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Famous people from Fort Worth, Texas

They say Ginger did everything Fred did, but backwards + in high heels | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

They say Ginger did everything Fred did, but backwards + in high heels | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

These famous Fort Worthians call our corner of Texas home:

Ginger Rogers with husband Jacques Bergerac in the 1950s | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Ginger Rogers with husband Jacques Bergerac in the 1950s | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Ginger Rogers

Actress + dancer Ginger Rogers moved to Fort Worth when she was nine years old. She once won a Charleston contest in Dallas (think you could do that?). A major star, Ginger was often the dancing partner of Fred Astaire in films — here’s one of their iconic dance scenes in Swing Time. Take a peek at Ginger’s childhood home.

Kelly, our life would suck without you | Photo via Getty Images

Kelly, our life would suck without you | Photo via Getty Images

Kelly Clarkson

American Idol winner, recording artist, talk show host, and all-around-extraordinaire Kelly Clarkson was born in Fort Worth and grew up in Burleson. The year Kelly entered and won American Idol, she was a Red Bull promoter, handing out drinks at Joe Pool Lake. Kelly’s latest claim to fame — as a coach on this past season of The Voice, Team Kelly won with group Girl Named Tom.

Bonus — Here’s Editor Sarah’s favorite Kelly Clarkson song (though there were too many to choose from).

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Leon still lives in Fort Worth | Photo by Daniel Cavazos via CultureMap Fort Worth

Leon Bridges

GRAMMY award-winning artist Leon Bridges is a Fort Worthian through and through — born and raised here, as a young adult he worked at Rosa’s Café for seven years and went to Tarrant County College before dropping out. Leon just named his favorite spots around the city in an interview with Coveteur, so you can now dine + shop where the important people go. Plus, the magazine’s photoshoot was taken around Leon’s house in Fort Worth.

Bonus — Here’s Editor Rebecca’s favorite Leon Bridges song.

Leighton Meester was born in Fort Worth | Photo via Getty Images

Leighton Meester was born in Fort Worth | Photo via Getty Images

Leighton Meester

Also from Fort Worth is Blair Waldorf — we mean, Leighton Meester. While the actress + singer was born here, she spent her childhood in Marco Island, Florida. Leighton’s standout role was as a wealthy east coaster in Gossip Girl from 2007-2012, though if you doubt her country roots, performances like these from Country Strong with Tim McGraw + Gwyneth Paltrow prove otherwise.

Some other famous Fort Worthians we love — Desperate Housewives actress Harriet Sansom Harris, pianist Van Cliburn, activist Opal Lee, and country music star Pat Green (who is performing at Billy Bob’s Texas on Fri., Jan. 21).

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