Getting A Headley
Soap Opera Digest: How did this gig happen?
Shari Headley: The role came up and I went in for a regular audition, then when I came for the callback, I got to meet Brad (Bell, executive producer/head writer). He was so cool and down-to-earth. The rest was all magical.Digest: Was this role written specifically for a black woman?
Headley: It was written for a woman of color. I’m excited about this part. I did have an opportunity to do a different daytime show, I won’t say which one it was, and I didn’t go that way. This character was so interesting. Digest: Did you ever watch B&B before you came on the show?
Headley: Oh, yeah. I love Sally. She’s a hoot. It’s really fun to speak to Darlene Conley (Sally) in person.Digest: How do you like being on your first West Coast soap?
Headley: I really like it; it’s really different. This is also my first half-hour soap. Their schedule is more fast-paced. Digest: What’s it like to be back in the soap groove again?
Headley: I have taped a few days, so I’m already in the groove. I knew I had one scene early today and my next scenes are the last three of the day, so in between, I had time to have lunch and talk to you. So, I’ve got it down to a science, too. I know what I’m doing [laughs].Digest: What do you think of your latest soap role?
Headley: It’s nice because I have a really interesting character. I’m a villain this time. I’ve never done that before and I like that a lot.Digest: Is Heather a past associate of Massimo’s?
Headley: There’s some sort of loyalty between them, but we don’t know necessarily what it is. I’m a mystery woman. They’re not giving me much of a background on her, but from what I’ve read already, she’s pretty well-traveled and probably speaks a couple of languages. She has a way of working herself into the crowd. Oh, and she knows how to kick ass, if necessary. You definitely don’t want to get in a tussle with her. Digest: Would you be open to a longer stay, as in a multi-year contract?
Headley: Everyone keeps asking me that, but I have to see if they want me first. I can’t just go, “Yeah, I wanna stay,” and then hear, “We’re not keeping you. You’re outta here.”Digest: How do you like working with Joseph Mascolo
(Massimo)?
Headley: Joe is great. He has that wonderful theater background and he’s such an unselfish actor. I appreciate that. Digest: Wouldn’t it be cool if you turned out to be Massimo’s daughter?
Headley: You just never know what skeletons are ever going to come out.Digest: Sean Kanan (Deacon)?
Headley: I love Sean. I met him way back when I was doing AMC and he was on GENERAL HOSPITAL [ex-AJ]. Isn’t he just the cutest? He’s really committed to his work, but he’s fun. He makes me laugh, but he’s very professional. And he’s really easy on the eyes.Digest: Lesley-Anne Down (Jackie)?
Headley: She’s beautiful, funny and the sweetest person. She has such a wonderful accent. I go up and start a conversation with Lesley just so I can hear her speak.Digest: Do you live on the West Coast now?
Headley: I do. I’ve been here for a year. I love it because right now, everyone is chilling their little heinies off in New York and I’m over here saying, “Well, it’s 70 degrees today.” I’m a July baby, so I really enjoy the warm weather. I really love it here. There are a lot of folks out here I wasn’t in touch with for a long time because of the distance, so I have my friends here again.Digest: What’s been going on with you?
Headley: I didn’t do too much publicity when I was on GL because not much was happening with my character. Digest: Were you shocked by the death of your GL husband, Richard Biggs (ex-Clayton)?
Headley: Just a terribly sad story. I found out through a casting director. I was at an audition and I was just about to go in and read for this role and the casting director said, “I’m so sorry to hear about your husband.” I was confused and she said, “Richard from GUIDING LIGHT, he died suddenly.” That was a heck of a thing to tell somebody right before their audition, but I was just devastated. I wasn’t able to go into the audition. It was terrible. He was such a nice guy.Digest: You’re a single mom, right?
Headley: Yes. My son is 10 now. His name is Skyler. Isn’t that a great soap name?
Digest: How did you come up with that name?
Headley: I thought I would have a daughter, so I only came up with a girl name. I was going to name her Sarah, after my mom. So in between contractions, which are awful, my sister was saying, “You better come up with another name. What do you think of Skyler?” But I was convinced I was going to have a girl. So when he came out, my sister said, “Aren’t you glad I came up with that name?” And I said, “Well, Skyler it is!” That’s how we did it.Digest: How does he like being in L.A.?
Headley: He loves it. He’s in a great school and already has friends. He’s very happy.Digest: Are you surprised by the longevity of Coming to America? It’s on cable all the time.
Headley: It’s like a cult film. You would not believe this, but I have not seen the movie for many, many years. When we made the movie, we had to go out and promote it, here and abroad, and I saw it a lot then. After that, I have not seen it in its entirety again.Digest: Ever cross paths with Eddie Murphy?
Headley: I have not seen Eddie in years. He’s really a quiet guy. But I did see his wife in the Louis Vuitton store once.
Conversation
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