News

Matt James Speaks Out on ‘Bachelor’ Controversies

February 23, 2021

Photo: ABC

While on-screen Monday night the pivotal ‘hometowns” episode aired on ABC, ‘The Bachelor’ himself, Matt James , took to social media prior to the episode to address the recent franchise missteps that include those involving current contestant Rachael Kirkconnell and host, Chris Harrison.

Over the past few weeks, photos of Kirkconnell had surfaced with Rachael at an Antebellum-themed party, and accusations that she had “liked” racist posts on social media, while Harrison put his foot in his mouth during an interview with the former ‘Bachelorette’, Rachel Lindsay, while trying to give Kirkconnell some benefit of a doubt in this time of ‘cancel culture’ as he states, while Lindsay found her actions indefensible.

Photo: ABC

Since that time, Harrison has stepped away from the show, but after last night’s ‘hometowns’, Kirkconnek is still vying for the final rose. Of course, James had no knowledge of the photos of Kirkconnell at the time of the filming of his historic season of The Bachelor where he became the first Black male lead in the franchise.

In a statement on his Instagram, Matt broke his silence on the latest controversies surrounding the reality-dating franchise, expressing: “The past few weeks have been some of the most challenging of my life, and while there are several episodes left of the season, it is important that I take the time to address the troubling information that has come to light since we wrapped filming, including the incredibly disappointing photos of Rachael Kirkconnell and the interview between Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison. The reality is that I’m learning about these situations in real-time, and it has been devastating and heartbreaking, to put it bluntly.”

Matt goes on to say, “Chris’s failure to receive and understand the emotional labor that my friend Rachel Lindsay was taking on by graciously and patiently explaining the racist history of the Antebellum South, a painful history that every American should understand intimately, was troubling and painful to watch. It was a clear reflection of a much larger issue that the Bachelor franchise has fallen short on addressing adequately for years. This moment has sparked critical conversations and reporting, raised important questions and resulted in inspiring displays of solidarity from The Bachelor nation. It has also pushed me to reevaluate and process what my experience on The Bachelor represents, not just for me, but for all of the contestants of color, especially the Black contestants of this season and seasons past, and for you, the viewers at home.

“The Bachelor closed with, I will continue to process this experience and you will hear from me at the end. My greatest prayer is that this is an inflection point that results in real and institutional change for the better.”

Photo: ABC

So what did you think about the sentiments expressed by Matt? Did you watch last night’s ‘hometowns’ where Serena P decided she was ‘just not there yet’ and exited the series leaving Matt somewhat heartbroken? Who do you think will get the final rose now from the remaining women: Michelle, Bri and Rachael? Comment below.

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As The World Turns

‘Santa Barbara’ & GH Favorite Judith McConnell Virtual Interview On Tap

October 15, 2021

You loved her as Sophia Capwell on Santa Barbara, and the troublemaking Augusta McLeod on General Hospital, plus several other soap roles, and now fan favorite Judith McConnell is set for a virtual interview in The Locher Room.

Look for Judith to chat it up with host, Alan Locher on the upcoming Friday, October 23rd edition of the You Tube series beginning at at 3 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. PST.

As well as being known for her soap roles on SB and GH, Judith also played Valerie Conway on As the World Turns, Miranda Bishop on Another World and Eva Vasquez on and One Life to Live.

In primetime, McConnell has appeared on Star Trek, Dragnet, Beverly Hillbillies, Mayberry RFD, Green Acres, Mannix and more.

To watch the livestream click here.

So, what has been your favorite Judith McConnell role in her illustrious daytime career? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

General Hospital

Sarah Joy Brown Directs Haley Pullos, Carolyn Hennesy, Eric Martsolf in New ‘Red Riding Hoods’ Podcast

October 14, 2021

What happens when a team of “Final Girls” (sole survivors of horrific mass murders) join forces to hunt malevolent entities while uncovering the apocalyptic conspiracy uniting them? Well, you have to listen to the brand new Horror Podcast Network’s latest offering Red Riding Hoods to find out. But here’s the twist! There are some daytime notables involved in the series.

Chief among them is three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Sarah Joy Brown (Ex-Carly and Claudia, GH) who directs the podcast series, a first for her career.

Along for the ride with Sarah are none other than General Hospital’s Haley Pullos (Molly) and Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), as well as Brown’s former DAYS co-star, Eric Martsolf (Brady) who all have roles within the story.

New episodes of the series began to roll out this past Monday on October 11th and there will be another installment every Monday thereafter.

Red Riding Hoods is available on all major podcast streaming platforms including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. You can also listen to the podcast via the Violet Hour Media website here.

So, let us know if you check out Red Riding Hoods via the comment section below or are intrigued to hear the show!

News

B&B’s Annika Noelle Shares Her Heartache on Pregnancy Loss

October 13, 2021

In a very well-written and touching essay written by The Bold and the Beautiful’s Annika Noelle (Hope), herself, the actress shares with the readers details of two miscarriages that she had not publicly revealed until this time.

In her story for Glamour entitled, “Losing a Child in the Limelight”, Noelle shares the heartache and pain of losing a child while filming the demands of a soap opera, and especially Hope’s storyline which for months featured so much emotion and so many tears after the baby loss storyline on-air she was the vehicle in which to tell the tale.

However in real life, Noelle was going through something as well. Annika reveals how she and her fiancé found out she was pregnant, and then 10 weeks later she lost the baby. When they tried again, she lost the baby at 8 weeks.

In an excerpt, Annika expressed about keeping her pain private while working on the soap: “Fans and news articles speculated whether I was pregnant or just gained weight during quarantine. And once again the storyline called for ceaseless tears when I felt like I had no more to give. I guess looking back at it now, I was scared to jinx anything. I didn’t want people to know and have things not work out. And yet I wish I had because I would have given anything to have the understanding and support of the cast and crew. I felt so alone. The secret was isolating, yet the shame was debilitating. I felt like I had failed at something that should be easy. But as time marched on, I was surprised by a new feeling bubbling underneath the sorrow: an ancestral rage toward the burden of womanhood. And as I slowly began to open up about my loss to a select few, I was shocked by how many people had experienced it as well.”

In the end, Annika shares: “Anyone who follows me on social media can tell you I’m a deeply private person. But if there is one thing I’ve gained from my loss, it is a voice I’m no longer afraid to use.”

Make sure to read Annika’s moving article in full, then let us know in the comment section what you thought of it.