'One Life to Live' month: Interview with Kassie DePaiva

A few words come to mind when one thinks of Kassie DePaiva and Blair Daimler Cramer Manning: attractive, seductive, desirable, alluring, sensual, sultry, kinky, slinky, provocative, tempting, tantalizing, nubile, luscious, hot, beddable, insatiable, romantic, passionate and foxy.

And, let’s not forget self-destructive. However, the latter adjective took a much-needed holiday after Blair experienced an orgasmic a-ha moment of sorts, when it came to her inner journey as a woman, mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter and lover.

In the process, one of One Life To Live’s most enduring and iconic anti-heroines evolved into one of the sexiest and most admirable women in soaps, due in most part to her newfound strength and independence.

Let’s review: Blair ended her dysfunctional and unhealthy on-and-off again marriage to convicted rapist, Todd Manning. She defiantly stood up for her daughter, Starr, when the teenage girl found herself pregnant by her boyfriend Cole. Later, she supported Starr’s decision to give up her baby for adoption.

In many respects, Blair has also surprisingly grown to become one of the most inspiring mothers on the daytime dial. She even agreed to take on sole custody of Todd’s baby with another woman in an effort to protect the innocent child from a lifetime of psychosis. Most important, she treats her children, Jack, Starr, and Sam with respect by truly listening to them and respecting their own journey in life.

Most impressively, Blair even put her own personal feelings aside by befriending her frenemy, Marty, after Todd raped her a second time. In the courtroom, Blair sat by Marty’s side and helped her seek justice.

After Starr’s baby “died,” Blair did everything in her power to punish Todd legally for contributing to baby Hope’s “death.” And, yet, through all of this, Blair has discovered a newfound confidence in her romantic life by taking a chance with nice guy, John McBain. As a result, Blair has finally realized herself romantically and sexually.

TVGuide.ca spoke with one of our favourite sex symbols about Blair’s sizzling new adult romance with John McBain, life as a Cramer woman, and why she looks forward to working opposite Roger Howarth (ex-Todd; Paul, As The World Turns) again one day.

TVGuide.ca: Blair has grown up a lot this year. Are you happy with her evolution?
Kassie DePaiva: She’s come a long way! [Head writer] Ron [Carlivati] has a great grasp of Blair’s history. It’s nice to see that Blair has matured somewhat based on how she treats her children, stood up to Todd, and allowed John into her life. You know what? I’ve been playing this character for so long, so for me, it just seems like a natural progression. Ron was smart in not having Blair continue her relationship with Todd because it had become way too abusive.

TVG: As an actor, you must be thrilled with this new level in Blair’s journey as a human being.
KD: I’m sure Blair still has a few more mistakes in her future, because she’s human, but for the first time in her life, she really is trying to make healthy choices.

TVG: After everything that has happened this past year, I can’t imagine One Life ever re-pairing Todd and Blair romantically despite the fact that historically they were always intended to be the end game due to their super-couple status. Do you think Blair and Todd are over for good?
KD: Yes, I think it’s over romantically. I can’t see them getting back together in terms of being a powerhouse romantic super-couple; unless, of course, there are some great transformations in Todd’s character.

TVG: Do you think that’s possible? KD: Well, if you lose that element in Todd, you lose Todd. He’s a wonderfully dysfunctional and dangerous presence on our show. However, when you factor in Todd and Blair’s children, being with Todd is no longer romantic, it’s abusive. They’ll continue to be in each other lives because of their children. Yes, it’s still possible that they still love each other, but I doubt they could ever be in love with each other — especially as husband and wife.

TVG: In your opinion, what do you think was Blair’s breaking point in realizing that Todd will always be damaged goods and a monster?
KD: There have been a lot of breaking points over the years. It’s a culmination of events. It started when Blair found out Jack was alive and not dead. Blair has always forgiven Todd’s crimes. She even took in Sam, Todd’s child with another woman. I always call her The Old Woman in the Shoe! [Laughs] She has [myriad] of children living in her house! As Blair has matured, she began seeing the pattern between her and Todd. Whether it’s forgivable or not regarding what he did to Marty is not the issue. Blair just wants Todd to move on with his life without her. Seriously, at this point, why would anyone want to put up with Todd?

TVG: What were your thoughts on the highly-controversial rapemance?
KD: I thought it was an interesting dynamic. The writers did miss one beat, though: three years ago, there was a he-said-she-said rape storyline involving Blair and Todd. After Blair had slept with Kevin, Todd became physically abusive with her. They ended up going to court to prove if it was rape or not, but, of course, Todd got off because Blair had a brain tumor! Whether it was rape or not, it was still a sexually violent act. It would have been nice if the writers had referenced that moment in time. As for Marty, I think the fact that Todd emotionally raped her was much scarier than the physical rape.

TVG: Your scenes at the Red Ball opposite Todd proved you and Trevor St. John still share amazing chemistry. Of course, it’s a different relationship now. Blair actually stands up to Todd now in a way she never has before. It’s like War of the Roses, but much sicker!
KD: I enjoy working with Trevor. We haven’t worked together a whole lot, even though we’ve been in the same scenes together. I loved the scenes in which she went over to his house after his suicide attempt. They were really well written. To me, it’s all in the writing. Of course, as actors, you have to bring the writing to life and make the material work. At the end of the day, it all starts on the page but ends with you. We, at One Life, have been blessed with our writing team.

TVG: You and Susan Haskell [Marty] have the potential to become One Life’s next legendary feud, much in the same vein as Viki versus Dorian. Are you happy that Haskell returned to the show? KD: I am. As you know, Susan is incredibly talented. And, let’s not forget about Florencia Lozano [Téa]! Add in Michael Easton [John] and Trevor, and I have nothing to complain about. As an actress, I am blessed to be working with the best of the best. The five of us enjoy working with each other. I think our group of players are going to provide a lot of entertainment in 2009.

TVG: At first, I was worried that you and Michael wouldn’t share any chemistry, but I was wrong. In fact, I named John and Blair last year’s most adult romance. I love them together. I hope they survive.
KD: Me, too! I was happy they didn’t rush John and Blair’s relationship. I loved the fact that, due to the rain and the booze on their first “date”, their first kiss happened on John’s roof. There were no artificial moments leading up to their romance. It was very organic and authentic. It was nice to see the usually shy John open up to the very talkative Blair. For once, it was nice to see Blair stop blabbing ad nauseam, and to have her finally listen. There’s also this wonderful dramatic backdrop when you factor in John’s memory of Marty, which was lovely, and Blair’s memory of Marty, which was miserable.

TVG: And let’s not forget their history with Todd. I really admire Blair a lot these days. I think she’s a real, independent woman, who finally refuses to sacrifice her self-worth and integrity for anyone.
KD: I love Blair, too! She’s broken enough to be real, you know?  When she acts out, it’s because she’s been wounded, or she has to defend someone she loves. She loves deeply, but she also hurts deeply. And she’s extremely loyal. Recently, after she had fallen in the water with Marty, John defended Marty. Blair said, “You know what, John? I think of you first after my children. And I expect the same, because if not, then I am a fool.” Blair is sexy in her strength.

TVG: I love how Blair owns her sexuality, much like a man does.
KD: Yeah. Blair has always been the aggressor when it came to her sex life with Todd. When Todd chose to have sex with someone, it was always a violent response to something. So Blair really dictated their sexual relationship through much of their marriage. She always seduced Todd. But with John, it’s the opposite. She’s a different woman with John. It’s nice to see her seduced by a man for a change.

TVG: You have helped make John McBain one of the most improved characters in Llanview. He’s now smiling, dancing, making love, and even added some colour to his wardrobe. Thanks to his relationship with Blair, it’s obvious John’s kind of naïve and innocent when it comes to love. Do you think John and Blair have what it takes to go the distance?
KD: I actually do, but that’s completely up to the writers. I think if they give us a shot, we can give the fans a couple to root for. Blair and John are very sexy and passionate characters. Blair is a boundless ocean. Conversely, John is a still-waters-run-deep soul. Together, they make a very interesting match. However, I wish music played a bigger part in their relationship because John’s mother was a jazz singer. Music is a big part of John’s life.

TVG: I forgot about that. But then again, I wasn’t watching regularly when Dena Higley was attempting to head write One Life. Let’s talk about the Cramer family. They are hands down my favourite family on soaps. You must be happy that the Cramer brood has been fleshed out. In many ways, Blair is more of Dorian’s daughter than Cassie ever was. KD: Absolutely. It also helps that I adore Robin Strasser. As an actor, it’s easier when you have real-life feelings for your co-star. Long may we reign! TVG: I’ve only ever seen Dorian scared of one person, and that’s Todd. It’s a brave acting choice on Robin’s part. KD: Yes, Dorian is scared of Todd’s violent nature. She doesn’t believe in women being victims, especially when it comes to men and domestic abuse. TVG: Robin has never looked more beautiful than she did at this year’s Red Ball. KD: She’s very beautiful — inside and out. Also, I think Addie’s recovery has been [a catalyst] for Blair’s recent healthy decisions. Having her mother back in such an enlightened state has inspired not only Blair but also the entire Cramer family. Blair finally has her mother back, but Dorian is still the person she turns to for advice.

TVG: You are pre-nominated for a lead actress Emmy this year. If you don’t mind me asking, what episode are you planning on submitting?
KD: Why don’t you help suggest an episode, because I have no idea what to submit! I always think I’m awful in every scene! [Laughs] It’s hard to watch myself, so I need help.

TVG: Done. I think you delivered your best performance during the live week in 2002. The press was outraged when you failed to earn a nomination from your peers that year. [Ed. DePaiva was nominated for her first and only Emmy as lead actress in 2005].
KD: That will be a memory I’ll take with me until the end of time. As far as soap opera work, it’ll be my best performance. I say that not because of my acting, but because that whole episode was a major challenge since it was live. It was a real team effort that day. When Gary Tomlin told us we were going live that week, I pleaded with him to not write me in! [Laughs] I was petrified. I ended up in four out of the five  episodes that week — and in one of the most dramatic storylines of my career! 

TVG: How is James doing?
KD: Jim’s doing great. We were all at Phil Carey’s [ex-Asa] memorial service this past Friday. I didn’t go out afterwards with the gang, but Jim did and he got to see a lot of former and present One Lifers. It was a special, but sad day.

TVG: Last week, Clint Ritchie [ex-Clint] and Phil both died. How is the cast doing?
KD: I think it’s a devastating blow for all of us. Those characters and actors were beloved by us all. Asa is still being talked about on the show daily. It was ironic that on the day of his funeral, the Buchanans toasted Asa by doing shots at the Red Ball.

TVG: “To that son of a bitch!” Yeah, I saw. It was a little eerie. I loved Asa and Blair’s marriage from hell.
KD: Talk about chemistry. I adored Phil, so it was hard to play the fact that Blair hated him. Out of all the women Asa has married, I think he hated Blair the most.

TVG: James came back during Asa’s funeral a year-and-a-half ago. Would James do another soap again?
KD: Yeah, I think he’d do more soaps. He loves daytime. James grew up watching One Life with his German mother. That’s how his mother learned English.

TVG: I’m surprised that Ron didn’t bring back Max to help reveal that David is Asa’s son because he had overheard the secret during the funeral.
KD: I’m a little surprised as well. Nigel told Max the paternity bombshell, and that’s how Alex overheard the secret.

TVG: You’ll go down as one of the most successful recasts in daytime history, but also, one of the strangest. What was it like replacing Mia Korf, an Asian-American actress, as Blair Daimler? KD: I was on Guiding Light as Chelsea Reardon, so it wasn’t watching One Life at that time. I didn’t even know the role was a recast until after I auditioned. Just before I screen tested, I learned the previous actress was Amerasian. I was convinced I wasn’t going to land the part, so I just had fun during the audition. And lo and behold, I landed the role.

TVG: And the rest is history. I remember you were on the cover of Soap Opera Digest alongside Grant Aleksander [Phillip] only months after you debuted as Chelsea Reardon.
KD: Omigod. That was such a big deal for me, because I was only 25-years-old. And like you said, I had only been on the show for a few months when Digest called asking to do a whole feature cover story on me.

TVG: Do you still talk to Grant? He just returned to Guiding Light.
KD: We’ll say hello, but we don’t keep in touch regularly. Once in a while, I run into Mark Derwin [ex-Ben, OLTL, ex-Mallet, GL] and Gina Tognoni [ex-Kelly, OLTL; Dinah, GL]. It’s hard, because I’m working a lot and all my free time is spent with my family.

TVG: How is you son, James Quentin, [11]?
KD: He’s great. He continues to be the light of my life.

TVG: All My Children appears to have dropped Spike’s hearing-impaired storyline. Your son guest-starred on the soap to help raise awareness for the community.
KD: Yes. Anytime there’s a writer change [James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten, who created the hearing-loss story, left AMC last spring], story focus shifts. It was fun, though. We got to tape a PSA in an effort to help bring awareness to the hearing-loss community. He was a natural on screen. James and I were more nervous than he was! JQ quipped, “If mom and dad can act, how hard can it be?” [Laughs]

TVG: That’s funny. If you could sing or act before you die, which one would you chose?
KD: I think singing because it brings me so much more joy. This past year, I wrote a song, “If You Knew My Heart,” for One Life, which could be possibly nominated for a Daytime Emmy. Blair sang it to John at Capricorn. Wouldn’t it be funny if I won an Emmy for my singing? I can’t seem to get one for my acting! [Laughs]

TVG: Do you keep in touch with Roger Howarth [ex-Todd; Paul, As the World Turns]?
KD: I saw him at Phil’s memorial, but we only said hello in passing. We talked for a while at last year’s Emmys. I miss Roger. I think it would be great to have him back on the canvas. He has a different take on Todd than Trevor, but both actors are equally compelling and wonderful. Roger’s a fantastic actor. I would love to work with him again in some capacity.

TVG: Given the state of World Turns, I’m sure Howarth would love to be working with you again, too! Now that the rapemance is over, he’d probably feel safe to return to One Life.
KD: Roger was right, too — they ended up writing a romance between Marty and Todd. He was against that from the start. Having said that, I do think as an actor in a never-ending story, you have to surrender control because in the end you really don’t own your character’s fate. It’s in the process of letting go as an actor when you become free as an artist.

TVG: And that’s sexy.

 

Want to dish the soaps with Nelson Branco? Join The Suds Report discussion group today on Facebook.com.

Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America.