A ‘Titanic’ Family Goes Down--on Winners List

Entertainer Joel-Steven and his two daughters hope to ride the same wave of success as the hit movie “Titanic.”

After recently winning a nationwide talent contest with their “Titanic” parody, the family is hoping for a big break into show biz.

But hamming it up on stage isn’t new to Joel-Steven or his daughters, Brittany Rose and Katie Hammond, 11 and 8. They all have agents and have performed in local theater productions. Joel-Steven and Brittany have auditioned for Broadway roles.

“Ironically, a lot of people get their start in talent contests,” said Joel-Steven, also a radio personality and emcee. “This might be one of the biggest breaks I’ll ever get.”

For now, the family is thrilled to be among entertainers at Placentia’s Heritage Festival and Parade Saturday. James Cameron, who directed the Academy Award-winning movie, happens to be the grand marshal.

In their first performance together on stage, the Placentia family surpassed 20 other acts in the “Singing in the Shower” contest, held recently at the House of Blues in West Hollywood.

In the act, Joel-Steven plays Leonardo ShowerCaprio and Brittany stars as Kate Ringlets. The pair sing “The Lather Goes On” to the tune of “Titanic’s” “My Heart Will Go On.” Katie appears as a “really big iceberg,” crafted from a cardboard box, papier-mache, glitter and paint.

The four-minute spoof is about a girl who wants to bathe with a beauty bar used by women, but Dad doesn’t quite approve of his daughter growing up so fast.

Joel-Steven had about 24 hours to come up with the act after he learned about the local contest last April. More than 1,000 people competed in local contests nationwide, said Bari Seiden, spokeswoman for the contest, sponsored by Unilever HPC-USA and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

After the Hammonds became one of the 21 finalists, they enlisted the help of friends to make the iceberg costume. They hired a seamstress to make Brittany’s pinstripe outfit. Her costume, complete with a wide-brim hat and big bow, was a replica of the one worn by actress Kate Winslet in “Titanic.”

Judges cited their fine performance, costumes and clever product placements in awarding the family the $5,000 prize, Seiden said.

“It was the best moment we’ve had as a family,” said Joel-Steven’s wife, Cindy Hammond, band director for three Garden Grove schools.

The theatrical family already has their prize money spent: finish painting the house, take a trip to Pennsylvania to visit friends and tuck some in the girls’ bank account, Cindy Hammond said.