Interview: Crystal Chappell Delivers with “Venice the Series”
December 7, 2009 · Print This Article
Most of you already know this… but this past Friday evening marked the premiere of Crystal Chappell’s new webseries, Venice the Series. To say that there was some excitement leading up to the event would be quite an understatement. In September Chappell appeared on CNN and fans crashed the network’s website with their overload of questions for her. In May, Chappell opened a Twitter account and to date she has over 11,000 people following her. Venice premiered just 4 days ago and so far the YouTube channel that hosts it has received almost 90,000 views and 700 comments – the large majority of which are full of praise for the sexy, intelligent, and high-quality show.
Many of Chappell’s fans have been with her since her days playing Olivia Spencer (one half of the popular “Otalia” lesbian storyline with Jessica Leccia as Natalia) on Guiding Light. Lesbians, in particular, adored the characters and the actresses who brought them to life. When the long-running soap was taken off the air, Chappell decided to take her acting, producing, and writing skills, recruit Leccia and other veteran TV actors like Galen Gering (Passions), Lesli Kay (Bold and the Beautiful), Jordan Clarke (Guiding Light), Nadia Bjorlin (Days of our Lives), Gina Tognoni (Guiding Light), and others, join forces with long time friend and artistic partner Kimmy Turrisi and director Hope Royaltey, and create a web soap opera series that fulfilled the talented actress’s commitment to portraying strong, decisive, and real characters and, most importantly, embraced of the overwhelming fan support that came out of “Otalia.”
Here, we discuss the new series with Chappell, learn more about her return to playing Dr. Carly Manning on Days of Our Lives, and more.
Cherry Grrl (CG): First of all, we are so sorry for the recent loss of your fan club president and friend, Cathie Wagner. She was clearly an important person in your life and will be missed by many. What is it that you want people to know about her and what she meant to you?
Crystal Chappell (CC): Well thank you. Cathie was a very important member of the team. She has been my friend for a very long time. One of the things I loved most about her was her ability to make everyone feel welcome.
CG: Suffering a loss like that must be very hard, especially considering all that you are working on right now. You recently reprised your role as Dr. Carly Manning on Days of Our Lives, for one. What has that been like to return to the show and the character?
CC: I have been having a great time because the character of Carly was off the canvas for a long time and I was able to reinvent her. In my opinion, she is a lot more fun.
CG: Unfortunately, returning to Days followed the end of Guiding Light and your role as Olivia Spencer. Have you missed playing that role?
CC: Yea absolutely. I miss playing Olivia. She was just a fabulous bitch. Those kinds of characters are always the most fun to play. And certainly the Otalia storyline was exciting for me and I was sorry to see that send.
CG: What was your favorite thing about playing Olivia?
CC: She was a hard-ass, but with a heart underneath it all. She could be tough and vulnerable, and I liked her sense of humor.
CG: When you learned that her story would include a lesbian plotline, what was your reaction?
CC: Well I was thrilled. There wasn’t anything like it on daytime television. I was also pleasantly surprised that people were on board to tell that kind of story.
CG: Were you ever apprehensive about or uncomfortable with playing a lesbian?
CC: No, not at all. She was a very open person and the bottom line is I wanted them to tell a love story. It is my favorite kind of story to tell, whether you are gay or straight.
CG: What was it like to suddenly take on so many lesbian fans?
CC: Well look, this fan base has been absolutely terrific, supportive, bright, interesting and a lot of fun, so I consider myself very lucky to have such great people in my life.
CG: Clearly the character and the Otalia storyline was important to you, leading you to create “Venice: the Series.” When did you realize that you wanted to develop the series and why did you do it?
CC: I have always wanted to produce. Venice was born out of the end of Otalia. I have been writing a long time with my friend Kim Turrisi and we felt that a show like Venice would work considering how amazing and vocal the fans have been.
VeniceRiley
Crystal Chappell? You’re as ordinary as hens’ teeth.
You may have an ordinary life, but that isn’t the same thing.
We’ll be holding you to that comment about continuing Venice for as long as we want to see it. So, when you’re an old wrinkled lady making out with chicks for the camera, you will recall this moment and know you only have yourself to blame.
Hahahahahahaha!
xo
VR
Michele
Loved Venice! I though Crystal and Jessica did a nice letting you know how the relationship between Gina and Ani was in under 3 minutes. Its a beautifully shot webseries. I like the music. I even like the one cheesy moment when Gina and Ani are walking together after spending the night hand in hand with the music blaring and their hair blowing in the wind. I will continue to support Venice anyway possible
Lunarom
Loved Venice! Crystal, Jessica and Team V did a fabulous job! This was a lovely interview…Thanks. I have to say how much I especially enjoyed Jessica Leccia’s strong performance as Ani. Kudos to Jessie! Can’t wait to see more of her work on Venice. I’d like to see more interviews with her as well.
neixannd
I LOVED VENICE! High quality production and acting. Having back in my screen Crystal and Jessica was a bonus. I like the music, great lyrics. If we the fan are going to decide..we will have Venice for a loooooonnggg time
teeptman
Venicetheseries:
I love the honesty, truth & purity of venicetheseries. The fans, the actors & the creators of venice its what we all look 4 in life & when u get it who wants 2 let it slip away? that’s how I feel along with many fans & supporters of venicetheseries.
Crystal chappell :
I applaud u ladies 4 ur wonderful works. Its not often a coherent group of people take such a difficult, risky, sociable role with strength & boldness with so many judgmental minds & just explode with soul, passion & love. The atmoshere, energy & love surrounding you guys is so awesome & has been felt like a shock wave from cities 2 countries. I salute u guys 4 ur outstanding works in making a difference that has embraced us all.
Love you all,
Crystal-kimmy-Hope
Otalia69
Hi Crystal…you GODDESS you! So love you back on DAYS and VENICE is AMAZING! Thanks for another great interview! It brought tears to my eyes when you mentioned Cathie, since I recently lost a dear friend to cancer. You’re right, we’ll feel their love always!
You may consider yourself pretty ordinary, but to me, a long time fan and twitter PIMP, you are EXTRA-ordinary! The love & support goes both ways and you always manage to stay on top of things and deliver for your fans…remember we’re here thru the good and bad! My fave quote of the year…hands down…is, “It’s a Crystal Chappell’s world, we’re just lucky to live in it!” Looking forward to many more seasons of VENICE, whatever it takes…so no need to get your VENCIE panties in a bunch, ok babe? You, Kimmy & Hope just keep making it & we’ll keep watching!!!
M*E*R*R*Y C*R*Y*S*T*M*A*S, H*A*P*P*Y N*E*W Y*E*A*R much love to you yours!!! xoxoxo
MadMonza
I love love Venice the series & I adore Crystal Chappell Kim Turrisi for all they’re doing for us – the fans. I especially want to thank Crystal’s family for putting up with Crystal’s long hours to give us what we want.
Crystal, i’m sure when you took on this project you didn’t anticipate how hard / time consuming / expensive it will be.
But mate you are doing a fantastic job.
We will support you forever in whatever you chose to do.
Thank you Crystal Kimmy.
MadMonza