On CBS’ newest soap opera Beyond the Gates, which is the first-ever Black-led one-hour daytime drama series, RhonniRose Mantilla is one of the fresh faces in the cast who is quickly making a name for herself in the role of Chelsea Hamilton. In story, Chelsea is the daughter of Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) and Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett), and a very well-known social media influencer and burgeoning high-fashion model (until now).
Recently, Chelsea told her mother Dani (a former high fashion model herself and her momager) that she wants to step away from the runway and being in front of the camera, and work behind the scenes developing her own fashion and accessories line. At first, it was gut-punch to Dani who worked hard to get Chelsea to where she was in the world of fashion. However, on the Tuesday, April 8th episode of the Beyond the Gates, it looked like Chelsea and Dani came together to deliver one final major fashion show as Chelsea took to the catwalk one last time.
Recently, Michael Fairman TV caught up with RhonniRose and asked her not only about Chelsea’s modeling days and move out of the spotlight, but also for the character’s current sexual proclivity where currently she is involved with a married couple in a “throuple.” We also learned that RhonniRose came from a background in musical theatre before becoming a daytime star. Might she sing a song or two on upcoming episodes of BTG? Check out some of the highlights from our conversation with Mantilla below.
Photo: CBS
Chelsea/Dani relationship and getting out of her modeling career: “I love when Chelsea stands up for herself and for what she wants. Chelsea is a very free spirit in every aspect, except when it comes to Dani, because she has been in charge of her career and she is her mom, but she isn’t always interested in Chelsea’s heart. Chelsea was finally like, ‘No, I can’t.’ IDani was shocked. I don’t think that Dani’s fully over it or okay with it, but I think Chelsea is like, ‘Whew, that’s done.”‘
Working with Karla Mosley: “I love it. It’s my favorite thing. Karla is just a ball of energy, and love and light, and she’s so sweet. When we, in the cast, are so tired and we just want to get (a scene or show) done, she is the one that’s always like, “OK, let’s do it.” Karla gets us going and she’s so helpful. She really does act like a mom. Karla is there for you if you need her.”
Chelsea’s new business venture: “I think that anything that Chelsea sets her mind to she can do and especially together with Kat (Colby Mohammad). I think they are going to be extremely, extremely, successful.”
If RhonniRose was ever model in real life: “No! I never was a model. I mean, I was at first scared (to play one), but our costume team is just impeccable, so I put full trust into them. They’re so just so good. They are women of color, so they get it, you know, curves and all.”
Chelsea’s Throuple: “So, Chelsea doesn’t like any labels. She doesn’t like to be tied down. She just wants to do what she wants with whoever she wants when she wants. Right now, she is involved in a throuple with a married couple, a husband and wife, and she’s enjoying it. She’s a wild card and a free spirit, so who knows how this might play out in the future!
Photo: CBS
Landing on the role of Chelsea: “I was on tour playing the role of Cinderella in the musical production of Into the Woods. Before we transferred to Cleveland, I had a little break. So, I went home and I self-taped myself for the role of Kat, who used be named ‘Allison.’ I sent it in the next day. They were like, ‘Hey, can you read for ‘Cheryl’ AKA Chelsea. I was like,’sure!’ Two weeks later, I was in Cleveland and during tech week. My agent called and told me they had passed me through the creative team. However, we had to wait for the the network to give the big ‘yes.’ Shortly after that, I gave my two-weeks notice and moved to Atlanta, and here I am!”
You can check out our entire conversation with RhonniRose Mantilla below which is also currently highlighted on the Michael Fairman Channel and make sure t0 tune-in weekdays to Beyond the Gates on CBS airing at 2pm ET/1pm PT and streaming on Paramount+.
Now let us know, what do you think of Chelsea’s choice to move away from modeling? Will it stick? What do you think of Chelsea being sexually involved with a married couple? Do you think eventually one member of the couple will ultimately just want to be with Chelsea and they will fall in love? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below,
On the Friday, May 8 episode of Beyond the Gates, the CBS daytime drama served up another fantasy sequence between married couple Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) and Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley). The moment happened after Dani overheard a suspicious conversation and teasingly asks her hubby if he is spy?
This launches into story time by Dani, when she dreams up a scenario straight out of the look of the Blaxploitation films of the early to mid 70s. We are talking Pam Grier in Foxy Brown, Richard Roundtree in Shaft, and Sweet Sweet Badassses Song from Melvin Van Peoples and others.
In Dani’s story, both she and Andre are spies at Orphey Gene’s. Andre reveals he wears an eye patch. In the fantasy, Andre is also deemed to be a men’s underwear photographer from Iowa. The two seems to be double agents.
Courtesy/CBS
After the scenes aired, the official Beyond the Gates Instagram account and Karla Mosley shared it on social, and many of the BTG cast jumped in the comment thread, as the series always brings it in the hair and make-up and wardrobe department and they had this down.
Sean Freeman said, “Sooo much fun shooting this one 🔥,” while Karla Mosley added, “The way I have been waiting for this episode to drop!” BTG Writer, Danielle Paige shared, “One of my fave days to write!!!”
While some fans loved it, others were not so in love with it. Check out the satire below featuring Dani and Andre’s 70s Foxy Brown-esque fantasy.
Then let us know, did you enjoy the repartee and think it was clever, plus the wardrobe, make-up and hair throwing it back to decades ago in the cinema … or do you think it was a waste of time on an episode and would prefer not to see fantasy sequences? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Who would have thought that more uptight of the Beyond the Gates Dupree sisters, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix), would be the one cavorting around with a few different suitors at one time and living it up! Such as the case of the psychiatrist at Garland Memorial Medical Center.
In story, after her decades-long marriage went bust with Dr. Ted Richardson (thanks to the bombshell by Leslie that Ted and her had an affair the result of which was her having his daughter, Eva), Nicole divorced the renowned plastic surgeon and since that time has two men actively vying her attention, newcomer in town, Dr. Kial Robbins (Greg Vaughan) and Ted’s plastic surgeon partner, Dr. Carlton Fitzgerald (Michael Christopher Riley).
What’s refreshing for daytime is, this is a woman taking control of her personal life, and not making excuses that she is not being mutually-exclusive, She has even explained to both Kial and Carlton that after the stormy ending and the betrayal of her marriage to Ted (Keith D. Robinson), she’s not rushing into anything with any sort of short or long term commitment. So, everyone knows what they are getting themselves into.
For Nicole, let the fun begin and this week on all new episodes of Beyond the Gates come the Friday, May 8 episode while with Carlton, Nicole runs into Food Network Chef, Sunny Anderson who is also a regular contributor and official “Drew Crew” member on The Drew Barrymore Show. Meanwhile, Ted is thinking about another woman who Shanice thinks is Leslie, but doesn’t he just love Nicole and wants her back, try as he might to move on with anyone that isn’t her? Stay tuned.
This week, in the latest promo for Beyond the Gates, things are getting hot and heavy in the bedroom between Nicole and Carlton, while previous she had quite the time with Kial.
Check out the latest video teaser for episodes airing May 4-8 below.
So, who do you think will be the ultimate love match for Nicole? Will she wind up back with Ted, choose to be exclusive with Kial or Carlton, or will no one get Nicole, and she will just continue to be single and happy for the rest of her life? Let us know your picks via the comment section.
Your favorite soaps operas on CBS, have a scheduling shift over the next few days for the network’s fifth annual broadcast for the UEFA Champions League Soccer games in Europe.
This will effect the Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29; and next week’s Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6 line-up of Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless.
First, and the most affected is all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates which will not air today or tomorrow. As well, game show Let’s Make a Deal will also be preempted. The two shows will also be fully preempted on May 5 and May 6.
Photo: UEFA
However, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful will air as normal for East Coast viewers, but those on the West Coast in Mountain and Pacific Time Zones will have a full preemption. Only, the top-rated The Price is Right will air coast-to-coast with no interruptions because of its time slot of 11am ET/10am PT.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, semi-final matches begin airing today on April 28 when Paris Saint Germain PSG plays a home game in France and goes up against Bayern Munich, and on April 29, viewers can look for Atlético de Madrid plays at home vs. Arsenal FC.
Next week, on Tuesday, May 5, Arsenal FC plays at home in England vs. Atletico Madrid, while Bayern Munich faces Paris Saint-Germain, on Wednesday May 6, in Munich, Germany.
CBS will air a one-hour UEFA Champions League Today before each of the matches at 2pm ET as the matches begin each day of the tournament at 3pm ET.
BEYOND THE GATES PREVIEW
When Beyond the Gates returns this Thursday, April 3o it will be the pick-up of the Monday, April 27 cliffhanger which found the Dr. Lia Whitmore (Cecelia Specht) threatening Grayson (Jordi Vilasuso) and Ashley (Jen Jacob) and Dani (Karla Mosley) becoming even more suspicious of Hayley (Marquita Goings) and her plans for Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett).
Photo: CBS
In addition look for, Leslie (Tricia Mann-Grant) to be confronted by Anita (Tamara Tunie), while exes, Ted (Keith D. Robinson) and Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) share a close moment witnessed by Shanice.
For those wanting to catch all episodes of The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful if you are in the West Coast time zones and usually watch them during the day. you can catch the action via CBS.com, CBS app or Paramount+
As Beyond the Gates heats up with who’s behind and involved in the black market blood plasma snatching story, don’t forget to check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s recent interview with Cecelia Specht on all things Dr. Lia Whitmore below.
So, what do you think of the preemption schedule and how it may affect your viewing this week and next of Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section.
