Henrick Vartanian
Brooke Wilkes 
is a strong willed Scorpio of many talents. The upcoming contestant of Fox’s “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” is a versatile singer-songwriter-actress from Anchorage, Alaska. Not only is this sultry siren a Los Angeles Music Award winner for RECORD OF THE YEAR for her “Vanilla Life” CD, Brooke also scored two wins at this year’s Puerto Rico International Film Festival. She snagged both MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR and AUDIENCE CHOICE for BEST MUSIC VIDEO for her concept video “The Mermaid Diaries.”
Brooke caught up with our own Charlie Reeves and revealed some interesting, little known facts about her career and personal life.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RECENT AWARDS BROOKE. THAT’S AWESOME. HOW DID PUERTO RICO GET A HOLD OF YOUR VIDEO?
Thank you! My co-producer Karl Nickoley pitched it. The organization loved it and the next thing I knew we were on a flight to the awards show. It was an amazing experience.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE VIDEO AND YOUR FUTURE PLANS WITH IT.
The video starts with a little girl finding an abandoned suitcase on a beach. She opens it and finds marital memorabilia – scrapbook, flowers, veil – and she sees a young woman on the beach who seems partied out and sad. Next to the young woman is a handsome gentleman who looks as if he’s dumping her. The little girl wonders why she is seeing this and what she doesn’t realize is that it’s her future. There is a guardian angel watching over the child and in the end we will find out if the little girl heals herself or goes down a continued path of destruction. The “Mermaid Diaries” is based on the journey of my life over the past five years, primarily as it relates to dating and relationships, losses gone out to sea. Continuing with the play on words, imagine if someone took a sweet, little mermaid and pulled her out of her safe saltwater environment and left her in a strange, new world where she had to fend for herself. That’s my life in a nut shell or sea shell actually.
I CAN “SEA” COMEDY IS PART OF YOUR REPETORIE OF TALENT TOO.
Oh, thanks Charlie. I actually have recently co-developed a monthly LA based show where I sing and do comedy with other performers called the “Brooke Fever Follies.” So yes, comedy is a big part of my life – both on and off the stage. But swimming back to our “Mermaid” talk, my co-producer Karl is going to direct and help me write the feature length film based on the conceptual music video.
SEX SELLS AS WE ALL KNOW. HOW WILL THAT PLAY INTO YOUR FILM?
I actually dabble in the world of dominance and submission and I feel that may have something to do with our Mermaid. Our heroine is kind of punishing herself for losing her marriage and BDSM came along at the right time and gave her the discipline she never really had in childhood and in life. I grew up in a loosely structured environment and I think that’s why dominance and submission became natural fits for me in my adult years. But the video isn’t about sex and neither is my upcoming film. The Mermaid Diaries is about learning to love yourself.
YOU SAID MARRIAGE, AS IN SINGLULAR. I HEARD YOU WERE MARRIED AND DIVORCED TWICE?
Yes but, let’s face it – everyone deserves a practice rehearsal.
I AM SURE THAT WORKS ITS WAY INTO YOUR MATERIAL
You said it, Charlie Reeves.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE MOVIE
We plan to finish up the script, acquire funding and begin filming in the New Year. Our plans are to take it global, submitting it to every film festival we can. We’re also going to try and get mainstream distribution. We plan on putting all the money into 35 mm film itself and keep it classic, timeless, simple, yet cutting edge artistic. I believe I can achieve that with my amazing Director, co-writer and co- producer – Karl Nickoley.
YES, I’VE READ UP ON KARL, HE’S ALREADY ACHIEVED QUITE A LOT FOR SUCH A YOUNG. FRESH NEW DIRECTOR. DO YOU SEE YOUR STORY AS BEING LIKE A DOCUMENTARY?
The script is based on my true story but creatively blended with past events in my life. It has to do with healing my inner child.
WHO WILL BE CAST? MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHO WILL PLAY BROOKE WILKES?
We were talking about getting a name. Charlize Theron would rock. But I am so attached to releasing this out of myself personally, right now I only see myself playing the Mermaid. But we’ll see what happens. I have some interesting characters in my life, as you can imagine, so I am hoping we can attract some Hollywood names. I have a fantasy that Neil Patrick Harris would play the best friend. He would rock that part!
YES, HE HAS HAD AN AMAZING CAREER. WHAT KIND OF BUDGET AND SUPPORT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND?
I find most support in my size 34C bra (laughing). We do have some investor interest. I hope to do it all for way under half a mill.
WHERE DO YOU GAIN MUSICAL INSPIRATION?
Growing up I loved Olivia Newton John and Madonna. Now I just do my own thing. I have a musical theatre flair mixed with rock. I call it cab-a-rock because it’s cabaret style mixed in with rock and roll. So I guess I’m a cab-a-rock starlet (laughing).
WHAT DO YOU HOPE FANS WILL GAIN FROM YOUR STORY?
I want people to know they can survive anything if they follow their hearts and are true to themselves. The story is about survival through self love – loving and honoring yourself, first and foremost – coming out of pain into something wonderful and bigger then you ever thought possible. We hold the keys to our own locked chains.
I LOVE THAT LAST BDSM REFERENCE, YOU TIGER (LAUGHING). THANK YOU BROOKE. WE CAN’T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THIS SUMMER ON “DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS.” BEST OF LUCK WITH BOTH PROJECTS!
Thank you Charlie Reeves. To quote Lindsay Lohan from one of your former interviews, “You’re very sweet.”
YOU HAVE NO IDEA (LAUGHING)
Former Miss Alaska Brooke Wilkes has definitely made a name for herself in California, with performances onstage and screen. In So Cal, you can see Brooke performing regularly at Disneyland, and venues such as Club 7969, The Key Club, Level One, The Gig and The Joint. Vegas showrooms have included Caesar’s Palace, the Monte Carlo Resort, Harrah’s Casinos, Bellagio, Aladdin, Plaza Hotel and the Golden Nugget. Along with her rock shows and musical theatre appearances, Brooke is often asked to perform our very challenging national anthem. She has belted it out for the L.A. Lakers, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Mighty Ducks and the L.A. Kings. Brooke has also portrayed lead roles in theatrical productions including: “Evita,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “And the World Goes ‘Round,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Grease,“ “West Side Story,” “The 1940’s Radio Hour” and “Into the Woods.” Brooke has appeared on the same bill with such celebrities as the Beach Boys, Ben E. King, Jewel, the Pointer Sisters, Richard Carpenter, LA Music Award Lifetime Achievement Winner & Santana Lead Singer-Greg Walker, Matthew Lillard, Wayne Brady, Vanessa L. Williams, Kristine W. and Doc Severinson. Brooke’s voice has been featured on numerous T.V. programs, feature films and radio commercials and her original recordings have been aired around the country. Brooke’s fans continue attending her exciting live appearances all over Southern California.
Contact info, link info, upcoming dates and appearances – brookewilkes.com Antix Entertainment 323-876-2700
Next show- June 25th, 10pm, Brooke Fever Follies @ M Bar in Hollywood, CA
Look for Brooke on “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” this Summer!