Interviews
The Melody Thomas Scott Interview – The Young and the Restless


Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Viewers of The Young and the Restless have begun to experience the grief, also felt by several of the residents of Genoa City, over the news of the passing of Katherine Chancellor, played by the late Jeanne Cooper. Since Cooper’s death in May, the number-one soap had begun crafting a storyline that would have far reaching implications and impact on several key characters, which will also keep the legacy of Katherine, and honor the iconic Jeanne Cooper on the canvas for quite some time to come.
In story, Katherine has left letters for those close to her … some with instructions … and some with some heartfelt words with specific meaning to them, and more. One of those most deeply affected is Nikki Newman, who upon trying to cope with the contents of Kay’s letter to her, wept out loud, “Katherine, why are you doing this to me?” But what is she doing? There has been much speculation from fans of the show all-abuzz on the Internet, just what is in the letter. However, Y&R is keeping it close to the vest. And, so too is Nikki’s portrayer, fan favorite and long time series star Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki)!
However, On-Air On-Soaps sat down with Melody in her dressing room at CBS, to not only get a preview and a tease of her upcoming story, but to get insight on what it was like filming with the cast, Katherine’s memorial episodes that will air on September 3rd and 4th in back-to-back episodes, and the devastating loss it is for Nikki to be without her best friend who was also like a “mother” to her. Will Nikki need a drink to cope and fall off the wagon? Melody fills us in.
While Josh Griffith is no longer the head writer of the number-one soap, from this interview, it is clear that Melody is extremely enthusiastic as to the story that was given to her from his regime, and the respect paid to Katherine (and Jeanne Cooper) with the upcoming five-hankie memorial. Here’s what Mel had to say about it all!
MICHAEL:
The letter Nikki has received has greatly affected her! How will she handle getting through the upcoming memorial service for Katherine?
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
I think that having received the letter probably alters Nikki thoughts while she is at the memorial service, because for her now, she is not just there to remember her dear friend as a person would at a memorial, but in the back of her mind is this letter that is all tangled up for Nikki. She can’t think of Katherine without thinking about the letter and what that entails. She has mixed feelings more than just sadness and grief. She has got a whole other element going on … this letter.
MICHAEL:
How was the shooting of Katherine’s memorial on set with the cast? Was it difficult and emotional for everyone, given their love for their long time co-star Jeanne Cooper?
MELODY:
I think, and we all said at the time, “We were still in shock and we didn’t believe it.” We needed to get through the taping of the show, but we’re still not used to Jeanne not being there.
MICHAEL:
Given that Nikki and Katherine were the dearest of friends, would Nikki start drinking again, especially given the drama surrounding the contents of the letter, and the death of her confidante?
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
Absolutely! And, that was one of my first thoughts when this whole thing started. I said, “Whoa! This is an obvious point where she might pick up a drink.” But she doesn’t, not yet. She did admit to Victoria that she almost took a sip, but she didn’t. She is still sober.
MICHAEL:
How did you play Nikki’s reaction to the content of the letter? How does she feel about it?
MELODY:
Uncertainty, shock, ambiguity, unwillingness, yet knows deep down that she should do what Katherine is suggesting. It’s a topic that Nikki probably felt would never be discussed, or dealt with in her lifetime.
MICHAEL:
Many fans had hoped that Katherine would end up being the biological mother of Nikki! Was that something you wanted to have happen, as well?
MELODY:
I think it should have happened. I was not happy when all of a sudden it was Jill who was Katherine’s daughter. It should have been me, dammit! (Laughs) Their relationship was very much mother/daughter, and I wish that had been true. I did call Jeanne “mother” off set, and that is all I did call her. And sometimes we would have visitors on set, and they would over hear me call Jeanne, “mother” and they would say, “Wait a minute? Is Nikki Katherine’s daughter?” And I went, “No, no, no. I just call her that. Pay no attention to me.” At least I called Jeanne “mother” in real life, even if I couldn’t on the show.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Nikki is devastated by the death of Katherine … and obviously the letter. Initially, she turned to Jack for comfort, not Victor. Will she truly let Victor comfort her in her grief?
MELODY:
Of course! Victor is struck by the death of Katherine, but in a different way than Nikki. He had a different relationship with her. His was more business, and a lifetime friendship. Nikki’s was more, as a girlfriend and as a mother. I think if given the opportunity to satisfy Nikki’s hopes, Victor would comfort her. But, she does not bring this up to Victor, and has not yet. So he does not know the contents of the letter. He does not know what Nikki is struggling with secretly.
MICHAEL:
When you found out what your upcoming story was going to be, what was your reaction? Were you pleased?
MELODY:
I love this story! Now, I don’t know how it’s all going to turn out, but the premise, the people I get to work with, and the writing, has been spectacular. That’s all you need; good actors performing a good script, and our fabulous new directing team, and I love them all. I have not been this happy at work in a while.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Nikki went to Paul at the end of the episode today for help! Would you say to your fans that you will be working with Doug Davidson (Paul) more often from this point on?
MELODY:
I have been working with Doug the last couple of weeks and enjoyed it, like I always do. So, I hope that the story keeps us together for a while.
MICHAEL:
On the air shows, Nikki is always concerned about Sharon (Sharon Case), and what she is up to. She does not trust her, especially around the Newman clan, and many times for good reason! Do you enjoy this rivalry?
MELODY:
I love working with Sharon Case, and we love Sharon and Nikki fights! And even if Sharon is innocent and up to nothing, Nikki always suspects that she is. Oh yes, even if it weren’t true, Nikki walks into a room and sees her son and Sharon, and the antenna will go up and she is going to try to get rid of her! (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
The classic bitch-fight between Nikki and Sharon was the one in the barn where you were dunked in that bucket of water! Did you love that? Or, hate it?
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
We loved it. Our director was very gracious, and was very loose and not rigid about blocking, and let us do our own choreography. So, if you look at it again, there are many elements of an “I Love Lucy” episode. Guess where that came from? But I couldn’t resist it. I had to do it! All the water and hair pulling and dunking in the bucket, that was all me, because that was “Lucy”!
MICHAEL:
Coming up with the heartbreak of Katherine’s passing, and the letters roaming around Genoa City, do you think Victor and Nikki are in for another bumpy road in their relationship?
MELODY:
Of course! I mean, what else could happen? This cycle has been going on for 34 years.
MICHAEL:
Are you still amazed that Nikki and Victor are still, to this day, the true star-crossed lovers and central characters of the number one soap in America, and known worldwide?
MELODY:
Yes, and Eric Braeden (Victor) and I often, whether it be at photo shoots or different events, we are posed while the photographers are going crazy. That always ceases to amaze me! We were in Monte Carlo and they were screaming, “Oh, my God. Victor and Nikki.” We would look at each other sometime and go, “We can’t believe after all these years, we are still here, baby!” We are amazed, and we just thank God, and smile!
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Do you have a favorite on-screen moment or scene with Jeanne Cooper, between the two of you as Nikki and Katherine?
MELODY:
The sincerity, and all of the rich history that was a part of Nikki and Katherine’s enduring friendship, is something that I know is very important to our audience. That relationship has been deeply significant for Nikki for so many years. I don’t think I could ever pick out just one favorite moment between us, but I’ve truly enjoyed every scene where Katherine supported Nikki through the worst parts of the battle with booze.
MICHAEL:
Will Nikki soldier on, even though she may be devastated by the contents of the letter Katherine wrote to her?
MELODY:
I think Nikki will always try to heed Katherine’s advice in life in general. Certainly without Katherine this current storyline would not be happening. It’s also a way of incorporating Katherine’s presence, even though you are not seeing her on-screen. Katherine is behind the whole thing in the letter. So it is keeping Katherine alive, in a way.
MICHAEL:
Jess Walton (Jill) has delivered some amazing performances, upon Jill learning of Katherine’s passing. Would you like to work more with Jess now?
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
I love working with Jess, and I adore her. I got on my knees and begged her to get her ass out of Oregon and move back down to Los Angeles, and delay this damn retirement, because I want to work with her! Now that Katherine is not physically on the canvas, the story just begs for Nikki and Jill to come together in some way in story. Katherine’s death in a strange way has brought Nikki and Jill together, because all they have done is snipe for years. But, there are some very poignant moments coming up where Jill and Nikki can almost laugh, like, “We have always hated each other, but I kind of like you right now, because we are all suffering together.” It was sweet, because Nikki and Jill have never been sweet to each other!
MICHAEL:
Melody, do you feel the way Katherine’s death was handled on-screen was appropriate?
MELODY:
Absolutely, and some of it was just a fluke. Who knew in real life how she would pass? The way it turned out, as we all know, we had that footage of Jeanne as Katherine going up the stairs, which was pretty freaky. And do I think that Jeanne might have felt that it was her last scene? Yes. I think that is why she adlibbed, what she adlibbed. And as far as the writers go, they had a difficult job, as they would never have chosen to kill Katherine, but because Jeanne’s health had been poor the last few years, it was always a possibility. I felt for the writers. They had a tough job to do, but Jeanne helped them with that staircase scene. It worked out very well; in that the last time Nikki saw Katherine they were wheeling her into surgery.
MICHAEL:
Do you think we will need hankies for Katherine’s memorial service? I hear Corbin Bernsen is presiding over it as Father Todd!
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
I have to say it was odd to have the character of Father Todd being played by the real-life son of Jeanne Cooper, Corbin Bernsen. It was weird, and he felt weird. It was just a very unique situation. I don’t think that has ever happened on a television show, nor would it again. It was eerie. I told him Corbin something the day we taped the memorial service, about the month before when Eric and I were in Monte Carlo. We had to present an award at their film festival. And, who on earth would have orchestrated something like this? I know that Jeanne did it! There we are in Monte Carlo backstage getting ready to be presenters, and they announce us, and we walk out … and on stage was Corbin Bernsen! Little did we know he was on stage, because he was on the panel that voted at the festival! So, at one point there was just the three of us on-stage in Monte Carlo. It was just like, “Ok, I know what you are doing, Jeanne!” That was the moment, and something she would do. The most unexpected place, people, and that gathering of the three of us, was definitely orchestrated by her!
MICHAEL:
Melody, you have been the leading lady of Y&R for decades, and many times you have been back-burnered, which your fans have never understood. Should they feel confident that you will have plenty of screen time in the months ahead?
MELODY:
It’s a curious situation that I don’t know if we will ever know the answer. There has been a lot of ebbing. (Laughs) I have been working a lot, and you will see come September … “It’s Nikki month!” So, I guess I will have to get t-shirt saying that! (Laughs)
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
MICHAEL:
What do you think the fallout will be from the content of Nikki’s letter, when people on the canvas begin to find out what this is all about?
MELODY:
I would imagine Nikki’s story will affect a lot of people, including her family, because eventually they are going to have to find out what is going on. There is always a trickle down effect in soaps, where the whole town is affected by a situation.
MICHAEL:
Y&R suffered the loss of two of its most powerhouse actresses in the last few months. Jeanne Cooper passed away in May, and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) decided to leave the show this summer. Do you think it’s a huge hit for the show, that will be a noticeable for some time to come?
MELODY:
Its’ always difficult to say goodbye to our dear co-stars, but history has proven to us that this show will go on in true show business fashion. Most of the time, when people leave it’s not our choice, or personal choice, and we are always upset to see that happen, as it does create a challenge for the writers. But sometimes out of that situation, the writers come up with interesting story that never would have happened if this actor had not left.
Courtesy/CBS
MICHAEL:
Now the big and final question: If Nikki finds out that Sharon switched the paternity test of Summer, and realizes Nick (Joshua Morrow) is actually the bio-dad; can we look forward to Nikki laying the smackdown on Sharon? (Laughs)
MELODY:
Oh, yeah! Look out for a catfight extraordinaire for that one! Forget shoving her in the pool! It better be something better than that! (Laughs)
Never been happy the way Nikki has no right trashing Sharon when Nikki has been a stripper and an escort and a drunk and has shared 4 men with her own daughter and the character has been married a hundred times. Really got out of hand with the amount of hate she has for Sharon. She also murdered Diane and got a slap on the wrist. I wish they can make Nikki a better women like Mrs C. Victor also needs to chill and be kind in his golden years 🙂 Let us all hope for better writing and happy times and memories not the negativity
I would really just like to see Nikki and others like Chelsea and Phyllis before she left pay for her crimes seems like the one and only person who is blamed for every and anything is Sharon. Everyone steals her man and she is the one blamed for wanting them back . really last thing we need is Nikki with another off spring. Plus he has good in him. He can’t be Nikkis kid! I wanted him to be Sharons had brother! what happened to that story?
Who ‘stole’ her men ? First a person can’t be stolen..Nick chose to have this affair with Phylis and then HE chose to leave Sharon for Phylis (by the way at this time Sharon had no problem sexing up with Brad..you know a married man to her sister-in-law at this time , Victoria ! As for Adam, Sharon chose to dump him no the other way around..the guy after trying to get her back again and once again decided to MOVE ON ! She could have been happy with Adam if only she had wanted it, instead she dumped him and chose to be involved with her former father-in-law Victor Newman of all people. Sharon had it hard in some ways but she is not a saint either and lot’s of things happened from HER OWN doing.
OMG I fast forward all things Nikki and Victor because they are so evil and I can’t stand it after 30 years of the same abuse they spill ! I fast forward all things Chelsea I hate her and hate Avery and so unhappy with the new Kyle. I loved the old days with Neil and Dru and Sharon with Nick and even Sharon with Adam. I loved Malcolm I really miss Kay and Jill together. This is what we want. Please bring back Ashley I loved Brad and loved Amber with Daniel. loved Janna with Kevin. Chloe sucks. Can you tell I LOVED EVERYTHING PRIOR TO 2007! Lol 🙂
Michael we love your interviews. Please have one with if you can with Josh Griffith and find out why he and Jill promised the fans the first order was they would repair Sharon to make her happy again. We are so upset they nearly destroyed her and there will be no turning back. Is that why Josh is not there anymore? He did not fix Sharon? I sure hope Drucilla will come home. Amber also she was so awesome. I miss the old days.
Disagree.. Nikki has made mistakes and has her flaws but the major difference is she never did anything to Sharon.. Sharon on the other hand is destroying Nikki’s family with her schemes. So yep Nikki is not a saint and Sharon is not all ‘evil’ although right now she is really cray cray, almost in Patty’s area..But it doesn’t change the fact that Nikki has some REAL REASONS to be furious against Sharon. And when she will know about all Sharon’s schemes she better give her some big payback !
NO NO NO! PLEASE Niiki needs to leave Sharon alone! Sick of that abuse she gives her. Please no smack down NOOOOO! Nikki has no right with all she did in her own past.
I agree. Nikki seems to always forget that she has a very checkered past and her recent actions with alcoholism and Diane’s murder proves she is no saint. And yes, needs to back off on Sharon because she needs help, not hatred. I can’t wait to see the skeletons tap dancing out of Nikki’s closet soon. That will be worth watching.
euh..ok so with your logic poor little Sheila, Patty and Adam when he was vilified..deserved help not hatred..hello it is soap, when the characters do some really bad things they got punished then they are redeemed or not and life goes on ! By the way some other characters like Nick Newman or Victor Newman himself should pay a little..that is the real problem with some characters and writing : the whitewashing and insta forgive and forget. Characters can be forgiven and have a nice redemption arc but BEFORE there need to be some fallout and commeuppance..otherwise why bother ?!
Sharon has to face the music before being accepted again simple as that, Sharon lovers !
Nikki’s past HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH Sharon ! Sharon is not the innocent victim anymore, she deserve the commeuppance any scheming soap character get when they are caught !
Really really tired of watching Nikki get away with her crimes and sex with all these men now we have Chelsea coming a close second to Nikki. Why must Sharon always be everyones punching bag. I nearly gave up I stopped the show for a month after being loyal for 36 years. Leave Sharon alone or Im done like I did with B&B after 24 years now OVER But thanks michael for the heads up Nikki will never leave my Sharon alone BOOOOOOOO
Please Sharon got lot’s of pass actually over the years although some other characters got even more, far more pass i have to admit (Nick Newman, Victor Newman yep i am looking at you and many others..)..Now let’s hope after all her crazy awful last deeds, she get some real wake up call. And don’t use bipolar disease as an excuse..it is more than offensive, bipolar disease NEVER EVER make people do the things Sharon is doing right now..even soaps can’t mock a real and serious mental illness like that. Stop.
I really had hopes Nikki would leave Sharon to be happy. Why must everyone be happy but Sharon. So tired of having to defend all that has happened to the Sharon character. i think fans had enough of the attacks on Sharon. please don’t there be one single show with Nasty Nikki and sweet Sharon I can’t take much more I will stop watching this train wreck. Any way we can get a message to the writers Michael before we have to endure one more attack on Sharon? can’t we PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEEEASE have her best friend Drucilla back! 🙂
Right now Sharon is not sweet, she is pathetic and delusional. Ah and crazy and kind of nasty, Nikki has nothing to do with that. End of story.
The movie Mr. Mom with Michael Keaton shows scenes of Y&R when Nikki was pregnant with Victoria and it was Victors child but they all thought it was Kevin the guy she was married to they have been showing that movie on cable and it is a hoot to see the hair and listen to Michael Keaton’s character talk about Victor’s vasectomy not taking. And just listening to the theme music. I am pretty sure it is going to be a long lost son that Nikki had back in the day and gave up and I know why JFP is doing it she does need to try to bring SB into the fold and it will be worth it just to see Victor’s face. I mean let’s face it how many people has Nikki murdered now on this show she needs another kid! SB is here to stay I have finally accepted it I just hope MTS gets more story with this then she has the MS story!
Terrific interview! Love MTS aand am so happy to hear she has a big story coming up that she seems to love so much. She’s long overdue for that. I agree totally with her that we need Jill back in GC full time now and wish it would happen. I also love the Nikki and Sharon feud and am happy the actresses enjoy it so much too.
Sharon is an absolute horror and has done one vile thing after another for years. Nikki hopefully will wipe up the floor with Sharon when the truth comes out about Summer. Then Sharon can be carted off to a mental hospital never to be heard from again.
Love that Nikki will be front and center again. It is about time.
adore Nikki. very happy Mel is working a lot. Y&R sounds like its getting good coming up.
Nikki having a long lost kid is a load of crap (really hope that rumor isn’t true!) but I love her feud with Sharon. The great thing about it is that they’re more alike than either of them want to admit. Hahaha. I root for both of them at different times! Always love Nikki and Victor together too. Just wish would stay together now.
I want it to come out that Sharon did the awful, and Nick marries Avery. I hope Nikki stays w/Victor!
I hope Sharon ends up happy and with Adam inspite of selfish Nikki and Victor
WTF ? Sharon can ends up happy with Adam and Nikki with Victor like she is actually..lol the problem right now is Sharon and Sharon alone ! She is cray cray and pathetic. That is all.
Is she Dylan (SB) mother on the show?
That,s a twist!!
Dylan will turn out to be Nikki and Paul’s son. This is JFP’s way of making Dylan the central character on Y&R. Eric Braeden will be blowing smoke out of his ears no doubt.
Great that MTS will have a full fronter story at least for few months ! I don’t really like Y&R right now, i find most of the stories boring or awful..but Nikki on-screen is always a good thing, just give her an interestint story and i will watch.
Niki has another child, one no one knew about…. hardly creative is it?
Let me see…
1. Sharon is getting more and more STUPIDER by the minute.
2. Victor and Nikki are back together for the umpteenth time (blah blah blah blah).
3. Y and R (and especially that Jill Farren Phelps) totally ruined the end of Katherine’s beautiful memorial service by horribly tacking on Paul and Christine’s stupid nitwit nuptials at the last minute (more blah blah blah blah).
4. Summer’s, um, crying about Jack and Victor’s feuding and fighting over her is BEYOND ANNOYING!!!!!
5. The WONDERFUL AND FABULOUS Jess Walton is on recurring status…WHAT THE HELL????? No.
6. Arrogant Adam is on a DUMB AS HELL rampage because of Chelsea’s baby. Who cares if Adam is Chelsea’s baby daddy??? Adam is NOT fatherhood material!!!!! No.
7. That Hilary chick is so fake and one-dimensional. No thank you.
8. Neil and Leslie (as a soap couple) are starting to bore me. Not good.
9. Lastly, Y and R needs to bring back the character of Sarge so Sarge himself can knock some much-needed sense into his idiot nephew Mason (aka Hilary’s chump-filled puppet).
The moral of all this: As a so-called executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps did nothing but antagonize and alienate A LOT of other actors and actresses on previous soaps from long ago. Trust me…her tenure (or whatever) at Y and R will be no different. The absolute pits!!!!!
I think that Sharon needs to be put in nut house, she needs to get a life and a job. All the men she has slept with how can she call the kettle black.
I think Sharon should be put in a nut house
Nick will hate Her when.He found out what She did..I’ll be glad when He do.He don’t love Her she needed to get a life.
I am so upset you are taking Delia out like that. I don’t like when kids die like that in a show for the purpose of someone else life. very mush sure that you could have found someone else.
why is the reason I sure don’t no.
once I use to wash An Other World some child die because they made it look like the gangster kill her. This child was only 4 years old I was so up set also. Front that days I never watch that episode. just like I do not like Days of Our Live to phonies of a daytime show. now I have been watching the Do not like it when children end up like that.
I hope Victoria & Bill always stay together I really like the both of them they both seem to fit together and it nice watching 2 people been happy for once on the Y&R. I used to like Lauren & Michael put I have turned of her now I didn’t think she would ever do that to Michael
I do like Adam hope him & Chelsea work things out Don’t like Sharon & Avery
Days Of Our Lives
INTERVIEW: Jackie Cox Talks On Latest Return to DAYS, An Offer for Dimitri, and Life as a Performer In and Out of Drag

On the Monday, December 4th episode of Peacock’s Days of our Lives, Jackie Cox is back and hell hath no fury like a drag queen scorned! With revenge the order of the day on Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart), Darius Rose (Cox out of drag) arrives in Salem with a plan.
As Dimitri (Peter Porte) is about to turn himself into the authorities to save Leo’s skin, Darius gives Von Leuschner a talking to; letting him know that Leo deserves to rot away in prison, and so, to help Dimitri out of town, Darius has a tempting, and yet outlandish way to do just that!
Cox first appeared on Days of our Lives during the limited-series Beyond Salem in 2021 and then on to the mothership in 2022. The drag artist and Rupaul Drag Race alum took time out from his busy touring schedule of his holiday show, Jackie and Jan’s Jingle Jam (coming to a town near you), to speak with Michael Fairman TV all about his recent return to the long-running soap opera, playing ‘soapy’ versions of Jackie/Darius, and if there’s more story to come.
In addition, Jackie talks on the often misperceptions of the art of drag and drag performers, working with his DAYS co-stars since first appearing on the series including: Rikaart, Porte, Billy Flynn (Chad AKA Belinda Chinashop), and much more. Check out our chat with the incomparable Jackie below.

Photo: JPI
You get asked back to DAYS, once again. Were you shocked that you got the call to return?
JACKIE: You know, what’s so funny is ever since my appearance on Beyond Salem a couple years ago, the fans kind of picked up on this little connection with me and Leo. Which then, Ron Carlivati (head writer, Days of our Lives) kind of expanded into my storyline last year where I came and broke up Leo’s wedding with Dr. Craig Wesley (Kevin Spirtas). What’s amazing is the DAYS fans now think they have seen me in places in the story that I’m not. Like, I was one of the prime suspects for the murder of Abigail DiMera, or I’m somehow helping Leo with other things. (Laughs) The fans have amazing imaginations of their own. I think Ron and the team picked up on that a little bit and have kind of found different ways to work me back into the storyline, which is so cool. I’m there, even when I’m not. That’s so fun for me.

Photo: JPI
As viewers saw on Monday’s episode, you are not in scenes with Greg Rikaart but Peter Porte. Was that a surprise for you coming back to tape a new episode?
JACKIE: When they called me to come back, I thought I’d be working with Greg again as I have been very much a part of his storyline. However, it was really fun working with Peter, because we didn’t get to work together much on Beyond Salem, even though we were both there. It was fun to kind of like build a connection to Dimitri, because I think that’s such an interesting character.
Were you ever a fan of Days of our Lives before you were even on it?
JACKIE: I would pop in and out when I was a kid when I was homesick. My mom would let me watch a little bit. So, I remember the Stefano of it all, and Hope, and all of those storylines are still in my ether somewhere from when I was young. Coming into it now, and to see where the storylines have expanded into even more is great. The world is bigger now than maybe it was in the nineties. So, the fact that you have a drag queen dealing with an immigration problem, and getting back at her ex, I think is so wild to me. I couldn’t imagine that kind of a storyline happening back then, but it’s so cool to see now.
DAYS, at times, had shown a lot of forward-thinking to its audience that I don’t think you’d necessarily see on the other current soaps. The way they’ve had you, and other gay, or sexually-fluid characters or romances, or introduced drag into the storylines – all these things they had implemented along the way to make the soap, in its current form, a little more progressive leaning. They are also not on network TV anymore, but on a streaming platform, which gives this most likely an assist, as well.
JACKIE: What I love about it is, sometimes people just don’t think that we exist. You know what I mean? Maybe drag queens are something they just heard about and they don’t know what we are. I think what’s great is this character is me in my real life. I am Jackie Cox. I am a drag performer who goes around the country to different places and performs and stuff. So, for that to also be my character, it’s not like, “Why is she a drag queen?” It’s like, “Well, that’s just who she is.” I just happen to be there and I know that the daytime audience is so diverse. I love that they get to just see a little bit of my real life brought into Salem in this way. You can’t deny the fact I am Darius Rose and Jackie Cox.

Photo: JPI
It looks like Darius had a plan to ‘help’ Dimitri?
JACKIE: I don’t know if I’m as much helping Dimitri as if I have ulterior motives. I’m pretty frustrated with Leo. He is this charmer and he always gets what he wants. But I think at this point, I’ve had it with him and his schemes. He didn’t get that emerald. He didn’t give me the money from the Beyond Salem. He left me for Dr. Craig Wesley and I’m tired of it. I want to get back at him. Now that I find out he has this hot new little boyfriend, I know just how to do it because Dimitri better watch out, because he has not yet dealt with Jackie Cox yet. I have quite the persuasive offer you’ll see during the episode, and in the performances. I do think you see Dimitri really consider me and consider what I have to offer, which is to steal him a way, and help him escape to Canada with me.
We see you as Darius and Jackie in the episode, but there is a reason for that.
JACKIE: Yes! What’s fun for the audience is, I think, is there’s this tease during the episode, which is, “How are we going to get Dimitri out of here?” So, we take a page from the old drag book of tricks, which is walk right out the front door and let them look right at you, because drag is an amazing disguise. I think that Dimitri should have, could have chosen to be a fabulous drag queen and leave with me, and we could run across the Canadian border together and done cabarets in Montreal! (Laughs).

Photo: JPI
So, this is what Jackie/Darius wants to pull off in the episode?
JACKIE: Oh yeah, and also me, in my real life, (Laughs) I wouldn’t mind doing a cabaret in Montreal. That sounds like a good life to me. I think coming to Dimitri with this offer, which is: “Come with me across the border. Let’s get away from Leo. You haven’t been hurt by him the way I have, but I know you will be.” I think for the Darius side of me, you get to see a little bit of the softer side, in a sense. I really am hurt by Leo and the things that he’s done to me, and had been keeping me from – getting a green card in this fantasy version of my life. I really want to get back at him. What I love about Peter as an actor is, as we were working through this scene, we were able to find all these other levels. I kind of build this little connection through our episode of maybe I’m offering him something that he hasn’t even thought of before, a different kind of life where he’s not this Almanian crook, but maybe he can be a free gay man, maybe drag queen in Canada with me. That’s what’s on the table and the audience sees that. Unfortunately, he doesn’t choose me at the end, but that’s not going to stop me from putting on a fabulous look and walking outta there, anyway.
So then as he leaves, is Darius hurt by all of this?
JACKIE: I’m a little hurt. I don’t think my revenge cup is full at the end of this episode. There’s still a burning little desire for me to get back at Leo by the end of this and maybe a desire for me to just get back into Salem and see if I can find Dimitri again. Let me tell you honey, looking at Peter Porte is not very hard and maybe there’s more men in Salem for me … yet. (Laughs)

Photo: JPI
Ya never know! What was your takeaway from previously working with Greg Rikaart? Had you known Greg before taping Beyond Salem?
JACKIE: No. Greg and I met right then, and it was so much fun. Right away in those first couple of moments, we decided we needed to up this whole backstory, like just the two of us, and then it ended up on the show: that we were from New York, and we were in cahoots together, and then apparently we got married. and all this kind of subtext we worked in. For Greg and my character on DAYS, it was not about us being hot and heavy with each other. It was more about seeing each other as partners in crime very much from the beginning. So, that’s where the hurt for me comes in. I thought Leo was my main ride or die, but clearly he is not.

Photo: JPI
Ron Carlivati has a penchant for writing these types of campy stories. Did you speak with him at any point, and talk about the fact that you would like to do more appearances on DAYS?
JACKIE. Ron did just come to my Christmas show in New York a couple weeks ago. We had a little chat. I can’t say much, but I didn’t die at the end of this. So, there’s always room to come back! There’s always room for more Jackie.

Photo: JingleJam
Do you find there’s lot of misconceptions about drag queens and people that perform in drag? Do you think there’s an underlying misunderstanding of it within our culture?
JACKIE: There are a lot of misconceptions. A great example of it for me was last year when I came to Craig and Leo’s wedding. Once I got out of drag, Craig, wasn’t sure how to address me. I just was very clear with the pronouns I prefer out of drag. That was just something that was a matter-of-fact conversation that could happen between any two people. I think sometimes, everyone is scared of what they don’t know or they don’t understand, or are afraid of having a conversation that they think is going to be really horrible. I think the average person, no matter who you are, no matter what side of the political spectrum you are, no matter what gender or sexual orientation you are, everyone just wants to get along in general and have a decent experience walking around the world. I think if you see people like me and my character who’s a drag queen, who’s younger than for example, Dr. Craig Wesley’s character, having just a quick little conversation and then we move on … it’s not a big ‘falling on the sword’ moment. There’s nothing horrible happening. Drag can be a performance. It doesn’t actually matter who you are. Drag is just an expression, and if you love it, great. And if you don’t, you don’t have to come to my show. It’s okay.

Photo: JPI
What did you think about Belinda Chinashop (Billy Flynn), Sonny Delight (Zach Tinker) and Amanda Bottom (Chandler Massey) in the drag show scenes in Beyond Salem? Did you give the guys any pointers, or were you just stunned at how good they were?
JACKIE: We had just shot my drag stuff with them before, and they were like, “We’re doing this later this week.” I was like, “You guys will be fine. Don’t you worry.” They had amazing makeup artists come in and help them, which was great. I think that’s the biggest part. Billy Flynn told me, it was so fun for him to get to do it. I love that. Next time I come to Salem, I think there needs to be a reason for me to get Belinda Chinashop back out of the trunk.

Photo: JPI
You went to college at UCLA in their theatre department, didn’t you?
JACKIE: Sure did. I went to UCLA with Blake Berris (Everett). Blake and I were in the same theater program together and he booked DAYS I think right after college or while we were in college. It was amazing. He started so young. Now, we’re on this show together! How funny! We were like, “Oh my, God. This is amazing.” Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see Blake when I was there this time this time. Hopefully, the timing works out next time. I don’t think Ron Carlivati even knows that we went to school together.
Were you determined once you left UCLA to become a successful performer? What trajectory were you on at that point?
JACKIE: I went to UCLA and I really focused in on theater because I love theater so much. I didn’t actually really do much film or TV, even though it’s the school of theater, film and television. I loved the theatre. Then, after school I moved to New York because that’s where theater is. I got to New York and I realized that the theater industry was not for me, at least at that time. This was 15 years ago or so. It wasn’t quite as progressive, even in the theater industry, as it is today. I mean, to be on Broadway, you kind of had to be this big strapping hunk back then. I didn’t really find a place for me there. I did find it in New York with drag, and that really unlocked something in me. I kind of started building this career as Jackie Cox. I’ve been doing drag now for 13 years. So, for me to come back around to what I maybe kind of started doing in the first place is very interesting. We will see what happens.

Photo: JPI
Now, would you want to take on more roles as yourself, as Darius?
JACKIE: That’s the thing. These days, writers are actually writing material that really connects to who I am. I really want to play more characters, bringing myself to the role is something that’s important to me. So, whether it’s drag, whether it’s a character, whether it’s incorporating some of my Middle Eastern heritage in there, those are all things that I want to bring to life, whether it’s in or out of drag. It’s all on the table. It’s definitely something where I still want it to have that authenticity, to have that reason where it’s me, the actor, not just someone who hasn’t lived it.
So, if you end up with an expanded role of Days of our Lives, would you take it?
JACKIE: Are you kidding? In a heartbeat! My only question to myself and to the writers out there is, am I still going to be me … or is it revealed that I’m not actually Jackie Cox, and that I’m just some delusional fan who thinks I am? (Laughs)

Photo: JPI
In closing, how is Jackie when she walks out the door after this episode?
JACKIE: Jackie walks out the door with a renewed sense of purpose, a burning desire to eventually get back at Leo, and maybe a new friend in Salem. Those are the things that I walk out that door with, for sure.
So, did you enjoy seeing Jackie Cox back on Days of our Lives? Should the soap opera continue to weave Jackie/Darius back into the storylines with Dimitri and Leo and company? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Interviews
Y&R’s Hayley Erin Talks On the Revelation That Shocks Claire, Vendetta Against the Newmans, and Working with Her Co-Stars

The Young and the Restless recently cast former General Hospital star and Daytime Emmy-winner, Hayley Erin in the role of Claire Grace, who may be proven to be the biological daughter of Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Cole (J. Eddie Peck), who they thought died as an infant and who they named “Eve”. The baby was named after Cole’s diabolical mother, Eve Howard (the late Margaret Mason).
Now as the story has played out in riveting fashion, fans of Y&R have witnessed how the seemingly businessman-minded and trusted new assistant of Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), is actually a terror with a vindictive streak that knows no bounds. Once Claire lures Nikki to her Aunt Jordan’s (Colleen Zenk) house in Oregon, things take a deadly turn as Jordan and Claire tried to take down the Newmans. However, in the process, Claire learned some shocking news, herself.
Hayley Erin chatted with Michael Fairman exclusively for You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where she discussed all the inner-working of Claire/Eve, the dramatic scenes, working with her new co-stars including ATWT’s beloved Colleen Zenk, and more.

Photo: JPI
Erin previously appeared on Y&R back in 2008-2010 as a young Abby Newman, so during the interview she shared how interesting it has been to come back to the show for a second go-round. Plus, she delves a bit about her time on GH working with the likes of Maura West, Chloe Lanier, Robert Palmer Watkins and more. Here are just some of the topics and Hayley’s responses from the livestream conversation below.
On Y&R, viewers just saw this week how Claire’s motives were revealed, and that she believed she was thrown to the wolves as a baby and her parents, presumably Cole and Victoria, didn’t want her, only to find out Aunt Jordan stole her from the hospital and switched babies.
Hayley shared on the on-screen moment: “I can’t think of anything more shocking than to find out that basically your entire life has been a lie. So for Claire, that is moment that her entire life comes crumbling down. The moment that Jordan said, ‘I took you from the hospital.’ That is just world shifting. Claire was led to believe that she was put up for adoption, basically, and that they (Victoria and Cole) didn’t want her. And now the truth comes out.”

Photo: CBS
Josh Griffith, the head writer and executive producer of Y&R, is said to have had Hayley read a few scenes to showcase both sides of Claire to land her the role. Erin expounded on that, sharing, “There were two scenes that I read. I did a test with Melody Thomas Scott, who I just love working with. So, the first scene was very much beginning Claire, assistant, very good at my job business talk, like so many business words. And then the second scene was, ‘I hate the Newmans. I hate them. I hate you all. You’re just like disgusting and so full of yourselves and you think you’re so amazing.’ So, I had done the scenes and then I got note from Josh and he’s like, ‘Can you hate them a little more?’ I was like, ‘sure’. So, we read the scene again and he was like, ‘That was great. Thanks.’ That was the whole process.”
There was such intense scenes when not only Claire stuck Nikki with a hypodermic needle but set her up with an IV drip of booze and left a bottle behind. It was a horrifying act. Hayley admitted those scenes with Melody Thomas Scott were some of her favorites, thus far.

Photo: CBS
“I loved every minute of that. I mean the dark, dark Claire, that was the most fun I’ve ever had,” Erin said. “Particularly the hallucination that Nikki had. I think, my favorite scene I’ve ever had the pleasure of filming. It was so much fun. There’s so much going on. Claire’s psyche is such a strange thing. It’s so fragile and manipulated and just playing with those different layers has been a really enjoyable experience for me.”
The pairing of Colleen Zenk as Aunt Jordan and Hayley as Claire/Eve has interjected some new life in Y&R. Erin shared her reaction to working with the ATWT favorite: “I mean, ‘Aunt Jordan, aunt Jordan, aunt Jordan,’ I feel like I said about 70,000 times, planting the seeds. I knew Colleen, actually, I had met her few years ago at an event in Marco Island called Soap Fest. However, I wasn’t super familiar with her work, but I knew that she was a legend. So now, I’m very familiar with her work I just couldn’t be more grateful for such a powerhouse of a scene partner. I’m so lucky. The women I’ve been surrounded with at Y&R, I think that’s such a cool thing, too. The storyline has really been female driven.”

Photo: CBS
Now the question becomes, if Claire is proven to be Eve, will she form any kind of meaningful relationship with her ‘mother’ Victoria. Erin weighed-in: “It’s hard to say because I look at Claire and I see that there’s so much resentment that has been drilled into her that, how do you undo that? How do you start fresh? It’s a great idea, it’s a nice fantasy, but that means unlearning decades of manipulation. So, that’s how her brain was formed. Her brain was formed believing these things. I mean, I hope there’s a really good therapist maybe in town!”
Check out the replay of the entire livestream conversation below with Hayley. Then, let us know in the comment section, if you’ve enjoyed her performance as Claire/Eve thus far, and what you hope happens next the character in the story? Do you want her to scheme again with Aunt Jordan against the Newmans, or get a new lease on life?
Interviews
The Bold and the Beautiful’s Annika Noelle Chats on Hope’s Feelings for Thomas and Her New Attitude, Moving on From Liam, and Being an Advocate

2023 has been the year of Annika Noelle on CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful. As Hope Logan, she found herself fighting the fire and passion she felt for Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson), while trying to figure out where she stands in her marriage to Liam (Scott Clifton). As an actress, Noelle has carried much of the story and has been front and center. Something that should be remembered come Emmy time in 2024.
In story, ultimately, a trip to Rome, Italy set the stage for life-changing events in Hope’s life. After the wildly successful showing of her design collection, Hope for the Future, in collaboration with her ace designer, Thomas Forrester, the duo end-up in a passionate lip-lock, initiated by Hope, in front of the overhang at the world-famous Colosseum. Problem was … Liam happened upon the scene and saw his then wife’s betrayal.
Flash-forward, Hope has divorced Liam and is moving on with her life seemingly with Thomas, much to the chagrin of most of the entire Forrester and Logan families given Thomas’ twisted past – yes, they are probably thinking, “Baby Beth” and the “Hope Mannequin!” All that aside, on the surface Thomas appears a new man fully ready to embrace a relationship with Hope. Meanwhile, Hope has discovered more of her independence, has a fashionable new short crop hair-do, and is no longer ruled by what others think she should do.

Photo: JPI
Michael Fairman TV chatted with Annika to get her thoughts on a myriad of subjects including: is it truly the end for Hope and Liam? Will the duo known as “Thope” have a shot at any longevity? What is Hope going to do now that her father Deacon (Sean Kanan) is engaged to none other than evil-personified in Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)? And that’s just for starters! Read on to see what Annika had to share about it all, and her about beautiful new rescue dog, Huckleberry.
Hope just found out that Eric (John McCook) is dying. How do you think she will cope with the news from here? What has Eric meant to her throughout his life?
ANNIKA: Eric has been a loving patriarch throughout Hope’s life. One of her mother’s biggest champions, Thomas’ grandfather, and Douglas’ great grandfather. He is someone that has been a guiding force throughout her life and to lose him would be like losing the cornerstone that built the house of Forrester. It would be a devastating loss to her family.

Photo: JPI
Liam seems to be reeling from seeing just how serious Thomas and Hope appear to be with each other at this point. Is Hope moving forward with Thomas in her mind as a “relationship” or does she see this more as an “affair” for her?
ANNIKA: At this point, she can acknowledge that she has feelings for Thomas and she wants to be with him. However, given his significance in her life (an integral part of ‘Hope for the Future’ as well as Douglas’ father) I think she wants to be extremely careful. She has been burned by love and is hesitant to jump in again. She needs to take things slow and thus far, Thomas has respected that.

Photo: JPI
You carried a very heavy load in the storyline over recent months: from when Thomas and Hope kissed in Rome, to the fallout, to her divorcing Liam, to her feeling more self-assured and independent. What were the more challenging beats of the storyline for you?
ANNIKA: Honestly? This has been a joy. After the heavy “Baby Beth” storyline throughout most of 2019, I have so enjoyed this story arc. From being able to travel to Rome for the first time with the cast and crew, playing beats of strength, laughter, and love as well as the heavier moments, it has been a story I have embraced and given my all.

Photo: JPI
You have a new fantastic short cropped hair-do. Was that something you wanted to do, or was it related to the character of Hope moving on with her life from Liam?
ANNIKA: This actually had more to do with me making changes and starting new chapters but it also happened to coincide with Hope having major life changes as well. I, of course, had to get permission (contractual obligation and what not) and was surprised to get the blessing to go ahead! It’s been a big adjustment as I’ve had long hair my entire adult life but everyone has been so complimentary and supportive. I think I might keep it for a while…

Photo: JPI
Do you see Hope, Thomas and Douglas (Henry Joseph Samiri) being a family at some point?
ANNIKA: In my eyes, they always were a family from the moment Hope embraced the role as Douglas’ adoptive mother. She takes that responsibility very seriously, and was not going to neglect her duties to that child. Even when it was tough with the blended families, she always tried her best to make it work.
Is Hope at all concerned at this point that Thomas could fall back on his former troubled or devious ways?
ANNIKA: I think in order for her to be involved with a man who has done so much to her and her family in the past, she has to truly believe that this man has changed. That he is different. As she has said repeatedly, he has earned her trust and he has done the work. And try as everyone might to ward her away, I think it just makes it all the more appealing. As her father Deacon said… “love doesn’t always make sense”.

Photo: JPI
Do you see Hope doing anything to intervene with her father Deacon’s relationship with Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)? She clearly is not happy about this, given Sheila’s past.
ANNIKA: I think at the moment she has a lot on her plate with Eric’s health, Liam’s realization, Hope For The Future, the children, not to mention her love life. I think she’s trying to maintain some form of peace and balance, which involves setting a boundary with that. Plus, Sheila has a few screws loose, so I don’t think she’s about to go punching crazy in the face just to see what happens.

Photo: JPI
You recently shared some scenes with Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy). Within them, Steffy and Hope sparred with a war of words, when it came to Liam and Thomas. Did Hope use his past with Steffy as justification to divorce him, because she wanted Thomas so badly, or does she truly believe that Steffy will always come first with Liam?
ANNIKA: I think both can be true at the same time. Past resentments, insecurities, and repeated infidelity over years can lead to the downfall of any strong relationship. Hope’s issue is not necessarily Liam’s past indiscretions, as she still choose to forgive him and stay with him during those times. It is the fact that he couldn’t offer her the same grace and forgiveness after she had messed up. Over a kiss. And Liam was so quick to run to Steffy in the aftermath. That is what stung. So, she had the divorce papers drawn up.
You have an adorable new dog Huckleberry that you showed on your Instagram. What can you tell me about how Huckleberry came into your life? What kind of dog is he?
ANNIKA: Huckleberry is my gentle angel boy who came into my life thanks to Life Animal Rescue. I had been searching for the right fit and I saw a video of him and knew we were destined to be. He is 100% “Korean Village Dog” and was rescued from a meat farm there. He is now safe with me, chasing butterflies, and playing with Burritoman kitty.

Photo: Heirlume photography
You have been a wonderful ally to the LGBTQ+ community and do get involved in charitable causes. Why is it important for you to lend your name and time to help those perhaps misunderstood, or under-presented?
ANNIKA: Funny thing is, I would be doing it even if I didn’t have this platform. I grew up in theatre as much as I did the outdoors. Both have offered me community and a place of belonging. I was bullied as a child so my places of refuge were the forest in my backyard and the escape I found on the stage. So I will advocate, use my voice, and return the love that the community has shown me all my life. They were a safe haven for me, I will fight for their safety too. As Mama Ru says, “we’re all born naked and the rest is drag”.

Photo: JPI
As her fashion line says, Hope for the Future, what are your future Hope’s for Hope?
ANNIKA: I hope she finds clarity for herself, strength in her voice, and love in her heart. With or without a man. And more screen time with her children!

Photo: JPI
As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, what would you like to say to all the fans who have been so supportive to you all over the world who watch B&B?
ANNIKA: Thank you so much for being on this journey with me. I know it isn’t always easy with the way storyline can ebb and flow. But if you understand me, who I am outside of my character, all I stand for, and you still ride with me? Then my loves, we are family! And I am grateful for YOU. No character choice can ever ruin that.
So, after checking out our interview with Annika, are you rooting for Hope and Thomas to be the end game, or do you think Hope and Liam should find their way back to one another? Share your viewpoints and thoughts via the comment section below.
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