How did you two meet?
Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe, DAYS): How did we meet?
Michelle Stafford (Nina, GH): I totally remember because it meant so much to me.
Bjorlin: Oh, my God!
Stafford: We went out to dinner to that Thai restaurant. I had known of Nadia, and I just saw pictures and of course, she’s gorgeous and super-hot —
Bjorlin: I’m paying her to say this, by the way!
What were your first impressions of each other?
Stafford: I’m gonna admit something that’s not a great thing. Sometimes with a really extraordinary-looking woman, you think they might not be nice, or a little self-centered. So then we met, and she’s trash-talking and using curse words. I was like, “Oh, my God, we’re from the same tribe!” She’s just super-real, no pretense, and she’s had such an interesting life, being an amazing singer and just an amazing person.
Bjorlin: Wow, and I’m here going, “I can’t remember how we met!”
What do you remember about Michelle?
Bjorlin: I mean, not only is she a complete and utter babe and so incredibly talented, I was meeting “The Stafford”. By the way, I call her “The Stafford” all the time.
Stafford: Like many do!
Bjorlin: I don’t know where the whole talking about you in third
person started.
Stafford: I think Stafford is that name.
Bjorlin: She has, over the years, lived up to her title as “The Stafford”, the multi-Emmy award-winning, badass, most beautiful, amazing chick you’ve ever seen. And who defies the laws of nature and gravity and everything else! Amazing.
Stafford: Thank you. That’s really nice.
Did you hit if off right away?
Stafford: Um, no, because I always think that my friends are gonna drop me in like two weeks. Did you?
Bjorlin: Do you ever know these things? Professionally, before I met “The Stafford”, I remember really looking up to her and admiring her and everything she stands for. And then meeting her and seeing how cool she is? She continues to impress and does not disappoint! It’s just been a very natural and easy friendship, which is not always an easy thing to say in this town. We’ve always been there for each other and we can always pick up where we left off. It was a natural progression, spending time together, and then before you know it, her daughter was in my wedding [in 2015]!
Stafford: We had our live shows during Nadia’s wedding and there was no way I could go to it. I got out at like 10 at night and I got in my car and drove.
Bjorlin: That’s a testament to the kind of person that you are in a friendship. Michelle sent her mother and [daughter] Natalia ahead of time because I got married in Palm Springs and then she drove after working her butt off all week and doing the live shows, and showed up at like midnight, all dressed up and looking beautiful. I mean, how many people would do that?
Stafford: I was so bummed to miss it. That was super-sucky. But the second day I was there and we hung out and partied and it was really, really cool and lovely.
How often do you see each other?
Bjorlin: We’re in touch every week. Michelle just texted me to do something this weekend with the kids, ’cause that’s what we do now. It’s funny because she’ll just randomly send me a picture of us at a party looking amazing, and she’ll be like, “Remember these days?” And I’m like, “Oh, yeah.”
Stafford: We are still glammin’! I refer to Nadia as my little sister. And then her mom loves that: “You take care of Nadia! You’re like her big sister!” I became part of the family!
Bjorlin: Yeah, you are part of the family! I would say that now I admire you even more because Michelle is one of those rare breeds of people who you’ll ask to do something and she never flakes out! This is this unbelievably rare quality that I actually haven’t found in any other human being. Now that I’ve had kids I’m like, “Oh, my God, how does she have the energy?” I’m constantly asking her to come over to my house because I don’t have the energy to round up my children!
Stafford: I think it’s easier to actually go to someone’s house as opposed to have them come to mine because now I’ve got to clean up if I invite them over.
Bjorlin: But that’s why we’re a good balance, because I love to clean.
Stafford: We’re a good team. Totally. We have fun. Nadia has a really great backyard for kids.
What is your favorite quality about the other?
Stafford: For me, honesty.
Bjorlin: Oh, my gosh, that was my answer! It’s important and it is a rare quality. That goes a long way. And that is “The Stafford” for me. You’re a very positive person and you make the best of everything and have a good attitude and you’re funny and I think that goes far in life. It’s nice to be along for someone’s ride when they’re like that.
Stafford: Thank you! There’s no B.S with her. There’s a realness about Nadia, and I appreciate that.
Bjorlin: Thank you! So, Michelle, you coming over on Saturday?
Stafford: Yes, I am!
Bjorlin: Okay, cool.
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