention as the famous flick is now being released in 3D to honor the 100th anniversary of the shipwreck. The new version premiered in London recently and spectators were shocked to see an unaccompanied Winselt in attendance. It appears that Leo didn't make it to the showing! There was a great deal of controversy over this faux pas, but as usual it just came down to logistics. Dicaprio is currently on location here in New Orleans filming the new Tarantino film and couldn't make the international fight to join his lovely leading lady. According to sources, the two actors (who have gone on to have remarkable careers) remain close friends. One story even reports on how Kate joked about how they have aged since Titanic's release, and how Leo has gotten "fatter". Most local theaters are playing the new version, which this Southern Celebrity Gossiper highly recommends seeing!

Actress, Ashley Judd is known for her roles in movies such as “Where the Heart Is” and “The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”, in addition to her famous mother and sister. But this young Judd is also known for her dedication to the University of Kentucky basketball team. Having attended UK herself before receiving a Master’s from Harvard, Ashley has made many celebrity cameos at the games to show her support for her Alma Mater. We’re happy to report, that the recent Final Four games were no exception. Judd was spotted here in the crowd rooting for her favorite team. Perhaps she brought them luck, because the team did exceptionally well! NOLA is happy to welcome yet another famed celebrity to our city, and happy to see she’s been enjoying her stay!

For more on this story, visit USAToday!

    This past weekend, the HBO Series TREME hosted a benefit to raise funds for three of the area’s nonprofit organizations. Specifically dealing with musicians here in the Crescent City, the gala, “My Darlin’ New Orleans” took place on March 31st. In attendance at the event was the entire cast of the hit show, including local celebrities Wendall Pierce and Khandi Alexander.

NOLA.com reports that “the past two such events have raised more than $175,000 total to benefit organizations that provide support and safety-net services to the people who fuel the culture that the series spotlights.” The three charities selected this year were Sweet Home New Orleans, the New Orleans Musicians Clinic and The Roots of Music. Sweet Home New Orleans provides financial assistance to some of the area’s musicians, and the Clinic provides medical care. Roots of Music is an organization that makes after school music programming available to local kids- making sure that the tradition of New Orleans’ music lives on to the future generations.

Aside from the fundraiser itself, there is no doubt that the HBO series has been good to our city. Particularly on rebuilding the culture here that was affected by the storm. Mobley, from Sweet Home New Orleans comments “It's sort of a fascinating case, … I think that it has helped interest more people who could be part of the culture in becoming part of it. I think it's interested more people who are outsiders to learn more about it, to be engaged with it.”

While we don’t yet know the dollar amount raised on Saturday, we can be sure that the television series did not disappoint! For the full story, please visit NOLA.com.

Rewind just a few days, and you’ll see that we just reported on how a Louisiana actor landed a role in “The Hunger Games”. Well now we’re happy to announce that a “Hunger Games” actor has landed a role in Louisiana! Leading actor, Liam Hemsworth will be taking on a part in the new movie “Empire State” which will be filming throughout the state over this spring. The young actor can previously be seen in the movie “The Last Song” where he played the love interest of real-life girlfriend, Miley Cyrus. “Empire State” is starring Dwayne Johnson, who was recently here in New Orleans working on the newest G.I. Joe flick. According to sources at NOLA.com, “the film is about two childhood friends who plan to rob an armored car depository, and the NYPD officer who stands in their way". The project will be shot mostly in New Orleans, but also some of the surrounding cities such as Mandeville. Filming begins on April 30th and executives plan to wrap after just 3 weeks! Everything in Hollywood moves so fast- even here in the Hollywood South!

NOLA local and rap star, Lil’ Wayne owns property in Kenner, along with his many residences around the country. But it appears that music sensation isn’t exactly winning the neighbor of the year award. Wayne was recently cited for having an unkempt lawn in front of his 10,000 square-foot mansion. The complaint mentioned “tall grass” and “weeds” which violated the code enforcement policy. This is not the first citation the musician has received, writes NOLA.com. “The most recent code violation was at least the fifth that Kenner says it has discovered at Lil Wayne's place. In 2007 and 2008, the city put liens totaling $3,635 against his property for previous citations for "grass, weeds, litter and stagnant pool," according to court records.” Lil’ Wayne (born Dwayne Carter), is originally from New Orleans, but does not spend too much time in the city because of his career. The home he has in Kenner is actually on the market currently, and is listed at 1.7 million dollars. The Insider Track reports, “Listed as a "celebrity" mansion, the house has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two half baths and a "beautiful, spacious open floor plan. Among the house’s amenities are a four-car garage, a theater and movie room, an entertainment bar, a pool house. The master suite has a fireplace with his and her baths and a steam room sauna and Jacuzzi.”. With all that luxury, this Southern Celebrity Gossiper thinks that Lil’ Wayne can spring for the costs of lawn maintenance!

For more on this story, visit NOLA.com.

    Hollywood icon, Tom Cruise is making his way down to New Orleans to film a new sci-fi thriller this spring. Joining the cast will be local actress Melissa Leo, who was made famous by the HBO series “TREME” portraying the character, Toni Bernette. Before landing the role with Cruise, Leo was predominantly a television star having appeared in “Criminal Minds” and “Law and Order”. The actress is excited to join the cast for “Oblivion” which will be filmed mainly in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas. The cast for this picture includes actors Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough and Olga Kurylenko. Local actress, Lindsay Clift, will also be appearing in the picture playing the part of “young mother”. Clift is an active performer in New Orleans, and also is an acting coach at the John Robert Powers Performing Arts Academy. Joseph Kosinski is directing the film. Kosinski is best known for the
"TRON: Legacy", which features similar themes and aesthetics to the
much anticipated “Oblivion”.

For more on this story, visit NOLA.com.