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Q What was the best part of your trip when B&B went to Australia?
Donna, via email
A Wow, the whole experience was just phenomenal. I’m so grateful for that opportunity. I think what I enjoyed the most was bonding with my castmates. At the studio, we’ll talk but usually we come in, do our job and go home. When you’re on location like that, you have the chance to really get to know one another. Courtney [Hope, Sally] had just started, so us spending all that time together really helped our chemistry on-screen, I think. We had a blast swimming and walking on the beach and hanging out. Oh, and I got to see a kangaroo close up! Several, actually. That was really cool!
Q When you’re doing those scenes where you’re talking to someone in the background, what are you really talking about?
Olivia G., Pittsburgh, PA
A Ha! It’s all silly stuff. I remember one time I was standing with Lawrence [Saint-Victor, Carter] — I think it was at the Halloween party maybe? — we were constantly joking around like, “Do you wanna make out? Should we just start making out right here? Should we just do it [laughs]?” The main thing that we do in the background is try to make the other person laugh to ruin the scene and then blame it on them. But nobody ever really breaks and starts laughing. If anyone does get the giggles, we’ll usually just turn our heads and get the giggle out.
JPI
Q I was watching CMT and saw the country music duo Dan + Shay’s music video “How Not To”, and the gentleman who portrays Thomas Forrester, Pierson Fodé, appears to be the main male character in the video. Was that him? If not, he certainly has a twin. If it was, what a nice surprise. He is one of my faves on B&B.
Terri D.G., Elkton, MD
A Thank you very much, Terri. That’s so nice of you to say. Yes, that’s very much me in the video and I loved doing it. I love the song and I loved the story. It’s all about addiction. It’s about these two people, Noah and Sophie, who’ve lost themselves and are drowning their sorrows in alcohol, but then they end up being a source of strength for each other. It’s really inspirational. I really liked the actress I worked with, Katie Stevens [Jane, THE BOLD TYPE], and it was directed by Patrick Tracy. The toughest part about doing that was my character smoked a lot and since I don’t, being around all that smoke was a little annoying. But I really love the finished product. I think it turned out great. And if you haven’t seen it, I believe you can check it out on YouTube.
Q What was it like finding out you were nominated for an Emmy live on THE TALK? You looked really surprised.
Michaela P., Woodland Hills, CA
A It was cool. Obviously, I was hoping it would happen and it did, so that was really incredible. What really surprised me was when they showed that Instagram picture of me from the tanning booth when we were in Australia. Yeah, looking up and seeing yourself practically naked on that big screen? That was a surprise [laughs].
Q I was sad to hear that you and Victoria Justice broke up. Are you still friends? Are you dating anyone now?
Madison D., Pittsburgh, PA
A Why? What do you have in mind [laughs]? Just kidding. No, I am not and yes, Victoria and I are still friends. We’re both very busy in our careers but we do see each other every now and then. She’s a great girl, a terrific actress and a good friend.
Q I read that your middle name is Dane. Where did that come from?
Tina S., via email
A Oh, my gosh. How did you know that? I don’t usually mention that. To be honest, I don’t know where it comes from. You’ll have to ask my parents. I know where Pierson comes from, though. My parents went with names that begin with P for us kids, so my older brothers are named Preston and Payton, and my younger sister is Pharon. I’ll have to get back to you on Dane because now I’m curious, too.
Q Is it true that you are a licensed sorcerer? I saw that online somewhere. LOL.
Kelly, via email
A That is absolutely true. In fact, I am a licensed minister and sorcerer, and the reason behind it is when I was applying to become a minister, sorcerer was also an option on the list, so I’m both. No big deal [laughs]. And yes, I have performed a couple of weddings. In fact, just before the Emmys last year, one of my friends was getting married and asked me if I would perform the service for them, so on the day that we had rehearsals for the Emmys, I had a wedding, as well.
Q If you could embody a literary character from among any of your favorite books, who would it be and why?
Mark S., New York, NY
A I actually did kind of embody a literary character in one of my favorite books. I loved The Alchemist and if you haven’t read it, you should put it on your reading list. I read it while I was traveling to England, Scotland and Iceland, and it changed my life because it pulled me out of different habits. On the first day that I left for London, I started reading it and I finished probably about half of it on the way there, and then I finished the other half during the next few days. It’s all about exploring new places and your journey along the way. It’s about following omens, so it allowed me to let go of a lot of things as I was traveling and be a little more free and in the moment and not worry about the stress of planning while traveling. It was just so cool. In the story, the lead character is a sheepherder and he lets go of his sheep halfway through to go on his own personal journey, and after I made it to London, some of the first things I saw there were sheep and I was like, “It all fits together. This is perfect.” Then, everywhere I went — London, Scotland, Iceland — there were sheep everywhere. It was perfect.
Q I really enjoyed your performance in Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List. Do you think there will ever be a sequel?
Dee T., Portland, OR
A That would be amazing! I would love that, and thank you for saying that. I love the movie and it was such a great experience making it and promoting it. You know, when I finally got the official offer, I was a little hesitant to take on the role. Not because it was a gay role; I didn’t want it to be some weird stereotype or do something that might be offensive. I was worried I wouldn’t do it justice. But I talked to two of my mentors who are both gay and they were like, “You’re gonna do fine.” In fact, I got them to give me their life story to help me create Ely’s life story. It was really fun and another life-changing experience for me.
Q What’s coming up for Pierson Fodé besides BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL?
Salpi, via email
A I will be playing Brad Gaines in the film It’s Time, which is the true story of “Chucky” Mullins and Brad Gaines, two college football players who form a really unlikely friendship after a tragic accident occurs on the field. Again, another life-changer for me. I got to meet and spend time with the real Brad Gaines, which was great. I’ve never played a real person before, so that was a bit of a challenge. The subject matter is so deeply moving — and I never got to play football in school so I finally got to do that and I was pretty good, if I do say so myself. I am so proud of this film and I can’t wait for people to see it.
Q Do you have any nicknames?
Tracy M., Baltimore, MD
A Not really. I’ve had people call me Piercer, and some of my friends across the board call me P-Diddy, but that’s about it.
