I Wanna Be a Soap Star
Encyclopedia
I Wanna Be a Soap Star is a reality television
series which debuted on the cable channel SOAPnet
in 2004. The show is hosted by All My Children
star and ex-Dancing with the Stars participant, Cameron Mathison
. It is based on the British
reality series Soapstars.
. The performances, which involved learning how to cry on camera, filming love scenes and fight scenes, among other soap staples, were judged by film and daytime television actress Debbi Morgan
, General Hospital casting director Mark Teschner
and agent Michael Bruno. The show underwent some criticism when the winner, Mykel Shannon-Jenkins
, was given a role as a police officer named Officer Byron Murphy that barely rose above extra status. His character was later shot and killed by Jesse Beaudry (Matt Marraccini
) in July 2005.
Contestants for the first season included Maya Gilbert, Brianna Konefall, Alisia Geanopulos, Robyn Hyden, Mykel Shannon Jenkins, Kent Winfrey, Nick Steele, Steve (last name unknown), Jeremy (last name unknown), Michael (last name unknown), Kimberly (last name unknown) and Kelly (last name unknown).
. AMC casting director Judy Blye Wilson
replaced Teschner as a judge. The show continued to be viewed as innocuous entertainment, but in July 2005 was criticized by Soap Opera Weekly
editor Carolyn Hinsey for a segment in which all the contestants were asked difficult questions (on matters such as stem cell research) and the person who gave the least interesting answers was eliminated. Hinsey said soap reporters rarely asked questions on controversial issues and that no actor was ever fired based on giving boring interviews. The second winner of the show was Alec Musser
who became the second actor on All My Children to portray Del Henry who was last played by The Bold and the Beautiful
star Winsor Harmon
from 1994 to 1995. He first aired on August 19, 2005.
Contestants for the second season included Toussaint Waterman, Prudence Zdravkovic, Alec Musser, Isaak James
, Christina Fandano, Alia Urbanski, Farley Jackson, Nicole (last name unknown), Cathy (last name unknown), Maiesha (last name unknown), Sean (last name unknown) and Joe (last name unknown).
. The winner was Mike Jerome who, unlike his predecessors, was out after his thirteen week contract was up. Third season contestant BethAnn Bonner
was offered a contract by the series, and debuted as Talia Sahid
on December 21, 2006.
Contestants for the third season included Shamika Cotton, BethAnn Bonner, Lauren Ryland, Lindsey Spruill, Mike Jerome, Michael Albanese, Lukas Hassel, Dean Cochran, Ayinde Jones and Kelly McGarry.
. Former Days head writer Hogan Sheffer
, former star Mary Beth Evans
(who portrayed Kayla Johnson
) and talent manager Michael Bruno served as judges. Ashlee Holland
was named as the winner, and debuted on December 26, 2007 as Crystal Miller.
Other contestants for the fourth season included, Jimena Hoyos
(runner-up), Monica Thomas, Bo Gorman, Travis Wood, Yves Bright, Joyce Liu, Corey Shelton, Justin Kahn, and Patricia Mizen.
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series which debuted on the cable channel SOAPnet
SOAPnet
SOAPnet is an American cable television channel that broadcasts current and past soap operas and primetime dramas, along with some original programming. The channel launched on January 20, 2000, and is owned by Disney-ABC Television Group, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
in 2004. The show is hosted by All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
star and ex-Dancing with the Stars participant, Cameron Mathison
Cameron Mathison
Cameron Arthur Mathison is a Canadian actor and television host, perhaps best known for his role as Ryan Lavery on the ABC soap opera All My Children — a role which he has played from December 15, 1997 to 2002, and from 2003 to 2011...
. It is based on the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
reality series Soapstars.
I Wanna Be a Soap Star
The first season debuted on October 16, 2004. Twelve contestants competed in various acting challenges for the prize of a role on General HospitalGeneral Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
. The performances, which involved learning how to cry on camera, filming love scenes and fight scenes, among other soap staples, were judged by film and daytime television actress Debbi Morgan
Debbi Morgan
Deborah "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr. Angie Hubbard on the ABC soap opera All My Children, and for her role as The Seer in the fourth and fifth seasons of Charmed.Morgan joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as...
, General Hospital casting director Mark Teschner
Mark Teschner
-Career:Has been in charge of ABC Daytime's General Hospital casting since 1989. He has been described by Rolling Stone magazine as "an actor's casting director" and TV Guide noted his "unparalleled track record for finding top new talent." He is a former vice president of the Casting Society of...
and agent Michael Bruno. The show underwent some criticism when the winner, Mykel Shannon-Jenkins
Mykel Shannon-Jenkins
Mykel Shannon Jenkins is an American actor, perhaps best known as the winner of the first season of the SOAPnet reality television series I Wanna Be a Soap Star.-Career:...
, was given a role as a police officer named Officer Byron Murphy that barely rose above extra status. His character was later shot and killed by Jesse Beaudry (Matt Marraccini
Matt Marraccini
Matt Marraccini is an American actor.Marraccini made a guest spot on costars Kirsten Storms now canceled CBS show Clubhouse...
) in July 2005.
Contestants for the first season included Maya Gilbert, Brianna Konefall, Alisia Geanopulos, Robyn Hyden, Mykel Shannon Jenkins, Kent Winfrey, Nick Steele, Steve (last name unknown), Jeremy (last name unknown), Michael (last name unknown), Kimberly (last name unknown) and Kelly (last name unknown).
I Wanna Be a Soap Star 2
The second season debuted on June 23, 2005, this time promising a contract role on All My ChildrenAll My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
. AMC casting director Judy Blye Wilson
Judy Blye Wilson
Judy Blye Wilson is an American television soap opera Casting Director. She has been casting for soaps operas for over 25 years. She had a role in a film titled Nine Deaths of the Ninja as Woo Pee/Woo Wee back in 1985....
replaced Teschner as a judge. The show continued to be viewed as innocuous entertainment, but in July 2005 was criticized by Soap Opera Weekly
Soap Opera Weekly
Soap Opera Weekly is a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It features onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional information...
editor Carolyn Hinsey for a segment in which all the contestants were asked difficult questions (on matters such as stem cell research) and the person who gave the least interesting answers was eliminated. Hinsey said soap reporters rarely asked questions on controversial issues and that no actor was ever fired based on giving boring interviews. The second winner of the show was Alec Musser
Alec Musser
Alec Musser is an American fitness model and actor.In August 2005, Musser won the reality TV contest I Wanna Be a Soap Star to get the part on the popular soap All My Children. He took over the role of Del Henry for Winsor Harmon after a long absence since 1995...
who became the second actor on All My Children to portray Del Henry who was last played by The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
star Winsor Harmon
Winsor Harmon
Winsor Harmon aka Winsor Dewey Harmon III, , is an American actor best known for his role as Thorne Forrester on the American soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. He took over the role from Jeff Trachta in December 1996.-Career:Harmon portrayed Del Henry on the program All My Children from 1994...
from 1994 to 1995. He first aired on August 19, 2005.
Contestants for the second season included Toussaint Waterman, Prudence Zdravkovic, Alec Musser, Isaak James
Isaak James
Isaak James is an American film director, actor, singer and musician. He is the founder of Last Ditch Pictures. James is based in New York.- Film :James has appeared as an actor in several films...
, Christina Fandano, Alia Urbanski, Farley Jackson, Nicole (last name unknown), Cathy (last name unknown), Maiesha (last name unknown), Sean (last name unknown) and Joe (last name unknown).
I Wanna Be a Soap Star 3
The third season debuted on June 8, 2006, with contestants competing for a contract with One Life to LiveOne Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
. The winner was Mike Jerome who, unlike his predecessors, was out after his thirteen week contract was up. Third season contestant BethAnn Bonner
BethAnn Bonner
BethAnn Bonner is an American actress. She known for her role as Talia Sahid on One Life to Live and for her most recent role as Kat on All My Children ....
was offered a contract by the series, and debuted as Talia Sahid
Talia Sahid
Talia Cosima Sahid is a fictional character on ABC's daytime drama One Life to Live played by BethAnn Bonner from December 21, 2006 to April 22, 2009.-Casting:...
on December 21, 2006.
Contestants for the third season included Shamika Cotton, BethAnn Bonner, Lauren Ryland, Lindsey Spruill, Mike Jerome, Michael Albanese, Lukas Hassel, Dean Cochran, Ayinde Jones and Kelly McGarry.
I Wanna Be a Soap Star 4
The fourth and final season debuted on August 14, 2007, with the winner promised a 13-week contract on Days of our LivesDays of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
. Former Days head writer Hogan Sheffer
Hogan Sheffer
Hogan Sheffer is an American Daytime Emmy-winning screenwriter. During the WGA strike, he chose financial core status with the WGA and continued working.-Personal life:...
, former star Mary Beth Evans
Mary Beth Evans
Mary Beth Evans is an American actress. She was born in Pasadena, California.-Career:Evans is most famous for her role as Kayla Brady Johnson in the soap opera Days of our Lives from 1986 to 1992, 2006 to 2009, and 2010 to present. Her character became half of the supercouple Steve and Kayla...
(who portrayed Kayla Johnson
Kayla Brady
Dr. Kayla Caroline Johnson is a fictional character on the NBC daytime soap opera Days of our Lives. She made her first on-screen appearance on in 1982. Kayla was created by Pat Falken Smith as one of the original members of the Brady family. The role was originated in 1982 by actress Catherine...
) and talent manager Michael Bruno served as judges. Ashlee Holland
Ashlee Holland
Ashlee Renee Holland is an American actress, dancer, model, and most recent winner of I Wanna Be a Soap Star. She has appeared on Days of our Lives as a result of her win....
was named as the winner, and debuted on December 26, 2007 as Crystal Miller.
Other contestants for the fourth season included, Jimena Hoyos
Jimena Hoyos
Jimena Hoyos is an actress who is a native of Bogotá, Colombia. Perhaps most known for her small role in The Devil Wears Prada and for being runner-up in the Soap Net Original Series I Wanna Be a Soap Star.-External links:...
(runner-up), Monica Thomas, Bo Gorman, Travis Wood, Yves Bright, Joyce Liu, Corey Shelton, Justin Kahn, and Patricia Mizen.