Double the Chances for Fame

It was like any other audition in Hollywood--times two. More than 50 pairs of smiling girls and boys and their doting parents descended upon Planet Hollywood on Wednesday for the first West Coast casting call for Wrigley’s Doublemint Twins.

Wrigley’s has used twins to market the gum since 1939. The famous “Double your pleasure, double your fun” commercials began airing on TV in 1960. But there has never been an open audition for Wrigley twins until now.

“We have always wanted to be the Doublemint Twins,” bubbled Alisha and Michelle Dickson in unison. The two Hollywood actresses have matching pink mohair sweaters, golden locks and infectious giggles.

One in a series of auditions, Wednesday’s event was co-sponsored by Running Press, publisher of the new book “Twins,” which celebrates famous duos. The book’s authors, Ruth and Rachel Sandweiss, are the official event “spokestwins.”

“What we are looking for is interaction and a good look,” said Susan Fox, Wrigley’s vice president of marketing.

But how to choose from all the perfectly matched bangs, white jeans, lip gloss and leather vests?

Fresh-faced Rob and Mike Ely believe they’ve got what it takes.

“We have been wanting to capitalize on this for a long time,” Mike says. The two live together, work together (in a San Jose band, appropriately named Doubletake) and have a habit of finishing each other’s sentences.

The first Doublemint audition was in New York earlier this month. There will be two more--in Chicago (Feb. 20) and in Dallas (Feb. 21).