Local starlet talks about Hollywood adventures, fame
The Aiken Standard sat down for an interview with Brooke Lundy, Aiken’s starlet of theater, music, movies and “Star Search.”Q: When did you move away from Aiken? Where did you go?A: I moved to Los Angeles in the summer of 1991. Q: Tell me a little about your experiences on “Star Search.” What was that experience like?A: I was very excited (and nervous and anxious and …). First of all, as I hate auditions, I was really happy that I was lucky enough to be spotted and be spared that part of the process. The show was also not live-to-air, so I didn’t really tell anyone I was going to be on until I started winning! Ha. They flew my mother and I down to Orlando from L.A. (my first first-class experience) and put us up, all-expenses-paid in one of the grand hotels on the Disney property. We didn’t have much money at the time and had been kind of scraping by out in L.A., so the luxury alone was a relief. My first show week consisted of two shows (a preliminary-round show and then an end-of-the-season win that took over the Champion spot from the reigning winner.) It was pretty surreal and happened too quickly to really take in the pressure of it all.The second season began with me as Teen Champion, so we had to fly back to L.A. for two months until the season began. That, luckily, gave me time to regroup with the knowledge of what the whole process entailed, so I could feel more confident out of the gate. When I went back, I didn’t know if it would be for a week or for two months, so your whole life/plans are kind of on hold. I had actually just gotten cast in a lead role as the daughter in the pilot of a new show called “Picket Fences” but had to give up the role to their next choice, Holly Marie Combs (of “Charmed” fame), due to my contractual obligations to “Star Search.”I was fortunate to continue to win. I was so happy to meet the other contestants. After winning the semifinals, I was off back to L.A. again to wait for my unknown finals competitor to finish through the next season. I unfortunately was disappointed that I lost the grand prize at the last moment, but I really was so proud and thankful that I had gotten that far and felt I did my best.Q: What is your favorite memory from Aiken?A: When I played “Annie” when I was 8. The reason is because that’s where I met and got to act with so many wonderful people who inspired me. People like Jim Moore, Ken Fallaw, Molly Gray, Vince Cloud and Robbie Purvis would later go on to be my on-and-off-stage “family.” I owe them for so much of my entertaining skills, harmony/group singing, writing inspiration, etc.Q: Who was your favorite person to work with?A: Musically, I must say the legendary (and now infamous) Phil Spector. He was my producer for two years when I returned to L.A. as an adult. We worked together in his castle on my first solo record that was to feature many of my original songs, as well as a few of his. That story is a whole other “book” of a tale. (To view an interview Brooke Lundy did on Court TV during Phil’s recent murder trial for additional insight on her time working with him, visit www.myspace.com/brookelundyband.)Q: What advice would you give to someone trying to have a similar career?A: Don’t take yourself too seriously, first of all. I love the quote: “Overconfidence is the consolation prize for mediocrity.” There is always someone younger, with more talent, with a smarter head on the shoulders, with more drive and focus, who has more connections than you. Just do what you do, and if you truly love it, then you will find other people that love it, too. Be as kind as you can in every situation, be respectful of constructive criticism, be professional no matter what, be true to yourself and your craft and, above all, accept the fact that disappointments will come to make you a stronger person. If you are choosing a creative field because it is what you truly love to do more than anything, then you can be a success. Fame does not equal success. Just do the best job you can do, work on your craft as much as possible and be realistic about your talents.Q: Who would you say your role model has been? What have you learned from this person? A: A big role model for me in Aiken has been Jim Moore. He has consistently realized creative visions, while all the while thriving in a professional career, as well as keeping a loving close family together.Q: What are your thoughts about performing in Aiken this summer?A: Doing the first run of “Always, Patsy Cline” in Aiken was such an amazing experience that it was actually one of the flames that fueled the fire for me to soon after move to New York. The audience was so supportive and kind, the band is made up of a fantastic selection of really talented players, Jack Benjamin is a master director and Dewey Scott-Wiley is as professional as they come. When Jack approached me to schedule a repeat performance, I jumped at the chance.“Always, Patsy Cline” will be Aug. 29 at 8 p.m., Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. at the Etherredge Center Theater. Catch up with Brooke Lundy and hear her newest music at www.myspace.com/brookelundyband, www.myspace.com/newville and www.brookelundy.com.
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