Twelve-year-old Florida Girl To Make National Television Debut

Twelve-year-old Holly Chelette never dreamed that saying a tongue-twister would result in her appearing in a national television commercial. But after winning the Long John Silver's "Three Free Shrimp Tongue-Twister Challenge" the McRae Elementary student will make her national TV debut later this year.

"When my mom called to tell me I'd won, I had to wait a few seconds just to breathe," said Holly, who enjoys cheerleading and gymnastics. "We both burst out crying because we were so happy. I've been so excited about this." Holly's "Three Free Shrimp" video was one of 10 finalists selected in December. Earlier this month, her entry was judged the best of all the tapes received in the national tongue-twister video contest sponsored by Long John Silver's. University of Louisville Linguistics Professor Frank Nuessel (a.k.a. "Dr. Tongue Twister") gave perfect marks to Holly's effort at saying "Three Free Shrimp" three times fast. Nuessel rated each finalist on a scale from one to five in three areas: creativity, enthusiasm and commercial appeal. Holly's effort received a perfect score of 15. "Holly's reading was excellent in all three areas," Nuessel said. "She made good use of kinesics (body language). She also used wide variation in intonation of ‘three free shrimp' to indicate statement, questions and surprise. Overall, it was an excellent presentation and good pronunciation." Holly's entry topped some impressive competition from all over the country. The 10 finalists came from nine states, including Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Indiana. "It was desperately hard waiting to find out if Holly had won," said her mother Melanie Chelette. "Holly wasn't worried about it; she just did her own thing. But the waiting just about killed me!" While the waiting was difficult on Holly, the other finalists and their families, judging the competition was pretty tough too. "It was difficult picking a winner because all of the ‘Three Free Shrimp' entries were outstanding," said Don Gates, Director of Marketing for Long John Silver's. "We're thrilled with Holly's selection. We're sure she'll bring a lot of talent, energy and enthusiasm to the Long John Silver's commercial." Holly's commercial appearance will be filmed later this year, at a location to be determined. Wherever the commercial ends up being shot, Holly will be excited to make the trip since she has never flown. But the daughter of Clarence and Melanie Chelette (and sister of Charity Chelette Kehoe and Dixie Chelette) does favor a particular location.

"I've always wanted to go to Hollywood," she said.

Even though only one grand prize winner gets to appear in a Long John Silver's commercial, all of the 10 finalists are already winners. Each of the 10 will receive gift certificates they can use for 100 of Long John Silver's new GoFish! Sandwiches. Finalists can choose to have a GoFish! Sandwich party for friends and family, or save the certificates to use throughout the year.

The "Tongue-Twister Challenge" was part of a recent Long John Silver's promotion where customers received three free shrimp with any Fish & More� order, just for saying "Three Free Shrimp" three times fast. For more on the Challenge, visit www.3freeshrimp.com.

Long John Silver's, Inc. based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the world's most popular quick-service seafood chain, specializing in batter-dipped fish, chicken, shrimp and hushpuppies. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island, Long John Silver's, Inc. was founded in 1969. Today, there are more than 1,230 Long John Silver's, Inc. restaurants worldwide, and an additional 230 points of distribution in multi-brand restaurants, serving nearly four million customers weekly. Long John Silver's, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE:YUM) the world's largest restaurant company in terms of system units with more than 33,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories.

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