Actress finds inner strength through dancing competition

Actress Janel Parrish was home recently toscout for a site and finalize details for her sister’s beachfront wedding next February.

Parrish, who partnered with Valentin Chmerkovskiy and finished third in ABC’s 19th season of "Dancing With the Stars," appreciates the invaluable lessons learned, despite bruising rehearsals. Finishing in the top three on the reality show was an achievement she’ll savor for years.

When we convened for lunch and a chat at a Zippy’s recently, Parrish quickly ordered a bowl of saimin, admitting, "I missed the saimin, missed the chili" since relocating to Cali­for­nia. "You get ramen in L.A., not saimin."

"DWTS" taught her to find inner strength through ballroom dancing, which was new to her when she signed on to compete. "I found I could be athletic — but there was a lot of stress and effort," she said.

That experience will be beneficial when she pursues roles for Broadway musicals, which initially opened the doors to her show biz career. Back in the day, Parrish auditioned for Young Cosette in "Les Miserables" here, earned the part, did a national tour and appeared on Broadway for over a year, capping what she calls "a memorable chapter of my life."

Known for her character of Mona Vanderwaal on ABC Family’s "Pretty Little Liars" (who was killed off this season), Parrish, 26, said she has two more years in her contract with "Liars," meaning she’ll be back periodically. "I’m lucky to have a steady job," she said of the TV stint.

She’s had other stage roles here (Scout in Manoa Valley Theatre’s earlier "To Kill a Mockingbird") and "Spring Awakening" in L.A. She has an actor boyfriend she met while doing "Spring" but admits "there’s no ring yet, no rush." Meanwhile, Parrish continues doing roles and scenes with the For the Record drama group, which enables her to act and sing excerpts from musicals en route to an eventual Broadway audition.

And this just out: An evocative music video cover,by Parrish and Brian Dustin Crum, of Grammy winner Sam Smith‘s "Lay Me Down,"in pristine black and white and shades of smoky gray. Check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gz1Z0H-vLM …

JIM DANDY: Ran into veteran entertainer and all-around nice guy Jim Nabors at Dr. Ken C. Ara­kawa‘s office the other day (we go to the same rheumatologist), and he said he’s planning a big birthday hoopla come June 12 when he turns 85. Nabors married his longtime partner Stan Cadwallader on Jan. 15, 2013. He said his retirement and personal life are shipshape, though he was checking on some skin issues on his head and forehead and getting a routine blood test. "So it’s time for a party when I celebrate my 85th," he said in his Gomer Pyle drawl. Nabors may have retired from show biz, but his charm and warmth remain spirited and contagious. …

Another Jim, Jim Brickman, had the audience in his palm when he concertized at Blaisdell Concert Hall on Jan. 31. With Maila Gibson and John Trones as his guest vocalists, Brickman’s pre-Valentine’s set list radiated amour. Happily, sunny climes prevailed when he was ensconced at the Sheraton Wai­kiki before flying out to a chilly Midwest.He dined with Nancy Bernal, Al Waterson, Jordan Segundo, singer Trones and Brickman’s tour manager Wendy Leonard at Chef Chai’s on Kapiolani Boulevard, and was impressed with Chai Chao­wa­sa­ree‘s cuisine, sharing his raves with his audience on concert night, from the food to the hospitality. …

And that’s "Show Biz." …

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Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.