Fans of Rihanna and Jim Parsons lined the parking lot of the Cinemark West Theater in Plano Tuesday night, to catch a glimpse of the stars as they walked the red carpet for a “hometown” premiere of Home, the new animated film from DreamWorks that hits theaters on March 27.
Why Plano? Three words: Minnie’s Food Pantry. Founder Cheryl “Action” Jackson won the screening in a “Bring Home to Your Hometown” contest on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Jackson’s story — she founded the Plano-based nonprofit in 2008 using food from her own kitchen — caught the judges’ attention, and she was eventually crowned the winner on GMA on March 13. Jackson walked the red carpet with her family and, of course, her mother Minnie, the food pantry’s namesake.
Although Parsons and Rihanna whisked past most on the red carpet, they did serve at the food pantry, for which we give them a few bonus points. DreamWorks donated an amount said to feed 25,000 people.
While everyone was straining to see those other celebs, we chatted with Home director Tim Johnson, who just beamed about his latest project. When we asked him how actors are chosen for these kinds of roles, Johnson said, “The music of their [Jim Parsons’ and Rihanna’s] voices” is perfect for animation.
He also said that because Plano is such a great family town, he couldn’t dream up a more perfect place for this premiere.
Smart man, that Johnson.
Other local celebrities spotted in the crowd included Tony Romo, Pat Smith and Michael Finley. Smith was the envy of every onlooker as she hugged, chatted and snapped for pics with RiRi.
"It's great to get out of Los Angeles," said Home director Tim Johnson.
Crystal Charity Ball 2024 chairman Cheryl Joyner and Richard Joyner.
Photo by Ashley Gongora
