The Cast Of ‘The Oval’, ‘Zatima’ ‘All The Queens Men’, ‘Beyond The Gates’ & Other Celebs Sizzle CBS Atlanta Fest

Seen on the scene…

CBS Atlanta officially launched its brand-new local newsroom and the region’s first fully immersive AR/VR news studio with a star-studded celebration! The inaugural CBS Atlanta Fest gathered network talent from Beyond The Gates, Tyler Perry’s The Oval, Sistas, Ruthless, Zatima, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, and more—signaling a new era of local storytelling and national entertainment in the city.

Celebrating the Network’s New Chapter

BOSSIP’s very own, Lauryn Bass, was in the room for the red carpet–caught exclusive moments with some of CBS’s star power.

“I grew up here. I represent this city. I love the culture, I love the vibe,” said Jobina Fortson-Evans, CBS Atlanta’s new evening anchor, as she looked out over the city skyline during CBS Atlanta Fest. “It’s such an honor to do the news that actually represents what people want to see… To be the start of doing this [AR/VR set] is just beyond my wildest dreams.”

Fortson-Evans isn’t just talking about another news show. She’s debuting the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts inside the first fully immersive AR/VR local news studio in the Southeast, turning Atlanta’s headlines into a visual experience viewers can literally step inside.

Fortson-Evans also had a message for the next generation of journalists watching the news landscape shift under AI and social media.

“Be you, do you, and there will always be room for you,” she said. “Find stories that aren’t in press releases. Be active in your community… and if you’re not being respected where you are, that’s a sign to step elsewhere. CBS is dedicated to community journalism and really championing that.”

Stars Celebrate the Network’s New Chapter

On the carpet, Kron Moore of Tyler Perry’s The Oval soaked up the night in a red FOA look.

“It’s really exciting to be out for this new opportunity for CBS,” she told BOSSIP. “Study the art, study the craft. Have a love for the work, because it can’t just be about money or fame.”

Tamara Tunie graced the room so elegantly in a silver ensemble, representing the character she plays on Beyond the Gates. When asked what it’s like to portray a family matriarch, she answered:

“It feels great. I feel like I’m being my mother, who is my hero and my role model, who is truly the matriarch of our family. If I can honor her by representing her peer group and all the women of my age who are holding their families down and together, I’m so proud to do it.”

When asked about the cultural weight of starring in one of CBS’s first Black-led dramas in years, she explained:

“We really need opportunities for Black people to be in spaces where we’re looked at in a positive way. One of the reasons I said yes to doing this show is because it focuses on an affluent African American family. And our cast is very diverse—it’s not just a Black show. Everyone is represented, from Latina to Asian to LGBTQ. Our audience is pretty much 50/50 Black and white, which is fantastic because it’s a show about human beings, not just Black people. We’re able to insinuate Black culture and Black history and Black positiveness throughout the show and still be entertaining, edifying, and educational—while giving everybody a good time and some good old soap-opera drama.”

Tunie’s on-screen partner, Clifton Davis, also shared his experience on the show.

“It’s a thrill every day. Tamara is so gifted and so talented. I almost feel boring talking about it because I say it so often, but it’s so true. She’s a profoundly gifted performer.”

When asked why he believes Beyond the Gates resonates with audiences, Davis reflected:

“For me, doing this show is not a hit because it’s Black—it’s a hit because it’s good. It’s written well, it’s diverse, and we have other ethnicities in our cast and crew. We’ve got a family that works on Beyond the Gates that comes together, giving the best they’ve got to make it a successful show. From the writers to wardrobe to camera crew to sound and lights to actors, hair and makeup, everyone is doing their very best to make Beyond the Gates a great show.”

Sports representation was also in the building. Former WNBA star, Ty Young, shared what it meant to attend a night blending Atlanta sports and entertainment.

“It’s colliding with sports and entertainment here in Atlanta. It’s cool to see familiar faces in the sports space and the TV space and be a part of it.”

Actors were also circulating the building. Award-winning actor, Antoine Morgan, summed up the spirit of the night.

“This event brings so many people together—actors, sports figures, executives. I hope it gives more opportunity and a positive vibe about Atlanta, bringing all races and backgrounds together.”

Community Journalism Meets Cutting-Edge Tech

CBS leadership made it clear that this launch isn’t just about slick visuals.

“You told us you wanted less crime reporting. We’re not here to just report—we’re here to inform and uplift,” said Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Stations and CBS News and Stations Digital, after unveiling the VR setup to cheers.

Atlanta now joins New York and Los Angeles as only the third CBS market to deliver every newscast in full AR/VR. Vice president and news director Shawn Hoder called the new operation proof that “local journalism thrives when led by people who know and care about the community.”

A Rooftop Night of Magic

Held on the rooftop at Retreat by The Gathering Spot, the evening set a luxurious scene with skyline views and a constant flow of hospitality. Guests were greeted with rounds of drinks and refreshments as soon as they arrived and throughout the night.

Servers circulated signature hors d’oeuvres and desserts named after CBS shows—deviled eggs, chicken and waffles, and decadent treats like Daytime Decadence Cheesecake, Beyond the Gates Fairmont Crest Cobbler, The Young & the Restless Genoa City Ganache Truffles—alongside a creative drink menu that doubled as a CBS playlist.

Guests sipped on rose, champagne, and Rindin, or opted for themed cocktails such as The NCIS Crime Scene Spritz (Prosecco, Aperol, soda water), Seeing Ghosts (reposado, Campari, grapefruit), Matlock Martini, The Tracker, Watson, Where’s My Marg?, and The CBS Atlanta Augmentini with vodka, St. Germain, lemon juice, and a splash of Prosecco.

Interactive stations kept the crowd buzzing, from mini-golf/putt-putt and a custom iron-on hat patch station to VR experiences and a corner where guests could “rep their county.”

Rocking the CBS Blue Carpet

The blue carpet guest list spanned network executives, elected officials, and entertainment heavyweights.

Among those spotted:

• Jennifer Mitchell, CBS Stations president; Mike Benson, CBS chief marketing officer; Tom Canedo, president of CBS Atlanta; and on-air journalists Brian Unger, Sam Crenshaw, and Elita Fielder Adjei.
• Political leaders such as Sen. Raphael Warnock, State Rep. Park Cannon, and city officials, including Marci Collier Overstreet and Rev. Sean Smith.

Daytime and primetime talent from The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, Beyond the Gates, Ghosts, and NCIS, alongside BET and BET+ stars and athletes, including WNBA alum Ty Young, Angel McCoughtry, Takeo Spikes, and more.

With skyline views, next-level tech, and a roster of stars and civic leaders, CBS Atlanta Fest wasn’t just a party—it was a promise that Atlanta’s stories will be told with depth, innovation, and cultural fluency.

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