Jillian Jensen’s young life is coming together like the plot of a made-for-television drama series with scenes seemingly interwoven even several years before reaching the action-packed scramble as the story nears its conclusion.
It only makes sense that the 29-year-old Bishop Stang High School graduate who grew up in Rochester will appear on TV in Saturday night’s episode of “Say Yes to The Dress.”
The show is promoted on the TLC network website as “more than 250 professionals work to make each bride’s experience inside Kleinfeld Bridal unforgettable in this show that is part bridal story, part fashion makeover and part family therapy session.”
All told, Jensen exhibits a healthy sense of humor about finally appearing on a show she has obsessed about as far back as she can remember. “I have watched the show … with my mom (Sharon), grew up loving it,” she admits.
Ten years ago, Jensen loved the show so much she sent out a tweet that only recently popped up and embarrassed her, but at the same time opened a door in her life to participate in the show.
“Needless to say, I’ve been obsessed with the show forever and always. … you will find out if I say yes to the dress on Saturday,” she said.
“Say Yes to the Dress” will not be the start of Jensen’s TV career. A singer-songwriter, she has already appeared on “American Idol” where she reached the top 30 contestants and on Simon Cowell’s show “X Factor” where she reached the top 24.
Saturday’s episode of “Say Yes to The Dress” was recorded a year ago, which is a long time to keep a secret, though those closest to Jensen know how that story ends.
How the larger story unfolds is still a plot thick with storylines.
The man she will marry in September, Clay Taranto of Mansfield, may have crossed paths with her nine years ago at Mockingbird Studios in Mansfield, a place she has visited since age 15. After Jensen’s appearance on X Factor, her pop group the Varsity Girls practiced there.
“And he was there,” recalls Jensen. “Many ways we should have met but didn’t.” Much more recently, the two eventually met on Match.com. “We were both sick of other dating sites, and we happened to meet on Match,” she said. The two bought a home in Tennessee where they now live.
Taranto, who works in corporate sales, is also a musician, and it turns out Joe Cook of Bourne, the lead singer of Taranto’s band, has known Jensen since the two attended second grade at Rochester Memorial School.
Jensen is working on two projects, an upscale events band known as “The Sultans” and her country-music band “Amber Eyes.” For a sample of Jensen’s talent, visit YouTube and search Amber Eyes and Paul McCartney’s song “Blackbird.”
A reunion of sorts will take place this week in Middleborough, as Jensen’s group and Taranto’s group will both perform in a patio concert at the Burt Wood School of the Performing Arts on Thursday, July 21, at 6:30 pm. They will then perform on Friday, July 22, at 9:00 pm at the Music Room in West
On Saturday, July 23, Amber Eyes releases a new single written by Jensen called, “Say That You’re Mine.”
Just a guess, but the new song is not about a dress.
By Mick Colageo