WATCH: Soul Food Restauranteur Sings "Beautiful" R&B Version of a Billie Eilish Hit

The Canton, Mississippi native brought an infectious energy to the stage, then turned serious to deliver a beautiful, simple rendition of a modern classic that had everyone in awe.

"I'm a huge fan of AGT" said Sanders, the owner of Ashford's Kitchen in Atlanta, Georgia. Describing his eatery, he said, "I centered it around music because, if you’re having a party at home and it’s quiet, the energy is off. But if you just turn on a little music, something shifts in that room." Later, he told the Judges that Ashford's Kitchen makes soul food, saying succinctly, "it ain't healthy, but it's good."

Discover this quaint Southern movie-set city—4 reasons to go now

It only takes a glance at the courthouse square of Canton, Mississippi, to think, “This feels like being in a movie.”

As one should: Canton is a much-loved movie-set city that Hollywood has cast many times over. Because of that, this town of less than 11,000 people, just 25 miles north of Jackson, is also a capital city in its own right: The Movie Capital of Mississippi.

Read on to discover how in less time than it takes to reach the beach, you can star in this adventure exploring the history, art and color of tiny Canton.

7 Mississippi Courthouses So Beautiful Locals Say They’re The Real Landmarks

Mississippi town squares often tell you where the heart of a community sits, and more often than not, it stands under a courthouse clock. Across the state, these buildings do far more than handle records, hearings, and paperwork.

Behind the Scenes: Canton's Film Sites + the Young Filmmakers Who Are Next

Walk the locations. Meet the next generation. Discover why Canton, Mississippi has been Hollywood's favorite Southern secret for more than fifty years.

With its beautifully preserved courthouse square, historic storefronts, and unmistakable Southern charm, Canton has served as the backdrop for some of Hollywood's most memorable productions. It's why the city proudly carries the title of Mississippi's Movie Capital – a place where movie magic isn't confined to the screen but lives on in the streets visitors can still explore today.

But while Canton celebrates its cinematic legacy, it's also investing in something even more exciting: the storytellers who will create the next generation of films.

Walk Through Hollywood History

A stroll through downtown Canton feels like walking onto a movie set—because in many places, you are.

The iconic Madison County Courthouse anchors the historic square and served as the centerpiece of A Time to Kill, the acclaimed adaptation of John Grisham's novel starring Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, and Samuel L. Jackson. Much of the film was shot right here, transforming Canton into the fictional town of Clanton.

Just steps away, visitors can explore the Canton Movie Museums, where recreated sets, costumes, props, and behind-the-scenes stories bring the production back to life. From Jake Brigance's law office to the familiar café scenes, the museums offer a rare chance to step inside the movies themselves.

Film fans will also recognize Canton from My Dog Skip, which used the town's streets and neighborhoods to capture small-town Mississippi in the 1940s. Museum exhibits feature original set pieces, memorabilia, and stories from the production that continue to delight visitors years later.

Even the Coen Brothers found inspiration here. Portions of O Brother, Where Art Thou? were filmed around Canton's historic square, adding another chapter to the city's impressive film resume.

Where the Next Story Begins

Canton's greatest film production may still be ahead.

Each year, the Canton Young Filmmakers Workshop gives aspiring creators ages 8–18 the opportunity to learn the craft of filmmaking from the ground up. For more than two decades, participants have explored screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and production while collaborating to create original films of their own.

These young storytellers should learn in a city where filmmaking has become part of the community's identity. Instead of simply watching movies that were made here, they're discovering how to create their own.

Some may go on to careers in film. Others will simply leave with new creative skills and lifelong memories. Either way, the workshop ensures that Canton isn't just preserving movie history—it's helping write the next chapter.

Experience Canton Like a Filmmaker

You don't have to be a director to appreciate Canton's cinematic charm.

Spend the morning exploring the historic courthouse square before visiting the Canton Movie Museums to see authentic film sets and memorabilia. Walk the same sidewalks where Hollywood actors once filmed unforgettable scenes, then grab lunch at one of the locally owned restaurants surrounding the square and imagine the cameras rolling once again.

Whether you're a devoted movie buff, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply someone who enjoys discovering places with great stories to tell, Canton offers something unique: a destination where the past inspires the future.

Because in Mississippi's Movie Capital, every visit feels like the opening scene of your next adventure.

The Most Scenic Nature Getaways in Every State

Mississippi: Cypress Swamp

Pull off at Milepost 122 on the Natchez Trace Parkway to immerse yourself in one of the South's famous swamplands. Meander down the wooden boardwalk surrounded by bald cypress and tupelo trees which grow where most trees can't in the bog waters. Look closely enough and you might see an alligator sunning itself on one of the tree's "knees" (the part of their root that protrudes through the water).