Video: ‘Sweetie Pie’s’ Reality TV Star Returns Home

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus native Robbie Montgomery is the perfect story of a home town girl remembering where she came from. Montgomery is the star of hit reality tv show “Sweetie Pie’s” and she came home this weekend for a family reunion.

Robbie Montgomery is the star of hit reality tv show “Sweetie Pie’s” which airs on the Oprah Winfrey Network. The show chronicles her life in St. Louis where she’s the owner of two highly successful soul food restaurants. “Sweetie Pie’s focuses on how Montgomery handles the ups and downs of working with family and running a successful business. Montgomery says being a Mississippian has contributed to her success.

“My restaurant we’re known for having Mississippi style cooking. So these are recipes that my mom taught me, my grandmother, my aunts, things like hot water corn bread that the kids don’t know anything about. So I put all this in my restaurant and everybody’s like ‘I haven’t had that since my grandmother.’ So these are my roots and I try to keep it going,” says Montgomery.

Born in Columbus, Montgomery joined her family in Starkville for a family reunion. Family members say they are proud of Montgomery and how well she represents her Mississippi roots. Montgomery’s cousin, Annette Campbell, says she’s proud to call her family and friend.

“Oh I feel good honey. I just feel great. It’s just wonderful and I tell all of my friends about her and I have them watching her on tv. It’s just wonderful,” says Campbell .

Before her restaurant and television fame, Montgomery sang back up for Ike and Tina Turner, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder and the Rolling Stones, just to name a few. Montgomery says being a Southerner laid a great foundation for her career.

“Being from Mississippi means that these are my roots. I’m well-grounded. I know from where I came. I know how to make a way. I’m a survivor. So I think coming from the South gave me that confidence,” says Montgomery.

Miss Robbie’s singing career ended after her lung collapsed but with the support of her family, she opened her first Sweetie Pie’s restaurant in 1996.

Robbie Montgomery now operates two Sweetie Pie’s restaurants in St. Louis and is exploring writing a cookbook.