Alexa Wilkinson admits she doesn't look at Cosmopolitan much anymore, but that doesn't keep the magazine's readers from looking at her.

The 21-year-old Park City native is one of three finalists in the magazine's Star Launch contest, which is seeking the "next fun fearless female rockstar."

After music-industry executives narrowed down some 5,000 submissions to three, visitors to the Cosmo Web site can now vote for their favorite.

Each of the three finalists will open for Natasha Bedingfield and Solange Knowles (Beyoncé's sister) at Terminal 5 in New York City on Dec. 5. The winner, announced that evening, will receive $10,000 and a three-track demo with an established producer.

"It was unexpected," said Wilkinson about going so far in the competition.

The singer-songwriter, a 2005 Park City High School graduate, moved to Los Angeles after graduation, and then to New York City in April. Friends told her about the competition several months ago, and she entered her music video "Vanilla Rain" on a lark.

"We've watched all three finalists' submissions many, many times and I think we've become all of their biggest fans," said Jason Cavallo, the magazine's creative services director. "In general, the public seemed to respond to the Star Launch contestants that had the complete package: a fresh sound, interesting lyrics and a unique presentation."

While Wilkinson appreciates the publicity and wants to win the competition, she has already received some breaks in her career. The most notable came when actress Katherine Heigl, while searching for a home in Utah, spent some time at Wilkinson's parents' home in Park City. Wilkinson's father had Alexa's music playing in the background, and Heigl said she liked it. She forwarded a CD of Wilkinson's music to her husband, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley. He has since co-written songs with the Utah musician, signed her to his label and taken her on tour with him.

Another break came when Wilkinson opened for Ingrid Michaelson earlier this year at a sold-out show at Salt Lake City's In the Venue.

As for the contest, Wilkinson said, "I don't really want to say I'm a fun fearless rocker," noting her more laid-back singer-songwriter style. "But I think I have become a fearless rocker chick," she added.

Besides the money and meeting with a famous producer, Wilkinson hopes the contest will rid her of one rumor: that her song is a parody of the viral YouTube video "Chocolate Rain," which has been viewed more than 30 million times. People are "very disappointed" when they click on her video expecting it to make fun of the YouTube phenom, she said.

Maybe "Vanilla Rain" will get 30 million views on its own merit.