Interviews
B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Talks Steffy’s Predicament & Her Future With Liam Or Dollar Bill!
What a tangled web, The Bold and the Beautiful’s new mom, Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) finds herself trapped in! After giving birth to her baby girl, and making the decision to move forward with a life with Liam (Scott Clifton) on recent episodes of the CBS Daytime drama, she found herself on the receiving end of a blackmail attempt from the man who protests and protests to love her more than any man alive ever could!
With much bravado, Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) has been pursuing Steffy non-stop after their passion was re-ignited and they had sex. That move cost Steffy months of venom and anguish from her beloved Liam; when he found out that his wife slept with his father! Now with baby Kelly to take care of Steffy wants to move forward, but Bill stops her in her tracks, and she “postpones” her wedding to Liam.
That move could prove costly! As viewers saw on Friday’s cliffhanger, Hope (Annika Noelle) took a pregnancy test, and if she is pregnant with Liam’s baby that could seal Steffy’s fate and she could head straight back into the arms of Bill, blackmail, or no blackmail.
Michael Fairman TV caught up with one of our favorite gals, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood to shed light on all the conflict and all the emotions stirring inside of Steffy as she has to navigate through the manipulations and events that could transpire to keep her and Liam apart, and make it possible for the duo known as “Still” to become lovers once again. Here’s what Jacqui had to say about it all!
Let’s start with playing those labor scenes! What was that experience like for you?
JACQUELINE: I have so much respect to woman who have done those types of scenes before me, and for woman who have given birth. It is a toughie. Obviously, you are playing the scene, and for me, I wanted to make it as real and authentic as possible. I wanted no make-up in those scenes, and to play it for what it is. Then, you are pushing, but you can’t push too much. I mean, you’re not really pushing a baby, but it’s like I could really do this on camera right now! (Laughs) Hence, why I respect all the other actresses, because that is a whole other art form in itself! (Laughs)
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
What did you think of the name chosen for Liam and Steffy’s baby girl, Kelly?
JACQUELINE: I like it. She was named after Liam’s mother, Kelly, I believe.
You have such a vocal fan base; would you say they are rooting for her to be with Liam – #TeamSteam, or are they rooting for you to be with Bill – #TeamStill?
JACQUELINE: It’s pretty wild, and the fights have gotten pretty revved up online. I feel like right now, Steam fans have been fighting for this. Before, I felt it was 60/40 the other way, but right now I think its 60/40 in favor of Steam. And again, the way things are unfolding with Bill, I think people may be a little quieter about it. But people are still fighting for Still, but with the scenario of Bill blackmailing Steffy and threatening to put her mom in jail, there have certainly been a few ugly moments that have been questionable. Fans are questioning … is the love real there? So that’s why Steam may have recently been ahead, but it does go back and forth, however, with the storyline coming up there is a possibility that Still may take over again.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
How are you playing Steffy at this point? Does she love Liam with all her heart, or is she torn in her feelings about Bill?
JACQUELINE: This storyline has gone on for so long. Many things have happened that have added on to it, which makes it great, because at one point there is that love for Bill, even though she is not showing it right now. After he threatens to throw Taylor in jail, that makes Steffy become very protective of her mom. Right now, her mom is extremely weak and frail, and not in the right head space at the moment. Knowing that; it kind of disgusts her in what he is doing, and it made her look at him quite differently. She is also looking at Liam quite differently. Steffy does not want to be a carbon copy of her mom, and watching her mom believing in her dad about monogamy. Steffy will fight for her family to be together, but not if Liam is constantly flip-flopping and sleeping with her, and sleeping with Hope. She won’t put her daughter through that. She owes it to her daughter to be a strong mother, and that she provides emotional stability for her. Right now as new parents, there is that love that is going to be there, but again, she is really thinking about her daughter in all of this.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Liam has been all flip-floppy and was going to marry Hope! What does Steffy think about that “almost” event?
JACQUELINE: Right, he was! Liam put Steffy through hell for the last year. She is supposed to be OK with the questionable things he does? There is all of that, but again she has to think and go, “I can’t freak out. We had this child and she needs a present father and someone constant in her daughter’s life”. I think for Steffy it’s almost this type of “mob boss” mentality of “I will keep this family. I don’t care about the exterior noise; we have got to think about this”. To Liam she is like: “I love you, but I need this to work!”
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
When Bill says to Steffy words such as: “You know you feel the passion that you have with me that you don’t have with Liam.” Does she feel that way?
JACQUELINE: Absolutely! I mean, the writing is kind of on the wall. Bill has been so many things to Steffy. He has been somebody that she loves; and he has been somebody that she has hated. He has been someone that she can lean on. So, she cannot deny those times they have been together, even years ago, they still had something. There was no alcohol involved when they slept together, and so it definitely meant something. She can deny that all she wants.
With Sally back in town and Hope as well, and Liam bouncing from woman to woman over the past year or more, what does Steffy think of all of that?
JACQUELINE: That’s the thing; it’s becoming a turn-off to her; wish-washy, flip-floppy, and there are just so many emotions and things going through Steffy’s mind. One of which is trying to avoid Bill like the plaque, and trying to get him out of her life so she can focus on taking care of her daughter, and being able to take care of her family. She is sleep deprived. She hasn’t been taking care of herself. Steffy is trying so hard to nurture he daughter, and on top of that nurture her relationship which she doesn’t even know if it is working. There are moments of her being upset over Liam almost marrying Hope, and moments of her being insecure and questioning things … and then there is what happened before between Liam and Sally! That is questionable, too. There is such history. Steffy was really trying to accept Liam back into her life, but it has to be with a clean slate,
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
So when Liam and Steffy are lovey-dovey in the hospital together after their daughter is born, is Steffy feeling the love for Liam? They certainly looked happy together!
JACQUELINE: I think she is in love with the moment, but even after she had the baby, she said to him, “You can go be with Hope” I think for her, everything shifted and she now sees the bigger picture. Liam is definitively seeing that something has shifted in Steffy. In reading the scripts that are coming up, it’s a new journey that I am excited to be on.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
If it’s revealed that Steffy actually had Bill’s child down the line, how would you feel about that?
JACQUELINE: I’m OK with that. (Laughs).
You know, how these tests can get screwed up on the soaps? (Laughs)
JACQUELINE: Exactly! People were fighting on Twitter just the other day about who was the true father of Kelly. Even Scott Clifton commented, and went “It’s for sure, Liam’s. Whoa, Whoa Whoa Whoa, you never know.” (Laughs)
How do you like working with nuHope Annika Noelle and Courtney Hope as Sally Spectra?
JACQUELINE: I love working with them. It’s so fun; they breathe fresh air into the storylines. The other day, Annika came over to my house, and it can be challenging coming in as a recast and replacing a person, and kind of finding this character, and still being respectful of the character. At the beginning, you are trying to find that fine line of whether to be respectful of the actor before you, and kind of playing what they did and in their style, or taking risks and doing it your own way. You don’t know how fans are going to react, especially how quickly we move through story. I think it’s been great watching Annika now taking on the role and seeing the strength in Hope, and seeing a shift in the character, and in Annika, by really making the character her own. As for Courtney; she is fun and so vivacious, and such a badass. I think this show needs that. There is a lot of our storyline coming up, which I am very excited to see on-screen.
Courtesy/CBS
Is Steffy going to get to be more of a badass again, or be more of a stay-at-home mom with child?
JACQUELINE: I’m going to be a cool mom! (Laughs)
Earlier this year, you received a Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. You had quite a lot of great work to choose from. How did you go about deciding what you would actually submit for the competition?
JACQUELINE: There was a lot of material to look through, but there was also the break-up that aired in January, so that could not count, but there was this whole build up to it last year. I was proud of myself, and the work. To be able to access emotions I needed for those scenes so quickly was on my bucket list, and so I was able to check that off.
Courtesy/JMWood Instagram
You have one of the best Instagram accounts of anyone I know. It’s filled with fashion photos, fun videos, and more. How do you plot out what you are going to post?
JACQUELINE: I am very in the moment – like one video was, “Let’s go back to Coachella.” We filmed it in my backyard with a bunch of my friends. I brought with me a garbage bag full of wigs, and somehow we ended up doing a music video in the backyard! I love filming things and I love editing. The “make-up challenge” that myself and Kelly Kruger (Mac, Y&R) did that came about because we hung out together the day before, and we thought, “Why we don’t do a blind make-up challenge!” (Laughs). I like to have light and happy vibes on my posts, and I like to also put things on my Instagram where I can be a voice for causes that are important to me. I think it’s great that if you do have a following to use that platform to help people.
The clothes in your photos are always amazing. Are many of them from fashion shows, or shoots, or from your own closet?
JACQUELINE: It is a mixture. My closet is a little world all of its own and it’s a “sparkle party” in there. (Laughs) I go to a lot of fashion shows so that helps, but I love fashion. People always ask me, “What is your style?” I can never pinpoint it. I always say; “I am very experimental and I love trying different things.” I may miss the mark, but I at least like to say, that I tried that look.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Last week, Steffy told Bill that she does not want to be with him, and her postponing her wedding to Liam is only temporary. Bill told her Liam will leave her eventually “no doubt about it”, and that he knows her relationship with Liam is doomed. He goes on to say that, “everything he does, he does for her, and he loves her with all of his heart.” What’s a girl to do with that info?
JACQUELINE: When Bill does that, she sees this evil dark side of him, and to do something as disgusting to Steffy to threaten to put her mom in Jail … it is extremely scary! She knows her mom would not make it one minute in jail. She sees what is happening with her mother, and now the essence of Taylor is not even there anymore, and so Steffy has to be the mother in this relationship at this point. Steffy realizes she has to come up with some sort of game plan – hence why she needs to postpone her wedding to Liam – because she is still trying to figure out what she is going to do. Is she going to have to keep pushing this wedding off … or will she finally say, “Screw it. I love Liam, and I am just going to marry him,” and in turn hope for the best that Bill won’t do what he is threatening to do?
Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas
Does she think this will all work out in her favor?
JACQUELINE: I don’t think she thinks it’s going to work out right now. She wants to work things out with Liam, but she doesn’t know what to think. No one had quite threatened her and her mom like Bill did before. She has never been in a position like this. There, there is another looming threat to her potential happiness with Hope taking that pregnancy test!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Could this all turn out to be #Steffylovesherblackmailer?
JACQUELINE: Pretty much! (Laughs)
So, are you rooting for Steffy to end up with Liam or Bill? What do you think Steffy should do, because of Bill blackmailing her about her mom shooting him? Do you think it will be revealed down the line that Steffy’s baby daddy is really Bill? Share your thoughts on our chat with Jacqueline MacInnes Wood in the comment section below.
I think the story line makes Bill look like a stalker. With the #MeToo movement everywhere today, I find it disgusting to say the least! Liam & Steffy belong together and always have from the beginning. Kelly should remain Liam’s.
I AGREE KELLY SHOULD REMAIN LIAM
She is Liam’s Scott Clifton said so and so did bell she is Liam’s daughter
For now
Scott Clifton also swore Liam shot Bill.
I do apologise. I had forgotten all about reading that. I’ll have to pay closer attention now.
Why can’t they pull a play from back in the day, the way they did Brook, Bridgette turned out not to be Ridge’s baby, instead it ended up being Eric’s, why is it that Taylor’s life and her girls has to be the one’s to always come out on top?
She is Liam’s baby
I agree
It has nothing to do with the “metoo” movement. He’s not a person in power taking advantage of an employee or a powerful man wielding his influence on a young, innocent woman. Metoo is about sexual violence and abuse. Steffy was with Bill willingly.
He was her lover, she was in love with him at one point and he’s just being Bill; an obnoxious, control freak who seems to never have possessed the ability or concern for doing the right thing.
Threatening to report her mom to the cops is more of a “soapy” thing to do. Blackmail; a staple of soaps. And, in his own warped way he really loves her. Bill thinks he controls the world and everyone in it.
Thank you. Everyone thinks that Steffy is the victim when she willingly slept with her father-in-law. She was ready to leave her husband over kissing another woman. She was disgusting sleeping with her father-in-law.
Amen
I agree
Agreed, Steffy did this… willingly and SONER! All Liam did was try to start over and was about to until he got “pushed” to go back to his baby and make their family whole. He was about to marry Hope, meaning he wanted to be with HER. Now she’s pregnant, and that’s where he belongs. Being forced or guilted to be with Steffy (or anyone) will never end well.
So true thank u
Exactly!
Steffy wanted Bill way before Liam. & she only fell for Liam when Bill dumped her for His wife’s health! If Liam was so much the “love of her life” she never would’ve slept with Bill over a kiss ! Nor would’ve “Steam been married 3 times! Kelly is Bills! Otherwise why have the ONS & steam get back together
Sounds like the guy in the WH.
Steffy was in love with Bill years ago but they were never lovers. He even bought the apartment she almost drowned in the tub. Rick later bought it for Maya. That was the beginning of the Liam and Steffy saga. When Katie found out she had a heart attack and Bill decided to not divorce her. Steffy had played Bill along and wouldn’t sleep with him until he divorced Katie. Fast forward to now and Steffy had “revenge sex” with Bill cause Liam kissed Sally. Steffy and Bill have only slept together once, which makes his statement about loving her all these year bogus as hell. What about his “great love”for Brooke. He was supposed to not ever loved anyone the way he loved her. This whole story is unrealistic and needs to end with Bill being confronted by Steffy family on what he is doing. They need to tell him to tell the police and make the call for him. At this point Bill has lied so much about who did shot him (Ridge) and now he couldn’t see them. Why would the police believe him now. Plus Steffy should record him making the threats and turn the table on him. Tell him she will have him arrested for sexual harassment and attempted blackmail. She is giving him to much power and Taylor need never know. But the writer wouldn’t do it because it’s a simple easy fix and they like conflict and bull crap.
Its disgusting. Bill is the baby grandfather. just quit qatching when hope is pregnant. Get on with it.
I agree with you totally. I have decided if Liam and Hope end up together I’m done with this show. I think Brook and Bill should be together because they both are evil
agree
Brook and Bill deserve each other! You’re absolutely right
I agree with you completely I’m done if steffy gets with Bill
I toldly agree with you
Bell cares about his ratings & right now “The Steffy Show” is tanking
That is because The actress playing Hope is the worst actor on the show. She must be working for nothing. I am quitting this show if Hope continues.
Not even pretty.
Hope is beautiful and the actress playing her is talented and refreshing. Please keep your miserable misogonystic comments to yourself. Like to see you play the part and see what you look like. The comments say more about self loathing than anything else.
That i agree with, and ridge should be back with steffys mom.
Agree
I agree totally
Agree with you totally. Don’t like that Hope is pregnant and don’t like wish washy Liam. If Liam leaves Steffy I’m done.
You are right Brooke is downright evil. Ridge is to good for her.
Liam has left Steffy many times for Hope!
Steffy even told Liam (shown onscreen) that SHE knew she was seconds to Hope
I agree
Ridge has had plenty of indiscretions himself!!!
I agree completely with every word.
True
I agree Steffy and Liam belong together Kelly is his baby
steffy was already Pregnant
when she sleep with bill
Yes, they deserve to be together, get rid of Hope she’s so immature.
She’s manipulative like Brook
I agree 100% with Debra…
Yes he do need to be with Stephanie and there baby girl Kelly
I totally agree please let Steffy and Liam be together I am so sick of Bill they think it’s all about it’s supposed to be the Foresters not the Logans and they have taken over the whole show keep Liam and Steffy together send hope back to Paris I am beginning to really hate this show the way they are I am rooting for Pam to fix it.
No like Hope
I don’t like hope
I don’t like Hope or Brooke. Both conniving.
I feel the same
Way
liam will alway love hope no matter what people are staying he love steffy but I love with hope
I’d like Kelly to be Liam’s. That being said I wish she would leave them both in the dust ( Liam n Bill ) n find someone who loves her and only her n who isn’t such a nasty guy…. I love Don but hate his character… too entitled and nasty.
He’s changing!!!
Just because you have a baby by someone does not mean you need to stay with that person. Two miserable people do not need to raise a baby. They can coparent. Why should Liam stay with Steffy when she slept wth his father.
Because of the baby
why so the baby can be miserable like the parents are???
I agree totally the whole storyline is disgusting Kelly should remain Liam’s.
Steffy n bill yes
Bill’s baby kelly
I think Steffy falling in love with her blackmailer seems exciting to me. Still has more chemistry than Steam. They are both in their league…connivers, schemers and not afraid to do anything. I say go for it!
Agree!
Bill needs to be with sally, they look alike. (2 evils)
Yes he do and hope
Steffy was Bill’s first. She loved him first. He only cut it off because Katie had a heart attack when he was dumping her.Bill always kept Steffy in his life and manipulated Hope and Liam so that Steffy could stay in his life too. Liam and Steffy have nothing in common. Bill is 100% right about Liam and Hope being the same. Hope is his true love, Steffy just excites his wild side that fantasy men look for, but they do not share the same business values, family values or life goals past parenting. Steffy was way bettermatched with Wyatt because he is a more honorable verson of Bill. In the end Steffy and hope deserve better than Liam!
Exactly
Bill. Is not the one for Steffy. Find someone his age. No. No, No………
Okay let’s be honest if you had a choice between Don Diamont and Scott Clifton ??? Don all the way yes they have written horrible for him but he is still one hell of a man at 50
This so true
I agree. Liam is too wishy wasy. Team Still!
Liam might be wish wasy but he’s for Steffy
Agree…#still
Steffy and Liam all the way
I agree
Me too!! They belong together. They have been partners in crime for years, might as well put them together with baby Kelly. Set Liam free to be with the love of his life. Hope!!
Please do not let steffy end up with bill because I will be tuning out if it does
I am with you all the way never with Bill
ONCE AGAIN THEY NEED TO PUT AN END TO BILL’S THREAT..WHY THING’S CONTINUE TO WORK IN HIS FAVOR..HE NEEDS HELP..PUT HIM IN AN MENTAL INSTITUTION
yes I agree 100%
Me too. Liam and steffy have always had a powerful relationship . They r the only reason I watch the show. If he goes to hope and steffy goes to bill I quit
There are the only reasons why I watch the program
Same with me , I love that couple and Bill needs to leave them alone
Me too,I hope this show tanks if they but Liam with that pathetic hope!!!I know I will not be watching she is a tramp just like her mother!!!
so true like mother like daughter
I think Liam’s character could be like the man with all the sister wives, and slew of kids,keeping them all happy and satisfied.I can see him every night, trying to decide which door to pick…if he had the stamina!
Lol, right
I wish the show was an hour long!!!
I agree with you! I will quit watching!
Omg really! Liam should be with hope. If it wasn’t for stuffy being a hosebag they would be
Liam is quite boring,too conservative and “goody goody “. Bill is quite the opposite and offers that “fire” and spontaneity to Steffy that poor predictable Liam simply can not. And Steffy knows it ! That’s why she is so afraid of Bill
i will stop watching the show if they put hope with liam and steffy with crazy bill
I agree,lets leave it alone,steffy and bill do not belong….showing a family is reassuring,that mistakes can be made but can be overcome and forgiven
I agree, if Steffy and Liam can’t be together then I will stop watching the show.
Agree.
I AM DEFINITELY WITH YOU ,ANY TIME A PERSON HAVE TO GO AS FAR AS THREAT BILL IS MAKING,IT TRULY IS NOT A ACT OF LOVE.GOING AFTER HIS SON’S WIFE IS SICK.I AGREE NOT WITH BILL.
Me too. I will be so done with B&B if they split Steffy and Liam apart. DONE!!!!!!!
I agreed
Me too, Bill don’t belong with Steffy at all.but it’s easy to figure out the storyline I’m tired of this show
Right there with you. I refuse to watch a stalker win his prey. It’s disgusting and demeaning to all women who have been victims of this in real life. I can’t believe the show in today’s era is actually considering this to be a romance. Bye bye to my Bold watching days it was nice while it lasted.
I posted this on face book Steffy should put on a pair of steel toed shoes and kick him where it hurts. Then when brooke says that Liam should be with hope cuz she’s pregnant steffy should tell brooke that she didn’t think it was important for her to be with Liam when she was pregnant why should it be any different for hope
A men
Yeah!!
Right
Exactly…I can’t stand Brooke znd then Logan sister…I did like Wyatt with Katie
Hope is just like “such mother, such daughter”
I can’t take hope and her mother so I’m done with this show
I absolutely agree with you I believe Brook just stay out of it turned back to pages in her life what all the things she’s done
Yes she is nasty anyway she slept with Brigdette husband. Liam and Steffy.
Liam and Steffy, Liam and Hope are boring. Bring a new man for Hope and make her character exciting, this is repeat of Ridge and Brooke, sick of it.
Right
Brook looks at this like a game she always won Ridge over Taylor no matter what Taylor did to try and keep him. So she doesn’t want Steffy to be the love of Lliam life she wants her daughter to be that. Taylor needs to wake up and give her daughter a hand.
Yes
It’s disgusting even thinking about Steffy being with $Bill if so I’m tuning out she made a mistake now move on from it
Yes I’m going to quit watching too.
Agree!!!
agree. I really dont care for Hope and Liam . There is no chemistry. Steffy could carry the whole show . The same cannot be said about any other person on that show . Especially Hope . The woman cannot act . She needs to decide whether shes a grown up or a spoiled mommies girl. Hope being PG is a joke !!
Them you need glasses for there is so much love in liam and hope eyes for each. Other
I agreed
Steffy needs to end up with Bill because Kelly will end up his child AND they belong together just like Liam and Hope with their new baby BOY (or twins)!!
The baby is Liam’s
Hope should not be happy with being second choice and if she ends up with Liam that is what it will look like
Thatsbso true. Bill and Stephanie belong together it’s more fun to watch them together because they make a REAL CUTE AND GOOD COUPLE.
I hope so too Liam and hope need to get together
I hope the baby is Bill’s. Steffy and Bill are cut from the same cloth. They belong together just as Liam and Hope do.
Hope and Liam are so boring. Steffy and Liam is exciting. Hope it’s just a boring character trying to come off as so sweet and want to do the right thing. She should never have accepted Liam’s proposal because it was obvious he was was upset about Steffy. Instead of just coming out with what Wyatt told him, he jumps to conclusions.
Bill to old, need to take his and sit down, should never been allowed to sleep with his daughter in-law, writers stop letting family sleep together, don’t look good for this young generation. Disgusting!
No the hell she doesn’t how would you feel if your daughter was dating an old man old enough to be her grandpa
@ Terrell, I would freak out. That’s disgusting
How can this trick preach abstinence and she is pregnant
The same way Steffy preaches blackmail to Bill when she blackmailed Bill first
I agree!
I believe Hope will have Liam Jr.
And we all know Kelly is Bill’s. The daughter who will be like her parents & run SP lol
I think once Steffy finds out Hope is pregnant it will ruin things between her and Laim and for Ridge and Brooke. That little philly Kelly is Bills baby. He paid someone or changed the paternity test himself. He wanted her to be happy bc she wanted Laim but now Bill can’t hide his love for her. Their night together is etched in his mind. It was a hot love scene!
Good luck to all the characters!
The so call love making between Steffy and bill was not hot it was sick. Steffy was messed up and hurt by Liam and bill took advantage of his son wife yuck what kind of father would do that to his on son. If the writing allow bill to get away with what he did to Liam that means bill can do the same to Wyatt and little will when he gets older. It’s sick
So was it sick when Ridge stole, slept with and married Caroline his brothers wife and Brooke’s daughter in law?
Steffy and Bill had a history and love that went way back. There was no alcohol no one was drugged. He didn’force Steffy.
Regardless of who was in that love scene, right or wrong in your mind it was fricking hot. And so is Bill!!!!
Agree with you. That’s immoral. I think teen need to stop watching this show because there is no moral lesson watching it. I know it’s soap, but at less the writer needs to remember that people with different background, view, are taking note of what you as a “writer is offering the public. I would like an answer from the writer: What do you thing about “ethic” when you are writing these stories? Is that what you teach your own daughter or son?
Bill will never do that to wyatt because wyatt is with sally and i can’t see bill sleeping with sally in the story lines.
She wanted Bill,just like years ago, she knew what she was doing so don’t put the blame on Bill that’s bullshit
That the the worse thing that the writers could ever come up with. Disgusting for them to have Bill and Steffy sleep together and then have Bill harass and blackmail her during and after her pregnancy. There’s no love in any of that. Infact, this entire storyline is just pure nasty and sick.
@ Lady L, absolutely, I’ll let bb go if that goes down with Bill and steffy.
It’s not Bills kid its all ready been confirmed by the writers
Being with the father in-law, I beg the difference, wow family sleeping together, SMH
I do NOT want Steffy to end up with Bill, and I don’t want Liam to end up with Hope. If Liam continues to be so wishy-washy I wish Steffy would cut him loose, too. If she could find a man worthy of her I’d like to see her with someone new. I hate what the writers have done to Taylor’s character and how they won’t let Steffy and Liam have any happiness for longer than five minutes. Stop it with the three-ways!
I agree Linda this stuff with Liam and hope is so boring and I like to see Steffy stand up to Liam about his back and forth behavior and how she can’t allow him to do this to their daughter Kelly. I wish she tell Liam to grow up and don’t be like her dad ridge because the writing are having Liam do the same thing ridge did to Taylor and Brooke. I like Steffy to be the woman that gets Liam to get his shit together and have Liam the right kind of dad for Kelly. And don’t let hope pregnancy be real. And B&B needs to bring some additional men and women old enough for bill, ridge and Brooke and hope I’m so sick of see the other same people get involved with each other. Plus I’m so tired of seeing bill and Justin getting away with everything.
That ain’t going to happen! Steffy is going to be with the stallion! Not the whimpy Laim.
I agree too
Lol. you mean Ridge who stole his fathers wife, Stole his son’s son and tried to pass it off as his son and cut thomasout all togethet? Or Ridge who flip flopped between Brooke AND Taylor, but never took the blame? Brooke always got slut shamed. Most women on theseshows are not role models for women. Steffy and Hope have matured but liam has not. Dump him ladies and raise your kids to expect better out of a man! Sorry Steffy and Liam won’t make it because eventually Bill is right about his assessment of Liam as a flip floper.Hope sees to accept it but a strong more self confident woman wouldhave cut him loose. Wyatt is the best match for Steffy. He was great for Hope too but rather see Steffy with Wyatt or Bill. Liam has no dignity how will he teach Kelly any self worth? Ridges flip floping is clearly why Steffy hasn’t kicked Liam out yet, but she should. Women deserve better than Men like Liam.
I agree 100% with you Lady L. because no one should get away with things like Justin and Bill has done and still doing.
Amen to that hun
I agree Liam needs a rude of Awakening
I totally agree Linda.
Totally agree…The Bill storyline is sick!!
I totally agree.
I completely agree with you Linda Perry!!
totally agree. If Liam does not end up with Steffy just put him with Sally .I cant stand Hope . The PG storyline with Hope is a joke However, I hope that she struggles even more then Steffy did when she was pregnant . Hope did her best to put Steffy thru hell . Hope will never be good enough. She cannot hold a candle to Steffy . B&B you also better take the #Me to movement into a count # when writting . Its time to show women can fight back . What Bill is doing to Steffy is creepy .
The history with Bill shouldn’t be ignored. She truly loved Bill. She gave him everything and her biggest hurt came when he went back to Katie.
She rebounded by shifting her focus to Liam. Its never felt like a healthy relationship. She’s always known that he loves Hope. She just keeps overlooking things to make it work. Steffy is supposed to be stronger and I hope being a mother now means she will dump Liam and take charge of her future.
She’s headed down Taylor territory at the moment. She will have 3 kids and Liam will still leave her in the end for Hope. Its brilliant but a sad fate for Steffy.
STILL could set fire to this town…let them. Steffy has only been able to count on one man her whole life…and it wasn’t Ridge..it was Bill.
I agree with you! The STILL combo would be hotter than fire and ratings would soar.
No way
Preach!!!
No,no,no! Not Bill.
You forget at the time when Steffy was with bill way back Steffy was upset with her dad ridge. Steffy hated Brooke because ridge was with her so Steffy was acting out by going back and forth with hope and when her dad made her stop Steffy knew ridge didn’t like bill and so she flirted with bill and don’t forget Steffy was even younger and bill was that older Father figure image that Steffy wasn’t getting from ridge. And when bill took Forrester creations from her father Steffy set Bill up to get her family company back so Steffy has never been in love with Bill. And regarding Liam wanting to be with hope not true. Liam likes hope for being this young girl that cares about the world and wanting to make it a better place so he loves hope but he never been in love with her. Because that day Liam was looking for hope in Aspen he could have told Steffy no and not married her but he didn’t he chose to marry Steffy 3 times and the only time he chose hope was when Steffy left him when she loss Liam first child. Hope has always been Liam second choice.
Yeah!
You have no idea what u r talking about! He was in love with hope first.
You are so spot on!!
You are so right . Liam loves Hope innocents but its Steffy who has his heart. FACT . Hope will never be able to hold on to him. She just doesnt have it . Dont let this Pregnant story be real .
Evidently Steffy don’t “have it either” cause Liam keeps going around Hope, even has begged her to marry him in front of everybody in his underwear! Made out with Hope on Steffys clothes!
Now Hope is pregnant with Liam Jr.
Seems Hope is “holding” just fine
If Steffy HAD Liam, only would of been 1 marriage
You are so wrong on all of it!
Steffy fell in love with Bill, wanted him to leave Katie. He dumped Steffy over Katie’s health! Steffy rebounded on Liam! Steffy even told Liam b4 she slept with Bill that She knew she was seconds to HOPE! Only reason Liam married the skank cause either Hope dumped him, or the Skank Steffy was pregnant!
Hell the skank even watched Lope make out on HER clothes! The skank also took Hopes used wedding ring. ! If they were the lovebirds meant to be, Steffy never would of cheated with her FIL. Liam never would’ve slept with Hope when she came back!
Maybe you need to re-watch
Yes! Yes! Yes!
100% AGREE!!!
I agree Steffy and Bill are more alike and exciting together this could be the great love story both of them have been waiting for great storyline
AMEN, Bill has always been the man for Steffy. Bill has shown Steffy more love, loyalty, commitment and devotion than Liam ever has and ever will.
She still has him coming in her house & is still touching him
I would like to see Stephanie and Liam together to raise Kelly. They have tried to be together for a long time things keep popping up. I don’t like Hopes character being pregnant now it puts another loop hole with Liam and Stephanie. Why can’t they just get married and be a happy family. I guess it’s just a soap lol
If you go to Bill I am through with B & B. It is sick to not marry Liam! I am just about over Bill too bad te lived! Too bad Fake Hope cane vavk
Liam need to married Stephanie and leave hop alone
LIAM IS TOO SISSYISH CAN’T MAKE UP HIS MIND TOO WASHY WASHY/ BILL TRUELY LOVES STEFFY……WANT BILL & STEFFY TOGETHER…….
LOVE SALLY & WYATT TOGETHER YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Bill doesn’t love Steffie, he just doesn’t want to lose. Not to long ago he was in love with Brooke and had to have her. Steffie is a challenge and Bill likes challenges, he likes to possess and own things and people.
Marry Bill let it be his baby
So you are good with a father going after his son wife? So that means it will be cool with you if bill does the same with his son Wyatt and when his son Will grows up it’s ok if bill goes after his woman. This is so sad and sick
That’s because the writers seem to think we loveee that I don’t
Steffy’s dad Ridge did this to get Brooke and again with Quinn. Liam loved Hope FIRST. She wanted to wait for marriage to have sex. Steffy was mad Ridge took Brookes side and fired Steffy after a tribute to Brooke was Sabotaged and it was humiliating to Brooke. It came from Steffy’s computer, Justin accessed it while Liam was fixing the computer. Steffy fell in love with Bill but dumped her because he was afraid Katie would die after he tried to divorce her for Steffy. To get back at Brooke, Ridge and Hope(who only found out Ridge wasn’t her father by accident of ridges big mouth)Steffy kept trying to tempt liam into a girl who “wasn’t saving” herself aka Steffy.
She went after Liam to prove she could get him, she only “loved” him later. Steffyand Liam just do not fit together just like Ridge and Taylor never fit together. Please end this STEAM thing. Put us out of our misery. Both young women deserve better than Liam.
Ridge has done the same & worse!
Steffy has been with dad & both sons, so maybe Will is next for her
No Stephanie is going to married Liam so bill need to married hop
I want Steffy to stop walking on egg shells around Liam. When she finds out Hope is pregnant she should show Liam the same mercy and kindness he showed her….not! Time for him to man up or get out. Bill has been right all along about Liam, but Steffy needs to protect herself and her daughter with a giant pre-nup and a loop hole free contract giving her 51% of Spencer Publications! Time for Bill to put his money where his mouth is!
Ihope that it’s Liam child but i think the baby is Bill
Steffy is a strong young woman and doesn’t “need” a man to fulfill her life now that she has Kelly. Hope, on the other hand, is needy and very immature, still looking to mommie for answers. I want Steffy with Liam ONLY because that seems to be what she wants and she’s my girl. But if she decides Bill is the man for her, (after an amazing, knock yourself out courtship where he gives her the world on a platter) then I am okay with it. I think she could be the one to give him a heart and make him a better person. Ridge may freak, but let’s face it, he has never been father of the year. He left Steffy and siblings in the dust to be in Brooke ‘ s bed. I hope the disagreement over their girls splits up Brooke and Ridge forever. Let him take Taylor under his wing and help her to heal. Reunite their family. No one ever loved him like Taylor (except maybe Caroline). All things considered, Steffy and Bill could become the super couple of the show and be front and center. Liam is weak, Wyatt is the better man in that family. Steffy should have stayed with him!
I cocur with you. I stopped watching it for the fact that Bill keep coming around. This should be a happy time for the new parents. Hope is so self rigthous why she can find her owm man.
Why do people keep forgetting steffy and bill stopped liam and hopes wedding every time liam and hope tried to get married someone stopped it.Steffy does not respect the kind of man liam is.She ask him to keep the fact that Caroline was not dying a secret.something that Bill came up with.Staffy and Bill have a long history and are more similar in personality.Does anyone remember that steffy nearly made Ivy die by being electrocuted.Liam repeatedly ask her to stay away from Ivy.They just don’t make a good couple.Liam is to laid back for Steffy.she needs someone with an edge to there personality.
Yep!
Why do people keep forgetting about Quinn and Wyatt’s interference in Lope’s relationship also? How quickly Hope married Wyatt because Liam was saving Ivy thanks to Quinn. So if she wanted Liam so bad why didn’t she wait on him even if it took another day. She married his brother instead. Hope is another Brooke.B&B needs new Characters. Hope, Brooke, and Bill need new love interest. Steffy needs to tell Liam,Ridge and the Forrester family about Bill blackmail so they can put a stop to him for good and help Taylor heal. Who better to help Taylor than Ridge, Thorne and Eric. Ridge and Taylor need to be back together.
Steffy married Wyatt also when Liam was ADAM. Steffy lived w/Liam while married to Wyatt. So is Steffy lovessss Liam so much why sleep with her FIL over a “ Kiss”, why is she still keeping secrets from Liam?!?
Why has Steffy had to marry Liam 3 times?!?
Pregnancies, lies & manipulations is how she has gotten Liam
This new Hope has no chemeisty with Liam . Hope acts like a little girl . She even had braided pigtails . Not a good look for a grown woman . Sorry
Lol….Liam was Hope’s first. Please do some Google research. Also both women deserve better. Wyatt fits Steffy and Hope but they both dumped him over his mom.Liam deserves Liam. Steffy always loved Bill first. Also Ridge slept with Taylor and accidentally knocked her up while married to Brooke. Who he stole from HIS FATHER!He felt guilty so he annulled his marriage to Brooke even though he did notlove her to raise their baby Thomas. Taylor was dead he married Brooke and she helped raise Taylor’s kids and loved them. Taylor came back from the dead and Ridge went back out of pity (see a pattern) then when he found out his mom lied about Taylor cheating on him with James it was back to Brooke till he left the show. Ridge always loved Brooke and if he had stayed put all that pain Taylor had and caused out of jealousy wouldn’t have happened. It is these men who need to be men on this show. Plus why hate so much,itisn’t REAL people.
Liam was with hope first, stuffy should have found her own man
Bill and Steffy together is disgusting. The sight of a father going after his son wife is sick. So how can bill say it’s sick for his son Will to call his brother Wyatt dad but it’s ok if Bill grandchild to call him dad. Bill is a jerk and it’s about time for Bill to get caught and taught a serious lesson from Liam, Steffy and Ridge joining forces now that would be something to see.
Ridge also married his sons wife
If Steffy was a “strong woman” she never would’ve settled being seconds to Hope.
She herself admitted to Liam b4 she slept w/her FIL
That baby Stephanie have is not bill it is Liam baby and hop is no pregnant
wow! I’m a Steam fan! Too hard for me to think of Steffy with Bill. After all he’s done. Bills the reason Liam even entertained the idea of Hope again and slept with her. I think Liam will lose his popularity and Still would not be an ideal couple. Feels ad though ratings will drop soon. Was so looking forward to a real STEAM chance. Sad how this storyline yool the turn it has.
Wonderful Interview! Answers so many of fans questions! thanks Mr. Fairman.
Leave both Waffle and his dad. Take her daughter and go be happy.
I hope the baby is Bills.you can see the love in steffys eyes when he speaks to her about their past and the night they made love
I am a true Steam supporter and if that is not going to happen then I will need to cut my ties with B&B. Steffy and Liam are the only couple I have liked being together on this show. So I truly pray that is the direction it’s going….full STEAM ahead!
I just hope the baby is going to be Bill Steffy has always been so mean to Hope so I hope Liam and Hope will find they love together and we know Hope we baby is Lam
I hop and pray that hope is not having a baby I don’t want her and Liam together
They waited too late to reboot STILL. Now Bill is no longer the man she respects and leans on. They had a good ride or die friendship. It’s ruined. Now I just want Taylor to shoot him again. Storyline is not entertaining, it’s offensive to many female viewers.
Agreed! The women on this show can’t go one second without being married, and they let the same men walk all over them. Steffy has never been mad at Liam once even when she knew he was sleeping with Hope while they where still married. Disgusting
Steffy deserves Bill. She is as conniving and lying as Bill. Liam is a good guy who deserves a good girl . Plus, we are gonna find out tbar baby is Bill’s. Hope will have Liam’s baby and that will just kill Steffy ! Haha
No hope is not going to having a baby by Liam he his a baby girl
Scott said Kelly is Liam’s father, so that’s what I believe. Bill is going to do some horrible stuff. Why would steffy want him.
Scott also said Liam shot Bill.
Why wasn’t the baby named Phoebe after her twin sister? Hey Steffy take another tumble in a bath tub maybe you will get your brains back and remember you were never into Liam !!! This show Taylor would never have shot Bill and she sure would not have let Steffy be black mailed over it!
I eant Steffy to be with dollar Bill and Liam with Hope they are more compatable.The fire between Steffy and Bill is hot and theove between Liam and Hope is true
no fire between Liam and Hope. There boring.
NuHope is very boring and lackluster. Today, the actress did her best to show emotion and fake cry during the pregnancy test results, but it just fell flat. She doesn’t have any oomph or pizazze-IMO.
I think bill & steffy are good together they think alike and she could have so much more with bill Liam Love’s steffy but he loves hope more and he will protect hope and that’s is going to come in between him and Steffy and I think the baby is Bill’s and bill is going to use it as his last Resort
Again that baby is Liam baby girl she look like him
Now , thats really Scarey! You do know that the actor, Scott Clifton, is only acting, right?
Sorry, I was wrong.The baby is Scott Clifton’s child.I had fogotten reading about that being the case.
Bill could pay to have the paternity test say there was an mistake and he is the father, but I don’t believe he is,or he would have played it already.
Before Limabean existed onscreen there was Steffy and Bill,that’s what I’m waiting on a decade later.
Same. I have been waiting forever and besides Liam has his chance with her for years. It’s STILL time.
I really hope that steffy finally realized she loves Bill and they will find out the baby is Bill’s also. I want to see them become the next power couple on t.v.
She do not want bill she want Liam I can not stand hope bicth ass
I love Steffy, she and Liam have something special! I won’t them to have a happy life together! The writers have really screwed with this show, much more of hope, I will not watch it anymore’ why mess with a good thing!
Steffy and Liam forever marry him and be happy with Kelly
I loved the article and hope she and the baby will be with Bill
I think that Bill should get a life and lose some time.
I would love to see her and Bill together, They have chemistry and we need to see that when people scheme, lie and cheat, they don’t get their happily ever after. Liam and Hope should have been together years ago but Bill and Steffy kept them apart. Let Liam and Hope be together now and Steffy and Bill.
No Liam and steffy should be together forever and hope and bill should be together forever
Steffy and Bill are a smoking hot couple because they are strong, aggressive people. They belong together! Let the wimps(Liam and Hope) have each other. Bill should have never left Steffy years ago,for Katie. He regrets it, and deep down, Steffy knows Bill is really better suited for her personality. When the baby news comes out, I want Steffy to clear her head and run right into Bill’s arms!
I want Steffy and Liam together. Bill has blackmailed her. He almost caused another miscarriage. He has been harassing her for months even though she turned him down every time. He is a sick perverted and obsessed man. He tried to kill Ridge, and planned to push a pregnant Amber off a cliff. Liam is a waffler and Hope was his first love, but he sincerely loves Steffy and he is a good person. Steam has the best chemistry!
I hope not Liam and Stephie belong together!!!!
This is completelydumb. What kinda chick would end up with a man that has lied onyou, Slut shamed you, blackmailed you, stalked you and on and on and on? Dafuq? The character I ROOTED FOR would get EVEN with someone who threatened her happiness and her mom.. Not sleep with them! So I’m order to get Steffy, all you have to do is treat her like shit. Great! Well, it’s she ends up with her STALKER I’M DONE. In the times of the #MeToo movement, to even consider it is disgusting and appalling.
Steffy has been jn love with Bill for a loooonnng time, back when she was his mistress while he was with Katie, so it’s only logical that she would end up with him!!
I think it’s a really bad idea to give the idea of loving your blackmailer to young women watching the show, or to young men that they can get what they want through force, physical or mental.
I like Hope and Liam, but don’t want Steffy to be with Bill. And I love Wyatt with Sally!!!
I think she should be with Liam they have a baby together and for bill he make me sick it’s time for him to go
I am still rooting for Steam! I hate Bill and I pray that Kelly is indeed Liam’s. I hate that the Logan’s always get their way with everything. It’s annoying
Just go back to Bill, leave Hope & Liam ALONE, especially after everything you have done to Hope
Bill and Steffy gross me out!! Sorry: but when I see them together it’s like she’s with her daddy!!! Yuck!!! I’d have to fast forward!!!
Although its not the best way to end up. I think Bill and Steffy have more chemistry than Steffy and Liam.Steffy will get bored with Liam. Bill probably will turn out to be Kelly’s dad. Then throw Taylor into the mix it can make for some intetesting shows. Usually the happy couples get noring on the soaps.
Stay with Liam
I want Steffy and Liam together and be a happy family. They both wanted this for so long. It’s not right to split them up when there is baby Kelly involved. I love Steffy and Liam together. The chemistry is there. I really don’t want Hope to be pregnant. I want her in a triangle with Wyatt and Sally or date officer Sanchez. I would love one couple to be happy with no negative in their life. What it boils down to is the only victim in this is baby Kelly. It’s sad to see this happen with a baby involved.
Time to end this story line. Let Steffy be happy with Liam and Kelly, let Hope find a new love of her own (a new character would be good) and let dollar bill disappear for a while!! There will be enough drama with Ridge and his situation
Steffy shoot and kill $ Bill and No Hope does not need to be pregnant
I think the show should have at least one couple who stays together forever like Nicki and Victor. Let Steffy and Liam live that happy life quote going from person to person.
Interviews
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
When the nominees were revealed for the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards, a fresh face was in the running for the first time as The Young and the Restless Allison Lanier (Summer Newman) scored her very first Emmy nod.
Lanier took over the highly-coveted role of Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Phyllis’ (Michelle Stafford) daughter from two-time Daytime Emmy-winner Hunter King, who won gold for this role in the now defunct Younger Actress in a Daytime Drama Series category.
During the Michael Fairman Channel’s 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special on Friday night, April 19th, Allison was one of the nominated guests, who shared her reaction to the news that she was a first-time Emmy nominee earlier in the day.
Photo: JPI
When speaking of how challenging it can be to be a recast on a soap, and in particular on the top-rated drama, The Young and the Restless, Lanier filled us in how she dealt with it.
Photo: JPI
Allison related, “I’m decent at compartmentalizing, but yes, it was daunting. Being a recast is daunting. Going on a show, especially, one where we work the way that we do, that’s just daunting in and of itself. I do think that when you’re sort of having to follow in somebody’s footsteps, they’re (the audience) automatically going to compare you to somebody else. That’s daunting. But I do think that I was able to hold that was happening for me, but also I have to ignore that and I do have to make it my own thing, because we’re different people. We’re bringing different things to the character and that was really the only way forward for me.”
Photo: JPI
When speaking of the nominees along with her in the Supporting Actress category, of course, she is close with Y&R co-stat and fellow nominees, Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra): “I’m not as familiar with everybody from the other shows quite yet, but I can’t wait to get to know them and to see what they’re putting out there and watch their episodes and their scenes. However, I am so glad that Courtney Hope is nominated in this category. Her storyline was so heartbreaking and the way that her and Mark Grossman (Adam Newman) played that, it just like shot me straight in the heart.”
Photo: JPI
As far as what scenes were on her nominated-reel, Allison shared she first had a reel of 30-minutes in length, just to see how all the scenes played out she was considering, before whittling it down: “So, what ended up on my reel was Summer confronting Diane (Susan Walters) directly after the gala after Phyllis “died.” It’s this kind of heartbreaking moment of anger mixed with pain and grief. I included the scene where Kyle (Michael Mealor) informed Summer that it is time for a divorce in her hotel suite. There was also one scene with Daniel (Michael Graziadei) after Summer knew Phyllis was alive, and I also had another scene with Michelle Stafford when Summer found out that her mother was alive.”
Photo: JPI
To check out the full interview with Allison, watch the Daytime Emmy Nominations Special below featuring ten of this year’s nominees chatting live.
Now let us know, do you think Allison has made the part of Summer her own? Happy to see her nominated? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Wally Kurth Talks on His DAYS Daytime Emmy Nomination, His Emotional Scenes, and Remembering John Aniston
During our 2023 year-end honors at Michael Fairman TV, we named Wally Kurth as our pick for Best Overall Performance by an Actor for his double-turn as both Ned Quartermaine on General Hospital and as Justin Kiriakis on Days of our Lives. So, it was absolutely no surprise to us that Wally landed a Daytime Emmy nomination for his riveting work as a grieving Justin in the Supporting Actor category for the upcoming 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
On DAYS, Justin had been put through the emotional wringer, of first, losing his beloved Uncle Vic, played by the late John Aniston, and then finding out that Victor was the supposed biological father to Justin’s son, Alex (Rob Scott Wilson). If you didn’t reach for the hankies during some of Kurth’s work in these scenes, we don’t know what will make you do so.
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Wally to get his reaction to his fourth Daytime Emmy nomination in the last six years. Kurth was nominated in the Supporting category in 2018, 2020 and now 2024 and Lead Actor in 2021.
In addition, Wally shares what scenes were on his nominated reel, how John Aniston impacted his work, how he has changed as an actor over the years with a new outlook, and being the only actor out there with two long-running roles on two long-running soaps, and much more. Here’s what Wally had to share below.
Congratulations on your well-deserved nomination. You decided to submit yourself this year for Emmy contention in both Lead Actor for GH and Supporting Actor at DAYS, correct?
WALLY: I did. I thought the DAYS reel was a little more dramatic, much more emotional. I had thought with the way the judging goes that it might be a little bit more, winnable, if you will. I enjoyed and was proud of my work at General Hospital, so it’s all good. I’m thrilled. It’s always nice to be nominated.
Photo: JPI
What scenes did you ultimately choose for your Supporting Actor reel?
WALLY: I started chronologically, as always, trying to tell a little bit of a story. I actually started with a scene where Justin has to tell Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) that Victor’s (the late John Aniston) plane went down and it was not found. Then, the scene with Bonnie (Judi Evans) where I sort of have to let it all out, and grieve the loss of this man who was practically Justin’s father, but it was his Uncle Vic. We have a little scene talking about Victor, and then there is a short snippet at the funeral where Justin eulogizes Victor. Next, we jump to scene where Justin discovers the letter where Angelica admits that indeed Victor is Alex’s father (Rob Scott Wilson). So then, Justin has to tell Alex, and then I also sort of grieve the fact that I’m no longer his father. Justin basically lost his son. It was very dramatic and very emotional. I was guessing the judges would be like, “Hey! Enough with the crying! Stop, you big baby!” But, they didn’t. They must have thought that it was convincing enough that it felt really truthful at how Justin was upset about these two unfortunate realizations.
Photo: JPI
You bring up a really good point. I talk to actors all the time about crying on Emmy reels. Sometimes, many feel it might put voters off. But obviously, this time it worked well for you!
WALLY: What I liked about the crying scenes was that, like in real life, you’re not crying all the time when something bad is happening, right? I think crying happens and it takes you off guard. It happens without you realizing it. These were all moments when Justin was alone, really. Bonnie comes in the room where Justin is just kind of like dealing with it. And then her coming in, opens up Justin and she is there to hold him. I think that often happens in real life. I thought that was correct for the writers to do that, you know, that Justin would break down when he was alone.
Photo: JPI
Did you feel the pressure of wanting to get these scenes when Victor died and at his memorial, just right due to the enormity to it, and to do justice for John Aniston?
WALLY: I allowed myself to use my heartbreak over John Aniston. I loved him. I just sort of allowed his presence for me in the scenes. It was sweet. It was good for me. I’m just thinking about it now and I feel teary-eyed. John was such a sweet man. He led by example, and he really did teach me how to be a professional actor, and he was a mentor. He never told me anything specific, but he was just John, and in the scenes, this was the time for me tell him how I feel.
Photo: JPI
Then, you had the heartbreaking scenes with Rob Scott Wilson where Justin tells Alex he is not his father!
WALLY: I thought that was just really challenging material. As I get older, I just trust the material, and don’t get ahead of myself. I trust myself with the emotion. Just let it happen if it happens. When I first read it, I kind of imagined what it could look like and then you just let it unfold from there.
You’ve got Robert Gossett (Marshall, GH), A Martinez (Nardo, The Bay), Mike Manning (Caleb, The Bay), and Bryton James (Devon, Y&R) all in your category. Robert has won two Daytime Emmys in a row, last year for Supporting Actor and the year before for Guest Performer.
WALLY: l love Robert. I worked with the character Marshall on General Hospital, and we had so much fun. He’s a great guy and a really good actor. A Martinez is the best guy ever. I have such admiration for him. Whenever I see him, we always really connect and to be in included with him is great. Bryton James, I don’t know, but I know he beat me in this category in 2020. Mike Manning, I didn’t get the opportunity to know when he was at DAYS as he weren’t in scenes together, but I hear good things about him, too.
Photo: JPI
When you are judging Emmy reels, what do you look for when you’re voting on a performance?
WALLY: That’s a really great question. And because let’s face it, there’s just a lot of terrific talent in daytime. This year, I judged two categories. I don’t just go with, “Okay, who’s crying the most.” I really try to go with the one who’s touches me the most, who surprises me and moves me. And so, if you go with that, you’re probably going in the right direction. I also think that upfront you do need to kind of give them something in the first couple minutes that shows you know what you’re doing and don’t make it too repetitive.
Who did you first tell you were nominated?
WALLY: My manager, Michael Bruno called me. I was in Chicago with my daughters having a late breakfast and I knew the nominations were going to happen around 11 am Chicago time. I didn’t tell my daughters about what was happening, just in case, I didn’t get nominated. So, when Michael called, I went, “Oh, boy!” I told my daughters who were sitting at the table with me. So, they were the first two people that I could tell, and that was really nice. We had champagne which was really funny because I bought three little glasses of champagne, and as soon as I bought it, we toasted. They said, “We don’t really like champagne.” So, I ended up drinking all three glasses. (Laughs)
Photo: JPI
What do you think of Eric Martsolf (Brady), your Day Players Band member, and DAYS co-star getting a Lead Actor nomination?
WALLY: I remember, I was like talking to him and I was like, “Eric, are you going to submit yourself?” And he is like, “I don’t know. I don’t really have anything …” And the next thing you know, he’s nominated. I’m like, “Wow! I guess he found something!” (Laughs) I love Eric. I have such respect for him and his gift, and he works really hard. So, I was very happy for him. I’m glad we weren’t in the same category, however.
How many years now have you been playing Justin on DAYS?
WALLY: I started here 37 years ago in 1987. I was there for four years and then I left. Then, 18 years later, Ken Corday (EP, DAYS) invited me back in 2009 and I’ve been on the show now for 15 years. So, I guess a total of 20 years on and off over the last 37 years. Everyone remembers 1987-1991 … those were big, big years for Justin and Adrienne who back then were a supercouple.
Photo: JPI
Have you determined who you would thank in your acceptance speech if you win this year’s Supporting Actor Daytime Emmy?
WALLY: I feel like this year I kind of have an idea of what I would say. I think I can remember all of that without writing it down. If I had gotten nominated for both shows, I was definitely going to point out and thank the powers-that-be for giving me dual citizenship and how much I appreciate that. I do think that being on both soaps, I will go to my grave believing that it’s made me a better actor. In fact, since I’ve been doing both shows, I’ve been nominated for Daytime Emmys. I’ve become a better actor. I feel like maybe it’s just that I’ve gotten older and wiser, but I feel as though when I go in there to work, I’m really focused and I’m really prepared. I know I pretty much get one shot to get it. We’re in the business of “one takes” now in the soaps.
Photo: Peacock
People are so lucky to even have one enduring role in their careers, but you’ve been able to have two, and they’re completely separate characters on two legacy shows; one which just turned 61, General Hospital, and the other Days of our Lives which will soon celebrate 60 years, as well.
WALLY: I didn’t plan on it. I must have done something right. Back in 2009, Ken called me up and invited me back to DAYS. I really jumped in. I’d been out of work for four or five years. I went back with a whole new attitude about the work, about the genre. In 2004, when I left General Hospital, I was kind of burnt out. Looking back on it, I didn’t have a good attitude and I was just done. I was kind of tired. New writers come in and sometimes, when you have new writers that look at your character differently, it can be very difficult, because you just know that their passion is not with your character. However, in this case, I’m like, “I’m going to take whatever the writers give me and do the best I can and do my job. Let the writers do their job.” I think the writers also know that I really respect them and I’m not going to complain. I’m not going to tell them what to do and I’m going to stay out of it. They have enough to work out. They have enough to do. I’m going to be the problem solver, not the problem creator. There are enough problem creators. Believe me when I tell you that every time I leave those sets, I’m like, “Thank you. I love it. See you the next time I see you.” I know how lucky I am to do both shows and to have this opportunity to act at my age and still be sent scripts. I love the art of acting. I’d do it for free. The fact that they’re paying me and I am able to do this and work with these great, wonderful, talented actors every day, it’s kind of mind-blowing.
So, will you be rooting for Wally to take home the gold in this year’s Outstanding Supporting Actor in Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards on June 7th live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+? Let us know if you remember his nominated scenes from Days of our Lives via the comment section below and how they affected you.
Interviews
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
It has been 20-years since daytime dynamo, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) of The Young and the Restless, has captured the Daytime Emmy for her continued outstanding performances. She previously won Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1997 and Outstanding Lead Actress in 2004, and along the way has amassed 12 nominations for her work.
Now, Stafford finds herself in a crowded field of women going for gold at the upcoming 51st annual Daytime Emmys to be handed out on Friday, June 7th on CBS. Nominated along with Michelle in this year’s Lead Actress race are: Finola Hughes (Anna, GH), Annika Noelle (Hope, B&B), Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, B&B), Cynthia Watros (Nina, GH) and Tamara Braun (Ava, DAYS).
Michael Fairman TV chatted with Michelle about her nominated scenes, her on-screen daughter, Allison Lanier being recognized for the first time in her career for her work as Summer, and her enduring friendship with Finola Hughes; which dates all the way back to when they were co-stars on the 1997 primetime soap opera, Pacific Palisades.
Photo: JPI
Michelle participated in the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nomination Special last Friday, where she chatted with us and the fans live to celebrate her nomination along with several other actors. Here’s what Michelle shared on these key topics below.
Photo: JPI
What scenes did you submit, and what about those scenes did you think showcased you as an actress for the Lead Actress competition?
MICHELLE: I went from the beginning of Phyllis’ spin out, to her pleading to be exonerated. The thing that I liked is it showed what I do love about the character of Phyllis, and that is that she is dark. She can be very dark and really fierce, but then very broken. I liked that it showed all of that. I had some scenes with Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren) and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) that I started with that weren’t really meant to be as intense as they were, but they ended up being very intense. Basically, Phyllis is talking to her friends and no one believes her about this woman, Diane (Susan Walters). No one believes her and she has no friends and no one wants to know her. She’s become the villain, and it showed her just complete frustration. Then, there is this scene. It was so funny because Phyllis is like in Diane’s face going, “You’re afraid of me.” And then, I got up in her face and Phyllis goes, “and you should be afraid of me.” I’m watching it going, “Bitch, I’m afraid of you!” And then, at the end of my reel, she is just so broken talking to the judge.
Photo: JPI
Your on-screen daughter, Allison Lanier, scored her first Daytime Emmy nomination and in the highly-competitive Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama series category. What are your thoughts on Allison?
MICHELLE: Allison worked so hard last year. She works hard all the time. She’s so great. I’m so happy for her because she’s just a very focused, hardworking actress. I think, she really has a great look and she’s just fantastic. I feel just so rich in that Hunter King played my daughter for so many years, and now I have Allison. You know, Allison came into the story when my character was really jacked up and very adversarial and fighting with Summer all the time. I think it was a little daunting for Allison, but she got it. This is daytime, and you have to get on the express train. It’s moving. You either jump on or you don’t get on. Not every actor can do it. It’s a special technique and I think that’s what we all love about it, because that’s the challenge to actually put out something somewhat decent. I never want to say good, because I don’t know if it’s good but somewhat decent, in the limited time we have. I saw what Allison submitted which was fantastic. It’s really impressive. I always say anyone who could be good in daytime is phenomenal out there.
Photo Fox
You and Finola Hughes are nominated together, and are good friends dating all the way back to when you were both on Pacific Palisades together. You had played the character of Joanna, and Finola was the character of Kate. What do you recall about your time on the show?
MICHELLE: The characters we played were best friends on Pacific Palisaides, and I created a great friendship with Finola. Looking back at my time on that show, I don’t think I appreciated it as much as I should have. Of course, I was younger and I thought, “This is my first show. I’ll get many more.” You don’t appreciate things like you do when you’re older. Not that I didn’t appreciate it. I mean, I knew I was really fortunate. I knew I was lucky. I grew up in this business. I knew how lucky I was, but it was just a very different kind of character for me to play. I think it was a little challenging because I had gone from playing Phyllis, to playing like this wholesome Midwestern girl off the farm. So, that was a bit challenging for me, but I had a good time.
So, what do you think of the scenes submitted by Michelle for this year’s Emmy competition? Will you be rooting for her to win her first Emmy in over 20 years? What do you remember about Finola and Michelle in ‘Pacific Palisades’? And, what do you think about the on-screen dynamic between on-screen mother and daughter as played by Michelle and Allison Lanier? Weigh-in via the comment section. And in case you missed it, you can catch the ’10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special’ below featuring live conversations with 10 of this year’s acting nominees.
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