Connect with us

Interviews

THE HEATHER TOM INTERVIEW – THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

By Michael Fairman

Published

18 years ago

on

HeatherTom.jpgBy Michael Fairman

Listen to the audio:

[display_podcast]

TV SOAP:
Were you surprised at your nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress?

HEATHER:
I was very surprised.  I really wasn’t expecting to be nominated this year.  I had some good material towards the end of the year.  I am excited, and I think it will be a really fun night, and I was grateful for the nomination.

TV SOAP:
What scenes did you submit for Emmy judging?

HEATHER:
I had scenes in the jail cell with Patrick Duffy (Ex-Stephen), where I say to him, “I am sorry for accusing you of shooting Stephanie.”  And the other scene was from the show before that, when Katie was very emotional with her dad.

TV SOAP:
You have been nominated many times!

HEATHER:
A lot!  This is my 12th nomination, which is fun.  But, I have only won twice.  So, I have lost a whole lot. (She laughs)

TV SOAP:
How did you decide, or settle on what tapes or performances to submit?

HEATHER:
I think it was not terribly difficult for me this year, because I knew the one show with Patrick would be the tape I would submit.  It was just the two of us in a room.   I thought it was well written and I loved working with him.  I thought it was some of the best work I had done.  The other show was more difficult, because the story was not about my character.  So, I was part of it, but more supporting.  But, as we all know, being in the supporting category does not mean anything. (She laughs)  I had three scenes at the top of the show, and in the rest of it I was in the background.  I thought it was kind of deadly.

TV SOAP:
So much has been written and rumored about this year, that many judges did not bother to watch all the DVD of the performances of the pre-nominated actors and actresses, and that it was a popularity vote.

HEATHER:
My feeling about it is: if people get the DVD’s in their homes and they are watching them, I don’t know how much I buy into the whole popularity thing.  Also, I don’t know how anybody is going to sit through some of this.  I was on the Emmy committee in New York, and was a big advocate with doing away with the two-show reel.  I think you should be able to pick scenes from any show and show a range of the work one does over the past year. You are supposed to be judged on what you did over the whole year.   I have four scenes on my tape where I don’t do anything.  So, I thought I did not have a chance in hell! (She laughs)

TV SOAP:
Were you judging an acting category this year?

HEATHER:
I volunteered to judge and wanted to judge, but I was told I was not needed.  Well, what does that mean?  I thought OK, they picked someone else to judge a category that may or may not have the same sensibility.  I don’t know if there is a perfect system, and trying to find out what’s fair.  I sat on the committee before.  I have a big mouth, and I like to put my two-cents in, and they patted me on the head.   But hey, I don’t have the biggest track record with winning an Emmy, so you may not want to listen to me.  (She laughs)

TV SOAP:
Where were you when you found out you were nominated?

HEATHER:
I actually was on a hike with my dogs, and did not have my phone on.  I did not find out until I walked into the make-up room at “B&B,” and everybody was saying “Congratulations”.

TV SOAP:
What do you think of the other gals nominated in your category?

HEATHER:
I have to be honest.  I thought from “B&B”, Jennifer Gareis’s (Donna) work this year and last year has been great.  It’s the best work I have ever seen her do.  I look at Gina Tognoni (Dinah, “GL”) and I think she is a fantastic actress.   I think every time she works she is great.  I look at Tracey Bregman (Lauren, “Y&R), and she has a great body of work.   Every year there is someone who gets robbed of a nomination, too.

TV SOAP:
Now the rules have changed this year.  There is no second round of voting and no second round of having to submit other episodes of your work.  The winner is already known, correct?

HEATHER:
That’s right!   Now, you submit your shows and the winner is already figured out.   So, the person with the highest votes was already established as the winner and will be announced on June 20th.

TV SOAP:
Now, let’s talk about the tragic heart transplant story of your character, Katie, and the suicide of her brother, Storm.  Did you have any idea this was coming up?

HEATHER:
I had no idea.  William deVry (Ex-Storm) told me it was going to happen.   Honestly, I was very afraid of this story.  At the same time, I said I was going to trust Brad, and it is going to be written in a certain way.  They are going to have two very strong viewpoints on the suicide situation.  I think they did a really good job with that.

TV SOAP:
So, your biggest concern is the topic of suicide and justifying it to help someone you love?

HEATHER:
The suicide part was my biggest concern, because it was not like he just died.  He committed suicide.  I think it’s a tough topic to deal with, and to deal with it in a responsible way.  I actually think the thing I’m most proud about is that they have given these characters very strong viewpoints on the subject.  The Donna character thinks it’s a gift and a sacrifice.  That’s within her character, and still a valid point of view.  And the fact that the Katie character would say, “I don’t know how anyone can call anyone a hero for doing this to themselves!”  That’s very much in her character.   I think they have made it so there are defensible viewpoints, because you don’t know how you would react to something as horrific as this.  There is nothing pretty or happy about something like this.

TV SOAP:
Another part of the issue is, that sometimes people feel suicide is their only answer.

audio_icon_small.jpg

HEATHER:
One of my girlfriends’ brother committed suicide, and you are never really the same after that.   I think at “B&B” it’s a little different, because Katie and Storm had more of a father/daughter relationship than a sibling relationship.  Perhaps it could be justified that a father might consider doing this for his child.  The biggest thing I wanted was to make sure this was not something that we glorified.   I think making it a martyr-type situation is a dangerous place to go.  I am glad they gave Katie a strong angle; “Not only are you alive, but you caused the situation and your brother killed himself because of you.”   I ‘m glad she is going to have a very tough time with it.   Normally, I can go home and shake a story off and live my life, but I would come home from these days of taping and just go to bed. Back to Katie, I think it is changing her.  I think they have allowed that to be played, and it allowed it to be ugly and unresolved.  The story does not get tied up with a neat little bow.  I think that’s kind of nice and interesting. Hopefully, people want to watch it.

TV SOAP:
What did you think about the sudden departure or firing (as rumored) of William deVry?

HEATHER:
I don’t think it had anything to do with William, whatsoever.  It was storyline-dictated, and I hate losing someone like him, because he was very talented.  He brought a lot to the show.  I can’t second-guess why they do what they do.  I think people were upset and people talked to Brad Bell (exec. prod. and head writer, “B&B”) about it.  I think Brad had an idea of what he wanted to do, and how he wanted to play this story.  He wanted it to be somewhat controversial.  This was the most difficult storyline I have had to play, and for me, that’s saying something! (She laughs) It was very difficult, but we all knew as the actors, we had to step up to the plate, and we have.   I think Katherine Kelly Lang’s (Brooke) work has been gorgeous!   I think everyone did an amazing job, from the way it was directed and lighted, and with the special effects.

TV SOAP:
What do you think is next for Katie?  Heating up a love triangle?

HEATHER:
Honestly, there is a lot going on.  They are playing out the Nick/Bridget/Katie triangle.

TV SOAP:
Do you think the relationship will work out in her favor?

HEATHER:
I love working with both of those actors… Jack Wagner (Nick) and Ashley Jones (Bridget).   I have an interesting chemistry with Ashley as two females on the show, and I think it’s an interesting dynamic with the three of us.  So, I like the way they are going with it.  I am waiting to see how they are going to develop it.  I think with Katie’s new heart, I would like to see more spontaneity from her.  She always holds herself back.   She is always guarded and very careful, and very pragmatic.  Maybe this is the opportunity for her to jump in and be more impulsive.  Getting the new heart somehow gives her a new lease on life, but it’s a process.   It’s not going to happen over night.  She thinks, “I have this one life and what am I going to do with it?”

TV SOAP:
You have been busy working to support US Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

HEATHER:
I have been on the road for Hilary Clinton and have been campaigning for her in Texas, California, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.  I am very optimistic.  I believe the best democratic nominee is Hilary Clinton.  I am a Democrat and I will vote for that candidate, but experience matters to me.  With the mess that we have here in the US, we need someone who can get things done and who understands how the system works.   I don’t want someone who is on a learning curve.  I think Barack is a great speaker and very smart.  One day he will make a great President, but I think not now.

TV SOAP:
You always have one of the most beautiful dresses on the red carpet at the Emmys.
What is the process you go through to decide on the chosen “one”?

HEATHER:
I am actually flying right now to New York to meet with someone to select my Emmy dress.  I have a woman in New York who helped me out last year.  She goes to all the fashion shows and picks out all the couture dresses, and has them on loan.  I will see a variety of designer dresses before making my final choice.

Related Topics:
Click to comment

0 Comments
oldest
newest

Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings on Hayley’s Pregnancy, ‘Friendship’ with Leslie, and Working with Timon Kyle Durrett (Exclusive)

Published

1 week ago

on

October 25, 2026

By

Marquita Goings

When Beyond the Gates concluded last week’s Friday cliffhanger, Hayley (Marquita Goings) received some life-altering news! Up in her suite at the Bowman, she had decided to take a home pregnancy test. As she watched the timer, nervously, when it was time to check the results, it confirmed she was indeed carrying a child. This causes Hayley great angst as she threw it to the wall and screamed, “No!”

This development sideswipes and turns her next move upside down! Previously, Hayley had met with her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) who finally presented her with the requested new ID to start a new life, and for her to go after another rich man and scam him, like she tried to do with Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett).

Hayley’s new identify was to be that of Carey Jenner, …a nanny! Hayley didn’t want anything to do with kids. Randy had told her it was the perfect identify to infiltrate a wealthy man’s home and heart. Now, that Hayley’s pregnant presumably with Bill’s child, what will be her next move?

Hayley and Randy

Photo: CBS

THE LATEST IN THE LIFE OF HAYLEY LAWSON HAMILTON

During a livestream chat with Marquita Goings on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, the actress talked about what Hayley pregnancy would mean, what other men in the Fairmont Crest universe might she set her sights on, and her odd, yet “friendly” relationship with Leslie (Trisha Mann-Grant), plus working with her leading man, Timon Kyle Durrett, who this week’s goes for gold in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Opening up about Hayley realizing she may be pregnant which prompted the home pregnancy test, Goings shared, “That was good timing with Leslie. With her saying, ‘Oh, you’re gaining weight,’ and Hayley just has to go throw up.”

Now that it has been confirmed that Hayley is pregnant, it will be interesting to see how she plays this off, because as Goings stated, “She said she was pregnant already twice, I think. She was back and forth with Bill, like, ‘Oh, I’m pregnant, and then all this happened, and then losing the baby at Uptown.’ I guess now we’ll have to see (how this plays out).”

Courtesy/CBS

RANDY AND LESLIE UNLIKELY ALLIES?

As for her cousin, Randy, with whom Hayley keeps asking for new passports and fake ID’s, does she have any true familial feelings for him? “A little bit. I hate to say it,” shared Goings. “I feel like Hayley definitely loves her cousin. She appreciates her cousin, but they’ve always had this dynamic to where she’s bossed him around. She’s always helped him in a sense, although he’s helping her too, but when she scams, she’s the one going through everything, making the money. She’s playing him, but deep down, she cares about Randy.”

Beyond the Gates fans love the soapy goodness of two bad girls seemingly becoming frenemies when Leslie paid Hayley’s bail! Now the two chat over food and sundaes, as Hayley’s keeps getting sick at the sight of anything she would have to put down her stomach due to her pregnancy.

“Hayley doesn’t fully trust Leslie. She feels like she’s a scammer and they’re kinda two peas in a pod to some degree,” declared Marquita. “She probably doesn’t trust her because of Hayley knowing her own ways. She’s like, ‘Okay, why does she want to be close?’ But then it’s like, ‘Oh, wait! She bailed me out of jail of all people!”

Timon Kyle Durrett and Marquita Goings

Photo: CBS

TIMON KYLE DURRETT GOES FOR GOLD

While becoming pregnant may have given Hayley a second chance at a marriage of convenience to Bill, who else might Hayley target next? Goings weighed-in, “It definitely needs to be someone with some wealth because of her being money hungry. Like Isaiah (Lami), he doesn’t have anything. So he wouldn’t do her any good. And of course, he could be like eye candy, but he’s already in a relationship and he doesn’t have the tools. So, I don’t know. I don’t know if it would have to be someone new?”

Marquita also had high-praise for her co-star, Timon Kyle Durrett and was thrilled for his Daytime Emmy nomination. “It’s deserving. I cannot wait for the Emmys. I will be there. I have most of my scenes with Timon and I have a lot of fun with him. I also love my scenes with Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree) too. Just working with Karla alone is a joy. She’s amazing. I will say this, being my first time being on a soap, just watching her handle the pacing and just learning all the things, is a great example of how to do this medium.”

So, what do you think of Hayley being pregnant? Will she get Bill to take her back if she is carrying his child? Do you think it could be another man’s baby? What do you think of Hayley being frenemies with Leslie? Are you rooting for Timon Kyle Durrett and Karla Mosley at this week’s Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in below.

 

Continue Reading

Interviews

Joe Hendry Talks WWE Microdrama Collab ‘Agent of Shadows,’ New Music, and What’s Next! (Exclusive)

Published

1 week ago

on

October 23, 2026

By

Joe Hendry

The motto, “I believe in Joe Hendry” is catching on even outside the WWE Universe! The Scottish-born pro wrestler is having a banner October (well not so much on this week’s Monday Night Raw), but with the release of his new album Beyond Belief and appearing in WWE’s first-ever microdrama Agent of Shadows in its partnership with vertical leader ReelShort.

On Friday, October 23, ReelShort launched Agent of Shadows on its mobile-first storytelling platform that is available in more than 100 countries, reaching more than 70 million monthly active users.

Hendry joins fellow WWE stars Drew McIntrye, Jacob Fatu, plus Booker T, Michael Hayes and Nikkita Lyon and more in the cast as they mix it up with microdrama leading men, Chase Mattson and Marc Herrman, in the action-packed series.

Photo: ReelShort

A NEW FRONTIER FOR WWE SUPERSTARS

As the story begins, the world’s greatest secret agent must protect and care for his 6-year-old daughter while posing as her nanny. Now, without revealing his true identity, he must win his daughter’s (and her mother’s) trust, while secretly thwarting corrupt suitors, mafioso strongmen and even a megalomaniacal billionaire who’s using his family to get to him. What could go wrong?

Michael Fairman TV chatted with Hendry on his ascension and rise in the ranks of the WWE, bringing his brand of satire, music and singing to sports entertainment, plus his thoughts on branching out into the acting world of motion pictures, microdramas and more. The full conversation can be seen with Joe on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

Photo: ReelShort

JOE HENDRY ON PLAYING … JOE HENDRY

Unlike the other WWE superstars in Agent of Shadows, Hendry is taking on the role of … himself! Seems like it may not be then been too much of a stretch to play or is it? Joe explained, “I don’t know how much of this I’m allowed to reveal, so I’m sure there’ll be a lot of fun in discovering what that is. But what I will reveal is what I think is the best thing about my involvement … everyone else plays a character and I play Joe Hendry. So, I’m very pleased about that.”

Speaking on his background, Joe explained, “For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been a wrestler for 14 years, but I kind of had a mainstream crossover in 2024 when my music video became a meme. It did really well in the charts.  I’ve now been able to carry that forward and I’m in one of those positions where I can just appear as myself.”

“This is the first film-type project I’ve been a part of,” elaborated Hendry. “I think that’s why WWE stars crossover so well into movies, because we’re so used to having to do everything in one take, whereas in Hollywood you may get as many takes as you need. In microdramas, you can look at these chapters as well. So, let’s say you manage to get through the first give chapters on your way to work or whatever, you can always come back to that. I think’s its a smart combination for storytelling.”

Photo: WWE

NEW LP TRACK LIST INCLUDES ‘FIRE LOGAN PAUL’

Back on October 5, Hendry released his LP Beyond Belief filled with hilarious and clever send-ups. The track list includes: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, Fire Logan Paul (the social media phenom and pro wrestler), Give Joe Hendry Every Single Belt and more. Hendry added one more favorite, that is his latest single and music video!

“The other main one is If You Don’t Love Joe Hendry, and the lyrics are, ‘If you don’t love Joe Hendry, then, you’re a useless piece of … ‘ So, I think we should fire Logan Paul, and I think we should give Joe Hendry every single belt. I just think these are sensible messages we have to get out to the world.”

The album was completed in what some would consider lighting speed! “We had a lot of fun recording these, but it was done so fast. It was actually a lot of pressure to get it done. I wrote the album except Fire Logan Paul in a span of four days.  It was pretty intense. We recorded all the vocals in five hours, which is insane,” recalled Joe. “But it’s kind of what I was talking about before. In WWE, everything is done live. We do not have retakes. So, I think being a WWE superstar has prepared me well for producing other forms of media quickly.”

Photo: WWE

TEENAGE DREAMS BECOME A REALITY WRESTLING RANDY ORTON

Back in the squared circle, Hendry has been in a feud with the Judgment Day, and in particular of late with JD McDonaugh on Raw. But taking a look at his rise from NXT to TNA to WWE, Joe reflected on his heart-stopping moment at WrestleMania 41 against one of his legends, Randy Orton.

“I remember being 15 and kind of imagining being a pro wrestler. I also remember specifically thinking, ‘What if I had a feud with Randy Orton?’ And then, I became a wrestler when I was just about to turn 25 and all these years later, it happened!

“It such an unlikely story,” said Joe of getting the call he would be facing the 14-time WWE champion. He added, “I’m so grateful that I’ve had that moment early on in my WWE career and it kind of takes the pressure off, because it doesn’t get any bigger than that. So now, I can focus on my goal which is just to get better all the time; improve as a wrestler all the time. I can see the progression in myself. I’m gaining skills and confidence all the time.”

Photo: WWE

SHOULD JOE STAY GOOD OR TURN BAD?

The proverbial question had to be asked, “Does Joe prefer being a babyface or would he like to see a heel turn? Hendry replied, “Interesting question. Never say never. You just never know. Anything can happen in the WWE. It’s funny, originally, my character was designed by me to be hated, and people just happened to like it! You can’t force it. The audience is going to tell you. They are a huge part in dictating our paths as wrestlers.”

Check out Joe in Agent of Shadows by visiting ReelShort.com to download the ReelShort app on Apple and Android devices. You can also check out @ReelShort on YouTube.

You can also watch our full conversation with Joe Hendry now on the Michael Fairman Channel below.

Now let us know, will you check out WWE’s first microdrama, Agent of Shadows? Do you get a kick out of Joe Hendry’s songs and how it relates to his feuds in the WWE and his rise in the ranks of pro wrestling? Hoping Joe stays a babyface or would you like to see him turn heel? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Mike Manning Talks Smitty’s Emotional Visit with His Mother (Exclusive)

Published

2 weeks ago

on

October 23, 2026

By

Mike Manning, Smitty

This week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, as Smitty (Mike Manning) continues to be framed and in hot water for the murder of Dr. Lia Whitmore, he gets some familial back-up when his never-before-seen mother, Jenny Smith arrives in Fairmont Crest to see her son.

Jenny is played by Jennifer Van Horn who made her Beyond the Gates debut on the Wednesday, October 21, which was the same day that Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series Emmy nominee, Mike Manning participated in a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

In story, as Smitty was at home, he received a surprise visit from his mother, who resides in Ohio. Jenny came to support her son through this difficult time. Smitty made note of his disappointment that his father didn’t come with her on the trip, sharing that he knows his dad has never been comfortable around wealth or the Duprees.  Smitty also acknowledged how his father didn’t approve of becoming a journalist or moving to the DMV.  Later, when Smitty’s husband, Martin returned (Brandon Claybon) he walked in on Smitty getting a pep talk from Jenny.

Mike Manning

Courtesy/CBS

SMITTY’S MOM ARRIVES

Manning addressed how he had to keep the appearance of Smitty’s mom on the down low. “I do have a mom now. Yes.! I couldn’t talk about it to anybody.  Jennifer Van Horn who plays my mom was so lovely and so nice, and she was great. I love Smitty having some backstory and having a parent.”

And there could be even more Smitty drama to come! Mike shared, “They mentioned Smitty’s father too, so they kind of plant the seeds for maybe more to come, which is nice. I think it really shows that there’s just one more level to the community that is surrounding Smitty. One of my favorite scenes from this entire storyline is when Smitty gets hauled into jail and the entire Dupree family shows up and they all start taking shots at Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and everyone at the police station.”

BEING EMBRACED BY THE DUPREES

Manning,  in particular, recalled a moment from fellow Daytime Emmy nominee, Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree). “I loved when Anita goes, and this is not verbatim, but it was something along the lines of, ‘If Smitty’s not home for dinner, you’re gonna be hearing from Anita Dupree.’ Then, Vernon (Clifton Davis) says something, and Kat (Colby Nixon) comes in and she’s giving him so much sass. I remember watching the episode just being so touched that the entire Dupree family is wrapping around Smitty like this shield, this cocoon.  So, it makes this storyline of him being framed a little bit easier to swallow.”

Jennifer Van Horn

Courtesy/CBS

MORE OF SMITTY’S BACKSTORY TO BE REVEALED?

Speaking of the scenes between Smitty and his mom, Manning felt, “It was very touching. He spoke about how he loved his mom for what she sacrificed, It was one of those mother-son things, but it was poignantly done. I would like them to explore that more, and Smitty’s family, because, I think that it’ll also help inform some of the dynamic between Martin and Smitty. We know that Martin comes from a long line of successful people, whether it’s in entertainment or politicians. His grandfather’s a senator. So, we understand that he grew up in the country club, basically. We don’t really understand where Smitty grew up yet.”

The two-time Daytime Emmy winner also explained that he has his own origin story for Bradley “Smitty” Smith: “Obviously, I have an idea in my head with the backstory that I’ve sort of decided for Smitty, whether or not that’s exactly what the writers are going to throw at me,  eventually, who knows? But, I certainly have an idea of why Smitty is the way he is, why he’s so driven, why he takes risks, why he’s so hungry to prove himself and be successful in journalism and everything else.”

You can check out a scene between Smitty and his never-before-seen-mom, Jenny below. Followed by our live chat with Mike Manning after the episode aired.

Now let us know, do you hope Beyond the Gates explores more of Smitty’s backstory? Did you enjoy the debut of Jennifer Van Horn as Smitty’s mom? Share your thoughts via the conversation below. And make sure to catch Mike on the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards streaming next Friday, October 30 to see if he takes home his third gold statuette!

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x