Mama Said
Soap Opera Digest: Were you happy to read that Felicia was going to focus on being a mother upon your return to GENERAL HOSPITAL?
Kristina Wagner: Yes, I was thrilled. It was hard for me to explain to myself and others why Felicia hadn’t been there for her girls … even when she was physically there [laughs]! So, I was very happy about it.Digest: Recently, Felicia and Georgie had the sex talk. Were you nervous before that scene?
Wagner: I wasn’t really nervous, but I felt a real sense of importance. When you’re talking about sex and sex issues with a girl who’s 15 years old, it’s relevant even on a soap opera. For some reason, when I got that script, some button clicked that made me say, “Embrace this because it’s very important.” Somebody may actually listen to this and accept the value of it. Even though it was a light-hearted scene and the boyfriend was jumping in the closet to hide, it had some value to it and I thought it was very important. I chose to make it important as opposed to fret about having to do a sex scene with a young lady. If felt good.Digest: What do you think of your on-screen daughters, Robyn Richards (Maxie) and Lindze Letherman (Georgie)?
Wagner: They’re darling. I think it’s important to remember that they’re young. They are given scenes that are so adult, and the show treats them as working actresses. We have to remember that Lindze is only 15 — she’s just a girl.Digest: Kind of like you were when you joined GH.
Wagner: Well, when I started on the show, I was 24 or something … so it was a lot different. Although, I was probably more naive than they are [laughs]. I sort of just jumped off a wagon from Indiana, so there was a bit of a culture shock for me. I had to learn a lot.Digest: Do you feel like a second mother to the girls?
Wagner: Yes, but raising girls is nothing like raising boys!Digest: How old are your sons now?
Wagner: Peter is 13 and Harrison is 9.
Digest: How have they adapted to Mom being back on GH?
Wagner: I think they just accept it for what it is. It’s always been a part of their lives. They don’t watch me, and I don’t go out of my way to make it an important thing for them to see. I don’t think there has been any big conflict with it.Digest: What kinds of things do you do with them?
Wagner: We do regular things that every family does. Sports are a lot of fun. Homework. That’s not a lot of fun, but it’s real important. They both do pretty well in school. Harrison is now moving into another school that will help him. It’s a learning disability school, and it’s exciting to think that he’s going to get that extra help; he’ll be able to excel.Digest: That’s great. Harrison must be excited.
Wagner: He is. We all have different things we do well and different things we do poorly. That’s what I was telling my son. When you’re an adult, nobody expects a doctor to be a great basketball player, too. Yet, when you’re in high school, you’re expected to be good in science and math and on the basketball team. Kids have a lot of pressure and expectations put on them.Digest: Do they have the acting bug?
Wagner: It’s interesting that you ask that. Peter took an intro to theater class this year. He did a monologue, a telephone call. Anyway, when I watched him rehearse, I thought he did a fine job. I mean, it was good enough. But he hated it [laughs]! He doesn’t want to do it anymore.Digest: Have they picked up musical talents from Jack (Wagner; Nick, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL;ex-Peter, MELROSE PLACE; ex-Frisco, GH; ex-Warren, SANTA BARBARA)?
Wagner: Oh, they’re very musical. Peter is an accomplished pianist. His favorite is jazz, but he also plays lots of classical and pop music. It’s wonderful. It’s such an uplifting thing to be making lunches for school and hear him practicing. And Harrison just started drum lessons. He’s doing very well!Digest: What traits have you and Jack given the boys?
Wagner: Harrison is more outgoing and a little more aggressive. He’s very demonstrative and loving. He expresses himself and his thoughts very well. Peter is more regimented and by the book. He has a real comfort zone with keeping regimented. He’s extremely charming, yet he’s quiet and shy.Digest: Is Peter into girls yet?
Wagner: He’s shy, so it will probably be a while for that … which is just fine [laughs]! I don’t not push it, though. I ask him. You know, “Is there anybody cute at school?” And he’ll give me a straight, honest answer. “Yeah, there are a couple of cute girls.” I’m lucky that he talks to me about those kind of things.
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