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Leon protege nearly misses ‘Senior Year’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Acworth actor Justin Martin had almost given up on landing a role in “High Musical 3: Senior Year,” the upcoming second sequel of the Disney tween gold mine franchise.
“The casting directors told me I was just too small,” Martin, 14, tells Buzz.
Then “High School Musical” director Kenny Ortega saw Martin’s audition tape and wanted to know why he hadn’t had a chance to see Justin.
“After a few weeks went by, I got the call,” Martin recalls. “It was amazing. Kenny is a wonderful director and a great guy to work with.”
There was an extensive four-month shoot for the upcoming Oct. 24 theatrical release, and weeks of rehearsal before that. In the film, Martin plays a new character, Donny, who’s a sophomore with a crazy friend Jimmy, a fellow underclassman and a girl-crazy would-be rocker.
“My character is the more calm guy who tries to keep Jimmy from falling off the face of the Earth,” Martin explains. “He’s the stage manager. The guy who helps his friends from going crazy.”
Martin says some of the elaborate musical numbers in the family-friendly film took a week or more to create. He’s well aware that his profile is about to be enhanced substantially when “High School Musical 3” hits theaters next month.
“I never would have thought I’d ever get to be a part of such a huge phenomenon,” he says.
Even at 14, Martin is an amazingly centered young man. His old True Colors Theatre mentor Kenny Leon cast him last year in the new ABC TV movie version of “A Raisin in the Sun.” He played Sean “Diddy” Combs’ son in the critically acclaimed film (now out on DVD) without being intimidated by the hip-hop impresario.
“When I’m on the job, I don’t really get star-struck,” Martin told us. “I’m able to keep my focus.”
Martin says he learned that level of professionalism at an early age working with Leon at Atlanta’s True Colors Theatre: “Kenny has really helped me to craft myself as an actor. He gave me an important piece of advice — don’t act, become the person.”
A TASTE OF THE TOUR
Normally, we pop into the Palm at the Westin Buckhead to hear general manager Willy Cellucci spin a yarn as juicy as his joint’s steaks. But the other night, Cellucci was prepped for show as well as tell. In honor of the annual Tour Championship taking place at East Lake Golf Club, Cellucci had commissioned an impressive new PGA Hall of Fame mural that now greets guests at the eatery’s entrance.
“We wanted to do something special to honor the guys,” said Cellucci, himself an avid golfer. “They’re such good guys, and so many of them have become Palm customers over the years. It’s a pretty impressive group of guys I’ve gotten to meet over the years,”
Included in the mural, accented with a lush grass background that took a week to create: David Toms, Stewart Cink, Aaron Baddeley, Rocco Mediate, Butch Harmon and Mark Calcavecchia.
Among those swinging a club at this year’s Tour Championship spotted sawing into a steak at the Palm last week: Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Mike Weir and Tim Clark.
‘BEAUTIFUL’ INTERACTIVITY
To commemorate its 10th annual “Most Beautiful Atlantans” issue, Jezebel magazine is asking readers to nominate themselves this year.
“It’s a way of being interactive and by now, most of our readers know we’re looking for more than just outer beauty,” Jezebel editor Beth Weitzman explained over lunch.
So, we had to ask: Do most Jez readers, er, embody the necessary levels of self-esteem to nominate themselves, or do friends do it for them?
“Believe it or not, most people nominate themselves!” Weitzman said laughing. “You’ve got to be pretty self-confident to do that.”
Weitzman stresses this isn’t just a beauty contest.
“We’re looking for people who are involved in their communities, who are giving back to the city. Otherwise, we’d just call it the Models Issue!”
To nominate yourself, go to jezebelmagazine.com by Friday.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Author Elie Wiesel is 80. Singer Johnny Mathis is 73. Actor Barry Williams (“The Brady Bunch”) is 54. Country singer Marty Stuart is 50. Singer Trey Anastasio (Phish) is 44. Actor Kieran Culkin is 26. Rapper T-Pain is 24.
TRANSITIONS
The Clubhouse restaurant at Lenox Square has quietly shuttered its doors in its prime storefront location at the Buckhead retail emporium. When Buzz attempted to phone Monday for an explanation, we were greeted with a recorded message saying the restaurant’s number had been disconnected.
SICK BAY UPDATE
Part-time Atlantan turned “Dancing With the Stars” contestant Toni Braxton confirmed to B98.5FM’s Steve and Vikki Monday that her recent heart ailments (she suffers from angina attacks) haven’t hampered her high-stepping on the ABC reality show. “At first, I was a little scared to work,” the singer said. “It was scary, but I’m OK.”
As a safety measure, Braxton says she’s examined by her cardiologist before and after each live “Dancing” performance.
Contributing: 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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