ICYMI: Elizabeth Hendrickson You Asked, She Answered

Q: Which of your soap roles did you find most challenging? Frankie and Maggie on AMC or Chloe on Y&R? Cassie H., Chicago, IL

A: I found Maggie to be most challenging, because I had to play a twin sister and her sexuality was quite vague [laughs]. That was the hardest one. I had never played a twin before. I didn’t know what it was like to die and come back as your heterosexual twin sister. That was so left field for me, and I was much younger and really just getting my feet wet. That scared me as an actress, because I really didn’t know how to attack it.

Q: Will Chloe get caught for killing Adam Newman?  Karen L.
A: The show must go on, so I’m sure she will get caught at some point. I don’t know when Chloe will get caught, but it wouldn’t be a soap opera if she didn’t. She’s been continuing to cover her tracks. I don’t know how long she’ll be able to keep that up. I hope it is exposed. We definitely want some payoff for the fans.

Q: What’s it like working with a small child again? Also, can we expect more “Chilly” scenes in the near future?  Shelby B.
A:  This time around it’s so different because all my best friends have children that age. I feel much more connected to a 2-year-old than I did to a 5-year-old, several years ago. My friends’ kids are almost like nieces and nephews to me. There are four of them, and they’re all the same age as Bella. So I know more about that age and what they’re going through. Even the “terrible twos” are still pretty cute. As for Chloe and Billy scenes, we’re hoping for it. We did just have a couple air and I know that the fans are really loving seeing them together. I personally would love to see more Chloe and Billy because I love the dynamic between the two characters. I really didn’t get to explore that enough before I left. I love Jason Thompson [Billy] and think it would make for a great story.

Q: Who would you want to be Bella’s father, if it turns out that it’s neither Billy nor Kevin? Camilla N.
A: Victor. I’m kidding [laughs heartily]. I don’t know. Maybe a mystery man. Maybe someone who is not currently in Genoa City.

Q: Who do you miss working with most from ALL MY CHILDREN? Sarah T.
A: I loved working with Jeff Branson [Jonathan; ex-Ronan, Y&R] on ALL MY CHILDREN and Y&R. On AMC, we had an incredible storyline, the abusive storyline. That’s up there with some of my favorite storylines at AMC.

Q: Chloe wears the best clothes. What would you want to take from her wardrobe? Jackie K.
A:  I just got fit for a new dress, but that isn’t airing for a while. I wore a fabulous top on the show I taped today that will be airing soon. It’s by Carven. It’s a very Chloe fashionista top. It’s very fashion-forward and not something that I would normally buy. I would probably snag that and find a fun premiere to wear it to.

Q: What did you like about living in New York City? Do you miss it? James D.
A: I’m from New York. What I loved most about New York City was really being able to go anywhere, anytime. You could have whatever food you wanted, whatever time at night. I miss the theater a lot, too. Oddly enough, I do not miss New York anymore  because I have truly become a California girl. I’ve been here for 12 years now and I love nothing more than chilling out by the beach, riding my bike, and just not being stressed out. In New York, the anxiety crept up into my being; the pace of it, which I never thought would bother me. But I’m healthier — mind, body and soul — being in LA.

Q: Who are you friends with on the Y&R cast? Paige B.
A: Missy [Claire Egan, Chelsea] and I work the most with each other. So I definitely spend the most of my time [at the studio] with her. I’m also very close friends with Tracey Bregman [Lauren]. Even when I was gone, we would always meet up for lunch and dinner and birthdays. She’s one of my favorite people on set. She’s such an amazing woman and such an excellent friend. I’m also very close with Christel Khalil [Lily]. She was really my first friend here. I always would say she was the little sister I never wanted. I was in her wedding. We’re very good friends and kept in great touch when I was gone. I’m friends with Greg Rikaart [Kevin], too. But I would say, mainly, the two people I see outside of Y&R are Tracey and Christel.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not at Y&R?  P.P.
A: When I’m not on the set working, I’m enjoying my home at the beach. I’m working out. I’m walking with my dogs. I’m spending time with my boyfriend. I’m seeing friends and watching Netflix. It’s really not a rough life.

Q: Are you still friends with Eden Riegel (Bianca, AMC)?  Ashley A.
A: I am friends with Eden. We actually were just texting recently. We’re going to be doing a convention together in March, and I’m sure we’ll be able to put out all the details soon. It’s not 100 percent finalized, but we’re both on board. It’s a gay and lesbian convention in Vegas, and everyone will be able to come see us. We do keep in touch. We don’t see each other as often as we used to. We’re both busy, and she’s got two kids now. We don’t live that close to each other to see each other regularly. She is someone who will always be near and dear to my heart.

Q: I want to be an actress someday. What’s the best piece of advice you can give me? What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned doing soaps?  Janie
A: You really need to remain true to yourself and be confident. Remember that perseverance is key and not to take [rejection] personally. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost a job just because I didn’t have the right hair color. Sometimes it is so out of your control. No matter how hard you work, no matter how many auditions you’ve been to, no matter how many classes you’ve taken and how ready you think you are, sometimes you’re not the first choice. You just have to leave that at the door and remind yourself that timing is everything. The most important lesson I’ve ever learned from doing soaps is that tomorrow is always a new day. Sometimes, we just move so quickly that it flies by. You start going over things in your head: “Oh, I should have done it this way.” “Oh, I should have done it that way.” “Why didn’t I try this?” You have to leave that behind and remember that the next day is a new day. Let it go and just go for it.

Q: I love when you have scenes with Esther.What do you think of the relationship between Chloe and her mother?   A.K.
A: The relationship between Chloe and her mother is hysterical to me. It sometimes reminds me of me and my mom. As much as I love my mother, she annoys me. But I must say the only reason that she annoys me is because I’m just like her. That’s what I love about Chloe and Esther’s relationship. Even though Chloe gets frustrated with her mother, I’m sure she sees a lot of herself in Esther. Kate [Linder, Esther] is wonderful to work with. She’s always so excited to be here, and we have a good time with each other.

Q: What actors are you a fan of?  Valerie
A: Kristen Wiig, Amy Poelher and I love Meryl Streep. She’s the queen of the queens. It doesn’t make sense what that woman can do.

Q: Who at Y&R do you want to work with more?  Denise D.
A You know who I miss working with so much and I used to work with her all the time? Jess Walton [Jill]. We worked so closely when I first came on the show. I love working with her. She’s one of my favorites. I also want to work with Gina Tognoni [Phyllis]. Chloe and Phyllis used to work together. I would love to go toe-to-toe with her.

Q: I have been a fan of yours for a long time! What is your favorite story as Chloe on Y&R? What was your favorite story on ALL MY CHILDREN? Jacob T.
A: I honestly feel this return back as Chloe has become my favorite story. I’ve been having so much fun playing all the different levels of deceit and betrayal and feeling guilty and wanting to be the best friend and being the worst friend at the same exact time. But I also loved the Delia storyline, because that was the most challenging one I’ve probably ever had as an actress. Those are in close first position together. My favorite story on ALL MY CHILDREN was when I first started on the show. It was coming on as little con artist Frankie. It was not only my first role on daytime, but also the first role I ever really got to create. The character really wasn’t described that well as to who she was and what she was like. I put a lot of work into that. That was my first experience. I was also blown away by what you did on soaps. My first day was with Susan Lucci [Erica]. I was just so flabbergasted by how the machine worked. It was really fascinating to me.