Becky and Jessie O'Donohue
Encyclopedia
Rebecca Marie "Becky" O'Donohue and Jessica Elleanore "Jessie" O'Donohue (born July 13, 1980) are American
reality TV show contestants. Becky was a semi-finalist in the fifth season
of American Idol
. They are identical twins.
They are from Dobbs Ferry
, New York
. Becky and Jessie, who come from an Irish
and Greek family, graduated in 2003 from Niagara University
. While at Niagara, the two played on the women's basketball
team. Becky was a member of the NAACP SAC.
Becky's original audition on American Idol was in Boston
where she was supported by Jessie (who did not sing due to recent throat surgery). Judge Simon Cowell
praised her looks, but said no to her voice. However, she was let through to Hollywood by co-judges Randy Jackson
and Paula Abdul
. O'Donohue made it through to the final twenty-four contestants in the semi-finals, but was the first female to be eliminated from the show when she received the fewest votes on February 23's results show. They briefly appeared on the American Idol
season finale on May 24, 2006 via satellite from Birmingham, Alabama
as commentators during Taylor Hicks
' cheering rally.
Both appeared in a special "Twins" episode on Fear Factor
where they were eliminated on the first stunt.
The twins also appeared together in Maxim
magazine in 2004.
They played twin sisters Darla and Donna in the 2007 comedy film I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
and Layna and Sophia on an episode of ER
.
Jessie appeared as a stripper named Carmel Owens in an 8th season episode of CSI: Miami
titled "Dude, Where's My Groom?".
The twins appeared on the "Sister Act" episode of Minute to Win It
on which they won with $50,000. Becky guest starred on Psych, episode "Not Even Close... Encounters" in July 2010. They also appear on the infomercial for WEN hair products with red hair.
They appeared in "Mardi Gras: Spring Break" in 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reality TV show contestants. Becky was a semi-finalist in the fifth season
American Idol (season 5)
The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006 and concluded on May 24, 2006. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell returned to judge, and Ryan Seacrest returned to host. It is the most successful season to date ratings-wise and also with 18 contestants getting record deals -...
of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. They are identical twins.
They are from Dobbs Ferry
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Dobbs Ferry is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 10,875 at the 2010 census.The Village of Dobbs Ferry is located in, and is a part of, the town of Greenburgh...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Becky and Jessie, who come from an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and Greek family, graduated in 2003 from Niagara University
Niagara University
Niagara University is a Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition, located in the Town of Lewiston in Niagara County, New York. Originally founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1856 as Our Lady of Angels Seminary, it became Niagara University in 1883. The University is still run by...
. While at Niagara, the two played on the women's basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team. Becky was a member of the NAACP SAC.
Becky's original audition on American Idol was in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
where she was supported by Jessie (who did not sing due to recent throat surgery). Judge Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
praised her looks, but said no to her voice. However, she was let through to Hollywood by co-judges Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
and Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
. O'Donohue made it through to the final twenty-four contestants in the semi-finals, but was the first female to be eliminated from the show when she received the fewest votes on February 23's results show. They briefly appeared on the American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
season finale on May 24, 2006 via satellite from Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
as commentators during Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks
Taylor Reuben Hicks is an American singer who achieved fame in 2006, when he won the fifth season of American Idol. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released...
' cheering rally.
Both appeared in a special "Twins" episode on Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
where they were eliminated on the first stunt.
The twins also appeared together in Maxim
Maxim (magazine)
Maxim is an international men's magazine based in the United Kingdom and known for its pictorials featuring popular actresses, singers, and female models, sometimes pictured dressed, often pictured scantily dressed but not fully nude....
magazine in 2004.
They played twin sisters Darla and Donna in the 2007 comedy film I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is a 2007 comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Barry Fanaro, and starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James as the title characters. The film was released on July 20, 2007, in the U.S., August 16, 2007, in Australia and on September 21, 2007, in the UK and...
and Layna and Sophia on an episode of ER
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
.
Jessie appeared as a stripper named Carmel Owens in an 8th season episode of CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
titled "Dude, Where's My Groom?".
The twins appeared on the "Sister Act" episode of Minute to Win It
Minute to Win It
Minute to Win It is an American prime time game show on NBC hosted by Guy Fieri. Contestants take part in a series of 60-second challenges that use objects that are commonly available around the house....
on which they won with $50,000. Becky guest starred on Psych, episode "Not Even Close... Encounters" in July 2010. They also appear on the infomercial for WEN hair products with red hair.
They appeared in "Mardi Gras: Spring Break" in 2011.