Arts & Entertainment

Queen Latifah Parties at Blake's

Club goers were starstruck when they saw the actress in Midtown Monday night.

Queen Latifah partied at in Midtown around 11 p.m. Monday night.

The actress and musician, who is in Atlanta filming the movie "Joyful Noise” with co-star Dolly Parton, came to Blake's to watch the drag show. She declined a photo when asked. 

"This is one of our rare days off," said Richard Lyons, her personal acting coach who accompanied the actress to the nightclub on 10th Street. Lyons said he's worked with Queen Latifah since 1996 and coached other stars including Jennifer Hudson.

Find out what's happening in Midtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This movie is like a musical," Lyons said. According to the Internet Movie Database, "Joyful Noise" is about two women, played by Parton and Queen Latifah, who have different opinions about how to win a national choir competition. Lyons said filming on the movie would wrap up on Friday. The actress has been staying around the Midtown area during production, he said. 

Queen Latifah dances and sings in "Joyful Noise," so most nights she is "wore out" after working 12 hours days, he said.

Find out what's happening in Midtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Club goers to Blake's Monday night were starstruck when they saw the actress. But out of respect, most people kept their distance. One person gave her a note on a napkin. Others waved from afar. East Atlanta resident Caleb J. Spivak lit Queen Latifah's cigarette.

So is Queen Latifah enjoying her stay in the South?

"Yeah, she does like Atlanta," Lyons said. "It's s a very nice atmosphere."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Midtown