A controversy surrounding the Atlanta Hawks' planned March 16 tribute to Magic City has prompted strong responses from two prominent figures associated with the establishment, who argue that critics are judging the venue without understanding its place in Atlanta culture.
Gigi Maguire, a former performer at the establishment who now works as a businesswoman, producer, and podcast contributor, addressed criticism from San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, who characterized the Hawks promotion as disrespectful to women. Maguire contends that such criticism stems from unfamiliarity with the actual venue.
"He should see it for himself," Maguire stated. "I think that a lot of people that have a negative in their mind about strip are the ones that have never been. They see movies like 'Players Club' and 'Hustle & Flow,' and, you know, they see that the dancers are disrespected in media and they see the dancers are portrayed to have drug problems and stuff like that, and they think that's what it really is, and I'm here to tell you that it's not bad. It's not that at all."
Maguire emphasized that the Hawks tribute event will not feature explicit performances, questioning the intensity of the backlash. "It's not that deep. It's one night," she said. "Can adults have one night to celebrate something that is very important to the city of Atlanta?"
The former performer also accused Kornet of selective outrage, noting his silence regarding past allegations of misconduct by NBA players toward women.
Sonya Meadows, another notable former performer at the venue who now works as an author, offered a similar defense. Meadows, who performed under the stage name Platinum, characterized the establishment as entertainment comparable to other performance venues.
"We can't put a stigma on entertainment," Meadows stated, drawing a comparison to Cirque du Soleil as another form of performance art.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions between those who view Magic City as an integral part of Atlanta's cultural landscape and critics who question whether professional sports organizations should promote such establishments. The Hawks are scheduled to host the Orlando Magic on March 16, when the promotional event is planned to take place.
Both Maguire and Meadows have transitioned from performing to other professional endeavors, with Maguire contributing to Angela Yee's "Lip Service" podcast and Meadows pursuing writing. Their public statements represent an effort to reframe the conversation around the venue's role in Atlanta's entertainment industry and challenge perceptions they believe are based on media stereotypes rather than reality.
