Spotlight on Rebecca Herbst
Soap Opera Weekly: You started on GENERAL HOSPITAL as a teenager. Now you’re playing a mom. Is that weird to think about?
Rebecca Herbst: I still have a hard time realizing that I’m in an adult storyline; that I’m not in the kids’ storyline. Emily, Nikolas, Lucky and Elizabeth all went from being kids and teenagers to adults together. It’s funny when I look back and think, my character has a baby and another on the way, both of whom are by men she was never married to. Plus, she has an ex-husband and a husband.
Weekly: Do you ever want to explore storylines other than Elizabeth having another baby?
Herbst: I’m totally fine with that. I hear some girls say, “Oh, God! I never want to get pregnant on the show.” Or, that once you have kids, your storyline is over and your character is tied down, forever. But I think it’s great. It keeps Elizabeth very real, and the writers can’t ignore the fact that she has a kid. If Elizabeth is out, we have to address the fact Cameron is with Gran or at daycare. It brings the reality back to it. Being a mother kind of defines Elizabeth.
Weekly: Speaking of “Gran,” what is your relationship with Rachel Ames (Audrey) like?
Herbst: I have a great relationship with her. It’s sad that she doesn’t get to work a little more often. I love that she’s stuck with the show for so long. She is the only family that Elizabeth has. Elizabeth has a different relationship with her grandmother than with anybody else. Sometimes Rachel will tell me stories about back in the day — about how the cameras did this, the lighting was like this, and how [the show] repeats stories and she gets a kick out of it.
Weekly: Do you feel any pressure being the last remaining Hardy descendent on the show?
Herbst: No! (Laughs) Just an obligation to do well, I guess. But it’s a pretty good feeling to be part of such an important family.
Weekly: During a recent SOAPnet special you said Genie Francis (ex-Laura) reached out to you and took you under her wing when you joined GH. Can you elaborate?
Herbst: Genie would guide me. “Try this. Come here.” She was the one who gave me a lot of pointers about where the boom is and where the cameras are. She taught me the ropes when I first got here. And she always said, “Don’t let anyone take advantage of you. If there’s something you like doing, stick up for yourself. Let somebody know.” She was very motherly to me. I was very comfortable when she was here and remember feeling a little bit of panic when she was leaving. It was like, What am I going to do? Also, I was pregnant with my son, Ethan, when she left. I always talked about my pregnancy with her. I really liked having Genie around.
Weekly: Do you find yourself reaching out to newcomers on the show based on the experience that you had with Genie?
Herbst: Oh, yeah! I love when we get new people on the show, even if they’re just day players.
Weekly: Were you disappointed that you didn’t to get to work more with Genie when she recently returned to the show?
Herbst: I was a little surprised. I was told it was going to be a really big thing that Elizabeth was pregnant with, supposedly, a Spencer baby and the first Luke and Laura grandchild; that Elizabeth was going to deal with a lot of turmoil, because Laura kept mentioning the baby and Elizabeth knew it wasn’t Lucky’s. When it didn’t happen, I understood. Genie was here for such a short period of time. It was important that they got the Lucky, Lulu and Nikolas stuff in there.
Weekly: Who are your closest friends on the show?
Herbst: I’m better friends with the guys: Steve Burton (Jason), Greg Vaughan (Lucky), Rick Hearst (Ric)…. My husband, Michael, and I do a lot of couple things with them and their wives. I’m friends with Kelly Monaco (Sam), too. I love going out with her. And Laura Wright (Carly) is always fun when we’re able to meet up. Natalia Livingston (Emily) and I are kind of like sisters. We can talk to each other about everything. She’s a really great friend.
Weekly: Everyone knows how you’re always whipping up Emmy gowns for yourself and a few of your lucky co-stars. Do you ever make clothes or costumes for your kids?
Herbst: It’s so sad. I don’t make anything for them. I don’t have the time. Other than the Emmys, I don’t make anything. But the Emmys are special. Also, I don’t want to spend money on a dress. You can make one for so much less and have something unique and original. Plus, it’s very gratifying. I’m very proud of myself when I do that. The funny thing is I’m really not that good [a seamstress]. There’s a lot of trial and error with my dresses, which I don’t necessarily tell the girls when I’m going to make their dresses. But it’s fun. I enjoy doing it. And sewing is something my mom and I can do together.
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