New Orleans to debut fleur-de-lis version of Hollywood Walk of Fame
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Tyler Perry was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. The New Orleans native will be added to the NOLA Walk of Fame too. Photo: Penske Media via Getty Images
Hollywood South is getting its own star-studded Walk of Fame.
Why it matters: It's the first major initiative from Percy "Master P" Miller, New Orleans' new entertainment ambassador.
The big picture: The NOLA Walk of Fame will embed fleur-de-lis plaques in the sidewalk on Canal Street to recognize the city's most influential figures, according to a press release from the city.
- The initial 50 honorees include musician Lil Wayne, restaurateur Al Copeland, football legend Archie Manning, bounce queen Big Freedia, politician Cedric Richmond and Saints/Pelicans owner Gayle Benson.
- The project also calls for the creation of a museum "offering a deeper insight into the city's cultural heritage."
- Plus, the group behind the project is creating a classroom curriculum and documentary series that will highlight each honoree, the project's website says.
How it works: A new nonprofit called NOLA Walk of Fame is spearheading the efforts with Miller and the Chamber of Commerce.
- Operation Restoration is leading the charge on fundraising the estimated $6.5 million needed for the project, writes Anthony McAuley with The Times-Picayune. The group already has a quarter of the money from grants and donors.
- It wasn't immediately clear if honorees will pay for their plaque, similar to how it works for the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars.
- The Hollywood group charges a $75,000 fee for each star, its website says, and has more than 2,700 honorees.
Between the lines: The city's Office of Cultural Economy is part of the project's committee.
- The city didn't respond to a request for comment about whether it is financially involved in the project.
Zoom in: Brandan "BMIKE" Odums created the fleur-de-lis design, the nonprofit says.
- It features a colorful background of mosaic tile surrounded by grayscale tiles.
- The honoree's name is at the bottom of the plaque, along with a message from the partner organizations, renderings show.
What's next: The first plaque will be installed before Christmas outside Saks Fifth Avenue, The Times-Picayune reports.
- The rest will be added along Canal Street before New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl in February 2025.
Go deeper for the full list of inductees and their bios