Instant Star Turns 10!
Ten years ago today “Instant Star” aired its first episode.
This is a show that would make many of us Alexz Johnson fans and introduce us to her music. Alexz portrayed Jude Harrison, a winner of a reality show singing contest, called “Instant Star” and follows her ups and downs, music and drama, from her life after she won. Her character name is taken from the Beatles song “Hey Jude” and Beatles member, George Harrison.
Who can forget that theme song?
[AUDIO:www.alexz.net/audio/InstantStarTheme.mp3%5D
The series would have references throughout its run of it’s musical influences. One of many is the rooftop concert in “All I Want It You”. This was famously done by The Beatles, again, on January 30, 1969. More familiar to people may be U2’s rooftop concert for their “Where The Streets Have No Name” music video.
This is just one example of many that “Instant Star” paid tribute to during its run.
“Skin” also made many of us fans. A song Alexz has rarely performed live since the show has ended.
It’s not uncommon to see people requesting songs from this show, even now, when Alexz is on tour. It has, and continues to leave, a lasting impression on the fans of the show.
We are familiar with how far Alexz has come since this show. Voodoo, Skipping Stone, a successful Kickstarter and PledgeMusic campaign, Heart, a Live album, multiple appearances on TV shows from Haven to WIGS, and is currently getting ready for her FIFTH tour!
Here’s a look at the rest of the cast:
Time Rozon can be seen on Being Human, 19-2, and Lost Girl.
Cory Lee is still making music, well known as Mrs. Oh on Degrassi: The Next Generation since 2010, and is a judge of The Next Star: Supergroup.
Laura Vandervoort has done many TV shows since Instant Star including V, Bitten, has also appeared on Haven, been Supergirl on Smallville, and was in the motion picture “Ted”.
Kristopher Turner has been on Rookie Blue, Lost Girl, Beauty and the Beast, and The LA Complex, a show that ended way too soon. He can now be seen on Saving Hope.
Tyler Kyte has continued to release music since the show has ended and has appeared on Murdoch Mysteries, Degrassi Takes Manhattan, Alphas, and is now on the show Republic of Doyle.
“Maestro” Wes Williams has released 2 albums and continues to work on TV series like Cra$h & Burn, The Listener, and Eagleheart. He is currently on the show Mr. D.
Matthew Brown has mainly divided his time between the theater and the small screen. He has been on The Kennedys, Covert Affairs, Rookie Blue, Mr. D, and Nikita. On the Stage he has been in productions of A Midsummers Nights Dream, Jersey Boys, Dreamgirls, Hair, and many more.
Mark Taylor has remained on TV nonstop since the show ended appearing on Being Erica, Flashpoint, Who Is Clark Rockefeller?, and Beauty and the Beast.
Tatiana Maslany is probably most famously known for Orphan Black, but she has also been on too many credits to list. A few of them are Flash of Genius, Grown up Movie Star, Hardwired, Heartland, The Nativity, Being Erica, World Without End, Parks and Recreation, and Captain Canuck.
Kristin Fairlie has been in Stoked, You Might As Well Live, Total Drama, Moon Points and lots of other projects as well.
Zoie Palmer was in Devil, The Untitled Work of Paul Shepard, Cold Blooded, Sex After Kids, Patch Town, and is now on Lost Girl.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years! Get out those DVDs, listen to those songs again! Did everyone end up where you wanted them to in the show?
