News
Joanna Johnson Comes Out Of The Closet as B&B's First Same-Sex Couple Begins to Air!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
In an absolutely fabulous interview out this morning with TV Guide, Joanna Johnson (Karen Spencer) admits publicly that she is gay and reveals that details and emotions that led her to keep her sexual identify under wraps during her many years in daytime soaps.
As many know, this week on The Bold and the Beautiful viewers and members of the Spencer family will begin to find out that Karen is a lesbian, and she has partner, too. Enter, Daytime Emmy winner, Crystal Chappell in her new role as Danielle. Here are a few riveting excerpts below from the feature!
Joanna on “officially” coming out, making her the only performer in daytime to do so publicly: “Daytime is a whole different world than primetime or theater or film. There’s a greater intimacy between the viewers and the characters. They think you are your character. And that creates a lot of fear. Fear of rejection. I was so worried I wouldn’t be employable as an actress if people knew I was a lesbian. Or that I wouldn’t be believable in romance stories. I had to deal with a lot of self-loathing. After I started playing Karen, I remember doing a fantasy scene that showed what life would have been like if Caroline had not died of cancer. She was married to Ridge and had two kids and a wonderful life. When we finished shooting, I ran to my dressing room and just cried and cried because I knew I was never going to have that kind of life. And now on B&B we’re finding out that Karen is married to this great lady Dani (Crystal Chappell) and together they have raised her daughter Caroline (Lindsey Godfrey) So times have certainly changed. I guess that’s why I’m ready to open up. It feels weird and wrong to play this revelation about Karen’s life and not talk about my own.”
Joanna’s initial thoughts when she found out that B&B’s head honcho Brad Bell was going to make the character of Karen, gay. “When Brad Bell called and pitched the story I was kind of thrown. I just said, “Oh.” And there was this very long pause. Then I said, “Where’d you get that idea?” He laughed. I laughed. And I said, “Just make sure you get me a hot wife.” And he did!
Joanna on how her working relationship is with Crystal Chappell: “She’s straight and she’s more comfortable playing gay than I am! When we first met up at the show we had to shoot some photos — vacation-type snapshots of Karen and Dani to put on the mantel — and I felt kind of nervous and awkward. I think Crystal thought I was a little crazy but when I explained that I hadn’t yet come out publicly, she got it and has been very lovely and supportive. ”
So what do you think of Joanna Johnson publicly coming out? Do you think more actors in show business should not be fearful of coming out as well? Or, do you think it would change your perception of them when watching them portray their characters on television or in film? Are you looking forward to Joanna and Crystal’s storyline kicking off this week on B&B? Let us know your thoughts!
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Hopefully the world is more understanding. She is very brave! I was raised not to judge anyone.
That is awesome, and good for her!!!
Good for you, Joanna! I wish more performers would, or could, come out. They’d be so much happier and it would really help young people with their coming out.
Didn’t Joanna luck up with Crystal as her acting partner??
Great news! So glad she came out. Wonderful interview. Read the whole interview on tvguide.com. I have always liked her as Karen and never knew why she wasn’t on longer.
Very proud of her. At the same time I feel a bit disheartened that she had to go through so much anguish. I think she will have a great friend in Crystal Chappell and I look forward to their storyline very much!
Ms. Johnson I knew that you were gay and it never even entered my mind to be concerned about it as I loved your portrayal of Caroline. I am sorry that you have felt this way I do not put much thought into actors personal lives none of my business I just am glad you are back on B&B as long as they don’t have you become involved with Steffy/Liam/Hope and their love life it will be a welcome change to get off that bandwagon!!!!
first off… GOOD FOR HER! and 2nd… im so excited to see CC on my screen again 😀
Beautiful…. we pause, take it in… realize the truth, isn’t so bad after all… foward! March… focus on the economy… healthcare…. Jobs! so many other issues we collectively can deal with.
2ndly… my perspective. Sharing “gay” storylines… is a part of our world. We’ve been a part of your world… from the beginning. It’s not a choice. I’m so taken with the Will and Grandma Marlena story… it’s so lovingly portrayed. this reminds me so much of my life… i was raised by my grandparents… and my grandma (Nonna) loved me unconditionally…. so, hence, i cry, cheer, laugh, recall, remember… the heartache… of going thru the coming out process… the bullying. it’s a startling revelation to command oneself to take control of who you are. Acceptance, for all “americans”, is security.… Read more »
Happy for Joanna, and look forward to seeing her storyline with the wonderful Crystal Chappell on B&B.
Joanna is SO GREAT! I can’t wait to see two of my favorite actresses together as a couple 🙂
Our straight male President has come out in favor of gay rights, taking a huge political risk. If he can take this kind of risk during a combative political climate, then gay people EVERYWHERE- sports stars, politicians, film stars, rock stars, policemen, firemen, teachers, and yes, soap stars- owe him one and need to come out of the damn closet already.
Bless you, Joanna, for taking that extra step towards opening up the closet door a little wider.
Big Congrats Go To You, Joanna!
Brian 😀
Read this yesterday in my TV Guide. Super surprised, but a bit saddened when she said she hoped B&B fans would still love her (for her to think that we wouldn’t). WE DO!!!!!
I am not happy with same sex marriage or same sex so called sexual relationships. Please write this story line off the show & let’s not go there.
Days Of Our Lives
Kristian Alfonso Shares Upcoming Role In V.C. Andrews Lifetime Movie Event Series, ‘All That Glitters’ and ‘Hidden Jewel’
Days of our Lives favorite, Kristian Alfonso (Ex-Hope) has joined Marilu Henner, Richard Harmon, Jennifer Laporte , and Evan Roderick in the cast of Lifetime’s four-movie V.C. Andrews event focused on the Landry family.
In V.C. Andrews’s All that Glitters and Hidden Jewel ( the 3rd and 4th installments) Alfonso will appear in the the Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28 editions, airing at 8 p.m. ET.
Courtesy/Lifetime
Kristian takes on the role of Gladys Tate, the mother of Ruby Landry’s childhood sweetheart who will move heaven and earth to keep the two apart.
The actress took to her Instagram to share the casting news and her upcoming appearances: “I’m so #happy #🎆 I can finally share this with #you all 🙂 @lifetimetv #vcandrews see #you also in #😉 #march . I hear there’s a #storm #coming ! #💃🏻 #😘”
Interestingly enough, and has previously announced, another daytime favorite Lauralee Bell (Christine, Y&R) will be featured in the first two films of the V.C. Andrews series on March 20 and 21st, Ruby and Pearls in the Mist.
It will be great to see Alfonso in a more, what appears to be, villainess turn! So, will you be checking out Kristian in her upcoming role? Comment below.
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News
TODAY: ‘The Doctors’ Reunion with Kim Zimmer, Jada Rowland, Nicholas Walker & James Storm
Retro TV has been airing episodes of the classic NBC soap opera, The Doctors, and now along with The Locher Room are bringing another virtual cast chat reunion with some of the beloved stars of the series.
Make sure to tune-in today beginning at 3PM EST/Noon PST when Alan Locher welcomes, the one and only Kim Zimmer (Nola Dancy Aldrich), Nicholas Walker (Brad Huntington), Jada Rowland (Carolee Simpson Aldrich) and James Storm (Dr. Michael Powers). Click here to view
Photos: NBC
If you want to check out old episodes of The Doctors check them out on Retro TV weekdays at 12 noon and at 7:30 p.m. EDT/PDT (see listings at www.myretrotv.com) and it streams online at 4 p.m. EDT weekdays at MyRetroTV.com and on the Retro TV Roku channel.
Episodes of the Emmy Award-winning series and exclusive interview content is available on-demand at WatchTheDoctors.com, Roku and App Stores.
So who was your favorite from The Doctors? Share your thoughts via the comment section below!
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DAYS Freddie Smith and Alyssa Tabit Tie the Knot in Heart-Tugging New Year’s Eve Nuptials
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Breaking NewsJanuary 10, 2021General Hospital, As the World Turns & Passions Star, John Reilly, Passes Away At 84
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Breaking NewsJanuary 10, 2021GH Stars and More Share Reactions and Remembrances on the Death of John Reilly
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Breaking NewsJanuary 15, 2021Justin Hartley To Star in New Series In The Works; TV Adaptation of ‘The Never Game’
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All My ChildrenJanuary 14, 2021‘ABC Daytime: Back on Broadway’ One-Night Only Streaming Concert With Favorites from AMC, GH and OLTL
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Breaking NewsJanuary 11, 2021TONIGHT: Michael Fairman 60th Birthday Livestream Featuring Daytime Drama Favorites To Benefit SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Covid-19 Relief Fund
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General HospitalJanuary 12, 2021General Hospital to Honor John Reilly with Upcoming Episode
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General HospitalJanuary 13, 2021ESPN and GH’s Stephen A. Smith Welcomes Maurice Benard & Eric Braeden to His New Show, ‘Stephen A’s World’
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Breaking NewsJanuary 14, 2021‘Dynasty’, ‘Santa Barbara’ and ‘Three’s Company’ Star, Peter Mark Richman, Has Passed Away