Gwyneth Paltrow's "Country Strong" Filmed in Nashville - a Local Perspective

Recently, I had the unusual opportunity to be an extra in the new Gwyneth Paltrow movie, "Country Strong." At the time we were filming, the movie was being called "Love Don't Let Me Down," and much of the movie was filmed in and around my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. In fact, large banner signs of the Kelly Canter, Gwyneth Paltrow's character, were on display in front of the Tennessee Performing Artists Center (TPAC) and hanging from a building on the corner of 6th Ave. South.

Needless to say, having a celebrity of Gwyneth Paltrow's caliber in town made "Country Strong" the center of quite a bit of local attention. Nashville was interested in Gwyneth Paltrow, and it turns out, Gwyneth Paltrow was interested in Nashville.

Paltrow reported in her Goop newsletter that she "researched, ate, drank, tried, and asked my way around the city 'til I found the best spots it has to offer," commenting on Nashville's warm people, good music, and fried chicken. Paltrow providing a long list of some of her favorite Nashville hangouts including popular tourist attractions like the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry as well as lesser-known haunts such as Tim McGraw's recommendation, Swett's, and one of my personal favorite spots to eat, the Loveless Café.

There were reports of some diva-like behavior involving a large entourage and alleged renovations to her luxury Nashville penthouse during Paltrow's four-week stay, but Paltrow's reps denied the rumors, and in Nashville, we didn't hear any negative reports. In fact, it was pretty much the opposite.

Nashville resident Amber Barnes was in the audience for the concert taping at the Municipal Auditorium and had this to say about Paltrow. "At the taping of 'Country Strong' Gwyneth Paltrow showed herself to be very kind and thoughtful. Paltrow often stopped what she was doing to talk to or answer fans and thanked everyone for being there to help with the taping."

One of my own scenes with Gwyneth Paltrow was also filmed at the Municipal Auditorium and involved her character Kelly Canter standing on the stage in front of a cheering audience and then walking off. Paltrow was luminous in a full-length sequined gown, but although she sings in the movie and on the soundtrack, for this scene, she didn't sing. As for my role--I was a dot in the audience cheering her on, but I can still say I have been in a movie with Gwyneth Paltrow!

The second scene I was in was filmed one cold morning in Downtown Nashville where a couple of hundred extras lined 6th Ave. South across from The Musicians Hall of Fame holding Kelly Canter signs, waving flags, and cheering as the Kelly Canter bus pulled in. Like all movie scenes, this one was filmed over and over, and between shots we all huddled around large heaters. Even being in a movie with Gwyneth Paltrow couldn't keep us warm that morning.

I was in the background of another "Country Strong" scene with Paltrow's co-stars Tim McGraw and Garrett Hedlund which was shot one frigid night in front of TPAC, but Paltrow was not in that particular scene.

Recently Gwyneth Paltrow returned to Nashville for the "Country Strong" world premiere which was attended by movie stars and country music stars including: Tobey Maguire, James Marsden, Tim McGraw, Leighton Meester, Faith Hill, Kicks Brooks, Luke Bryan and many others. Paltrow looked stylish in her little black dress with its daring mesh cutouts across the bodice and was charming to the fans and movie extras lining the sidewalk in front of the theater, stopping frequently to pose for photos and to sign autographs.

Although today's movie fans may know her best as Pepper Potts in the "Iron Man" movies, to many Nashville residents Gwyneth Paltrow will always be remembered as Kelly Canter, country-music singer. "Country Strong" is scheduled to open in Nashville and Los Angeles on December 22, and nationwide on January 7, 2011.

More From This Contributor:
Profile: Garrett Hedlund
Profile: Gwyneth Paltrow

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