Chat With CC: January 27, 2003
The following are highlights from our recent online chat with Crystal. It has been sorted, rearranged and edited for easier reading. Enjoy!


Crystal: Hello! Thanks everyone, for coming. Let's talk!... I'm sure we have some GOOD questions tonight. I've been hearing all kinds of nonsense!

Attendee: Crystal, I have loved your portrayal of Olivia ever since those first scenes at that hotel in San Cristobel. As unbelieveable as the storyline was, you made it all so real, and continue to do so today. I was wondering how things were going for you and the rest of the cast now that John Conboy has most definitely arrived.
Crystal: Um... the cast is great and the show is in great shape. John is going to be very good for the show. There are no firinigs. My relationship with Conboy is great... He's a straight shooter. He'll tell you to your face what he likes and doesn't like... respectfully. And he's been nothing but supportive and complimentary to me. The only thing I've heard him say about this cast is how wonderful they are. In fact, I asked GL publicity if I could reassure everybody and tell them to relax about these rumors. They're not true. Part of what Conboy is doing is enforcing a no leak policy. Which means no leaking of stories and trying to reintroduce the element of surprise into the stories. Nobody in their right mind, who wants to keep their job, would dare leak out information about story or actors being let go. So, I guess my point is, this information (the rumors) is NOT coming from Guiding Light.

Attendee: Hey, Crystal. I want to know how you keep your skin looking so flawless. Can you share some secrets with us or what products you use on your skin?
Crystal: You know, I use anything from high-end products called La Mer to Oil of Olay. I just wash my face before I go to bed and put a moisturizer on it... sunscreen and water... it's simple... and eating right doesn't hurt.
Attendee: Thanks, I do that too, but my skin is not nearly as flawless as yours.
Crystal: That's just the magic of television... (my skin) is not flawless!!!
Attendee: Oh, but I've seen you in person, it is!!

Attendee: What happened to the painting of you as Regina? You looked pretty as Regina.
Crystal: Thanks. I was bound tight in that corset. I have no idea where it went but I think people saw it so much during that storyline that they don't want to see it again for at least another two years! LOL

Attendee: Crystal, you are so lucky to have worked with two of the hottest guys on GL - Grant Aleksander and Robert Newman - how do they differ in their acting methods?
Crystal: Oh... um... I would say that in working with Grant, we work a lot on scripts together and talking through the scenes. I think we spend a little more time trying to figure out the specifics of it. Robert and I would basically go out and wing it, which also has great value... So it's just two different approaches, and I like them both!

Attendee: I'm so happy Olivia is in a hot storyline! How did Michael like the caricatures (of you) and bell (gift)?
Crystal: The bell is up at the cabin. I used it to ring Michael and Jake in for dinner one day. Michael loves the bell and he had the same reaction to the caricatures as I did... he laughed. It's funny to see yourself like that. It's great!

Attendee: Is there any baby news?
Crystal: Yes, there is. I'm going to have a baby in September.
Attendee(s): CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Crystal: Thank you, thank you! We're very happy! It will be late in September. It will be a little Libra!

Attendee: Crystal... Will Olivia be featured for Valentine's Day and how did your surgery go? I was thinking of you on the 16th.
Crystal: Yeah, well, we all are a part of the Valentine's Day show. You know... I think by the time Valentine's Day comes around, Olivia's... she's not really close to Alan or Phillip... so she's a bit alone at that point, but lots of interesting things happen and it's a little saucy at that point. Oh, and btw, my surgery went great. Thank you for asking.
Attendee: I'm happy to hear it (about the surgery)! Sad to hear that Liv will end up alone again, though...
Crystal: It's a beat in the story... I'm not saying it's the end result.

Attendee: Is there any insights you can give us about the Olivia/Phillip/Alan story? Where is it leading?
Crystal: I'm trying to think what I can tell you... what I can tell you is this... Olivia comes back from San Cristobel and she's made a decision to be with Phillip. She thinks that Phillip got her letter and she thinks that Phillip rejects her and goes off with Beth; Alan helps her believe that, too. So she's devastated and emotionally wrecked and Alan is there to comfort her so she ends up sleeping with him. Phillip finds out about it and rocks fly!
Attendee: And we'll have a "who's the daddy" (storyline)...
Crystal: I honestly don't know very much about my storyline and if I did, I wouldn't be permitted to say anything and I respect that. We'll see. I dont' know if they're going to write in my pregnancy or not.
Attendee: Hmmm, well I don't like them hiding you behind big bags and potted plants.
Crystal: We'll see... whatever works. I'm really happy about the story... I think that they are doing a great job with it. Whatever they think is the most interesting way to go, I'm all for it.

Attendee: Hi Crystal, congratulations! Where is your favorite vacation place?
Crystal: I love to go to islands, and in particular, the Cayman Islands. I love to scuba dive and that's some of the most beautiful diving.

Attendee: Do you think Olivia and Phillip could ever get married??
Crystal: Yeah, sure... but I think Olivia could marry everybody in town. I don't know if it would work, though. There isn't a high success rate for marriages in Springfield! There's a lot of divorce and remarriage. I think they could have a special relationship for a long time. Doesn't necessarily mean that they will be together.

Attendee: I really enjoyed the scenes when you were working closely with Laura Wright. Will you be working that closely with her again in the future, and what is it like to work with Laura? I think you are GREAT and have been a fan since your Santa Barbara days! Congrats on the BABY!
Crystal: Thank you very much. I love Laura and yeah, these two characters, Cassie and Olivia, continue to go at it. There's a weird underlying relationship there... in fact, I'm taping scenes with her tomorrow. It's great... awesome.

Attendee: What's Michael been up to? It was nice to see him on GL a few times in November and December.
Crystal: I'm pregnant... what do you think??!! He's been working on the house upstate. He's turned into Mr. Handyman.
Attendee: LOL! Crystal, I'll have to get my hubby in touch with Michael!
Crystal: LOL... I'll tell ya.

Attendee: First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on the baby... that is very exciting news! I was wondering though, will you be at the (GLFC) gathering this year with the baby on the way and all? And, I've read that Grant Aleksander and Michael O'Leary's dressing room is really fun... can you tell us about that? And I wanted to thank you for the quote you gave me for GLC!
Crystal: Oh, oh... anytime. Let's see, yeah, I should be at the gathering... at least for a few hours. In my BIG clothes, LOL. But, yeah, I love coming to the gathering. I love being able to see people. Forget Grant and Michael's room... THEY are just a lot of fun. We just gather in their room... and get into loud fits of laughter.
Attendee: Grant's body... OH my.
Crystal: Grant's body... not bad, huh?!

Attendee: Do you hang out with any cast members? If you do, who? Congrats on the baby.
Crystal: I've hung out with Grant and Michael, Ron, Laura, different people on different occasions.

Crystal: Hey, did you like the (recent) love scenes? How many were offended by them? Be honest.
Attendee: Not me, loved them.
Attendee2: Love scenes = thud!
Attendee3: Offended?? Not on your life!
Attendee4: I was quite in awe of your work! Really amazing!
Attendee5: It was INSPIRATIONAL! LOL.
Attendee6: I thought they were done extrememly well.
Attendee7: I'm offended I don't have a bod like that...
Attendee8: I was actually speechless!
Attendee9: Loved the scenes, they were done tastefully.
Crystal: OMG... I love it. We'll have to do more, then.
Attendee10: And by the way... looking good, sweetie!
Attendee11: My VCR was sweating and so was I.
Crystal: LOLOL... I'm glad you all liked them.
Attendee12: Everyone in my office was talking about them the next day and no one was offended. Surprised by them cause they were a lot hotter than love scenes normally are.
Crystal: I think you're gonna see a lot more than you're normally seeing from now on... lots of naked people! Yep, we're all running to the gym.
Attendee 13: What did YOU think of them?
Crystal: I think... I liked the love scenes... I thought they were very provocative without being distasteful. I must have gone through 3 BIC razors to prepare for those scenes! LOL.

Attendee: Who do you want Olivia to be with, Alan or Phillip?
Crystal: I think it's an interesting triangle. None of the three characters are purely heroic. They all have edges and flaws and a certain level of self-destructiveness, yet they are sincerely looking for love. And they just don't know how to get it. I like Olivia with Phillip for different reasons and I like her with Alan. It makes sense to me that at certain points, she's torn.
Attendee2: I'm sorry, but The Chest rules...
Crystal: The Chest... that's a good name for him... the Beard and the Chest. I like it.
Attendee3: Love Alan and Phillip... can't make up my mind... I just love the one she's with!
Attendee4: Olivia can handle more than 2 (men).
Attendee5: Well, maybe she can alternate nights.
Crystal: See, that's when you'll know when my time is up in Springfield... I'll have slept with every man, no one will be left, and they'll have to bring in more men! LOL

Attendee: My friend wants to know if you'd like a picture drawn of you and Jake?
Crystal: Sure, that would be wonderful. I never refuse a picture of my son.

Attendee: Hello Crystal, I wanted to say that you are very beautiful and Olivia Spencer is my one and only favorite on Guiding Light. I'm so nervous, lol. I wanted to ask you, what is your favorite color?
Crystal: Welcome to the club! And don't be nervous, at least not around me. My favorite color... I don't know... probably blue. But, I'm moody, so it changes.

Attendee: Hi Crystal... I'm a long time GL viewer, 20+ years... and man! I've been a huge Grant Aleksander/Phillip fan all these years, and I can safely say that Olivia is the best thing that has happened to him since Chelsea Reardon... a Phillip Spaulding Renaissance. You guys have great chemistry together. I've heard a rumor of a Phillip/Beth reconciliation... which would be a bad direction to go, imo... My question is this... How great is it to work with Grant? Did you ever watch him on GL or Capitol in the 1980's? Did you know him prior to joining GL? I really enjoy your work, Crystal.
Crystal: Thank you very much. No, I didn't know Grant prior to GL, but having been able to work with him, it has been a really fantastic experience for me. I think he's marvelous, too. It's... uh... you either have chemistry or you don't, but it helps a lot if you like and respect the person you're working with, and we have that, so it's great.

Attendee: Is there anything you really wish we knew about the work you do? Also, I think Alan really loves Olivia and Phillip just wants to win her.
Crystal: Hmmm... That's an interesting observation. I sometimes think it's the other way around.
Attendee: All he talks about is how he's been wronged and put upon by his father. It just seems like he wants to show him up. But then, there is the birth control pill issue.
Crystal: I honestly believe that both men love her and she honestly loves both for her own reasons. I think there's more of a true, romantic love with Phillip. With Alan, it's a wonderful partnership. And on some level, a deep respect. So, you know, we'll see. I have no idea what's going to happen.

Attendee: When will you be on Trading Spaces? What can you tell us about it?
Crystal: Well, we're supposed to tape on April 23, but I imagine it will take a while... it usually takes 6 months to a year before it comes on (the air). I'm just a big fan of the show and I'm excited that I get a chance to be on it.

Attendee: Did John Conboy change Olivia's storyline significantly when he came to GL? Or not that much? When Olivia chose Phillip OFFSCREEN, I though maybe that signaled a change in the original plan for her story.
Crystal: Not at all.
Attendee: Rumor said he wanted Phillip and Beth back together again, so I thought maybe the story was being re-directed...
Crystal: Not according to what we're playing. I mean, ultimately, it's not where people end up, it's about getting there, and if that's interesting, that's what's important. But, we are very much involved in the story at this point.

Attendee: Sorry to take things back 6 years, but this is the first opportunity I've had to ask you a question, Crystal, and I'm a Maggie (OLTL) fan at heart! Was that an emotionally draining role to play?
Crystal: Hi! It really wasn't emotionally draining, she was a little goofy so it was fun to play. I had a wonderful time working on OLTL and working for ABC, I really did. It was a blast. I can barely remember what happened yesterday. I'm surprised you can remember anything about OLTL.
Attendee2: Jessica Lancy was my favorite (character)... when (Crystal) was on (that episode of) Poltergeist: The Legacy.
Crystal: Oh GOD! I couldn't think of who Jessica was... thanks... that was wild!

Attendee: Please no Beth & Phillip. They are soooo boring. I fear though that if Olivia ends up with Phillip, there will be an earthquake or something and he'll go running back to his "first love", leaving Olivia where she was after the whole Josh debacle.
Crystal: LOL, I honestly don't know. I hope that doesn't happen to her... again... I don't think people should worry about rumors... I really don't. Conboy is an exceptional producer. He's a smart man. He respects his audience and is not going to do things that are predictable. Now, I'm not saying I KNOW anything, but that's just my take on it.

Attendee: Do you ever get a chance to visit the GL message board at SoapCity?
Crystal: I know that actors do, but I don't get there much. I have friends who print out messages for me, so I read them later on. I find it very helpful. It helps me get a different perspective on the character and maybe add different colors to her. It's very helpful.

Crystal: Don't you guys think the look of the show has improved? What do you guys think?
Attendee: I've noticed a marked change.
Attendee2: The show looks great... I like the exterior establishing shots.
Attendee3: I think the show has gotten 100% better!
Attendee4: The show is sharper, less predictable.
Attendee5: The show is great! I never fast forward my tape anymore, I watch the whole show!

Attendee: My son's name is also Jacob and his first birthday is in 2 weeks... any special 1st birthday ideas you can share?
Crystal: Oh,... keep it simple. LOL. Yeah, I mean... maybe they're walking then... or barely walking. Put a bunch of toys on the floor and let them go at it! It's exciting when your baby turns one.

Attendee: Crystal, I want to thank you for the autographed photo of you. It was very sweet of you. What kind of music do you listen to?
Crystal: You're welcome. I listen to all kinds of music, from Sheryl Crow to Mozart. Country.... like the Dixie Chicks. Ya know, it's not real specific. I just like good music.

Attendee: Phillip and Olivia should have been listening to ABC or Duran Duran the night of the Brown-Out...
Crystal: Well, you know what... we can mention artists or names of songs, but we can't hum them or sing them... if we play them, we have to pay money... so Duran Duran must have cost too much money.

Attendee: Is it hard to do crying scenes? Do you have to take a minute afterwards to settle down? Or do you just end the scene and go on like normal?
Crystal: You know, I'm pretty good at just taking a deep breath and letting it go. I don't like to hang onto those things. That stuff messes with your head!

Attendee: How did you and Michael enjoy the Italian music tape?
Crystal: Oh, the music was wonderful. Michael's father listens to a lot of that kind of music. That was very thoughtful of you.

Attendee: I love the Phillip/Olivia theme music... very erudite and cosmopolitan.
Crystal: I don't even remember the music from those Phillip/Liv scenes. I think I was just so fixated on making sure they didn't show certain parts of me, I didn't listen to the music.
Attendee: It's the same theme they've been using everytime you guys get, well, um... "frisky".
Crystal: I'll have to go back and review those frisky scenes... I just don't remember... just another reason to watch that sex scene (again).
Attendee2: Speaking of THAT sex scene... yes it was incredible... both of you were amazing. I thought you were really pushing the envelope, which made it very special.
Attendee3: Is this reason for the impending baby storyline?
Crystal: I don't think that's the reason they had sex... the baby thing.... I think that's something that was going to happen between these two characters, and I don't know what's going to happen with regards to a baby storyline, or if they will have that.... it might have just been really good sex.

Attendee: Crystal, how long are your rehearsals before you tape a scene?
Crystal: Oh, whatever you can squeeze in... we start taping at 8:30am, and our calls are at 7:00am, so between hair and makeup, if you can get 25 minutes of rehearsal, you are lucky.
Attendee2: WHAT?!
Crystal: It's much looser now... not always just one take like it was, though.

Attendee: First of all, hello from an Italian fan and congratulations on the pregnancy! Have you ever been to Italy, and since you like islands, do you plan to visit my beautiful Sicily?
Crystal: Awwww... I love Italy. I've been there a couple of times, never been to Sicily, but absolutely I'd love to see it. I find Italian people to be so friendly and open and the country is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Attendee: Olivia nees some girlfriends. Is she ever going to bond with any of the females on the show? Whatever happened to the Holly/Olivia friendship?
Crystal: You know... all the women in SF are such good friends, that if one of them went off and was friends with Olivia, they'd have a lot of explaining to do. I think for story reasons, they keep her on the outside. She'd be a tough person to be a girlfriend to.

Attendee: I hope I get to meet you one day soon, Crytal. What is Jake's favorite to play with?
Crystal: Anything that makes a loud noise.

Attendee: My theory... Phillip and Olivia get together... then find out it's Alan's baby!
Crystal: Okay, but I don't even know if there IS a baby. I have no idea. I have no clue! And it's nice not knowing, so I'm surprised. They tell me what I need to know to do the work, and that's fine. Attendee: There's ALWAYS a baby on GL!
Crystal: Grant jokes that he (Phillip) has airborne sperm... all you have to do is stand in the same room as Phillip! LOL
Attendee2: LOL, sounds like you enjoy the work, Crystal.
Crystal: I love my job and really love this show. I think it's going to be around for a long time... it's got legs.

Attendee: I was just wondering if you had any baby names picked out yet?
Crystal: Baby names? No... I can't ... I have to wait until I start to have a belly before I consider names!

Attendee: What's your favorite quote of all time?
Crystal: Follow your bliss.

Attendee: How exhausted were you after the Thanksgiving episode? I was drained so I know you had to be. You were just flat out the bomb, as usual. Also, I loved it when you told Alan, "You what, you what, you what", that's a classic. I just thought that line was so Olivia. How do you feel about the writing for your character/in general?
Crystal: I LOVE the writing for me. I feel very lucky. I feel like it's only been in the past three, four months that I could explain who (Olivia) is, even to myself, because the writing is so wonderful. We're all having a great time in the story... Grant, Ron, Joan when she was there, and now Marj... we all have a great time together. I'm a very lucky gal.

Attendee: What direction would YOU like to take Olivia?
Crystal: Um, I don't know what direction I'd take her. I'm enjoying what's happening now. I find the journey far more interesting than the destination. I want to see her grow and never lose her edge. There always needs to be that wounded person inside. It just makes for a far more interesting character and more interesting story, imo.

Attendee: Hi Crystal. I am new to the club. Just wondering if there are any actresses/actors that you admire. Is there anyone you would love to work with in a major motion picture?
Crystal: Hi! Anyone who will have me! I just worked recently with Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt. There are so many actors who are so talented that I'd love to work with.... I do love Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. I'd love to work with all of them, but I like my little job and my family here, so...

Attendee: After you have your second child, are you going to have more children or is that it? Just two kids?
Crystal: No, no, this is it for me... one more and I'm done. Two's all that I can handle... and more importantly, my husband says this is it!

Attendee: Crystal, would you like to hear Olivia speaking Italian? If so, I can post a video clip with you dubbed in Italian!
Crystal: Oh, that would be a blast! Sure... do that... that's so cool! There are wonderful voiceover actors in Italy.

Attendee: Do you have any favorite sports, other than "one-on-one"? LOL.
Crystal: That's tough to beat! I like watching big games like the SuperBowl and the World Series, but the only sporting event that I like to watch is gymnastics.

Attendee: If not an actor, what would you love to do?
Crystal: Um... I probably would have become an attorney. I'm big on factual specifics, details... and I just thought it would be a very intersting profession, being a lawyer.

Attendee: Did you, Michael and Jake enjoy the Kindersurprise I sent at Christmas? Is Jake using his knapsack?
Crystal: Jake is using his knapsack. He didn't like the chocolate, but he was dying to get into the egg and put the little pieces together. He had a great time with those little toys.

Crystal: Last question? I have to get something to eat.

Attendee: (Speaking of food), what kind of food cravings are you having? LOL
Crystal: I don't really have cravings... it's more about what doesn't turn my stomach. I need to eat every three hours... get hungry quicker now! LOL

Crystal: Thank YOU for coming and just bing so supportive of not only me, but the show. Everyone there loves their job and it's because of the viewers that we get to do it. Keep writing in and tell them (tptb) what you want to see... tell them what you love and what you don't love, they'll listen. They may not do what you want, but they'll listen. Thanks guys... this has been great. I love you and we'll talk again down the road. Bye!