Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
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When it’s time for you to get a new pair of glasses, knowing where to go for quality customer service and spectacles can save you time and money.
This article will show some of the best eyeglass stores in Atlanta, Georgia.
First of all, let’s ask a very important question:
Do You Need Glasses?
You may not be able to see as well as you have in the past and may think that glasses will help, and they might. Here are some signs that you may need a pair of glasses.
- Blurry vision
- Frequent headaches,
- Squinting to see faces or read
- Bringing your phone or paper close to your face
There are more ways to tell if you may need glasses, but those are just a few. Now let’s look at some of the best places to get eyeglasses in Atlanta.
Table of Contents:
Best Places To Buy Eyeglasses In Atlanta
If you need some new glasses, you need to know where to go.
Costco
- 2900 Cumberland Mall, Atlanta, GA 30339
- 500 Brookhaven Ave, Atlanta, GA 30319
- 6350 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328
Costco has some of the best prices on glasses for those without insurance. They also accept most insurance plans.
There Optical departments have a wide range of contact lenses, brand-name designer frames and sunglasses and offers the latest technology in high-definition lenses.
How Much Does An Eye Exam Cost At Costco?
An eye exam costs anywhere between $65 to $100 at Costco without insurance. The pricing depends on if you suffer from an eye condition or even if your eyes need to be dilated.
Sam’s Club
- 2901 Clairmont Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329 | (404) 325-4000
- 3450 Steve Reynolds Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096
- 1765 Jonesboro Rd, McDonough, GA 30253
- 9464 Main St, Woodstock, GA 30188
- 150 Cobb Pkwy S, Marietta, GA 30060
Sam’s Club’s Optical Center is known for being upfront with their prices. They also feature the Member’s Mark line of eyewear, starting at $79 for a complete pair. They have some decent options, too.
How Much Is An Eye Exam At Sam’s Club?
You can get an eye exam with the in-store optometrist at Sam’s Club starting at $50. The cost of an eye exam will vary though, based on your particular needs.
For example, if you have a stigmatism, you can expect to pay close to $70. Find a Sam’s Club near you to schedule an eye exam.
Walmart
- 1801 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
- 1871 Chamblee Tucker Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
- 3580 Memorial Dr, Decatur, GA 30032
- 2427 Gresham Rd S E, Atlanta, GA 30316
- 1030 Delta Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354
- 844 Cleveland Ave, East Point, GA 30344
- 835 M.L.K. Jr Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30314
- 1105 Research Center Drive Atlanta SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
Walmart’s Vision & Glasses store makes it easy because they have so many locations. Just pop inside your local Walmart and many of them have eyeglass stores.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Walmart Vison & Glasses Center at Howell Mill: “Called and spoke with Alison Jenkins, she was extremely helpful and went out of her way to assist me and answer all my questions!”
Can You Get Glasses the Same Day at Walmart?
It will take three to seven days for prescription glasses to come in, according to Walmart.
For example, if you order glasses on a Monday, you can expect them to be ready anywhere from Thursday to the following Monday (you might as well not count the weekend).
How Much Is an Eye Exam at Walmart?
A basic exam starts at $79. For contact lens exam, it will be around $139.
America’s Best
- 1801 Howell Mill Rd NW Suite 510, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 355-5655
- 4745 Ashford Dunwoody Rd Suite E, Atlanta, GA 30338 | (470) 769-7146
- 3730 Carmia Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 | (404) 344-4136
- 4731 Jonesboro Rd Suite 190, Atlanta, GA 30291 | 678) 489-9147
- 3934 N Druid Hills Rd NE Suite A, Decatur, GA 30033 | (404) 325-5300
America’s Best has an extensive collection of eyeglasses and operates with assembly line efficiency. Because of that, you may find it difficult to get the unique attention you deserve.
Here’s what one reviewer says about America’s Best at Howell Mill: “I had a good experience I arrived early and was taken the exam was quick and they had all the frames that I looked online in stock. So many choices but Ms Brittani was a great help and very pleasant and helpful.”
Do You Get Your Glasses The Same Day At America’s Best?
America’s Best allows for glasses to be ready in seven to 10 business days, the retailer says.
What Types Of Insurance Does America’s Best Accept?
America’s Best accepts most insurance, including the following:
- Community Eye Care
- Davis Vision
- EyeMed
- Humana
- Heritage
- MetLife
- NVA
- UnitedHealthcare
Lenscrafters
- 3393 Peachtree Rd NE Ste B128, Atlanta, GA 30326 | (404) 239-0784
- 2370 N Druid Hills Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 | (404) 321-2020
- 2860 Cumberland Mall Ste 1440, Atlanta, GA 30339 | (770) 434-9788
- 3600 Marketplace Blvd, East Point, GA 30344 | (404) 346-2020
- 4800 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345 | (770) 493-6553
- 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE Ste 1280, Atlanta, GA 30346 | (770) 395-6717
Lenscrafters has a wide array of different frames and lens that make it a top place to get eyeglasses in Atlanta. Like many Lenscrafters locations, if you have a basic problem with your frames, they will try to fix them for free.
Most Lenscrafters also offer on-site exams, which is very convenient.
How Much Does An Eye Exam Cost At Lenscrafters?
If you don’t have insurance, you can expect to pay about $70 to $90 at Lenscrafters. If you have insurance, expect about a %10-15% discount off that price range.
Versace Women’s VE3175 Eyeglasses
Buy
If you know your size, you actually shop for eyeglasses online. Here are our favorites:
- Gucci GG0004O, Plastic Square Eyeglasses, GG 0004O, 53mm
- Michael Kors MK 4058 3050 Caracas Crystal Clear Rectangle Eyeglasses 54mm
- Tommy Hilfiger 1282 Eyeglasses Color 0FMW 00
- Versace Women’s VE1175B Eyeglasses 53mm
Final Word
The eyeglass store is one of the places that you don’t really think about until you need to see!
Finding the right eyeglasses for you will take time, money and most of all patience. There are a lot of choices out there so take your time. For the cheapest prices, try online.
And don’t get caught up with the type of vision insurance you have or don’t have. If you have insurance, eyeglasses aren’t really “insured.” What you get with a policy at best is a discount.
More than the best eyeglass stores, we’ve got some merchandise you might be interested in. Have a look….
Looking to shop? Check out the best malls in Atlanta
Along with the wonderful things to eat and do in Atlanta, there are also so awesome places to shop.
In addition to malls, many Atlanta boutiques and consignment shops have daily deals so that you can save money.
Atlanta’s retail scene continues to be a bright spot for the local economy — and that means more sales for everyone!
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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Comcast recently announced that it will provide $110,000 in grants to two Atlanta nonprofits – Raising Expectations and Inspiredu – to support the launch of Connect 404, a Digital Navigator program.
Through Connect 404, the organizations are partnering to hire trusted community members (known as digital navigators) to help residents get connected to the internet and access digital skills training programs to advance digital equity for Georgians.
A recent research report by the National Skills Coalition, titled Closing the Digital Skills Divide, analyzed 43 million online job ads and found virtually all of today’s jobs require digital skills including those roles seeking limited education or work experience.
The report showed that those who qualify for jobs that require even one digital skill can earn an average of 23 percent more than those working in jobs requiring no digital skills — an increase of $8,000 per year for an individual full-time worker.
The findings also pointed to four key industries in Georgia that are seeking employees with the following digital skills:
- Finance and insurance: Mobile banking; information security; structured query language; nationwide mortgage licensing system
- Healthcare: Electronic medical records; radiologic technology
- Manufacturing: Enterprise resource planning software; robotics; computer numerical control; programmable logic controller
- Retail: Sales after service retail analytics and consumer goods software; robotics; credit card applications
“We are incredibly grateful to Comcast for their generous donation to our Connect 404 Digital Navigators program,” said Richard Hicks, CEO of Inspiredu. “Comcast has been a great partner in helping to bridge the digital divide here in Atlanta, and we are proud to support their mission.”
In addition to receiving digital navigation services, Atlanta residents who qualify may apply for the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides families with a $30 per month benefit ($75 per month on Tribal lands) toward their Internet bill. Comcast is making ACP credits available for all of the company’s Xfinity Internet speed tiers, including Internet Essentials.
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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It’s fall weather outside, and the North Georgia mountains are calling your name. Not only are there plenty of activities to choose from, but there are upscale cabins you can rent for any occasion.
This article will tell you the steps you need to take so that your lodging can be a success.
We’ve also included customer reviews so that you can get a sense of the cabin experience in real-time from those who have rented there before.
Here Are The Best Georgia Cabins For Rent
If you love to check out the beautiful Georgia foliage, some of the best cities to rent a cabin in North Georgia are in Helen, Blue Ridge and Ellijay. All of those places are filled with natural beauty and a relatively short distance from Atlanta, Georgia.
Before we get started, let’s go over some amenities you be able to get when you rent a cabin:
- Hot tub
- Fireplace
- Balcony
- Hammock
- Deck
- Patio
- Upscale kitchen
- Game room
- Sauna
Now let’s look at some beautiful cabins for rent in Helen, Georgia.
Georgia Mountain Rentals
Here’s what one reviewer says about Georgia Mountain Rentals. “My husband and I stayed in ‘Alone at Last’ for a much needed getaway from the daily grind of everyday life. This was our first trip alone together in 7 years, so we were looking for privacy. That is just what we got! There were some other cabins nearby, but nothing encroaching. The hot tub was great for melting away our stress and relaxing. The cabin was cozy and secluded. It was clean upon arrival. The bed was very comfortable as well. The cabin was just 3 miles outside of Helen.We really enjoyed our stay and will happily stay with Georgia Mountain Rentals again if we visit north Georgia in the future. Their customer service was friendly and professional. They made a courtesy call about an hour before check-in and left detailed instructions for check-out via the app and email.”Creek Lodge and Cabins
Here’s what one reviewer says about Creek Lodge and Cabins in Helen, Georgia. ”
Talk about an amazing time! We are in the process of wedding planning and decided to check out the tree house at Bear Creek Lodge and Cabins. Pam and Earl are such wonderful hosts. We felt like we were among friends and family. I have terrible social anxiety and I felt completely grounded and at home. … I could have spent my entire time at the cabin and I would have been perfectly happy. The river and things to do in Helen are an added bonus.”Blue Ridge Cabins
About one hour to the northwest from Helen is Blue Ridge, Georgia.Georgia Mountain Rentals
Here’s what one customer says about Escape to Blue Ridge: “We had a wonderful time. The cabin has everything you need to make that happen except food and drink. We slept great, it is pet friendly which made it really nice. Great getaway to the mountains we saw deer and listened to the babbling creek below.”
Morning Breeze Cabin Rentals
950 Appalachian Hwy, Blue Ridge, GA 30513| (888) 875-5669
Here’s what one reviewer says about Morning Breeze Cabin Rentals. “What an incredible experience! The place was immaculate and furnished beautifully. Everything was perfect. The long range views of the mountains were stunning. We can’t say enough positive things about this cabin. Thank you. We’re already booking our next two stays. These are pictures that I took with my iPhone, but they don’t do justice to what it looked like in person.”Neveah Cabin Rentals
2401 E 1st St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 | (706) 258-2460
Here’s what one reviewer says about Neveah Cabin Rentals. “We had an absolutely amazing experience in the cabin on Crockett mountain. The cabin has everything you need! Inside and out. Comfortable and spacious. The instructions and information from the wonderful ladies in the office was great. Everything went smooth and easy. Can’t wait to return. Thank you Nevaeh Cabins for a stay we will never forget.”Ellijay Cabins
Fifteen minutes southwest from Blue Ridge to Ellijay, which is just as beautiful. Here are the best cabins in Ellijay.Dragonfly Dreams Luxury Cabin Rentals
165 Trails End Summit, Ellijay, GA 30540 | (866) 931-8224
Here’s what one customer says about Dragonfly Dreams Luxury Cabin Rentals. “Peggy and Darrell are the most attentive property managers. We have stayed at so many properties and the level of luxury offerings at these cabins amazes me. If your looking for luxury amenities and top notch stays you need to check out their list of cabins. This is a personal small boutique company that offers only the best!”
Forest Cabins of Ellijay
151 Azalea Dr, Ellijay, GA 30536 | (706) 273-0156
Here’s what one customer says about Forest Cabins of Ellijay: “Highly recommend the small cabin for a couples getaway. Very clean. Gorgeous view of the creek from the back deck. Owners are great and very down to earth.”
Mountain Oasis Cabin Rentals
14224 Highway 515 N, Unit 200, Ellijay, GA 30536 | (706) 276-4343
Here’s what one reviewer says about Mountain Oasis Cabin Rentals: “We stayed in Mountain Memories and it was amazing. They thought of everything, great for families, house was better than pictures, kitchen was well stocked, loved the hot tub and pool table and fire pit, lots of towels, even separate ones for hot tub. Tons of room, could easily sleep 12 people or more than one family. Home was really clean and well stocked, you literally just need to bring food. There was a bundle of wood left for fire pit and 2 propane tanks for grilling. Porches are amazing with rockers and swings, will definitely stay again. Driveway is easy and accessible not steep and check in was a breeze. Staff responded immediately when I reached out to extend our stay. 5 stars for sure!”
Final Word
A vacation in North Georgia is one of the most relaxing experiences you can have. Among the activities you’ll enjoy include whitewater rafting, picking fresh apples and other things.
For the more adventurous, you can go fishing or even hunting in the mountains.
There are so many cool things to do in Georgia and in Atlanta in particular. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:
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ONE Musicfest is returning to Atlanta this fall. The annual festival has a packed musical lineup for its 2023 festival and it promises to rock the crowd.
The two-day music festival slated for Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29 at Piedmont Park in Atlanta will feature a who’s who among music greats.
The ONE Musicfest lineup so far is Bryson Tiller, Tems, Kodak Black and dozens more.
ONE Musicfest 2023 Music Lineup: Who Is Performing?
Here is a list of the artists set to perform at the 2022 One Musicfest:
- Bryson Tiller
- Tems
- Kodak Black
- Coi LeRay
- Lil Kim
- Key Glock
- The Dream
- Smino
- Chief Keef
- Fabolous
- Jadakiss
- Coca Jones
- Tink
- Boosie
- El DeBarge
- Durand Bernarr
- Danielle Ponder
- LiBianca
- Jozzy
- Ben Reilly
- oksurf
- Nelly
- KRS-One
- Killer Mike
- Eightball & MJG
- DJ Quick and more
Billed as one of the nation’s “Can’t Miss Festivals,” ONE Musicfest is in its 13th year with a first-ever weekend of high-energy performances and unique cultural experiences. More than 20,000 people attended three years ago before COVID. Even more people are expected this year.
How Much Does ONE Musicfest Cost?
ONE Musicfest has a tiered price plan. The prices below do not include taxes and fees.
- 2-day admission — $169
- 2-day VIP — $525
- 2-day platinum — $1095
- 2-day titanium — $6,536
How To Get Tickets
Get a 2-day pass. You can also purchase your tickets today at ONEMusicfest.com.
* Festival lineup is subject to change.
Before You Go
Before you go to One Musicfest or any festivals, you need to remember to prepare yourself for the outdoors. Remember to take:
- Your bug spray
- Blankets and foldable chairs (where applicable)
- Bottled water (if you can)
Want to see more Atlanta festivals? Check out our Atlanta Festival Guide.
There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
Read more AtlantaFi.com stories: -
Face creams can make for an excellent skin care routine, but as with anything, they’re all not created equal. The best face moisturizers feel good on your face and can be cleaned up without a mess.
In this article, I’m going to show you some of the best face creams on the market. No matter what age you are, taking care of your skin with the very best women’s products is a necessary regimen if you want to look your best.
What Are the Best Face Creams for Aging Skin?
You can order these face creams for the internet for fast delivery and very little hassle.
L’Oreal Paris Skincare Collagen Face Moisturizer
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Face Cream
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm
Olay Regenerist Mineral Sunscreen Face Moisturizer
Pond’s Dark Spot Corrector Clarant B3
Eucerin Q10 Anti Wrinkle Face Cream Bundle
Final Word
The Atlanta beauty industry is one of the largest in the Southeast, and you can bet that a large part of that involves the skin care segment.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a grooming regimen. Yes, you can do it yourself. All you need are some quality shears and some high-performance clippers to get the job done. Check out our Beauty Page for other ways to get shaped up.
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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis continues to secure the guilty pleas in her election case against President Donald Trump and 19 other co-defendants. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, Fulton County officials announced that Jenna Ellis, a former attorney for Trump, has agreed to plead guilty before trial.
What Did Jenna Ellis Plead Guilty To?
Ellis will plead guilty to one count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings.
As with all the co-defendants in the trial related to the 2020 election, Ellis was charged with violating the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and soliciting the violation of oath by a public officer.
Although the particulars remain to be seen, Ellis’s guilty verdict likely means that she will be cooperating with Fulton prosecutors to build bigger and more substantial cases against Trump and Rudy Giuliani.
How Many Trump Co-Defendants Have Pleaded Guilty?
So far, four guilty pleas in the Fulton County election interference case.
- Scott Hall
- Sidney Powell
- Kenneth Chesebro
- Jenna Ellis
Willis is the first prosecutor to bring charges against Trump related to the 2020 election, but she won’t be the last. New York’s Attorney General has also gearing up to indict the former president.
Since announcing the indictments in August, Willis has been the target of racist threats and verbal attacks.
In early September, Willis wrote a scathing letter to Ohio Congress Jim Jordan, a Republican that has attempted to derail her investigation.
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Georgia’s most notorious body of water continues to live up to its reputation this year. Another man has died on Lake Lanier, according to state officials.
The unfortunate accident happened early Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, after a man disappeared after jumping off a jet ski into Lake Lanier, according to Hall County officials. The man’s girlfriend said he jumped off to swim back to shore but never re-emerged after plunging into the water.
Rescue workers with Gwinnett County Fire, Hall County Fire, and volunteer drivers looked for him on Saturday and we’re joined by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (workers on Sunday, but they all came up empty.
The body of Walter Guardado, 37, was retrieved from the waters on Monday afternoon, state officials confirmed.
Guardado was a father of two children, according to media reports.
Final Word
Read about the history of Lake Lanier.
Today, Lake Lanier covers the area where Oscarville and several other communities once stood. Although the town itself is now submerged, efforts have been made to preserve and commemorate its history, including the establishment of the Oscarville Historic District, which recognizes the significance of the town and its impact on the local area.
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ne of the most popular fast-food chains is giving out freebies to its most loyal customers.
Till the end of the year, McDonald’s is making Friday your “free fry” day.
The eatery is offering customers free Medium Fries every Friday for those who download and order from the McDonald’s app, making a minimum purchase of $1.
How Long Can I Get Free Fries At McDonald’s?
You can get free fries at McDonald’s until Dec. 31, which is when the deal expires.
BEFORE YOU GO, take a look at all the top deals happening on our Retail Page. Don’t pay full price for things when you can get GREAT VALUE on items for low prices. Don’t want to miss a deal? Sign up for our #ATLHaps list HERE🙂
Looking to shop? Check out the best malls in Atlanta
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, take a look at all the top deals on our Clothes Page, there are PLENTY of good deals that you don’t want to miss! Subscribe to our #ATLHaps Newsletter HERE and get the deals delivered to your inbox 🙂
Along with the wonderful things to eat and do in Atlanta, there are also so awesome places to shop.
In addition to malls, many Atlanta boutiques and consignment shops have daily deals so that you can save money.
Atlanta’s retail scene continues to be a bright spot for the local economy — and that means more sales for everyone!
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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The Black Film Festival Atlanta is set to take over the city from October 2024. The event will screen more than 80 films and will include workshops, panels and more.
For all five days, attendees will be able to explore a number of diverse movie projects from filmmakers around the diaspora. The event is one of the best festivals in Atlanta.
Black Film Festival Atlanta: Everything you need to know
Each day of the Black Film Festival Atlanta is loaded with film screenings, filmmaker workshops and fun.
The Black Film Festival Atlanta will be held at 2365 Pleasantdale Rd, Atlanta 30340 . The event will also pickup at the Creatives Rental Space at 1483 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Suite 110 Atlanta, GA 30318.
Here is what’s planned each day of the festival:
Tuesday schedule for Black Film Festival Atlanta: Oct. 24
5 PM tuesday
00:17:25 Everthying Matters Lynaia Jordan
00:03:50 From the Ledge James Jones
00:12:20 Careying Devinaire Barnes
00:08:10 Finding Inspiration Andrew Smith
6 PM tuesday
00:03:52 Raped Julious Fletcher
00:07:25 The Callback Akorede Ajibade
00:07:08 Living In the Dark:
A Story About Domestic Violence Tiffany Stennett
00:06:39 The Last Taste James Winborn, D’Ondre Burton
Wednesday schedule for Atlanta film Festival: Oct. 25
11:30 AM wednesday
00:20:40 A Beautiful Surprise Christophe Moore
00:16:13 The Christians Shaun Mathis
00:12:22 Clarity KiAnna Nycole
00:12:18 False Alarm Anthony Hudson, Cierra
00:06:24 Stronghold Steve D. Darrell
12:50 PM Wednesday
WEDNESDAY DOC BLOCK
00:41:04 The Unprincipled Deirdre Gilbert
00:59:56 Because Of You Anthony Goodson
Thursday schedule for Atlanta film Festival: Oct. 26
Creatives Rental Space
1483 Chattahoochie Ave, NW
suite 110, Atlanta GA
11:30 AM thursday
00:06:35 Recall Elijah Nathaniel Willis
00:15:39 Only If… Andras Ausar
00:14:14 Fear Thy Father Daquan Chavers
00:15:00 Girls Night Out Eddrick Travares Hodges
00:40:11 KNOCK Robert Lewis Dean III
Friday schedule for Atlanta film Festival: Oct. 27
Creatives Rental Space
1483 Chattahoochie Ave, NW Suite 110, Atlanta GA
11:30 AM Friday
00:14:31 Letters of Lake Pontchartrain Ariel Martin
00:20:39 Call Me Zaddy: The Next Chapter Sonya Welch
00:15:00 What’s Next Victoria VA Jones
00:25:00 All The Red Flags Caleb Suggs
00:12:12 You’ve Matched Justin Poage
00:09:14 First Date Victoria Jones
00:17:41 Unequally Yoked Yahya McClain
Saturday schedule for Atlanta film Festival: Oct. 28
Creatives Rental Space
1483 Chattahoochie Ave, NW
suite 110, Atlanta GA
12 NOON saturday
00:32:14 The Light Antwon Willis
00:11:05 The Fighter The Demon The Waterfall Rodney Williams
00:24:06 Lotus Samuel Lee Fudge
00:09:32 Shape the Culture Through Our Vote Jordyn O. Hudson, Bruce L. Nix
00:45:14 Surviving Matters Lawrence Terrill
2:45 saturday
00:20:51 Reconciliation Daylon Johnson
01:23:00 Witnessed Dominic Goodie
Final Word
Black film is more important than ever when you look at the choices for representation we see on the big and small screen.
With more than 900 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.Want to work in Georgia film & TV? Here are the latest Atlanta casting calls
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The union and unfortunate breakup of movie star and recording artist Tyrese Gibson and Samantha Lee has become an Atlanta story pulled from the tabloids and social media.
Gibson, who is an Atlanta celebrity only part-time (he spends the winters in Los Angeles), knows a thing or two about heartache as an R&B crooner.
Tyrese and Samantha: A Match Made In Georgia
This article will explore all we know about Tyrese and Samantha’s relationship. While the couple reportedly met through a mutual friend, what we now about their marriage is that it was short-lived.
Lee filed for divorce from Gibson, a six-time Grammy nominee, in September 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gibson has gone on record as saying that he has no idea why his wife left him. In various interviews, he details that his wife told him that she was exiting the marriage when he flew home from shooting a video in New Jersey. They had a confrontation outside his Atlanta mansion.
A few years ago, Gibson moved into a French Chateau–style mansion complete with a Bumblebee replica in the main room. The home has been a writing incubator for his many love songs and film projects since that time.
Inside Tyrese Gibson's Atlanta mansion. https://t.co/0lUPspN89m pic.twitter.com/8FeXypBXRC
— ATLHAPS (@atlhaps) October 20, 2023Who Is Tyrese Gibson?
Tyrese Gibson is an American actor and R&B singer best known for his hits “Sweet Lady” and “How You Gonna Act Like That.”
To Generation Z fans, he’s likely most known for his role in the Fast & Furious films, as well as his appearances in the Transformers movies.
Gibson came to fame after appearing in a Coca-Cola commercial in 1994. He was 16 years old and was two hours late for the audition, but he nailed it. Looking back on it, he sees it as divine providence.
“After I did the Coke commercial, and I was singing on the bus, that confirmed that maybe this singing thing is for me. I had to figure out what God had in mind,” he said in the R&B Money podcast.
From that point, he launched a music career and produced several albums.
In 2007, Gibson married Norma Mitchell. In 2009, with the marriage on the outs, the couple began a five-year custody battle.
At some point, and it is not clear when, he met Samantha through a mutual friend and moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta.
Who Is Samantha Lee?
Samantha Lee, aka, Samantha Schwalenberg, is a clinical social worker who graduated from the University of Georgia and settled in Athens after getting her master’s degree in psychology in 2012.
In addition to an accomplished career in academia, Samantha, who is originally from New Jersey, also participated in the Miss Latin UGA pageant while in school.
In 2014, Samantha also earned a bartending certificate, which means she’s a mixologist as well. Can you say, “well rounded?”
At some point, Samantha began working for the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. and spending her time posting social media videos about social topics affecting children.
Gibson said that when he met Samantha sat the time she was a “simple” person whom Gibson met in a “$12 sun dress,” he said.
When Did Tyrese And Samantha Get Married?
Tyrese and Samantha got married on Valentine’s Day in 2017. The singer announced his wedding on Instagram with the following caption:
“We’re so grateful and humbled by your outpouring of love! We appreciate all of the prayers and well wishes…. Life’s a trip…. Cause sometimes when you pray you get #exactly what your heart desires…….I got #MyBlackQueen I didn’t just marry her I married my daughters new example.”
The message was met with jeers from a lot of Gibson’s fans, who had an issue with him calling her his “Black Queen” when in fact Samantha is of Afro Latina heritage.
Why Did Tyrese and Samantha Get Divorced?
Gibson has said that he was stunned when his wife asked for a divorce and he still is unclear about exactly what he did to make her leave.
In a video about the incident, he says that Samantha displayed “narcissistic sociopathic behavior,” when they met with each other outside his suburban Atlanta mansion after he arrived from New Jersey after a video shoot.
“I said, ‘Alright, babe. Let’s go home,’ and she said, ‘I’m not coming home. I don’t live there anymore’,” Tyrese recounted. “She said, ‘I took all my stuff out of the house.'” When he asked her where she put her belongings, she told him, “That doesn’t matter,” and took the baby.
He has continued to share that he feels bamboozled by Samantha and feels that she faked much of her persona in their early days.
Since the divorce, Samantha has been very vocal on social media about relationship issues, including flaws in both men and women.
Meanwhile, Gibson has moved on with a new love of his life, a woman who goes by the name Zelie Timothy on Instagram, where she is an influencer and model. Gibson said that he hopes to marry Zelie soon.
How Long Has Tyrese Been With Zelie?
Gibson has been with Zelie for more than two years now. The couple went public with their relationship in March 2021.
Gibson and Zelie had a viral moment in 2022 when she said in a video that when they met it was not love at first sight.
“He wasn’t my type at all,” she said laughingly. “My type is Paul Walker,” as Tyrese looked shocked and said, “Don’t touch me.”
“Even when I met him, I was like, ‘Eh, he’s kinda old.’ I just like his smile,” Zelie said, with Tyrese looking on. “His personality was OK, but he didn’t understand the Instagram model thing. He would always talk down on Instagram models.”
Inside The Tyrese-Samantha Divorce
Despite having an ironclad pre-nuptial agreement, Gibson has said that Samantha has hired three attorneys in an attempt to breach the accord and get millions of his dollars.
He has also said that he has spent nearly $1 million in court fees on the divorce proceedings already — of course, that’s his side.
On the other side, Samantha hasn’t said much about the divorce — until recently.
Samantha Opens Up About Divorce From Tyrese
In a podcast, she admits that, “If I had different people in my ear, I would not have made that decision. No,” she said.
While falling just short of regret, it’s clear that Samantha feels like she didn’t have the support from her circle that she needed to remain in a good head space during the pandemic.
“Because you don’t have a certain person in your life to check you to say, ‘Sis, what about these strengths? What about what he’s not doing?’ Those types of things. That can get you thinking about the positive aspects of this person, that you may not be thinking about when you’re upset.”
Final Word
Gibson has been going to the legal system quite often of late. In August 2023, he filed a $450 million lawsuit against Home Depot alleging racial discrimination during an incident that took place in its Buckhead store.
The incident happened when Gibson’s two workers were disrespected by a Home Depot employee. “I tried to get them to fix it over the phone … We tried to handle everything privately off the record. They showed no respect with the lawyers … so, yeah, it’s that,” he said.
The Tyrese-Samantha divorce drags on, but the singer is determined to protect his reputation and his money. He also has released a pretty good R&B album to channel his pain.
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