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Brett Claywell speaks in first interview since Kish got the AX!

By Michael Fairman

Published

17 years ago

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

In a doozy of an interview from Fancast’s, Sara Bibel, One Life to Live’s Brett Claywell (Kyle) answers questions surrounding the abrupt ending of the Kish same-sex storyline, and responds to the online rumors  that questioned his and Scott Evans’s professionalism,  that could have figured into why the duo got the boot.  Here are some enlightening excerpts below on the performance standard issues, the Kish fan base, if the couple will ever return, and Brett’s feelings toward the show’s head writer, and executive producer.

Brett on the TV Guide Canada column which reported rumors of their performance issues a being a reason they were written-off: “Scott informed me of that yesterday.  It’s amazing to me that two people can put so much of their heart into a story that can be so passionate and serious and tell a story as honestly and as truthfully as we tried to and just open our hearts to the world and just try to make a difference, try and touch people and stories like this will come out that are absolutely, 100% false.  I’d love for anyone to watch one day of any of the work we’ve done and tell me that Scott and I were not 100% committed to what we were doing.  We were so dedicated to our work. It’s hurtful.  I’m really offended that someone would make completely false claims.  I’m angry.  It’s slander. One of the last days that Scott and I worked together, the argument scene that just aired two weeks ago when I had the DNA test, we had all these scenes that were from different episodes, 41 pages of dialogue that Scott and I filmed in maybe an hour and a half.  We work so methodically together and so well together.  We would film scenes in one take like everybody does.  You ask the directors we worked with.  The fact that you can spend a year and a half pouring your heart into a story and one person with one article can try to bruise that reputation you have, it’s disheartening and it’s offensive.”

Brett on whether he thinks Kish will ever return: “I think they intentionally left it open.  Whether or not it’s going to happen, I can’t predict the future.  But Scott and I would both love to work together again.  We filmed our last day together and we didn’t even know it was our last day together.  I feel like there’s still some closure [needed] both for the story and us working together.”

Brett on what he sees as the response from fans: “I realized this week that we don’t have a fanbase.  We have an army.  I think I need to start making uniforms for them.  I couldn’t be more appreciative.  Moving to New York and telling this story… being an actor you’re on an island sometimes.  You’re just standing on your own two feet dealing with all the pressure and the stress that come with certain things.  Playing this role was more difficult than anything I’ve ever done in my life and it was more rewarding than anything I’ve ever done in my life.  It’s probably the proudest accomplishment I’ve ever had in my life.  A lot of that is a testament to the fans because they give you strength.  They help you know in the times that you feel most alone that you really aren’t.  Knowing that your work is really important to somebody, that it means something to somebody… every moment that I might have had a weak moment where I was getting overwhelmed there was a word from somebody that doesn’t even know that I read it that affected me just enough to get me through.  You say fans, because you don’t know them, but they’re more like friendships.  The support they gave is like no other.”

Brett on his feelings now toward One Life’s head writer, Ron Carlivati and EP, Frank Valentini: “I want to make sure that I put on the record that from my eyes and from my perspective I have no bitterness or no anger towards Frank and Ron.  Frank, he kept me around.  The character was created.  The character was revealed to be a gay man.  Through the whole process we had nothing but communication and support and belief and trust with Frank Valentini. People need to remember that this story never would have been told without either of them.  Without Ron’s writing but especially without Frank’s support.  I never would have played this role probably without Frank’s support.  At the end of the day it was sad to go.  It’s our family in a lot of ways and a little part of us feels like we’re being thrown under the bus by our family, maybe, but I am appreciative and indebted to Frank for being bold enough to tell this story and to tell it as truthfully as we did.  That truth may have shocked some people.  It may have created discussions in households and in places that never would have had the discussion.  To be bold enough to make that choice and to stand by it is why we did the work. I forever will be grateful to Frank and I think people should understand that… It might be a slower train than we want for equality to be on the streets or on the air but this still was progress.  The support that ABC gave us, the bravery that One Life To Live had as a show, the beauty in the words that Ron wrote, and the strength of the performances that Scott and I gave, this should be nothing but a celebration for a year that changed daytime television.”

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shame on abc

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brett buddy great interview your fans have just begun to fight for you guys along with
gladd i not gay but my wife & i love watching oltl the show should be in black to mourn
you & scott’s loss signed kish petition today.
steve h. – in alabama

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this interview at least cleared up the rumor that Claywell found out online when the news broke and was not told by OLTL. So he was told. Regarding the professionalism issue, what’s Claywell gonna say? “Yes Evans and I partied all the time?” Of course not. He’s gonna say they were professional yada yada yada. Part of being professional is not trashing your former employers, which Claywell did for both primetime and daytime soaps with his “no one writes for me” and “we were thrown under the bus” comments.

so where’s the complaint of racism since daphnee duplaix was let go? she’s a person of color, so based on the mindset of the kish fans, racism must be the reason she was axed. the characters of color on soaps are relegated to the background.

Get over yourself Claywell. There’s no stability in acting, so to whine that he gave his heart and soul into playing Kyle, whatevs, any actor can say that if it was true or not. Claywell and Evans are contributing to this media circus known as Kishtastrophe and are milking it for all its worth. Claywell and Evans seem to be using it to drag out more publicity from this Kishtastrophe.

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Bottomchef,

You’re disgusting. Part of being a human being is standing up for one’s self when one has been wronged! Professionalism does not mean allowing others to screw you over and take it like a champ. Claywell would have probably never said anything but the smear campaign was too much for him.

Please don’t bother to say that studios and networks don’t screw over their actors. Soaps have long histories of doing such. Michael Zaslow was fired infamously by P&G after he became ill. Last year, Sony leaked salary information about Eric Braeden.

Claywell was kind and gracious to OLTL’s executive producer Frank Valentini and to head writer Ron Carlavati. Nice of you to over look this statement by Claywell: “Through the whole process we had nothing but communication and support and belief and trust with Frank Valentini. People need to remember that this story never would have been told without either of them. Without Ron’s writing but especially without Frank’s support. I never would have played this role probably without Frank’s support. ”

This is 2010. Companies have shown that they have no loyalty to their employees. Claywell was more than kind to his former bosses even as they weren’t to him.

For the record, fans of Daphnee Duplaix do look suspiciously at OLTL for her firing because OLTL has a history of hiring and firing minority actors. Paul Rauch is infamous for his firing all of the black actor on OLTL in the 1970s. As of today, rumors are swirling that most of the minority cast is going to be let go. Adios Destiny, Shaun, and Tea. Layla’s portrayer, Tika Sumpter is now recurring.

Soaps, in general, have a poor history of recognizing their diverse audience by hiring and nurturing minority actors. ATWT has no people of color in its cast. When is the last time a person of color had a decent storyline on GH? Days has backburnered the Carvers for years. Y&R is joked about the DaytimeConfidential.com editors for only having its black cast brought out on the 1st and 15th of the month.

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Actors should be open to harsh criticism since they’re “public property” and it’s in the nature of their job to be scrutinized, but you have shown a lot of “class” by calling me names. And all for what? Bec you’re a fan of kish? Bec you’re annoyed at any comment saying Evans’s acting is shoddy? Bec you’re aggravated when ppl don’t support the interviews of the actors who seem to be making their axing into a homophobia issue when it’s not? I won’t stoop to your level.

Yes daytime’s been terrible w/ racial diversity casting. That’s been established long ago. What else is new? But Duplaix was written out bec she’s a racial minority, mich like the kish actors were not written off bec of homophobia.

How can ABC be homophobic? OLTL let kish have a love scene! AMC penned the real groundbreaking lgbtq storyline by letting Bianca come out, w/c was acted by the fantastic Eden Reigel. AMC let Bianca and reese marry! ABC is not homophobic. Evans and Claywell should learn interview etiquette lessons from Eden reigel. Chuck Pratt blamed Eden Reigel for Rianca bec Reigel left AMC. Reigel had nothing but kind words for AMC, her former employer. She didn’t trash AMC, unlike Evans and Claywell. Now she’s on Y&R!

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Very good strong words from Brett, but very truthful. Kish is composed of two very fine actors who were willing to take that story and run with it. I wish them luck, but I would be surprised if OLTL would bring themback. We shall see….

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Great interview! I wish him the best of luck for all the future opportunities!

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Bottomchef…..you spew a lot of anger about these 2 very talented actors and your attack on them seems very personal……sounds like you might even be a jealous actor who resents their popularity and success…….could that be it???/…..hmm…

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Brett is a very special young man and together with Scott Evans he has made kish one of the most beloved couples ever seen on daytime…..OLTL is making a monumental mistake in ending this beautiful love story and will soon realize just how many new viewers they brought to the show when Kish leaves and their countless fans leave with them…..

Bottomchef…..get over yourself your hateful rants will never deflect from the amazing talent of Brett and Scott and the positive impact they and their story has left on daytime TV………
I could amost believe you are an employee of ABC/OLTL…why else would you have such a
hatred of these wonderfully talented actors??……BTW..point me to a story where Brett or Scott have trashed ABC…they are merely trying to defend their reputation against false allegations which they have every right to do and they are actually the only ones acting professionally is this whole sad situation….

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Bottomchef,

I agree with everyone else here. Brett Claywell and Scott Evans have been nothing but gracious to EVERYONE during this whole situation. I dare you to point out any interview/article where either of them have said anything against OLTL or ABC, or any of the people they worked for or with. Unlike you, these young men are above trashing others and have shown themselves to be nothing but professionals with class and integrity, obviously characteristics their former employer is lacking. Furthermore, actors are not “public property.” They aren’t “property” at all! And they have a right to defend their character when lies and untruths are printed about them. Anybody who wouldn’t do so in the same situation would be crazy as their career would be at stake.

Furthermore, I must agree with others here that you must be carrying a personal vendetta against these wonderful young men because I can’t believe you would spend so much time on a message board spewing your hatred against them when you likely don’t know them personally and can’t vouch for their character one way or the other. They have done nothing to you or anyone else to deserve such hatred, but people like you obviously think anyone that has more class or is a better person than you are should be criticized and shot down (I’m assuming so you can feel better about yourself because of your own self-hatred and what you lack as a human being). You obviously have much more time on your hands than sense! Why else would you come on this board and criticize and bash two wonderful young men that you don’t even know at all just for the sake of a little attention. You know nothing about the character of either of these young men, and you never will.

Why don’t you go “get a life” and try to be somebody instead of criticizing others who have long surpassed you!

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for kyle lewis and oliver fish and their child sierra rose to bring them home to lianview beofre the holiday and keep them stay in lianview oliver fish still employed at lianvew police officer and kyle still employed at lianview hospital since dr greg evans is leaving his role and he needs help his back up at lianview hospital and jonh mcbain need back up at lianview police station with oliver fish and make their return on – screen agian

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Actress Jen Jacob Reveals Pregnancy

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2 hours ago

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October 13, 2026

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Congratulations are in order for Jen Jacob (Ashley Morgan, Beyond the Gates) and her husband, musician Jesse Ruben. The two will be welcoming their first baby girl to their growing family in March of 2027 after Jacob that she is pregnant!

Jen took to her Instagram account and shared sonogram images of the couple’s little bundle of joy growing inside of her. She captioned the montage of images, “Mom & Dad have entered the chat. Baby girl coming March 2027 🩷” The post is set to the music of Thurston Harris’ “Little Bitty Pretty One.”

This marks the first child for the duo who have been married for the last 8 years and recently celebrated their wedding anniversary just last week on October 7.

Jen and Ben

Photo: JjacobIG

Ruben wrote on the occasion, “Eight years ago today, I got to marry my favorite person. Jen Jaccob, hank you for saying yes, and being the best, most patient and kind and loving partner. How lucky am I, to get to do life with you. I love doing life with you.”

BEYOND THE GATES CAST OVERJOYED

Upon the news, several of Jen’s Beyond the Gates costars were on the ready and jumped in the post comment thread including: Daytime Emmy nominee Arielle Prepetit (Naomi).“I’m gonna be an auntieeeee!! Yasss!♥️” That was followed by RhonniRoseMantilla (Chelsea), who aded, “YAYYYYY BTG BABY BTG BABYYYY💕💕💕”

Daytime Emmy nominee, Karla Mosley (Dani) wrote, “❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ love love LOVE – there aren’t enough hearts in the world.” Meanwhile, Daphnee Duplaix (Nicole) added, “Can’t wait for our newest family member!!!!” Lauren Buglioli (Vanessa) expressed: “EEEEEE!!! Aunt Lauren loves you baby girllll”

Ashley Morgan

Photo: CBS

WILL THE CBS SOAP OPERA FOLLOW SUIT AND MAKE ASHLEY PREGNANT?

Meanwhile on CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates, Ashley still remains unlucky in love. Her ex-boyfriend, Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin) died, she had initially split with suitor Grayson Perez (Jordi Vilasuso) after the The Impaler blood plasma reveal, but she did have a previous flirtation with Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman), which could still come back around in the future.

No word yet if Ashley will become pregnant on-screen during the time of Jen’s pregnancy or if she will be hiding behind the nurses station desk to cover her baby bump at Garland Memorial Hospital.

Share your congrats to Jen and Ben on the announcement of their baby on the way via the comment section, and let us know if you think Beyond the Gates should or will, write Jen’s pregnancy into the story for Ashley?

 

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B&B’s Dual Emmy-Nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor on Black Representation in the Soaps, ‘Our Voices Are Being Heard. I Want to Make Sure That Continues’

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3 hours ago

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October 13, 2026

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Lawrence Saint-Victor

When Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter Walton, The Bold and the Beautiful) was announced to be nominated this year at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for not only Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series, but also as part of the nominated Writing Team from the CBS soap, it was a big moment in his life and his career.

As many know, Saint-Victor has been a veteran of soap opera since back in his early days as Remy on the now defunct Guiding Light. Fast-forward to some 17 years later since the conclusion of GL, and Lawrence is nominated in a year that is a breakthrough for Black performers and creatives behind the scenes in the soaps, which for decades was never the case in daytime television.

With the advent and launch in 2025 of the first Black-led hour-long daytime drama, Beyond the Gates locking down 15 nominations going into Emmy night on October 30 and a host of other writing and acting nominees, the tide seems to have shifted. It’s something Saint-Victor hopes will continue for years to come.

Steffy and Carter

Photo: JPI

THE TIDE HAS TURNED

Speaking with Ebony, Lawrence shared on his dual nominations, “I’ve sat with those thoughts and feelings for some time, thinking about what these nominations mean to me, especially as the first Black man in daytime to be nominated for acting and writing in the same year.”

Saint-Victor is nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor alongside: Sean Dominic (Nate, Y&R), Mike Manning (Smitty, BTG), Michael Graziadei (Daniel, Y&R), Roger Howarth (Matt, Y&R), Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill, BTG).

On his journey in soaps, Lawrence explained, “So many Black men and women, both in front of and behind the camera, pushed the door open and kept pushing so that I could walk through. They fought to be seen, heard, and given an opportunity. I don’t take for granted that I get to stand on the other side of those doors now. And I believe it’s my responsibility — as well as the responsibility of my brothers and sisters in this industry — to keep pushing. That feels especially important to me as a writer.”

MORE WORK TO DO FOR INCLUSIVENESS

Lawrence added, “Representation can’t exist only in front of the camera. Our perspective and our experiences need to be present in the work too. Our experiences are not one thing. Black people are not one thing. We are romantic. We are funny. We are angry. We are heroic. We are flawed. We are sexy. We are vulnerable. We are complicated. We still have a lot of work to do, but we have also come so far.”

Win or lose, Lawrence believes this will be a moment for inclusiveness, celebration, and to inspire: “The fruit of the fight to be heard is coming to harvest. I am a leading man in a leading story on my show, and I’m also a writer on that very show AND I stand on the shoulders of giants. Our voices are being heard. I want to make sure that continues.”

The 53rd annual Daytime Emmys will be streamed on the official Emmys You Tube Channel as well as streamed on the official website The Emmys via watch.theemmys.tv.

So, have you been thrilled to see how the door has opened for Black representation in front of the camera and behind the scenes at your favorite daytime soaps? What do you think about Lawrence’s dual nominations heading into Emmy night? Share your thoughts on the state of the soaps via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Eva LaRue Talks Guest Performer Daytime Emmy Nod With Maurice Benard: ‘I Only Have a Nomination Because of You’

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2 days ago

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October 11, 2026

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It was back in episodes of June of 2025 that saw the undoing and ultimate death of Natalia Rogers-Ramirez after complex and poignant scenes delivered by soap opera vet, Eva LaRue on General Hospital. Prior to her demise, Sonny (Maurice Benard) had Natalia believing they were going to head out of the country and set up their lives together, only for Sonny to pull out at the last moment after learning of all of Natalia’s deception.

Throughout her run on GH, LaRue’s Natalia became one of the most hated characters of the year, especially because of the character’s bigotry against her own gay children, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) and Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez), and that she was revealed to be the ex-wife of Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). But even with all that, Eva triumphed and secured a Daytime Emmy nomination going into the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30 in the Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.

LaRue faces tough competition from the other nominees that include: Christopher Sean (Paul, Days of our Lives), Jasmine Burke (June Hughes, Beyond the Gates), Jeff Kober (ex-Cyrus Renault, General Hospital), and Ray Wise (ex-Ian Ward, The Young and the Restless).

Outstanding Guest Performer Nominees

Photo: NATAS

EVA LARUE SCORED HER FOURTH EMMY NOMINATION

Now, on a new Sunday, October 11 edition of Maurice Benard’s mental health series, State of Mind, the two former co-stars talked about LaRue’s fourth Daytime Emmy nomination. She previously won an Emmy for her work as as Celeste Rosales on The Young and the Restless in this same category in 2020, and was nominated three other times including this year.

The others were for co-writing the song, “Dance with You Again” for All My Children in 2004 and in 1997 in the Supporting Actress category her role as Mario Santos on the beloved ABC soap opera.

Speaking on her nomination, LaRue says it’s Maurice who was truly helped her deliver her performances. “I only have a nomination because of you,” she said to the three-time Daytime Emmy winning Lead Actor. “You said to me that you were going to get nominated.” Eva added, “God bless the writers because they wrote some fantastic stuff for me to go out on.”

Maurice responded, “You had levels in your work that day that we did those scenes. But you were on fire!”

Sonny and Natalia, GH

Photo: ABC

MAURICE BENARD’S BOLD EMMY PREDICTION

Explaining the category she is nominated for to Benard, LaRue said, “I’m nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series. So (the category) was those of us who were like not on contract, but we were there for a while. I mean now, I feel like that guest thing is so much more competitive than it ever was, because so many of the soap operas are taking people off contract, which then throws them into the Guest category.”

Benard, who shares he has great Emmy karma predicting the acting awards on daytime’s biggest night, made his bold 2026 prediction sharing his pick. “I would say you’re gonna win (to LaRue). And I would say if not, it’s between you and somebody else. There’s no reason why you wouldn’t win for the ‘Guest’ category.”

You can watch part 1 of the conversation between Eva LaRue and Maurice Benard on State of Mind below. With part 2 being released next Sunday on October 18.

Now, let us know, do you think Eva has a chance at grabbing the gold for her work as Natalia-Rogers Ramirez on General Hospital? Would you like to see her win? It’s been a very heavy time for Eva after just recently losing her brother. Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.

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