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It has been a whirlwind several months for Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) of The Young and the Restless!  The talented actress who had created one half of one of the CBS soap’s most beloved couples “Villy”, found herself without her longtime on-screen other half, when two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Billy Miller (Ex-Billy Abbott) made the decision to exit the show and pursue other acting career opportunities. And as her fans know, Amelia and Mr. Miller truly had a special bond.

But as with everything in life, nothing can stay the same forever.  And now Amelia finds herself working alongside another Daytime Emmy winner, the talented David Tom, who recently returned to the role of Billy Abbott, and another on-screen potential beau in Sean Carrigan (Ben “Stitch”)!  Now the question is, which one of these gents will have Victoria’s heart, especially after the explosive revelations that Billy slept with Kelly (Cynthia Watros) while Victoria was trying to help Billy grieve for the loss of his daughter, Delia?

On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Amelia at the fantastic and emotional on-set celebration honoring her on-screen mom, Melody Thomas Scott’s (Nikki) 35th year in Genoa City where speeches, smiles, and tears flowed.  So, here’s our chat with the cute, candid, and endearing Amelia, which as you will see was incredibly heartfelt.

What do you think of this incredible milestone for your on-screen mom, Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki)?  35 years in one the most iconic roles in daytime is nothing to sneeze at!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

AMELIA:  I am so proud of her.  She said it during her speech that her friends are her family, and this is her family.  We are all so proud of her!   Who gets to be on a show for 35 years?   There are not that many people can say they have done that.  Melody is awesome.  She has been good to me since day one.  On day one, I was scared to death to work with her and Eric Braeden (Victor).  I don’t know why, especially since I’ve worked with a lot of people.  As the years went by, she has been loving and accepting towards me.  Then one day about three years ago she said to me, “It just dawned on me why I like you so much.  You remind me of my daughter, Liz.  Not just the way you look, but you act the same way.  You have the same mannerisms, the same personality.”  I was like, ‘Yeah, Mel’s daughter could be my little sister!’  I know her because sometimes she comes on as an extra on the show.   We are a lot alike.  Anyway, Melody has always been lovely to me and she threw me a baby shower for my son, Rowe.  She has always gone above and beyond.  She is like my mom, sort of, and Eric is sort of turning into my dad! (Laughs)  But Melody blows me away and surprises me.  One of the reasons I stay on the show is because Melody and Eric are here and I love him.   I truly feel so connected to them now, and it would be like losing a family member if I left.   Sometimes we will go to parties and hang out at their houses, but the only time we truly do see each other and truly relate is here at the set in this crazy little bubble world.

How you are doing since the departure of your longtime scene partner and friend, Billy Miller from Y&R?

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

AMELIA:  Billy is a class-act.  Those are big shoes to fill.  I miss him.  I think David Tom is doing a fine job, but I wasn’t prepared for how it would hit me, because it happened so fast.  I thought maybe he would stay, and we were both in negotiations, and we didn’t know what the other one was doing.  Then all of a sudden he is for sure not coming back, and all of a sudden Y&R is recasting the role.  Then it was done.  It was Christmas and I threw a party for Billy … and it was all a blur. (Laughs)  The party turned out so nice and cute and we did the video for him which went online.  It is very tough for me, but aside from me, this show will go, but I want Billy to go out there and show what he can do and have this opportunity.

Next, David Tom, who originated the role of Billy Abbott returns to the show and literally falls at your feet in his first episode back! (Laughs)  How was that to play?

AMELIA:  As an actress, I had never done anything like that, where a recast happened at the crescendo of the storyline. Billy comes in and falls through the door and it’s a different Billy Abbott!  I had to laugh a bit because it was so surreal.  I remember that day I had to be talked to do a few times. The producers said, “Amelia, you have to do something!”  It was a big challenge for me, and it is going to take time.  But nobody is ever going to replace Billy Miller in my heart.  It’s the most fun I have ever had on a soap in my career.

It is true that what you and Billy created as “Villy” broke the mold for soap couples, and you will always carry that experience with you.

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AMELIA:  The sad thing for me is I wish I would have known these were the only years I had with Billy, because I wouldn’t have taken them for granted.  It was fun what we created.  Billy worked very hard on the role of Billy Abbott and actually I would say to him, “You don’t even care … this all comes to you so easily!”  And he said to me, “No. I really do care.  I do work hard.”   I meant it in a way like he is one of those guys that just has it and so the performance comes so easily …  but he really put me in my place for a second.  I stepped back and thought, ‘He’s right.  He does work.’  It took a lot from me to make my half of it work, so I knew how committed he was to the work.  I just hope that someone sees that him in.

Where do you think the on-screen dynamic now between Billy and Victoria is headed?   And … then there was “that kiss” between “Stitch” and Victoria! Could the good doc be in her future?

AMELIA:  I don’t know now where things are headed with Victoria and Billy as it looks like their relationship may just crumble!  Now while working with Sean Carrigan, we are very eager to figure out this whole thing, and to see where our characters are coming from, but he has seamlessly gotten into the storyline.  I know there were a few days I made fun of him, which you have to do! (Laughs) But, Sean is awesome.

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After Victoria found out that Billy hit the sheets with Kelly, she was furious and hurt! And rightfully so! I loved seeing you in scenes with Cynthia Watros.  How was it working with her?  And what do you think about her recast (since Cynthia is leaving the show), the one and only Cady McClain?

AMELIA:  I love Cynthia Watros!  She has been doing such a great job.  I did not realize how great she is, but she is really good.  She is my kind of actress, and she would have been a great cast member to add to the show, but I know Cady McClain. She’s a great actress too, and a sweetheart! I think we worked briefly together on All My Children.

What do you want to happen to Victoria now that she knows the truth about Billy and Kelly, and is dealing with the ramifications of Delia’s death in her relationship with Billy, and so much more?

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AMELIA:  I wish something bigger would have happened to Victoria from the fallout of all this.  I wish she would have developed a drinking problem, because Victoria never really falls apart.  I think the fans now each want her with different guys.  I think some people want Victoria to stay with Billy, but now I think a lot of people want Victoria with Ben, “Stitch”, or whatever his name is! (Laughs)  I am interested to see where all of this goes.

So, who do you want to see Victoria end up with now … Billy or Ben?  What do you think about Amelia’s heartfelt comments on Melody Thomas Scott and Billy Miller? Are you excited to see if Y&R makes Amelia and incoming Kelly, Cady McClain on-screen arch-enemies? Have you enjoyed Amelia’s performances during and post Delia’s death and the fallout from that storyline?  Comment below!