Since his DAYS OF OUR LIVES debut, Darin Brooks' Max Brady hasn't exactly been lucky at love. The actor weighs in on the state of his character's romantic life and how he's hoping for the real deal now that he's been paired with Ashley Benson (Abby).
Soap Opera Weekly: You've certainly gone through your share of love interests on DAYS — Rachel Melvin (Chelsea), Farah Fath (Mimi) and, most recently, Ashley Benson — haven't you?
Darin Brooks: (Laughs) Yes. It's been a revolving door of women, that keep Max either in or out.
Weekly: Has that been fun or a downer, because you never really get to develop anything with anyone?
Brooks: I like it. Because it's fun getting to know each person, individually. I love meeting people. That's a big thing for me. I am sad that [these on-screen romances] never developed into anything big. I wish there could be a little bit more of a big love, but I'll take what I can get, because all these actresses are wonderful and I like getting to know them.
Weekly: Did your latest pairing with Ashley catch you off-guard, since she is a bit younger than you?
Brooks: Not really. We've hung out, ever since the Max and Chelsea storyline. So I've gotten to know Ashley a little bit. She's a trouper. She's really sweet and a little bit more mature than her age. We joke around and have a good time with all these scenes. We have fun with it. I'm excited, if they do something with this.
Weekly: Do you feel extra-protective of Ashley, because she is just a teenager?
Brooks: A little. I am kind of a big brother with her. I'll snap at her about some things and compliment her about other things. Like when she talks about boys, I'm like, "No. You can't do that." Or I'll say, "I'd like to meet the guy and get to know him. Maybe he can meet me about 4 o'clock and I'll have my bat with me. I'll be gentle. It will be fine."
Weekly: How would you compare all your leading ladies?
Brooks: They're all wonderful and personable and each have their own different personality. Rachel and I were first on the show together. Everything was crazy and fun, and we were both really excited. We were both learning things together. Ashley is cool and a professional. She was on the show a couple months before I even started, so she taught me things. Farah, having been on the show the longest, taught me a lot of stuff, too. She was very welcoming when I started working with her.
Weekly: Which one of the three is closest to your personal taste in women?
Brooks: That is a loaded question. Let's say all three of them, together. They all have different qualities that I like — Ashley's eagerness, Rachel's humor and Farah's sweetness. Everybody's personality has a trait that I think is cool.
Weekly: Are you luckier in the romance department than Max is?
Brooks: I'm doing okay, but I'm too busy to hold a relationship right now. When I do get with someone, I definitely am a hopeless romantic. When I want to do something nice for someone, I'll go all-out. I can be that way and then there are times when I can be way too busy for any kind of relationship. I am a Gemini. What can I say?
Weekly: What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for a girl?
Brooks: I can name a bunch of them. Back in high school there was a girl that I was dating, and I did a huge thing for her on Valentine's Day. She liked Italian food, so I ordered some, and we had a beach dinner. It was on a small, private beach down the street from where I lived. I put down a blanket and roses and had everything set. I actually asked two of my best friends to dress up as waiters. They got everything ready for us and hid. Then, once the two of us sat down, they came out with our plates of food.
Weekly: It sounds like you were meant to be a soap actor.
Brooks: Soaps are born on romance, and I'm a hopeless romantic. Chivalry is dead with most people, but I try to keep it alive.
