Laura Wright -- Interactive Q&A

It's like an alternate, yet more successful version of Grease 2. Guiding Light's Laura Wright (Cassie) was plucked from pumping gas at her dad's Maryland gas station and plunked down into New York City with a starring role on ABC's Loving. Okay, so it's definitely better than being a "Girl for all Seasons." (Sorry, we're having a "Cool Rider" moment...) But we digress... It was a struggle, but we finally managed to pin down Laura Wright for the Digest Online Interactive Q&A. What did we expect? She's a new mom juggling life at home with lots of GL screen time. Recently, she took a few moments out of her busy schedule to answer your questions.
Howdy Laura,
1. How do you like the direction GL is taking with your character, Cassie?
2. Congrats on your new bundle of joy - Lauren Elizabeth. How's it being a new mother? Are you learning the tricks of the trade as you go?
3. Which soap: GL, LOVING, THE CITY was the most fun to work at?
Thanks and good luck,
Bernard, Houston, TX

Laura Wright:
1. So far, so good. I don't know, I mean, so far I love everything that's happened, I really do. I really do.
2: I'm trying to learn as I go. I hope I'm doing a good job. I think so, because she seems to be very happy, and it's a wonderful experience.
3: Well, they're all different. Loving is my heart because I grew up there, you know? It was my first show. That was like home, that was a family. Lisa Peluso (ex-Ava; now AW's Lila), Nada Rowland (ex-Kate), Paul Anthony Stewart (ex-Casey; now GL's Danny) - I get to have him again, but I don't get him! [Big pout] Loving was my heart. The City was definitely exciting. It was new, it was different, it was fun, and it was fast, but very hard. And Guiding Light has just been such a wonderful experience for me. It truly just happened when it should have. I grew up on Loving, it changed to The City, and then I evolved to Guiding Light, you know? I ended up where I should have been, playing a part that I feel was written for me. Well, it was written for me. [Laughs] So I'm very happy, very, very happy here. Each different [soap] has a different place for me.

Hi-
I would like to know which character you like better, Ally Bowman or Cassie Layne?
Miss_M_99@ yahoo.com

Laura Wright:
Wow, that's a good question. I'm stumped! Cassie definitely has more spunk and is a lot of fun, but I don't think I could have played Cassie before. I was young, I didn't know things, I was afraid. I played Ally for, gosh, seven years, and that character grew up and became someone. She had to be a little nice sometimes when I didn't want to be. And then Cassie... There isn't anything that I don't put past Cassie. Could she strip again? I think easily. There's so many things there, so many possibilities and ways for this character to go yet, whereas I think we did a lot of things with Ally. But I find Cassie to be much more aware of life and what it can throw at you. I find that Cassie has a hell of a lot more baggage than Ally ever did! And I think that she has a wild streak to her that Ally never did, that I love. She's more raw.
Congrats on the birth of your daughter. Enjoy your role on Guiding Light... Hart, he deserved Dinah. Would have loved to see a match with Sean, but guess that's out of the question, now that he's gone. THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE. I guess my question would be: Who do you see Cassie in a relationship with?
DG, New Orleans, LA
Laura Wright:
Well, I can really see her with Danny! [Laughs] But, you know, it looks as if eventually, I certainly don't think overnight, but down the road, hopefully way down the road, Jim. Even though I'd much rather be with Danny! And that's certainly no offense to Tony [Addabbo, who plays Jim], because I love him, I actually really love working with him, but I just love Paul. He's my baby.
Laura,
1. Girlfriend, nothing in the world makes me smile wider or laugh harder than when I see the Shayne sisters united to kick some butt. Please tell me that the writers will let Cassie and Reva have some bonding moments ....
Angel in Bayville, NJ
PS:
2. Who picks the clothes you wear on the show? I love your look, it's a true representation of Cassie's spirit.
Laura Wright:
1. Hopefully! I think coming up over the summertime, yes. But you know, those moments are few and far between. Unfortunately, we have to tell stories and if the story isn't about Cassie and Reva having a close moment, you're probably not going to see it. It seems like they're having me buddy/buddy with Blake and Harley and not Reva.
2. Me, along with our costume designer, Suzanne.
Hey Laura
Just wanted to say you've been my FAVORITE actress since Loving although Guiding Light has always been my favorite soap. I was THRILLED when you joined the show. I was wondering how you felt about Paul Anthony Stewart joining the Light? You guys were great on Loving! It would be nice to see a great love story that -- no matter what -- the characters would not allow others to get in the way of how they felt for each other. Congratulations and good luck with your daughter. My mother and I are very close. We talk about everything (especially Guiding Light!) She's my best friend. I hope you and your daughter will share the same closeness. Keep up the great work Laura! You are the BEST!!
NH, Columbus, Ohio !
Laura Wright:
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love the fact that Paul's here, whether I get to work with him or not I just think he's a wonderful addition to the cast. It's a great cast, it's an awesome show, and I think he's perfect here. And he is! He's walked on this show and he's turning heads, majorly. I mean, everybody's talking about him, every woman wants to work with him. I'm fighting here with all the ladies and lucky Joie [Lenz, Michelle] gets him! I told Paul he gets to work with another curly-haired blond! So I'm very happy that he's here and it's great to have him around whether I get to work with him or not. And I hope that I have a very long, wonderful, best friend relationship with my daughter, too!
Laura, Congratulations on Lauren Elizabeth!
Was it hard to play the scenes with Robert when Josh was coming on to Cassie? A lot of people thought it was sick, but all I could think about was how hard it must be to keep a straight face when he was acting like such a zombie! Thanks, looking forward to your return!
Debby, PA

What was it like for Cassie to be pursued by your sister's husband? Especially while you were seven months pregnant.? That must have been awkward for you...or maybe more so for Robert. (Certainly not Josh..lol..)
LC, Cherry Hill, NJ.
Laura Wright:
The hardest part was feeling really stupid running around in a teddy when I was nine months pregnant. That was the hardest part! We have a funny joke because I guess about a month before that storyline, before Robert had to chase me, Robert made the comment to me that, "Gosh, I think pregnant women are so sexy!" Well, two weeks later when we heard it was going to happen, I said, "You know what, Robert? It's a really good thing you feel that way, because you're going to be chasin' me around!" (Laughs) So, you know, it was pretty funny. That was the other thing, you know-- It was hard for both of us to keep a straight face when I am so huge, and he's going, "Cassie, open the door!" It was like, "Oh my God, what's wrong with you?" So it was more embarrassing in the fact that I was so big and someone was finding me sexy. It was a joke. It was hard to find a negligee that would fit me! They were like, "Oh, that looks so nice!" And I was like, "OK, shut up." I had to do a shower scene with the Sean character when I was four months pregnant! And I was like, "You know, could you pick someone that might look good standing naked in the shower?"
Hi Laura, Congratulations on your baby daughter Lauren. I think you are such a fantastic actress.
1. My question to you is does your husband get jealous when your kissing another man?
2. And my last question is what is Robert Newman really like in real life?
Good luck And thanks alot.
Jennifer
Laura Wright:
1. No, he doesn't watch! But sometimes he'll be in the room when I'm watching it and he's like, "Hey! What are you doing over there?" Or I'll say, "I had such a hard day, I had to work and blah blah blah," and he'll say, "You know, how come I don't get to go to work and roll around and kiss people?" But no, he doesn't; he's wonderful.
2. Robert is absolutely wonderful. Funny, warm, and he's just a wonderful man to work with. Very talented.
What do you think about Cassie getting involved with Jim, thereby creating some tension between Harley and Cassie as Cassie gets closer and closer to Susan? Not to destroy their friendship, only to create drama!
MRC, Newark, DE
Laura Wright:
Well, that's not what's going to happen. It'll cause a conflict between Cassie and Beth Raines. I can't see Harley being anything but happy if Cassie were to be with Jim. Whatever's going to make Cassie happy and Jim happy, you know.
Laura,
Do you perm your hair? If not could you tell me the products you use.
M.C. Orange,MA
Laura Wright:
My hair is naturally curly. I do not have a perm. When I wear it curly, I use Infusium 23 and then I'll put a little bit of Potion Number 9.
Laura,
I loved watching you as Ally on Loving and The City. What has changed most now that you are a new mom? How has Lauren changed your life?
KS, St. John, IN
Laura Wright:
Oh my God! You got an hour? :-) Oh, everything. Everything from the fact that I'm taking the time to answer these questions... She's on my mind, I'm thinking, "I've got to hurry up and get to her." Everything from if I'm on the phone and it doesn't have call waiting... Oh gosh, how you view the world. Everything is different. I don't know how women do it alone. My hat goes off to single mothers, because how they do it...
Welcome back!!! I had a baby girl Victoria Kaitlyn on October 28 and my labor was 4 hours, and not to bad. How was your labor? and How are you going to lose the weight?
SA, Richmond VA
Laura Wright:
Well, I lost it! Labor was kind of difficult because she was breech, so I was in hard labor but no dilation because her head wasn't down, so I had a Caesarian. I had her November 16; I didn't start dieting at all until January 4, when I went back to work and I stopped nursing. And I just cut out carbohydrates, cut out pasta, bread, potatoes, and rice. Except, on the weekends, I allowed myself treats. And basically it's now April and I'm back to normal! Except for some things here and there.
First of all I think they made a great choice when they cast you as Reva's sister. My question is one about you and not your character I was wondering how long you maternity leave was?? It seems like you weren't gone long at all, I was wondering if they called you back early to finish up the story between Cassie Hart and Dinah! Congrats on your new baby girl!!
Jeana, CIncinnati Ohio
Laura Wright:
Well, I pretaped stuff before I left. Actually, my maternity leave was supposed to be shorter, but I knew I wouldn't make it as much as they were working me, so I pretaped scenes, like on days that I was working I added scenes those days so I could take leave. My maternity leave started November 5, she was born November 16, four weeks later I came in, shot three episodes, then we had our two-week break at Christmas, and then I came back working five days a week on January 4. So it was a good time; I had a long enough break, it was fine. But we planned it so it seemed shorter than it was.
Hi, I'm just wondering if you were planning to do a Movie? 'Cause you definitely have skill, you're great on GL. KEEP IT UP!!! and Best Wishes to you, your husband, and your little girl.
Thanks
CC, St. Paul, MN
Laura Wright:
Sure, it anyone's offering! That would be great if someone wanted to offer me a part!
Laura, wasn't it frustrating playing out the storyline where Cassie wouldn't tell Hart about the baby?? Maybe only the viewers go crazy about stuff like that... I was practically screaming at the screen for Cassie to TELL HIM!!!
Lisa, Virginia
Laura Wright:
You know, if we give the audience what they want, then they don't care anymore. It's all about conflict. It's not frustrating for us because we're paid to do it! Being a viewer myself, watching stuff on television, I can understand what the audience wants. But don't we live for that? To sit in front of the TV and go, "You idiot!" And you swear, "I'm never watching this stupid show again," but the next week, you put it on, or the next day you turn it on. So no, it's not frustrating for us. And the day it becomes not frustrating for the audience, they're not going to want to watch it anymore.
Hi Laura,
1. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter. I am in Australia and we are several months behind episodes airing in the US. In one episode (around the time Tammy was taken away from you courtesy of Annie and Alan), you wore your beautiful curly hair straight and it looked terrific. Do you have a choice as to how your hair is styled on GL?
2. And how about the garments ? I love the colours of Cassie's clothes that you wear on the show too and think that you look particularly gorgeous in tangerine. I thought you were fantastic in The City and now in GL.
Love and Best Wishes JS, Brisbane, Australia.
Laura Wright:
1. Well, up until two weeks ago, I was never allowed to wear my hair straight. Two weeks ago, my producer came up to me and said he wanted to see my hair straight, and now I'm never allowed to wear it curly again! So until he gets sick of this, you won't see my curly hair for a while.
2. I find that to be a really good color for me too, thanks! (Laughs) You know, one of the main things that's very difficult is that our producer wants color in our clothes, so we just go to Bloomingdale's or Banana Republic or The Gap. Bloomingdale's, we get a lot of stuff from.
Laura,
I just wanted to say that I think you play Cassie perfectly. I like the way you portray her as neither evil nor unbelievably naive, but in-between like most people are. Where would you like to see the character headed and what would you change about her? Many, many congratulations on the birth of your new daughter.
LE, Biloxi, MS
Laura Wright:
I wouldn't have her be so sympathetic, as sometimes she can be. But I guess that's what makes her endearing. But I love the fact that she is really on the money, and she'll tell you what she thinks, and she's no bullshit. I really like that, but I wish she wasn't so sympathetic, or so understanding at times. And I just trust the writers to take this character -- you know, they created her, and I as well -- but I trust them to take this where they feel it should go, and to tell the story. I can act, but someone's got to write the stories that I have to act, and I trust them to take her in a direction where they think is fun, where they find the audience will be interested.
Laura,
Hi. How's your little girl doing? She's probably so cute! I'm a die-hard Kim Zimmer fan, and I was wondering if she's funny in and out of studio like I've heard. I know when she does interviews, they're really funny. I'm 13, a basketball, volleyball, and softball player, and a Guiding Light fanatic! I can't miss a day.
Christina, Monongahela, PA
Laura Wright:
Kim Zimmer is wonderful and Kim Zimmer's daughter is a basketball, volleyball, and softball player! Soccer player, too. Kim is great. Thanks for watching!
If you could work with anyone on Guiding Light, with whom would it be?
RK, Louisville, KY
Laura Wright:
Well, gee, I wonder who that would be! Hmmm, I don't know... Danny, Danny, Danny! Danny, Danny, Danny! I'd love to work with Amy Ecklund, who plays Abigail.
Hello!
I live in the Virgin Islands and have admired your talent since the first day you appeared on GL. I was just wondering how you got started in acting. Was it something that just happened or did have you spent alot of time on acting classes and so forth?
Thanks alot,
SDS
Laura Wright:
No, didn't spend a dime! It just kind of happened. I lucked out, gosh, nine years ago, working at my dad's gas station in Maryland and was doing local stuff for a woman in Washington, D.C., and she mailed in a videotape of me to ABC and a week later I got a screen test, and two days later they told me to move to New York! I started working the next day. So it happened overnight.
Hi Laura! I love you! I was at the Soap Opera Awards last February when you won Favorite New Character!, and I was wondering where you keep the award in your home?
Danny, San Luis Obispo, CA
Laura Wright:
In my dressing room! My award is kept in my dressing room.
Laura- Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your character on Guiding Light. One question: What is it like being part of the Lewis-Shayne family?
Julie, Portland, Maine
Laura Wright:
It's called security! It feels good, because, you know, they'll think twice about firing me! :-) It's nice to have a tie-in, and it gives you history and it gives you a better foundation. The character can play the fact that she has family. I can play the fact that, you know, there's Billy and Josh -- you've got family. It's wonderful. I like it!
You and Reva really clicked as sisters on the show. How long will it be before we see some more sibling interaction with your other sister and brother? Do you have a close sister relationship in your real life? It seems so easy to you. Also, congratulations on your new baby girl. Children are the greatest gifts!
Cathy, Goldsboro, NC
Laura Wright:
Well, I don't know if I'll ever meet Roxie. (Laughs) If they ever decide to bring her back, bring the character back. I've met my brother Rusty and Josh and Reva get married in a couple weeks; I know he's going to be there. So I don't know if I'll ever get to meet my sister. That could be interesting, because she could not like me. You know, she might be a little threatened and not like the fact that her mother had an affair behind their father's back. I still have no idea who my father is, you know! Have no clue who. I have a sister who is 13 months older than I am and we're exactly opposites, with everything: looks, body, personality. Everything is completely opposite, but yes, we're extremely close.
Hello Laura,
I am an Italian Guiding Light Fan. Who are your best male friend and best female friend among the GL cast? I wish to you and your Baby (and your Family) a wonderful 1999!!
Marcello
Laura Wright:
I'm pretty good friends with Beth Ehlers and Kim Zimmer, and guys... probably Paul Anthony.
Dear Laura,
My question to you is: If you could choose one phrase to represent your daytime career thus far, what would the phrase be and why?
Richie Long, Lakeland, Florida
Laura Wright:
It's been very consistent. Consistent.
First of all Laura congratulations on the birth of your baby! I was so pleased when you joined the cast of GL , I was a devout fan of Loving and The City, my question is
"Do you feel that there are any similarities between your character now and that of Ally on Loving?"
D. McCarthy, Peabody, Ma
Laura Wright:
Some. I mean, they're both good people, they're both very wonderful, nice, caring people. But you know, they're totally different in their backgrounds, so that makes them totally different people.
I love the budding friendship between Cassie and Harley, we see so few same sex friendships on soaps. Do you enjoy working with Beth Ehlers, and do you know of any plans to entangle the two characters in the future?
KTB, Franklin, Massachusetts
Laura Wright:
Well, I love working with Beth and yeah, they're going to keep us good friends.
Laura, Let me just start by saying I am a HUGE fan of yours. In fact, you are my favorite on the show!!!!! My question is what was your reaction when you and the rest of your castmates found out that Teri Demarco was actually Annie with a facelift?????
Thank you.
MN, Perry, NY
Laura Wright:
Oh, we knew! We knew! They get all like, "Big secret, no one's supposed to know!" Well, puh-leeze! We knew from the beginning and we weren't surprised.
Congratulations on your baby! I am looking forward to you coming back to the show. My question for you is: Wasn't it wonderful to "tell off" Hart finally? I mean, Cassie has been a doormat for him, though not as bad as some women are portrayed on soaps, and I loved it when 'she' got to tell him off with "I wait around and this is what I get.." Bravo!! Great to have you back Laura!! We've all missed you!! Congrats again!
Laura Wright:
I loved it! I absolutely loved it! And I wanted to do it more, I wanted to be like, "Get out of my face, I am so sick of you, go to her! Dinah, Dinah, Dinah, Dinah, Dinah, Dinah! Well, damn! Marry her!" You know? I never bought the Cassie/Hart relationship anyway. I really didn't. We'd have lines like, "Oh, we've been through so much together." And I'm like, "What the hell have we been through?" He's been through everything with Dinah! You know, there was the relationship, not me and him! I mean, I loved Frank [Grillo, ex-Hart], I loved Wendy [Moniz, ex-Dinah], you know, but I felt really like, "What the hell's going on?" I didn't like it.
Hello Laura, About 3/4 months ago u were in a chat room, through Yahoo. And you kept telln' everyone that it was u....u used the name; LauraWrightGL. I enjoy the show and agree with your statement that the character should go somewhere...hope everything goes well with you and Lauren. God Bless.
WSH, Conway, AR
Laura Wright:
Was not me. Was not me, it was someone who was lying.
Laura,
I don't actually have any questions for you. I just want to say congratulations on the bundle of joy. I went to high school with you and your sister Pam. I saw her at last year's reunion. I'm glad to see you did good for yourself.
MJR
Laura Wright:
Well, who are you? Who are you, that's what I want to know! :-) Thank you, thank you, thank you, and who are you?
Laura,
First of all, congratulations to both you and your husband on the birth of your daughter Lauren Elizabeth!
1. I've been watching Guiding Light for a couple of years now and I've always admired your acting since you came on to the show to play the role as Cassie Layne. My first question is, the scene with you and Wendy Moniz (Dinah) in the car, with you going into labor and then giving birth, was this scene shot before or after you gave birth to Lauren? I thought it was an after you gave birth shot because you made the pain of giving birth look so real! (Good job!)
2. Now that you're a mother of both worlds, do you think it'll be easy for Cassie to raise a son and a daughter as a single mother, compared to what you already have in the real life world where you already have a husband and a daughter as a family?
Keep up the great work and again, thank you for bringing another precious child into this world!
AH, Maui, HI
Laura Wright:
1. After. I didn't even watch those scenes. We taped them after.
2. Well, you can't compare real life to soap opera. Do I think it would be easy for Cassie? No. I mean, think about how often you see her without her children. Someone else is raising these kids! They're at someone else's house!
Laura,
I absolutely LOVE your character on GL. I've been a GL fan for many many years, and am sometimes weary of new characters (I tend to be loyal to the old faves!). However, I instantly loved Cassie. She is fresh and spunky, without being vindictive an deceitful. Being Tammy's mother has always been such an intense part of your character. Your motherhood characteristics have always been fierce and strong. I just had my first baby in September, and even before he was born I thought I knew how much I would love and protect my baby. But when he came into my life, I realized that love and devotion ran MUCH deeper than I ever imagined. Have you experienced similar feelings, and how will actually being a mother now change your already beautiful portrayal of Tammy's mother and mother to RJ?
ABD, Campbellsville, KY
Laura Wright:
Well, first of all, thank you! I didn't know I did that great a job playing a mom when I didn't know what the hell I was doing! (Laughs) It totally has changed everything. I can't even hear stories about kids I don't know without getting all upset if it's something rude or mean toward the child. You know, I hope it makes it better and more realistic.
What kind of music do you listen to? You have the personality that fits a Jimmy Buffett Parrothead. Do you enjoy his music?
AL, Sandston, VA
Laura Wright:
Oh, so true! It's so true! James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett. I have such a wide variety of music that I love. Old rap, love old rap music from when I was growing up, not what's out there now, because it's just not my time, you know what I mean? Gosh, Doug E. Fresh. Loved Doug E. Fresh! Salt 'N Pepa, when I was growing up. That kind of music. But I'm totally a Jimmy Buffett fan, like, totally. Going to Key West, kickin' back, drinkin' beer, and listening to Jimmy Buffett. And I love the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead.
Laura, I have been a fan for over 20 years of Guiding Light and was thrilled to have you join the show. You appear to have such a real connection with Kim Z.
1. I am wondering if you two get along as well "off camera" as you appear to "on camera"?
2. Also, what is your greatest challenge being a cast member on Guiding Light?
RS, Portland, OR
Laura Wright:
1. Just as good if not better.
2. Trying to be as good as the rest of the cast. It's just such a wonderful ensemble. People work really hard, so I think trying to be as good and as dedicated as everyone who's here.
1. I watched you on Loving and The City, do you keep in touch with any of the co-stars from those shows?
2. Also, do you enjoy playing Cassie on Guiding Light?
SR, Manchester, CT; Thanks !
Laura Wright:
1. Lisa Peluso I run into a lot, she's on Another World. And other than that, you know, you try for a little while, but you just... You lose touch.
2. Love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, love it!
Courtesy Soap Opera Digest
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