How Celebrities are Singing Detroit's Praises

Photos by Courtesy of Cafe D'Mongo's

Many Michigan-born celebrities never stop calling Detroit their home, even after they’ve made it to the bright lights of Hollywood.

What’s more, many celebrities who come here to film or just to visit fall in love with The D.

Ben Affleck and his wife Jennifer Garner spent their summer in The D while Affleck was shooting “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Last fall he told the Detroit Free Press’ Julie Hinds he loved Detroit and the city’s comeback spirit. Affleck created quite the buzz when he was spotted wearing a “Detroit City” T-shirt during his ice bucket challenge video.

Thanks to the generosity of Kid Rock, guests at the Detroit Historical Museum can immerse themselves in Motown’s rich musical history inside the interactive Kid Rock Music Lab paid for by funds from his foundation. He also lends his name to a true Detroit original with the “Badass Detroiter” at Buddy’s Pizza. This Detroit-style pie blends Kid Rock’s beer into the crust to create a rockin’ flavor. If you’ve been to Detroit, you may have seen Kid Rock’s brand, Made In Detroit, especially known for their T-shirts.

Michigan native Nicole Curtis and host of HGTV’s “Rehab Addict” prides herself on restoring the glory to Detroit’s hidden gems. Curtis, who owns a home in southwest Detroit, told Model D she wants to help break the stereotypes about the city. Follow her adventures and see her work her magic on some historic Detroit properties this season.

Eminem rounded up quite the crew of Detroit stars for his latest music video, “Detroit vs. Everybody.” Aside from highlighting The D through his lyrics, Em is known to give back to the city through his Marshall Mathers Foundation.

Actress Erin Cummings founded the Mittens for Detroit nonprofit in 2010 to collect, purchase and distribute new mittens and gloves to children and adults in the city of Detroit. This year for her fifth season, the star hopes to provide 20,000 pairs of mittens for Detroiters in need.

Two summers ago Ryan Gosling became quite the Motor City maven during production of his film “Lost River,” which will be released this April. The crew was spotted all around The D, and Gosling frequented many local establishments including the popular nightlife spot Café d’Mongo’s. The D was excited to welcome Gosling in 2011 when he filmed “The Ides of March” with George Clooney, and in 2013 when he directed “How to Catch a Monster.”

Jack White saved the day a few years back when the historic Masonic Temple was facing foreclosure. The rocker paid off the $142,000 in back taxes to keep the venue open. Jack’s mother was an usher at one of theaters, which has since been renamed in his honor.

Musical legend Sir Paul McCartney also could not resist the spirit of Motown. After visiting the Motown Museum following a concert in Detroit, he paid to have one of the museum’s grand pianos refurbished. Museum guests can now enjoy the Steinway played by Motown legends in its original glory.

Actor Hill Harper recently bought a house within Detroit city limits, and even bought Campus Martius coffee stop, Roasting Plant.

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