Atlanta is known for being home to many celebrities, from musicians to actors to athletes. While some of these famous faces are often associated with being from the South, there are actually quite a few who aren’t as well-known for their Southern roots. Here are 10 Atlanta celebrities you may not have realized were born and raised in the South.
1. Julia Roberts – Although she may be best known for her roles in Hollywood blockbusters like “Pretty Woman” and “Erin Brockovich,” Julia Roberts was actually born in Atlanta, Georgia. She spent her early years in the South before moving to New York City to pursue her acting career.
2. Robert Pattinson – The “Twilight” heartthrob was born in London, England, but actually spent a significant portion of his childhood in Atlanta. His family moved to the South when he was just a teenager, and he attended high school in the Atlanta area.
3. Kenya Moore – The reality star and former Miss USA was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, but she eventually moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in entertainment. She is best known for her appearances on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
4. Dakota Fanning – The talented young actress got her start in show business at a very young age, but many people may not realize that she was actually born in Conyers, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. She and her family later moved to Los Angeles to further her acting career.
5. Ludacris – The Grammy-winning rapper and actor may be closely associated with Atlanta, but he was actually born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. He moved to Atlanta to attend college at Georgia State University and eventually made a name for himself in the city’s vibrant hip-hop scene.
6. Raven-Symoné – The former child star and current co-host of “The View” was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She got her start in show business at a young age, starring on “The Cosby Show” and “That’s So Raven,” before branching out into music and other acting roles.
7. Eric Roberts – The older brother of actress Julia Roberts, Eric Roberts was also born in Atlanta, Georgia. He has appeared in numerous films and television shows over the years, including “The Dark Knight” and “The Expendables.”
8. Raven Goodwin – The actress known for her roles on “Being Mary Jane” and “The Haves and the Have Nots” was born in Washington, D.C., but raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She got her start in the entertainment industry at a young age and has been steadily building her career ever since.
9. Donald Glover – The multi-talented actor, writer, and musician, known for his work on “Community” and “Atlanta,” was born and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. He attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts before eventually moving back to Atlanta to further his career.
10. Ciara – The Grammy-winning singer and dancer was born in Austin, Texas, but moved to Atlanta when she was a teenager. She got her start in the music industry in the city and has since gone on to achieve international success.
While these celebrities may not always be thought of as being from the South, their ties to Atlanta and the surrounding area have played a significant role in shaping their careers. From music to acting to reality TV, these Atlanta celebrities have made a name for themselves in the entertainment industry and continue to represent the city’s diverse and vibrant culture.