SHEMAG: BIANCA & REESE
WALKING DOWN THE AISLE & INTO HISTORY
INTERVIEW WITH EDEN RIEGEL AND TAMARA BRAUN
FROM THE COVER by tina sordellini
EDITORIAL PAGE
I was a General Hospital kid. Back in the days when Luke and Laura were all the rage. I was just as glued to the screen as so many other teenage girls, mothers and grandmothers were. And when Anna Scorpio (Finola Huges) came on the scene with her little daughter, Robin, I had the biggest crush you could ever imagine. Over time, Anna just got hotter, Robin grew into a teenager and went off into the world, leaving the show, just as her mother had once done.
It was a couple of years before I branched out into also watching All My Children. And, although Erica Kanewas lovely and also had a cute little daughter named Bianca, I didn't like Erica even half as much as I like Anna Scorpio. She was a bit too high-maintenence for my tastes. Still, just as with little Robin, I watched as little Bianca grew and eventually shipped out to boarding school as a teenager.
So, even thorugh I was more of a GH kid, I ahve been an avid fan of AMC for almost as long. Over the years, I have scene [sic] just about every traumatic occurrence you can imagine and seemingly every social or health issue be played out on the saytime TV screen. Yet, I have to say that in 2000, I was shocked to see darling little Bianca return from boarding school as a young woman, home to announce that she was a fabulous flourishing lesbian. "Woo-hoo!" I whooped from the sofa, as I did a victory dance that would have been just enough to convince the world that we really do get a new toaster oven for everyone who hops onto out side of the fence. But in my mind, Bianca Montgomery, daughter to the infamous, uber-popular Erica Kane, was way better than a toaster oven. This was a real coup!
How proud I was, when Eden Riegel beautifully graced the cover of She in May 2001, as the first to play an out lesbian leading role on a daytime soap and be the first to kiss another young woman in front of millions of viewers. To this day, that cover still hangs framed on the wall of my office.
I have to say that as the last few years have gone by, AMC has done a wonderful job of keeping the storyline current and character of Bianca authentic in her "gayness." They brought her out of the closet and they let her stay there. And Eden, while leaving the show here and there, as Bianca went off into the world a few times, each time she has come back, has portrayed the role in a way that would make any of us proud of her representation of us to the daytime viewer.
Not so long ago, little Robin returned to GH, all grown up and now has reached the age when it's time for her to have a beautiful wedding that will carry on in the same tradition as all the other main character women before her. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Bianca popped back onto the scene, popped out a surprise baby that she and new girlfriend Reese (Tamara Braun formerly of, you guessed it, GH) conceived through artificial insemination and now, the are getting married! "Woo-hoo!" I whooped from my desk chair. Anti-gay marriage amendments are all over the news, somehow they are actually passing in the polls, and "It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Erica Kane's gay bagy Bianca swooping in and marrying another woman!" Another first in history for daytime TV, for All My Children and now, for Eden Riegel and Tamara Braun.
I ams sur you can imagine how proud I am to have these two absolute darlings beautifully grace the cover of this month's She. And when you read my interview with Eden and Tamara, you will see that they feels [sic] as strongly about out issues and rights as we do. And while they are not real lesbians, they just play them on TV, Eden and Tamara portray these roles and deal with issues that are important to our community with the same respect and passion any red-blooded lesbian would. In my book, that's exponentially better than any toaster oven and well worth another framed cover on my wall.
See you next month for our 10th Anniversary Issue!
Tina Sordellini
MAIN ARTICLE
IN 2001, WE SPOKE WITH EDEN RIEGEL ABOUT HER groundbreaking role as daughter to All My Children's infamous Erica Kane, Bianca Montgomery, daytime drama's first main character to be an out lesbian. This role also came with daytime television's first lesbian kiss. What seemed like all too quickly, the character of Bianca was off to Paris with her daughter Miranda to start a life with a new girlfriend, which unfortunately, did not work out. A couple of years later, Bianca came back on the scene for a storyline that included transitioning male to female character. The, it was back off to Paris for Bianca.
Here we are in 2008 and Bianca is back, for yet another first — Daytime drama's first lesbian wedding. She's got a new love — Reese, played by Tamara Braun and together they have just ahd a new baby, Gabriella. Now, each has dropped on bended knee, ring in-hand, and proposed to the other. And in the next couple of months, we well have the pleasure of watching these two beautiful soap stars plan their big day and ultimately walk down the aisle into daytime history.
Over the holiday break, I had the pleasure of speaking with Eden and Tamara about their roles on All My Children as well as their views on the issues their roles on this show explore.
T.S.: WHERE YOU SURPRISED WHEN AMC ASKED YOU TO COME BACK AS BIANCA WITH THIS NEW STORYLINE?
Eden Riegel: No. I've always been dying to come back as Bianca and when they finally got around to asking me I jumped at the chance, of course, I was especially excited that they intended to give Bianca a loving committed relationship with another woman, and to see that relationship through to the altar.
IN THE ROLE OF BIANCA, YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED QUITE A FEW FIRSTS IN DAYTIME DRAMA. HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN THEY TOLD YOU THAT YOU WOULD BE HEADED FOR THE FIRST GAY FEMALE WEDDING?
It was something I just had to be a part of. I've always felt daytime offers a unique platform for reaching people's hearts and opening them up to people and things that might otherwise make them uncomfortable. I've seen in the past how my character and storyline changed minds, and I was so proud that the show was willing to take this next step. I wanted to introduce the daytime audience to a couple that may look different from what they're used to, but otherwise had all the love and all the passion of other soap opera couples. And I desperately wanted to reach people who do not support gay marriage rights, and show them an example of a successful, wholesome couple, facing unique challenges, who deserve no less than equal treatment in the eys of the law.
YOUR FIANCÈE ON THE SHOW IS THE LOVELY TAMARA BRAUN WHO DID A STINT AS CARLY ON GENERAL HOSPITAL. WHERE YOU A FAN OF HER WORK BEFORE THEY PAIRED YOU UP WITH HER?
Lovely is exactly the word for her, in every way. I was already a huge fan of her work before getting to meet her, and am still blown away by her talent on a daily basis. Her work is honest, deep and raw, and she brings out the best in all of us. I feel very lucky that she came into my life and I don't plan to let her go!
DID YOU HAVE ANY INPUT ON WHO THEY SELECTED TO PLAY YOUR FIANCÈE?
I generally have no imput on anything. At all. But in this case they obviously didn't need my help. She's perfect.
YOU AND TAMARA SEEM TO HAVE A VERY NATURAL PRESENCE WITH EACH OTHER ON SCREEN. WHAT DID YOU DO IN ADVANCE TO HELP THAT ALONG?
We were really nervous about it, actually. The very first day we worked together Reese proposed to Bianca, and so there had to be a deep and palpable history and love between the two characters right off the bat. These two women who had already chose to have a baby together, so they were obviously completely committed and certain of their love. We had planned to get together in the morning at a French boulangerie to tet to know each other and flesh out some back story to make our relationship richer. But they had to flip some scenes around in the schedule last minute, so we ended up having to book it to the studio, rush to get ready, and just wing it. Fortunately we both felt instantly comfortable with each other. But as we've become great friends any tentativeness that might have been there at the start has completely evaporated.
HOW DID THE TWO OF YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST ON-SCREEN KISS?
Again, we kinda had to wing it. Maybe that's best, we didn't over think it. But I think it's just luck that we fit together so well. And good casting. I tell ya, we've certainly had enough experience kissing each other by now. The show allows us to be very expressive and physical with each other, so that's been very freeing.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WAY THAT THE SHOW'S CREATOR, AGNES NIXON, HAS HANDLED THE ROLE OF BIANCA AS A LESBIAN?
She's been amazing. It was her idea that the daughter of Erica Kane (Soaps' most notorious maneater) would be gay, and it was inspired. But it was done for all the right reasons, with sensitivity and respect. And because Agnes recognized it had potential to be, not only a dramatic and moving story, but also an important one. AMC has a long tradition of takling cutting edge, sometimes controversial stories, and seems to have an unspoken contract with audieneces to challenge as well as entertain.
THE SUBJECT OF GAY MARRIAGE IS SOMETHING THAT IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION NOW. HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY FEEL ABOUT GAY MARRIAGE?
It is an issue that is very important to me. I fully support marriage as a civil right for all, gay or straight. And I firmly believe that the tide of history is moving irrevocably in that direction. I was so dissapointed about the passage of Prop 8 in California, my home state. On a day in history that was all about hope and change, when a member of a minority was elected president, I was devastated that we took a huge step back in affording equal rights to members of another. My husband and I made a PSA for overturning Prop 8 with me and the two imaginary stars of our web series "Imaginary Bitches". We also pledged to donate 88 cents from the sale of every Imaginary Bitches DVD to "No on 8.
DO YOU EXPECT THAT THIS STORYLINE WILL DEAL WITH THE CURRENT REALITY OF THE ISSUE?
I certainly hope so. Gay couples today are dealing with incredibly complicated issues, and AMC has never shied away from the really meaty stuff.
WHAT HOPE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE EFFECT THIS STORYLINE WILL HAVE ON MAINSTREAM AUDIENCES?
The AMC audience has really embraced and gotten to love Bianca, an out lesbian soap opera heroine. They accept her the way they do any other of their favorite characters. I remember during the baby-switch story, issues of gay marriage and gay adoption divided America, but all the AMC viewers were united in support of a lesbian woman getting her baby back on their favorite show. So the show has an opportunity to reach people. By now audiences are so ready to see their Bianca finally be happy and have some one who loves her the way she deserves to be loved. I hope they support her marriage.
IN OUR PREVIOUS INTERVIEW WITH YOU (MAY 2001), YOU MENTIONED THAT YOUR SISTER IS AN OUT LESBIAN. HOW DOES SHE FEEL ABOUT THE ROLE YOU PLAY AND HOW IT IS WRITTEN?
She's very proud, of course. It's helped us grow closer together becaus we talk about the issues that matter in her life.
HAS SHE GIVEN YOU ANY ADVICE ABOUT PLAYING THE ROLE AUTHENTICALLY?
She made me feel very comfortable about playing the role, because it was a little daunting at first to represent an entire community of people. I wanted to get it right. But she made me see there is no gettin git right or wrong. Bianca is a human being first, and that everyone can relate to. She happens to be gay so she has dealt with not fitting in, and feeling different, and has also encountered a lot of hate. But I can relate to much of what she goes trhough, and for the rest, all I have to do is use my imagination.
ASIDE FROM BIANCA (FINALLY!) FINDING THE LOVE OF HER LIFE AND GETTING MARRIED, THERE IS ALSO A NEW BABY INVOLVED. CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE THE ISSUE OF GAY PARTNER ADOPTION COMING UP AS WELL?
That's something Tamara and I talk about a lot. It's a very important element and I hope it is dealth with. On camera!
DO YOU HAVE A BEHIND-THE-SCENES FUNNY OR FAVORITE STORY BETWEEN YOU AND TAMARA?
Well, they have this amazing tomato soup in the commissary at the studio that we both love, but it's only available one in a blue moon. One day at lunch I ran down to get something to eat and saw that they had the tomato soup! So of course I got a big bowl of it for Tamara. I cam back upstairs and brought it to her dressing room, only to find out that she had done the same thing for me! We both laughed, and had an amazing lunch of not one, but two soups each!
WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH AWAY, WILL IT BE THE BIG, GRAND WEDDING THAT ERICA KANE'S BELOVED DAUGHTER BIANCA DESERVES?
I really have no idea. We haven't shot it yet! But I think Bianca and Reese want a more intimate affair. Bianca is so different from Erica. For her it's about the love and the committment rather than spectacle.
WHAT THREE WORDS WOULD BIANCA USE TO DESCRIBE REESE?
Strong, gorgeous and mine!
T.S.: HOW DID THIS ROLE AS REESE, BIANCA'S NEW LOVE COME ABOUT FOR YOU?
Tamara Braun: I was taking a break in London on my way to the theatre when I received a call from the head writer telling me he had a groundbreaking role he wanted me to play. I wasn't planning on doing another daytime show so soon but I was intrigues that wanted to tell the story of a Lesbian couple getting married and raising children. It was so timely and I have always wanted to experience a variety of roles. The character of Reese is one I have never explored.
DID YOU HAVE ANY RESERVATIONS ABOUT PLAYING A LESBIAN?
Not at all. I was excited by the opportunity. To play a lesbian who was in a committed relationship, having children, and planning to get married seemd like a gift of a role. The role and story line seemed ripe with socially relevant conflict and issues to tackle. It was also so timely with Prop 8 on the ballot in California. By the way, I was completely shocked to see the proposition pass. I was actually with Eden on election night and we went from elation at Barack Obama being elected to shock and great disappointment at the news of Prop 8 passing. I was such a bitterweet night.
YOU SPENT SOME TIME PLAYING CARLY ON GENERAL HOSPITAL. ARE YOU STILL A FAN OF THE SHOW AND HAVE YOU ENJOYED THE IRONY OF ANOTHER PREVIOUS CARLY (SARAH BROWN AS CLAUDIA ZACCHARA) NOW BEING MARRIED TO SONNY?
I still have dear friends on the show but don't watch. I didn't know that they were married. Wiw, that has to be a little surreal.
HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN THEY TOLD YOU THAT YOU WOULD BE HEADED FOR THE FIRST GAY WEDDING ON DAYTIME TELEVISION?
That was part of the pitch I received in London. I want my career to be filled with challenging story lines and I was energized by the chance to be a part of television history. I also saw the role as a way that I could contribute to a healthy, positive image for same sex couples and to hopefully change some preconcevied sterotypes that are out there.
YOU AND EDEN SEEM TO HAVE A VERY NATURAL PRESENCE WITH EACH OTHER ON SCREEN. WHAT DID YOU DO IN ADVANCE TO HELP THAT ALONG?
I don't know if you can do anything to help have a natural presence with someone. You either have it or you don't. But with Eden, she is just so lovely and warm. I think we both felt comfortable with one another from the get go. I adore her.
HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR THE YOUR FIRST ON-SCREEN KISS?
But's Bee lip balm.
THE SUBJECT OF GAY MARRIAGE IS SOMETHING THAT IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION NOW. HOW DO YOU PERSNALLY FEEL ABOUT GAY MARRIAGE?
Personally. I don't think it should be an issue. It should be leagal. Two people who love each other regardless of gender should be able to express that love in whatever way they want. They should have the same rights afforded them as anyone else. If two poeple can have a healthy relationship and marriage, God bless them. With the divorce rate so high, I applaud anyone who wants to make a go at it and is successful. Who knows, maybe if gay marriage becomes legal, we will have a lower divorce rate.
DO YOU EXPECT THAT THIS STORYLINE WILL DEAL WITH THE CURRENT REALITY OF THE ISSUE?
I hope it will. I think it would be such a missed opportunity and a great disappointment if it's not dealth with realistically. It would be irresponsible as well. Why broach the subject if not to honor it in a realistic way? It is too important.
WHAT HOPE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE EFFECT THIS STORYLINE WILL HAVE ON MAINSTREAM AUDIENCES?
I hope that they will broaden their viewpoint on the issue and that people who may have negative iedas about same sex love and marriage may shift to feeling m ore positive about it.I hope that they will become more accepting of gay and lesbian couples and that their hearts and minds are opened a little more than they were before. This is why I feel it so important to deal with the storyline in a positive, realistic and honorable way.It need to be relatable.
EDEN HAS AN OPENLY GAY SISTER TO HELP KEEP HER AUTHENTIC IN THE ROLE. IS THERE SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE WHO HAS HELPED YOU?
There are a few people who I have turned to get their perspective on the issue. My friend Brandy spent a lot of time sharing her experiences of being married to a woman and recently having a baby with her wife. We talked about many of the issues that she has dealth with and once that I felt important to broach within this role and storyline. We spoke of legal issues, emotional issues, adoption, societal pressures, many, many things.
THIS STORYLINE ALSO INCLUDES BIANCA'S DAUGHTER MIRANDA AND REESE AND BIANCA'S NEW BABY, GABREILLE. DO YOU HOPE THIS WILL OPEN THE DOOR FOR AMC TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE OF GAY PARTNER ADOPTION?
It was one of the story points that I discusses with Julie and Chuck [the show's executive producer and head writer] upon accpeting the role. I felt it was really important to tackle that subject. Julie and Chuck felt the same way and I have been told that it is a story point that will be coming up soon.
WHAT THREE WORDS WOULD REESE USE TO DESCRIBE BIANCA?
Brave. True. Love.
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