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Author Jackie Collins parks in ATL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many big-name novelists tend to interact with the public only reluctantly or quietly.
And then there’s Jackie Collins, who’ll hit town Thursday in an enormous touring bus once used by Mariah Carey and currently sponsored by Harrah’s Entertainment. The woman who made the phrase “Hollywood Wives” a part of everyday language will appear at Outwrite Books at 7:30 p.m.
It’s all part of the promotional push for her new book, “Married Lovers,” about a megawatt movie star, a randy late-night talk show host, a gorgeous young fitness guru — and the mysterious figure who may end up killing them all. Not that that will stop any of them from having lots of colorful sex, of course.
“They are raunchy, but moral,” Collins laughed by phone last week from her latest tour stop at Caesar’s Indiana, referring to her books. “The good guy gets what he wants at the end.”
Atlanta’s getting what it wants with this Collins appearance, said Outwrite owner Philip Rafshoon.
“She hasn’t been here in years,” said Rafshoon, who had 350 books on hand late last week and was expecting a big crowd. “She’s one of the first big writers to write popular books about modern relationships, all kinds of relationships.”
Nor does the fun end after Collins finishes schmoozing and signing at Outwrite. There’s an afterparty, featuring a Jackie Collins lookalike contest, at neighboring bar Blake’s on the Park.
SIR SALMAN RUSHDIE
Queen Elizabeth II conferred a knighthood on “The Satanic Verses” author Salman Rushdie on Wednesday, a year after the announcement of the knighthood provoked protests from the Muslim world.
“I really have no regrets about any of my work,” Rushdie told reporters after being asked about “The Satanic Verses.”
“This is, as I say, an honor not for any specific book but for a very long career in writing and I’m happy to see that recognized,” he said. Rushdie, 61, published his first novel, “Grimus,” in 1975. He is currently a Distinguished Writer in Residence at Emory University.
ATLANTA COUPLE WED AT ‘TODAY’ LIVE TV ALTAR
When Atlanta couple LaDonna Bradford and Darnell Suggs got hitched at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, they didn’t have to hire a videographer.
The nuclear reactor inspector and computer engineer just had to remember to set the TiVo.
The winners of the “Race to the Altar” contest on “Today” were married live on the venerable NBC morning show. The show’s outdoors Rockefeller Plaza studio in New York City was magically made into an “East meets West”-themed wedding chapel, complete with hanging white and pink paper lanterns. The decor, along with the bridal gown, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen tuxedoes and a honeymoon to Bora Bora were all selected by “Today” viewers in recent weeks.
The bride walked down the aisle to Etta James’ “At Last.”
A 22-image online photo gallery of the wedding was exclusively shot by Atlanta-based celebrity wedding photographer Denis Reggie, who was flown up to capture the special occasion. The online photo album can be viewed at www.today.msnbc.com.
The one thing the couple did have control over? They wrote their own vows which they expertly remembered and recited on live television.
The pair made a big chunk of America reach for the tissue box as Suggs gazed into Bradford’s beaming face and told her: “I offer my heart and soul to you and I pledge my love to you for life. You’re my best friend and my confidante. I would go to the ends of the earth to see you smile.”
Bradford replied: “I love you dearly. I promise to be there through thick and thin. I will love you with every beat of my heart.”
Later during a toast with “Today” co-hosts Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer, Bradford said the couple had no regrets about allowing America to decide the details of their special day.
“Not at all,” she said. “I can only imagine dealing with everything you all dealt with for us.”
“American Idol” contestant (and the bride’s cousin!) Melinda Doolittle surprised the couple at their 65th floor Rainbow Room wedding reception by singing “Never Felt This Way” for the couple’s first dance.
“Today” then temporarily transformed into “Dancing With the Stars” as Suggs and Bradford cut loose with a carefully choreographed dance routine featuring dips and lifts.
As Vieira observed: “You now have the best wedding video out of all of your friends!”
COUPLING
Season 2 “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard has found love in the ATL and is set to marry an Atlanta flight attendant this Saturday in his hometown of Birmingham.
Studdard’s manager Cedric Evans told Buzz that Studdard, 29, met Surata Zuri McCants, 30, at a CD signing at the Howell Mill Road Wal-Mart in October 2006. “I think it was love at first sight,” Evans said. “He’s on cloud 12.”
Studdard’s next album will feature covers of R&B standards by the likes of Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye. He’ll be at the Fox Theatre in mid-November in a production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’ .”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Musician Mick Jones of The Clash is 53. Singer Chris Isaak is 52. Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (“Magnolia,” “Boogie Nights”) is 38. Actor Sean Hayes (“Will and Grace”) is 38. Actor Chris O’Donnell (right) is 38. Country singer Gretchen Wilson is 34.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Jill Vejnoska and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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