HBSRocks
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Posts: 17
(1/12/07 11:10 pm)
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To all the fans who have supported me
To all the fans who have supported me:
I guess by now you know why I wanted you to read TV Guide in January. I
wasn't allowed to say anything until the newsbroke, but I can address it
now! Yes, I am staying on the show. This decision is as surprising to me
as it is to you. Someone told me once that God laughs when you start to
make life-plans. He must be having a good giggle now. But this letter
isn't about me; it's about you.
As most of you know, I am a diehard fan of traditional soaps and the
soap format! I grew up watching them and I love this medium. With all
the other things that I have done in my career, I have continually
migrated back to soaps. They are my passion. I like the consistency, the
family feeling, the diversity of emotional work and more importantly,
having a life in addition to a career. As a fan, I love the
entertainment, the emotional pulls and the addiction that happens when a
good story is being told and well-acted. I love the feeling when during
the day, I'll cut whatever I am doing short to race back to the TV. The
only difference for me over the years is the interaction that actors now
have with fans. I never had that interaction growing up, or on my
previous soaps. This interaction at first, made me uncomfortable. I
believe in keeping the fourth wall firmly in place. The journey of the
characters is the most important thing, not the actors' lives. But
during my tenure on One Life To Live, I have been approached and
befriended by the most incredible people. Angela Zilafro started a fan
club because she wanted to...and with a rather reluctant actor. Because
of her, the fan club grew. I started to meet the members down at Super
Soap. You were all smart, attractive, fun people who used this forum to
find each other and share your thoughts and passions. Lifetime
friendships were forged. ( And a hat collection was started :-) ).
Other fan clubs began, all rooting for different pairings, but all with
smart, funny and kind people. When you work on a soap, you expect
relationships to blossom with your co-workers. Never did I expect
relationships as deep and meaningful as the ones I found with all of
you. I have always enjoyed our times together at Super Soap when names
and faces would come together. Dancing with my male fans... and holding
the littlest of fans..the babies. But this past year and a half was
amazing.
I felt all of your frustration, your sadness, and your anger. But what
was so unbelieveable to me, was the outpouring of support for me,
Hillary. You put smiles on my face during times when I was the saddest.
Your generousities were limitless. And being true Nora fans, you put
your feelings into actions, merged all of your fan bases and ...you
wrote letters and more letters and more letters. You emailed and called
and emailed and called. Denise organized an initiative and what was so
wonderful, it wasn't just about me, but about your show! You did exactly
what my character would have done. You fought for all those you felt you
had been deprived of. You took a stand. I am sure that this effort on
the part of ABC to come up with a story had more to do with you than it
had anything to do with me. You are truly brave and courageous. Those
are two qualities I greatly admire. So regardless of whatever plans I
may have had, there was no way I was going to take their offer lightly
after all you had done. And it wasn't an offer to take lightly. It was
four more years, a long time. But it was a story that I believe soaps
are made of. There will be humor and romance and vengence and that's
just with Lindsay! Ahahaha! Wait til I get near Phil Carey (Asa). I am
excited about the possibilities and that's what they are. They are just
possibilities for right now. We are all taking a leap of faith, but for
me, because of you, the leap is well worth it! So hang in there and
enjoy the ride. This one's for you!
With all my Undying Gratitude, Admiration and Respect,
Hillary B Smith
PS: Because this love letter is just for you, I would appreciate it if you didn't post this on any other website, but direct people who wanted to read it to this place. This is just between us.
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