1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Soap Opera Digest - December 27, 2011) Stars' Personal Holiday Pics
Wow Wow! - Derby Day (Soap Opera Weekly - December 27, 2011) There was a little bit of Oakdale at the Derby Days opening night when ATWT's Colleen Zenk (ex-Barbara), Jake Silbermann (ex-Noah), Terri Conn (ex-Katie; Aubrey, OLTL) and Austin Peck (ex-Brad; Rick, OLTL) caught up. Silbermann plays Johnny in the Camisade Theatre Company production of Samuel Brett Williams' play, which wraps up this week at New York's Clurman Theatre. "Jake is an amazingly versatile actor! We saw him in Dracula and now Derby Day, and his talent is undeniable. What a powerful play… the writing, acting and direction should not be missed!" said Conn.
Wow Wow! - Stockings With Care (Soap Opera Weekly - December 13, 2011) A slew of New York-based actors showed up at Hudson Station Bar & Grill for the annual Celebrity Bartending Night to benefit Stockings With Care.
Austin Peck (Rick, OLTL) and new wife Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) held up their former ATWT co-star, publicity-shy Roger Howarth (Todd, OLTL).
Wow Wow! - Wrap Party (Soap Opera Weekly - December 13, 2011) ONE LIFE TO LIVE hosted a wrap party on November 18at Capitale in New York City.
Marriage clearly agrees with a radiant Terri Conn (Aubrey) and Austin Peck (Rick). While Conn was sad to have wrapped the show, she had been through it before as ATWT's Katie. "I understand what everyone is going through," she noted. "Their connection to this show was like mine to WORLD TURNS."
Click! (Soap Opera Digest - December 13, 2011) It was an emotional night as ONE LIFE TO LIVE ended its 43-year run on ABC with a wrap party at Capitale on November 18. Amidst hugs and tears, guests watched a farewell video and got down on the dance floor.
Boogie Fever: "I went through this with AS THE WORLD TURNS, so it's a little different for me," noted Terri Conn (Aubrey; ex-Katie, ATWT), who hit the dance floor with her enthusiastic hubby, Austin Peck (Rick). "I understand the emotions everyone is feeling."
On The Town (ABC Soaps In Depth - December 12, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) pretended not to notice the faux indiscretion of her hubby, Austin Peck (Rick, OLTL), as he "seduced" a lucky fan at the Home & Leisure Show in Waldorf, MD. The couple signed autographs, snapped plenty of photos and roamed around the show having fun!
Charity Rocked (CBS Soaps In Depth - December 5, 2011) Bradley Cole (Jeffrey) called his GUIDING LIGHT friends for the 7th Annual Rock Show For Charity benefiting the American Red Cross
Everyone was raving about the hilarious Tenacious D song "Tribute", performed by former ONE LIFE TO LIVE co-stars Josh Kelly (Cutter) and Tom Degnan (ex-Joey, OLTL; Adam, AS THE WORLD TURNS). Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL; Katie, ATWT) was on hand as well!
I Love My Primetime Job (CBS Soaps In Depth - November 21, 2011) AS THE WORLD TURNS' Eric Sheffer Stevens (Reid) cuts loose
Many ATWT characters received happy endings in the show's final episodes, but a speeding locomotive obliterated Reid and Luke's future. "Like a lot of people, I was not thrilled that the gay storyline didn't have a happy ending," Stevens laments. "It would have been nice to have played against that, but I loved the way it brought all the people around Reid together. Van and Terri [Conn, Katie; now Aubrey, ONE LIFE TO LIVE] did great work [after Reid's death], really amazing stuff."
Star Struck (CBS Soaps In Depth - November 21, 2011) It was an afternoon chock-full of GUIDING LIGHT alums at the 8th Annual Daytime Stars And Strikes charity event at Bowlmor Lanes in New York City!
Terri Conn (Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Aubrey, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) reunited with one of Katie's exes, Ben Jorgensen (Chris, ATWT). When Jorgensen asked whatever happened to Chris, Conn broke the news of their marriage!
Tuned In (ABC Soaps In Depth - November 14, 2011) Although her own storyline has shifted gears with the reveal of her alter ego's true identity, Terri Conn (Aubrey) admits that the two Todds tale kept her glued to her scripts - and her TV screen. "I found myself asking, 'So who is the real Todd?' There were so many twists and turns," she enthuses. "It was amazing. Every day, I was like, 'What's going to happen?'" Conn adds that the two Todds story exhibited so many elements that moved beyond the bounds of daytime. "It kept you interested, and it wasn't cliché," she says. "It took what soaps are and [went] to the next level. It was more like a thriller where you don't know what's going to happen."
Caption: Conn totally believes that OLTL is must-see TV!Wow Wow! (Soap Opera Weekly - November 1, 2011) The 8th Annual Daytime Stars and Strikes for the American Cancer Society was held at the new Bowlmor Lanes in Times Square. Over $15,000 was raised.
Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL), with Ben Jorgensen (ex-Chris, ATWT; ex-Kevin, AMC), described her bowling talent as "beginner's luck right at the beginning and then I get cocky and everything goes to hell."
You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby (Soap Opera Weekly - November 1, 2011) Childhood snaps of 14 lovely daytime ladies
OLTL's Conn Say No To Online (Soap Opera Weekly - November 1, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) has opted not to sign a contract with Prospect Park to move online. "I'm not going to stay," Conn says. "I've made the very hard decision because I'm not getting any younger and if I'm going to do it, I've got to do it now, just to see if there is anything else out there for me that might have more longevity. I don't have any plans to move [to L.A.]; I would prefer to be in New York. The type of shows that are here I am really excited about. That's the thing about being in a contract on daytime. It's such an amazing job, but there are all these other opportunities around you that you can't necessarily do. They will try to get you out, but you are under a contract with them and that's your first priority. I've been tied to a contract for 13-14 years, so I'm excited to go out and try the other stuff."
Stuff We Know (Soap Opera Digest - November 1, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) is not signing with TOLN. "I've made the very hard decision not to stay, basically because I'm not getting any younger," she explains. "If I'm going to do it, I've got to do it now just to see if there is anything else out there for me." The actress plans to stay in New York with husband Austin Peck (Rick).
Bollywood Bound (ABC Soaps In Depth - October 17, 2011) Shenaz Treasury (Rama) invited her ONE LIFE TO LIVE cast members out to a screening of Bollywood's answer to The Hangover: Dehli Belly!
Of course, why wouldn't OLTL castmates like Terri Conn (Aubrey) be there for the movie's opening - Treasury is one of the film's stars!
Dawson's Drive (ABC Soaps In Depth - October 11, 2011) On-screen and Off, Life After Oakdale Is Swell For Fan Fave Trent Dawson
Despite his many projects, Dawson still reaches out to a handful of his former co-stars. "Some people went out to the West Coast and I'll see them out there, and other people I know I can just pick up the phone and it's like no time has passed," he relates. "I regularly touch base with Terri [Conn, Aubrey, OLTL; ex-Katie] and Colleen [Zenk, ex-Barbara]."
Star Talk "What quirk do people often make fun of you for?" (ABC Soaps In Depth - October 3, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL): "My walk. It's been awhile, but people used to make fun of the way I walk. They said I sashay."
More Than Meets The Eye (CBS Soaps In Depth - September 12, 2011) When we asked several Soaps In Depth photographers what went into some hot shots from our archives, we learned that behind every picture is more than meets the eye.
Terri Conn (Katie): "I wanted to get the feel of a new mom [shooting Conn and daughter Julia], and there was no way I was going to take the baby out on the grass or the lawn. We had originally discussed maybe doing the shot outside, but there's nothing that says Mom more than that room. That room totally expresses Terri's love for her baby. That shot, it's just Terri being Terri. She's an amazing person. She just feels comfortable with whatever you ask her to do." - Arthur Cohen
A Lasting Impression (ABC Soaps In Depth - August 22, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey) recalls many of her childhood teachers fondly. However, the actress reveals that it was her 7th grade English teacher, Mrs. Bryce, whom she won't ever forget. "She was kind of a hard-ass, and I was scared to death that I got her as my teacher," chuckles Conn. "But I [soon] realized how inspiring she was, and she really did make me love looking into the deeper meaning of what you're reading and how it relates to your life." In addition, Conn shares that Mrs. Bryce encouraged her to accept and appreciate her intelligence. "I think she saw something deeper in me. She used to be a model/actress, and I really looked up to her because she knew what was more important in life," says Conn. "She would always try to make me understand that you can't just rely on your looks. That really affected me probably more than I knew at the time."
Caption: Conn is grateful for her teacher's positive influence.
Love in the Afternoon (ABC Soaps In Depth - August 22, 2011) The cast of ONE LIFE TO LIVE showed some love for POZ's Love Out Loud AIDS Walk New York fundraiser at Prohibition!
David Gregory (Ford), Austin Peck (Rick) and Terri Conn (Aubrey) were just a few of the celebs to sign off on the AIDS Walk poster and show their support.
All Night Long (ABC Soaps In Depth - August 8, 2011) Long after the Emmy show was over, the celebration was still going full swing at the GENERAL HOSPITAL after-party!
Newly-engaged (and now married!) Austin Peck (Rick, OLTL) and Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) knew a good thing when they heard about it and were only too happy to stop in and see some old Los Angeles friends.
Wedded Bliss (ABC Soaps In Depth - August 8, 2011) OLTL's Terri Conn (Aubrey) and Austin Peck (Rick) tied the knot on Friday, July 1. The next day, the groom broke the news to the world via Twitter. "It's official. Miss Terri Conn is now Mrs. Terri Peck." The couple met while playing husband and wife as Katie and Brad on AS THE WORLD TURNS.
On The Town (CBS Soaps In Depth - August 1, 2011) Terri Conn (Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Aubrey, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), Austin Peck (Brad, ATWT; Rick, OLTL) and Julie Pinson (Janet, ATWT) looked proud to be attending the Love Out Loud 2011 AIDS Walk New York fundfaiser at Prohibition.
Happy Days! (CBS Soaps In Depth - August 1, 2011) ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Austin Peck (Rick) and Terri Conn (Aubrey) - who played ATWT's Brad and Katie - wed on Friday, July 1.
Personally Speaking: "What are your favorite pair of jeans?" (ABC Soaps In Depth - July 25, 2011) "Paige jeans fit me really well, and they have some really great styles right now. I just bought a pair of jeggings." - Terri Conn (Aubrey, ONE LIFE TO LIVE)
Finally, A Tell-All That Tells All: Kim Zimmer Dishes About Her New Memoir (TV Guide Online - July 22, 2011) The irrepressible, irreplaceable Kim Zimmer hits the market August 2 with her autobiography I'm Just Sayin'!: Three Deaths, Seven Husbands and a Clone! My Life as a Daytime Diva (New American Library). It's a startling, provocative and wildly entertaining read, though who'd expect anything less from the gal who won four Emmys playing Reva "The Slut of Springfield" Shayne on Guiding Light? Zimmer, currently back on One Life to Live as the demonic Echo DiSavoy, cut loose with TV Guide Magazine on a variety of topics — from Lucci and Oprah and Alcoholics Anonymous to the precarious state of soaps!
TV Guide Magazine: No more star treatment. No more star salaries. Are you in shock at how the soap world has changed since you started out on The Doctors in 1979?
Zimmer: [Laughs] God, yes! If you could see what I'm being paid on OLTL you'd s--t! My agents were freaking out when I said, "I don't care what they pay me, I'm doing it!" I hadn't done a soap in a year and a half. I missed that kind of work. And even though playing Echo again never became what it might have been and should have been, it's still great fun. And I love the people. I've honest to God loved it all... well, until I showed up one day at the studio and they had moved my dressing room! I'm now rooming with Terri Conn. I'm 56 years old and being somebody's roomie! I have never had to share a dressing room on a soap in my life! They didn't tell Terri and they didn't tell me. They even moved Tuc Watkins in there! I went to [executive producer] Frank Valentini and said, "Gee, a little warning would have been nice!" And he says, "Does a dressing room really matter to you?" And I said, "That's not the f--king issue, Frank! It would have been nice to have known it before showing up for work at 7 a.m. and not having a place to put my underwear. Gimme a f--cking break!" He said, "Oh, I'm sorry. That was probably my fault." I love Frank, I really do. That's why I can talk to him like that, because I respect him and he respects me. [Laughs] But, seriously, a little warning. A phone call. Something.
Wedding Belles (Soap Opera Weekly - July 19, 2011) At press time, Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) and Austin Peck (Rick, OLTL) were set to be married on July 1 in a small ceremony. This is the second marriage for both actors, who met on ATWT while she played Katie and he played Brad.
Real Life Status (Soap Opera Digest - July 19, 2011) Married: OLTL's Terri Conn (Aubrey) and Austin Peck (Rick) were slated to wed on July 1 in a small ceremony. It will be the second marriage for both. They met while on ATWT playing Katie and Brad.
38th Annual Daytime Emmys - Fashion (CBS Soaps In Depth - July 18, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL; Katie, ATWT) looks like a 1940s screen siren in this dress from Mandalay. "Not to be confused with Mandalay Bay, the hotel," she clarified, noting that a special person did her hair and makeup. "Me!"
38th Annual Daytime Emmys - Parties (CBS Soaps In Depth - July 18, 2011) Awww, look! It's a reunion of the Oakdale ladies! ATWT alums Terri Conn (Katie; now OLTL's Aubrey), Julie Pinson (Janet) and Zenk were able to laugh it up when not, as Pinson said, feeling sad about the show they'd all lost.
Par-Tay! (Soap Opera Weekly - July 12, 2011) Many stars came out for the Innovative Artists Pre-Daytime Awards Party at Club Nikki Beach.
Shenaz Treasury (Rama, OLTL) and Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) are actually best buds, despite this shot.
Golden Glow (Soap Opera Digest - July 12, 2011) The speeches! The dresses! The parties! Everything you need to know about the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Couple Time: Austin Peck (Rick, OLTL) and lady love Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) hit the scene.
Fun In The Sun (ABC Soaps In Depth - July 11, 2011) The stars of ABC headed to Florida to help out charities like the Eimerman Center for the 2011 SWFL Soapfest Charity Weekend on Marco Island!
Saturday kicked off with the Painting Party with "special needs" kids! Shenaz Treasury (Rama, OLTL) and Vasi worked on some gorgeous pieces of art with McKenna and Billy, while Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) checked out how Austin Peck (Rick) was doing with Morgan.
One Life To Live's Terri Conn And Austin Peck Engaged. (Updated!) (Soaps.com - July 5, 2011) Real-life Daytime couple.
Updated on July 5:
Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Austin and Terri were married on Friday July 1, with the bride dressed in a gown by Monique Lhuillie.
Previously Reported on June 28:
"One Life To Live" actors Terri Conn (Aubrey) and Austin Peck (Rick) are now engaged. ABC Soaps In Depth is reporting that Austin recently popped the question to Terri, who he met and fell in love with on the set of "As The World Turns." They played opposite each other as husband and wife (ex-Brad and ex-Katie).
Soaps.com congratulates both actors!
OLTL Stars Wed! (Soap Opera Digest online - July 5, 2011) Congratulations to Austin Peck (Rick, OLTL) and Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL), who wed in a beautiful ceremony on Friday, July 1. ATWT co-star Julie Pinson (ex-Janet) was on hand to see the couple — who met playing Oakdale's Brad and Katie — exchange their vows. The bride wore a gown by Monique Lhuillier and the couple's children — his, Aidan, who will be 9 next week and Roman, 6, and hers, Julia, who will be 7 on July 8 - took part in the proceedings.
Island Adventure (CBS Soaps In Depth - July 4, 2011) Your favorite CBS soap stars of the past and present got some sun at the 2011 SWFL Soapfest Charity Weekend on Marco Island, FL!
Whoa there, Terri Conn (Katie, ATWT; Aubrey, OLTL) and Peck! Is it really safe to be putting on a gun show during the Celebrity Bartending Bash at Martinis Upstairs?
OLTL Real-Life Pair Are Engaged! (ABC Soaps In Depth online - June 28, 2011) Congratulations to ONE LIFE TO LIVE co-stars Terri Conn (Aubrey) and Austin Peck (Rick), who are planning to marry! A source tells Soaps In Depth that Peck recently proposed to his lady love. The couple -- who fell in love on the set of AS THE WORLD TURNS where they played husband and wife -- confirmed the news of their engagement in this red carpet interview at a pre-Emmy party at Nikki Beach. This will be the second marriage for both actors.
Golden Fates (Soap Opera Digest - June 21, 2011) The 2011 Daytime Emmy Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actress: Julie Pinson (Janet, ATWT)
It's your third consecutive nomination and you won last year. Now you have the chance to win back-to-back. What's that like? Julie: "I'm surprised and really happy. I saw who was on the prenom list this year and I have a lot of competition. This category is insane, so there are a couple of people that weren't nominated that I was surprised about: Terri Conn [Aubrey, OLTL; ex-Katie, ATWT] and Lesli Kay [ex-Molly, ATWT]. I've seen their work and they're really strong actresses.
Did you hear from any ATWT castmates? Julie: "Oh, yeah. I heard from everybody under the sun. Christopher Goutman [former executive producer], Maura West [ex-Diane, Y&R; ex-Carly, ATWT], Michael Park - we texted back and forth - Austin Peck [Rick, OLTL; ex-Brad, ATWT], Terri Conn, Jon Lindstrom [ex-Craig, ATWT], who was robbed this year, by the way."
On The Town (ABC Soaps In Depth - June 13, 2011) Greetings from Llanview
Luckily, Austin Peck (Rick) and Terri Conn (Aubrey) had the proper wardrobe at their fan breakfast. "It was amazing!" Conn enthused of the event. "It was so intimate, and we really had the opportunity to have one-on-one time with everyone there. We had a blast!"
Madcap Adventures on Marco Island (Soap Opera Weekly - June 7, 2011) The 13th annual SWFL Soapfest Charity Weekend - which benefitted several children's charities, including the Eimerman Center - was held on sunny Marco Island in Florida.
Caption: Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) poured sodas, while Austin Peck (Rick, OLTL) pondered his beverage.
Click (Soap Opera Digest - June 7, 2011) Actors from AMC, OLTL and Y&R turned out for the annual San Marco Island SoapFest in Florida on May 14 and 15.
Tummy Tuck: OLTL's Austin Peck (Rick) and real-life love Terri Conn (Aubrey) struck a suggestive pose.
Loving (And Laughing) Out Loud (Soap Opera Weekly - May 31, 2011) More than a dozen stars from One Life to Live and As the World Torns attended Love OutLoud VI at New York's Prohibition to benefit AIDS Walk New York. Fans got to mingle with the actors and enjoyed lots of live music, including some from Llanview's own Iilene Kristen (Roxy).
There was a mini-ATWT reunion with Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL; ex-Katie, ATWT), Austin Peck (Rick, OLTL; ex-Brad, ATWT) and Julie Pinson (ex-Janet, ATWT).
Permanent Marker (ABC Soaps In Depth - May 30, 2011) We can all relate to being young and impressionable and making decisions that we now look back on with a bit of regret. And for Terri Conn (Aubrey), getting a tattoo seemed like a cool idea; it's just that she now wishes that it was on a different part of her body. "I have a tattoo on my toe. It's so ridiculous," she reveals with a laugh. "People always think it's a bruise! I was 17 years old, and everyone was getting tattoos. I was like, 'I really want one, but I know I'm going to regret it later, so I don't want it to be somewhere where I have to cover it up. So I'll get it on my toe and make it look like a toe ring.'" Unfortunately, though, the tattoo didn't turn out as she'd hoped. "It's supposed to look like a ring of flowers," she explains, "but I chose blue and purple, and it just looks like a bruise."
That's a Fact: Conn is an only child.
"Soapfest 2011: Life after death for ‘One Life to Live,’ ‘All My Children’? (naplesnews.com - May 16, 2011) Before the Soapfest events started on Saturday, the stars and local sponsors got together for a private party Friday night. Held at the Kendall Drive home of Kevin Moriarty and Peter Galluzzo, the occasion was a chance for some up close and personal time with the actors and actresses, in a more relaxed setting than the big public events of the weekend.
“We don’t really like each other,” said Terri Conn of “One Life To Live,” after she and co-star Austin Peck untangled themselves from each other on the couch in the den. Along with “All My Children,” their show has been cancelled by ABC, as soap operas give way to “reality” shows. The pair is not “affianced,” said Peck, just “together.”
Host Galluzzo got his picture taken between Stephanie Gatschet and Denise Vasi of AMC, as well as Conn, in a classic “thorn between three roses” shot. Conn said while she is sad the show’s run is coming to an end, nothing was going to spoil her weekend.
“We’re here on Marco Island, we’re on vacation, we’ll raise some money – it’s great,” she said.
OLTL is scheduled to shoot through November, and broadcast its last new episode in January 2012. AMC will go off the air in September of this year, ABC has announced.
Soapsuds with mixed tears at Marco's Soapfest (news-press.com - May 11, 2011) This year's fan festival on Marco Island may be last as genre goes down drain
This time, the daytime TV tragedy is real. Thousands of actors and fans are railing against the network suits they see as villains in this drama. Those executives axed two more decades-long soap operas: ABC announced April 14 that "All My Children" will go to its grave in September, and "One Life to Live" will gasp for its last breath in January 2012.
The Soapfest charity fan festival on Marco Island this weekend - in its 13th year ... coincidence? - might never reappear after the death of so many soap operas It's the demise of a multigenerational relationship between fans and the shows' characters: "One Life to Live" has aired since 1968 and "All My Children" since 1970. That same year, there were 19 soaps on TV. After the latest cuts, there will be four.
Terri Conn attended Soapfest in 2010, not long after "As the World Turns" was canceled. Then she landed a role on "One Life to Live," only to have that canned as well. "I found something after the last time, so I'll do it again," Conn said. "I'll start auditioning like crazy and see where I land: movies, TV, daytime, prime time, whatever. Storytelling is storytelling. It's in my blood."
The tooth is out there! (Soap Opera Weekly - May 10, 2011) With OLTL's Aubrey and Joey playing foster parents to Ryder, Terri Conn (Aubrey) gets to share scenes with little Matthew and Nicholas Urbanowicz. "And they're in the teething stage," laughs the actress, "which adds to the drama."
Wow Wow! (Soap Opera Weekly - May 3, 2011) OLTL Mini-Fan Saturday in New York
ATWT alums Terri Conn (Aubrey, ex-Katie) and Austin Peck (Rick, ex-Brad) enjoyed each other's T-shirts. Their intimate fan gathering - which was also on Peck's 40th birthday - allowed plenty of one-on-one time with their fans and gave Peck a chance to illustrate, as well as autograph, T-shirts. As for how their Llanview roles differ from Oakdale, "So different than our old characters, so unscrupulous," Conn chuckled.
Snyders United! (Soap Opera Weekly - May 3, 2011) Austin Peck (Rick) and Terri Conn (Aubrey) met while playing As the World Turns' Brad and Katie. After keeping their relationship under wraps for a while, they eventually went public last year, and recently shared a fan event where it was obvious they are quite smitten with each other!
What fans don't know is that the couple is living with ATWT memories - real ones. "We have Emma's kitchen table," beams Conn. She remembers being antsy in the hair/makeup chair when 10 a.m. came around each day, since that's when the furniture and props from the canceled sudser would be available for the taking. A self-described "garage sale" person, Conn made the most of her chances: They have Katie and Brad's couch and bedroom drapes!
A Night To Remember (ABC Soaps In Depth - May 2, 2011) Your favorite stars gave showstopping performances at ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
"The show was so amazing," enthused first-time attendee and participant Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL), with real-life love and Llanview co-star Austin Peck (Rick). "I'm really sad that it's not going to be around. I don't have a year to take singing lessons so that I can do something next year."
Star Light, Star Bright (ABC Soaps In Depth - May 2, 2011) OLTL showed support at the 26th Annual Starlight Children's Foundation Gala
Terri Conn (Aubrey), Austin Peck (Rick), Josh Kelly (Cutter) and friends gave their approval to the organization, which helps seriously-ill children in the Tri-State area.
Just Asking: Shenaz Treasury (Soap Opera Weekly - April 26, 2011) Shenaz Treasury (Rama, One Life to Live)
person on my show I'd call if I needed bail money: Terri Conn (Aubrey), and if she didn't pick up, Josh Kelly (Cutter) or Tom Degnan (Joey). I love those guys!
Star Talk "What posters did you have on your bedroom wall?" (ABC Soaps in Depth - April 18, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL): "I had a Mötley Crüe poster on my ceiling. It had a pentagon on it, and I didn't know what that was. It glowed in the dark. My friend came over, and she was so scared. She said it was the sign of the devil, so I took it down and cut that part of it off. I kept their picture up. And then, I went through the whole skater phase. So I would buy Thrasher magazine and cut out the entire page and just plaster my wall with it."
Extra! Extra! (Soap Opera Digest - April 12, 2011) ATWT alum Billy Magnussen (ex-Casey) stopped by the OLTL studios to greet former co-stars Terri Conn (Aubrey; ex-Katie) and Tom Degnan (Joey; ex-Adam).
Wow Wow! (Soap Opera Weekly - April 12, 2011) OLTL's David Gregory (Ford), Terri Conn (Aubrey), Austin Peck (Rick), Shenaz Treasurywala (Rama) and Josh Kelly (Cutter) attended the 26th Annual Starlight Children's Foundation Gala in New York City. "It's so fun to see the smiles on their faces," said Conn of the children she met in the press room.
Beauty Secrets (ABC Soaps in Depth - April 4, 2011) What current fashion trends are catching your eye? "I love scarves. They totally make an outfit. I [also] love hats in the winter. Not a lot of people wear hats anymore, but in the city, you have to. So it's fun to experiment with different styles." - Terri Conn (Aubrey, ONE LIFE TO LIVE)
Strange Relations (Soap Opera Digest - March 22, 2011) As a ONE LIFE TO LIVE newcomer, Terri Conn (Aubrey) admits she's still trying to nail down the connections between the characters. "I said to one of my friends, 'Maybe I'm Clint's long-lost daughter or something! That would be so cool because we kind of look alike and I love working with Jerry [verDorn], he's amazing!' And she goes, 'You're sleeping with his son; that would be your brother.' And I was like, 'Aw! Never mind!' I totally forgot! Not that that hasn't been done before or couldn't be done, but that just totally took the wind out of my sails." Let's not forget that Clint adopted Joey…
Austin and Terri: How 'World Turns' Made 'Life' Happen (Soap Opera Network - March 25, 2011) Read the interview with Terri and Austin Peck here.
You Asked, She Answered (Soap Opera Digest - March 15, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) responds to questions posted on soapoperadigest.com. "I love answering these!" enthuses the actress.
Do you think Kelly and Aubrey could ever be friends? - C.B., Dallas, TX
Terri: "I think so, because they started out on such a good foot and I really think they are much more alike than Aubrey would like to think. Aubrey knows that deep down inside, she's threatened by Kelly and the history she has with Joey, so I think definitely under different circumstances, they could become friends."
Hey, Terri, you're a wonderful actress, but if you couldn't be an actress, what career would you have? - C.M., via the Internet
Terri: "Well, I've been thinking about that a lot lately since I was in between jobs for a while. I'm in school right now to become a health counselor and I'm really passionate about it. There are a lot of careers that would come out of it; I just want to help people get less stressed and enjoy their lives more and, in return, become healthier. So I feel that's something I will do, regardless if I'm acting or not. The other part of it that really affected me is that the policies of the food industry are so corrupt and they pretty much make it impossible for people who want to live healthy lives to do it. I'm so thankful for Food, Inc. and Super Size Me and all these different documentaries coming out that really show what's happening behind the scenes, so I can see me getting involved politically to try to change those things or in the school lunch programs."
Other ABC daytime stars have guest-co-hosted on THE VIEW. Have you put your hand up to do a show? I would love to see you do live TV. - R.M., Sterling Heights, MI
Terri: "Oh, I would love to do live TV! I don't think I'm well-known enough on ABC to do that quite yet and I would be thoroughly intimidated, but I would love a challenge. I think they do a phenomenal job on that show. I'm just hoping to become an audience member in the next couple of months. First of all, my mom and my best friend, Caroline, are so psyched to go see it. I don't know if I could do it every day, but it would be great to co-host for a day, try it out."
What AS THE WORLD TURNS cast members do you still keep in touch with? - Stephanie, via the Internet
Terri: "I just saw the fabulous Ellen Dolan [ex-Margo] in a play she did. Austin [Peck, Rick, OLTL et al] and I went to see her. I hadn't seen her since the show ended! She's my sister, so it was really special to be able to see her. It's not like we talk on an every day basis, but I will forever love her, and we're definitely in touch and we'll always support each other. I also just saw Jake Silbermann [ex-Noah] in a play and he was fantastic. It makes me proud to see people who I worked with for so long go out and do other things, because I only saw them in one other role. I e-mail with Kelley [Menighan Hensley, Emily] every once in a while, check up on them and see how they're doing in L.A. Maura [West, ex-Carly; Diane, Y&R] is more of a texter, so we do a lot of texting. This is making me think, 'Okay, we need to have a reunion party.'"
I loved you as Katie and I love you on ONE LIFE TO LIVE as Aubrey. Is there a difference in how both shows are produced, considering AS THE WORLD TURNS was owned by Proctor & Gamble and ONE LIFE TO LIVE is owned by ABC? - D.H., via the Internet
Terri: "Thank you! I think there are more similarities than differences, like both shows have cut rehearsal, but the vibe is definitely different. The main similarity is that both budgets continue to be cut and it has to come from somewhere. I think the difference is where it comes from. One is not better than the other; it's just different."
Couple Corner (Soap Opera Digest - March 8, 2011) Kitchen Confidential: OLTL's Terri Conn (Aubrey) and real-life love Austin Peck (Rick) like being in the kitchen together. "I'm really getting into cooking," Conn says. "I never was a fan of it. My dad is a phenomenal chef and I grew up around it, but I just never found joy in it. Recently, having more time on my hands when I was unemployed and wanting to get healthier, it's really been demystified for me. It really doesn't have to be complicated; the best meals are simple, healthy and fresh. The closer to nature the better. Austin and I are finding that together we'll light candles, put on the Soundscapes channel on the TV - the spa kind of music - open a bottle of wine and enjoy the process of cooking. That's our 'relax' time and who knows what'll happen with that. At least I'll get healthier!"
Caption: Terri and Austin are top chefs.
Star Style (Soap Opera Digest - March 8, 2011) me vs. her
Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL): "She's got this world-traveler, fashionista style, just very put together. I would totally wear her clothes. That's the one thing, in a shallow way, that I'm most excited about! It just helps me act. Some people couldn't care less, but for me, if I feel good, then it just helps me in my confidence, especially in a character like this, because that's what she's all about."
On The Town (CBS Soaps in Depth - February 28, 2011)
ATWT's Austin Peck (Brad), Terri Conn (Katie; Aubrey, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) and Ben Levin (Gabriel) joined together in congratulating Dolan. "I think of all those times at ATWT when we would say, 'It's not Shakespeare,' and now here I am doing rhymed couplet," the star of the evening laugher. "Well, shut my mouth!"
Peck and Conn have become quite the theatre buffs these days. As if Tartuffe wasn't enough, the couple also took in a performance of Dracula at the Little Shubert Theatre before joining Silbermann for the after-party at Sardi's!
Outstanding Supporting Actress Pre-Nominees:
All My Children's Melissa Claire Egan (Annie) and Chrishell Stause (Amanda)
As the World Turns' Terri Conn (Colombino) (Katie), Lesli Kay (Molly) and Julie Pinson (Janet)
The Bold and the Beautiful's Adrienne Frantz (Amber) and Heather Tom (Katie)
Days of Our Lives' Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe) and Arianne Zucker (Nicole)
General Hospital's Julie Marie Berman (Lulu) and Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis)
One Life to Live's Robin Strasser (Dorian) and Bree Williamson (Jessica)
The Young and the Restless' Tricia Cast (Nina), Amelia Heinle (Victoria) and Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe)
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: This has been such a triumphant year for you. The last time we spoke in July 2010, you told me that daytime didn't want women who were old enough to play grandmothers, that no show would put a grandmother on contract. And here we are with you ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
Kim Zimmer: But I'm not on contract. And that's the way I want it. I'm going to tell you a funny story. I passed Terri Conn (ex-Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS) at ONE LIFE TO LIVE and we were both in robes. We both clearly had body make-up on. I looked at her and said, "Bed?" And she said, "Yeah, you?" I said, "Yes, they brought the CBS sluts to ABC to spice things up." We are the only two that are having any sex on that show. You haven't seen it yet, but it's coming.
Terri On Top (Soap Opera Digest - February 22, 2011) After 12 years on ATWT, Terri Conn finds a fulfilling new home in Llanview - and in her personal life.
Terri Conn arrives at a restaurant on New York City's West Side and is stopped twice by fans before she gets to the table. "I've only been on a few months and already people are like, 'Are you on ONE LIFE TO LIVE?' And it's funny, because I've never really had that experience and I've been on daytime for 12 years," she marvels. "New York is very into ABC."
The actress, who spent 12 years on AS THE WORLD TURNS as the popular Katie, never thought she would still be in daytime at this point in her career, but she wouldn't change a thing. "Of course, I started out like everybody does - especially the young - 'Oh, I'm only going to do it for three years and then I'm going to move on. It's a stepping stone.' I just wasn't mature enough to appreciate the kind of lifestyle it can provide," she says. "I'm a risk-taker, but I'm a creature of habit; I like to feel secure. This business is so scary and it can really knock you on your ass. I am so grateful for all of the years on that show and all of the friends that I've made, and it really brought it to life when it got canceled because we all looked at each other like, 'Oh, my God, I'm not going to see you every day.'"
Conn says she had mixed emotions when the boom was lowered in Oakdale. "I was equally nervous and excited," she recalls. "I do love to audition and the prospect of something different, but at the same time, over the past five to 10 years, the possibilities have really dwindled, so there's the reality of what's out there and the fact that there's way more competition and way less opportunity. I'm not Meryl Streep, I know that; I've got to take the opportunities that I can get."
Though she wanted to continue acting, Conn was realistic about her prospects. "Before it was actually over, I started weighing my options. I was always going to act, but I'm really practical and I knew I had to do something to make money so I wouldn't be so desperate for the auditions. They smell desperation a mile away when you walk in the room. I'm a creative person, so I thought about doing photography or makeup or hair." Then she met a day player at ATWT who set her on another path. "She told me she was a holistic health counselor and I've always been interested in nutrition and health, so my ears perked up. I signed up for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and started doing a correspondence program. All of the lessons are in modules on an iPod and everything is on the Internet, like your tests and assignments."
The new job put a kink in her study sessions, though. "I'm about seven or eight weeks behind and I have to get caught up," she confesses. "I'm so thankful for the job I have, but who knows? It used to be once you got a soap job, you could have it for 30 or 40 years, but it's not that way anymore. So, I'm not going to let it rest just because I got the job on ONE LIFE."
Which she is loving. "It's really fun! I'm having a great time with my character," she smiles. "Everyone has been so welcoming. They have really gone out of their way." But her audition was a little nerve-wracking, even for someone who had been in soaps for over a decade. "When I tested, Erika Slezak [Viki] was so welcoming and open," she says. "They really needed to see if I could go toe-to-toe with other strong women, since Aubrey would be that way, so they had me say some line to her like, 'Listen, old lady,' and that was so hard to do because I respect her so much. I've been a fan of hers well before this came along, and to say that to someone - even as your character - is a hard thing to do. And right before we went to take on my test, she said, 'With that old lady line, really stick it to me, because that's the one thing you have that I don't, the age thing.' It's probably the line that got me the job and I owe it to her for giving me that permission. To go out of your way after being on a soap for that long and being in the position she's in is really a beautiful thing."
Off-screen, Conn's life is also beautiful. The actress is involved with Austin Peck, whom she met when he was cast as Katie's love interest, Brad, on ATWT in 2007. The two brought an end to their respective marriages, then came out as a real-life couple last year. The public negativity about their relationship has made the duo reluctant to discuss it in-depth. "If I had a bigger job, if I was on prime-time or something, I think it would be much more of a deal," she says. "So in that respect, I think it's good. But it's been a difficult transition for me, because I've always been such an open person. I've always said, 'Let's talk about life, let's talk about our issues, maybe we can help each other out. I'll tell you a horrible story that I went through and maybe someone can relate to that and learn from it or at least get comfort from it.' Now, I'm a little gun-shy, because I'm just scared of being judged and I'm a people pleaser; I'm so concerned about people liking me. It's a hard thing to deal with." But their romance is the real thing. "I will say that Austin and I are together and I feel very grateful for the type of relationship that I'm in now, and I want to take care of its precious nature by not discussing the ins and outs of it. But I am very proud to say that we are together and very happy."
And while there's still lots of things she wants to do with her career - including a play someday - "I'm really focusing on ONE LIFE right now and sealing my fate there," she smiles. "It's been great so far."
Caption - One Note: Conn credits Erika Slezak (Viki) with helping her during the audition.
Caption - Happy At Home: Conn found love with former co-star Austin Peck.
Just The Facts
Birthday: January 28
Grew Up In: Albuquerque, NM
Love Life: Is in a relationship with Austin Peck (ex-Brad, ATWT; ex-Austin, DAYS), who recently joined the cast of OLTL.
My Girl: Daughter Julia was born July 8, 2004.
More To Come? "I'm an only child and that's all I ever pictured, is myself and a little girl, and that's what I have, but I see those babies on set and I'm like, 'Oh, no, I'm starting to feel it…' I thought that was over for me. So yeah, where I was saying never before, now I'm saying maybe."
Pamper Me: "I get a lot of massages. I'm a firm believer in chiropractor adjustments. We hold so much stress; I do in particular. Every time I go and get a massage, they're like, 'What do you do? You're so tense!' I'm like, 'I'm an actor, I don't know why. I get to play and have fun.'"
Get To Work (Out): "I totally go through stages. My mom got me P90X [workout] for my birthday and Austin teaches a boxing class, so I've been taking that class. I really enjoy yoga. I haven't been on a constant routine of yoga, but every time I do it, I'm like, 'Why don't I do this every day?'"
Did You Know?
• When she first moved to New York, she took an acting class with Don Jeffcoat (ex-Joey, OLTL) and Josh Duhamel (ex-Leo, AMC)
• She studied abroad in Florence, Italy, during her junior year of college.
• Daughter Julia's birth was featured on TLC's A BABY STORY
Disney Darling: Conn's daughter, Julia, was thrilled about her mother's new job. "She was with me when I got the call and I was like, 'Guess what? Mommy got a new job!' And she said, 'Is it like the old one?' I said, 'Yeah, kind of.' She said, 'I mean, do they have lots of dress-up clothes there?' And I said, 'Yes, they do, actually. I'm working for Disney now.' And she went, 'You work at Disney World? What princess are you?' Of course, a 6-year-old who's obsessed with princesses, that's where she's going to go. But she's already getting the benefits of that in that we saw Disney on Ice and I got a Toy Story 3 DVD in my mailbox. I'm like, 'This is fantastic!' The perks of this job are great."
Caption: Conn's daughter, Julia, loves mom's new job.
TALES FROM THE INTERVIEW (Soap Opera Digest Insider - February 12, 2011)Stephanie Sloane: I first met Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) when she was on ATWT as Katie, but we never really had a chance to sit down and have a good chat. I am so happy I had the opportunity, because she is a very interesting, thoughtful person, realistic about life and love and very easy to talk to. In fact, she had so much to say that the fan questions we asked at soapoperadigest.com are going into another issue! Terri was open and honest and even admitted to some jitters when she first reported to her new set. "It's hard to start in at a new place where they've already established their relationships and you're the newbie, but there are several people in the crew that I knew from AS THE WORLD TURNS or I've worked with before, and that really has helped me feel like not the total outsider," she says. "But I'm still getting my footing. Gina [Tognoni, Kelly; ex-Dinah, GL] and I talked about it; even though she had already been there before, she said, 'It took me a good seven months to just get my footing here, because it is a different style.' I think GUIDING LIGHT and AS THE WORLD TURNS were more similar in the way we did things. I feel like ONE LIFE is very stylized and it takes a while to get used to that. So I'm still watching everybody else and taking cues from them, because clearly they've been here a long time and they know what they're doing if they're still here. But everyone has gone out of their way to make me feel comfortable and a part of it, even though I'm so new." She's loving playing Aubrey. "Finding the character is fun. I got so lazy because I got so used to Katie - I knew how she would react to things before I even read the script. It became almost second nature and I'm having to re-learn how to create a character and give them their backstory and keep it interesting. I'm having a great time!" For more from the actress, check out Terri On Top in your new issue.
I play a sexy man-eating girl in One Life To Live - Shenaz Treasuryvala (Fenil and Bollywood - February 16, 2011) A few weeks ago we had informed you about Shenaz Treasuryvala featuring in the popular American soap opera ‘One Life To Live’. We caught up with the chirpy actress who is busy shooting for the show in New York for a quick tête-à-tête. Read on…
First things first Shenaz, how did you bag this TV show One Life To Live?
Shenaz: "A few months ago, I came to the States for a wedding in San Diego, after which I flew to New York to visit friends. My co-star in Delhi Belly, Poorna (my darling super-talented, best friend and angel) introduced me to her agent who sent me to an audition for ‘One Life To Live’. It was my first audition in the U.S. and I went in for fun, not expecting anything, which is probably the best attitude to have. As luck would have it, I got shortlisted and called back the next day and then got called back the next week again to meet producers, after which I had to do another screen test. The audition process itself took a couple of months, so I extended my trip and subleased an apartment here. By this time, I really wanted to get this. I went through many rounds and out of 1000 odd girls in LA and NY, they chose 15 and then 9 and then finally 2. I was one of the two. I waited a few weeks with bated breath."
And then you bagged the coveted role…
Shenaz: "Well not really…you won’t believe it but in the end, they called me and told me I did NOT get the role of Aubrey Wentworth because I just did not suit the character. She needed to be Caucasian. And the role I auditioned for went to the other girl, Terri Conn who is an Emmy award [nominated], gorgeous, blonde, famous soap star. We have since become good friends and I love her. Of course at that time, I was disappointed and was ready to return to Mumbai with my tail between my legs but they stopped me and said they are writing a role especially for me because they really liked what they saw of me. My agent told me I was very lucky because this has never happened before. Of course I was over the moon. So, I decided to go home, say bye to friends and family, pack up my bags and move to NY for the winter months to do this role. We started shooting in December last year and I’ll be here till March."
Living Life (Soap Opera Digest - February 15, 2011) Austin Peck returns to daytime in a new role on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, where real-life love Terri Conn (Aubrey) toils, too.
Peck is especially thrilled about working alongside real-life love Terri Conn (Aubrey). The two met in 2007 when they were paired together as ATWT's Brad and Katie and recently revealed they're an off-screen couple. "I'm really excited about working at least on the same set as Terri," he says. "We've both lamented over the past year how much we miss working with each other. We whine. We complain. We kick rocks [laughs]. We truly enjoyed not just being with each other, but working with each other. Who knows whether our characters will have any interaction, but the fact that we'll be on the same set on some of the same days is quite a consolation."
The actor already knows what's going on in Llanview, thanks to Conn's new role. "I think she's doing a fantastic job on the show and I love running her lines with her," he smiles. "One of my favorite characters to play is Rama. I do a horrible accent, but I do the best I can."
Conn is equally enthusiastic about her beau joining the cast. "I'm thrilled," she exclaims. "I mean, that was our ideal, even if we don't get to work together, which would be the ideal ideal. People say when you're with someone, it's difficult to work with them, too, because you're spending so much time together, but I enjoy and appreciate working with him so much because he's so good. He's so smart - he really gets into the character and asks me questions I would never even think about asking. He's infectious, he's dynamic, so even if we both just get to be working in New York, I'm very thankful. I really think he'll blend more with that show in his style of acting and the kind of caliber of actors on it. I just see him fitting right in."
Caption - I Only Have Eyes For You: Peck and Conn found love on set.
Click! (Soap Opera Digest - February 15, 2011) The stars gathered at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the opening night of Disney On Ice: Princess Wishes.
Playing Dress Up: Terri Conn's (Aubrey, OLTL) daughter, Julia, 6, dressed the part for the evening. "She is psyched to see all of the princesses," Conn enthused. "She lives the princess life, so she is just really excited. Every day I have been hearing about this, so I am glad it is finally here!"
California Girl (CBS Soaps in Depth - February 14, 2011) Kelly Menighan Hensley (Emily) says hooray for Hollywood!
"I'm so happy for Terri [Conn, Katie]," Hensley gushes of her old co-star's new gig as Aubrey on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. "I was so happy she got a job in New York, because her daughter's there, and she really wanted to stay."
Beauty Secrets (ABC Soaps in Depth - February 7, 2011)
Q: I watched Terri Conn play Katie on AS THE WORLD TURNS for years. So when I heard that she was joining ONE LIFE TO LIVE as Aubrey, I turned the dial and started tuning in. I've noticed that she cut her hair and is sporting bangs. What's the story? Donna P. via E-mail
A: Donna, you aren't the only one who's noticed Conn's new look. "I really wanted to differentiate Aubrey and Katie. I know it's not the biggest change in the world," Conn acknowledges before revealing that she actually wanted to go even more dramatic with her tresses. "I wanted to dye my hair dark, so I asked one of the hairstylists to try on a wig. Things move fast in that building," chuckles Conn, adding that OLTL executive produced Frank Valentini heard the news and informed his new employee to keep her locks blonde - and long! And Conn says that was perfectly fine. "So my stylist was like, 'Do bangs. They're totally hot right now. It's enough of a difference,'" the actress tells Soaps In Depth. "She also put some lowlights in it, so I thought that was enough of a change."
Birth Day (ABC Soaps in Depth - February 7, 2011) In 2004, when she pregnant with daughter Julia, Terri Conn (Aubrey) decided to share the experience with the world on The Learning Channel series A BABY STORY. Although the proud mom says she has no regrets about appearing on the show, she reveals that in retrospect, she's surprised that she went through with it al all! "It's so funny, because when you go through the experience of giving birth, it's just such a natural occurrence," explains Conn. "Then, a couple of months go by, and you're like, 'Did I really give birth on television and talk about it and show people?' I didn't realize how into it I was [at the time]." However, the actress is grateful that she can now share the experience with her daughter. "It's a well-done documentary of her birth," she smiles. "I've shown it to Julia a couple of times, and she's like, 'That's me? I can't believe that's me.' It's a wonderful thing to have."
Caption: Conn will never forget one of the most special moments in her life.
On The Town (ABC Soaps in Depth - February 7, 2011) Come winter, it seems there's always some reason to gather with family, so it's no surprise that Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL) and her mom, Cathy, were spotted on the town at the Fame Wall portrait unveilings of Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth at Trattoria Dopo Teatro in NYC!
Wow Wow! (Soap Opera Weekly - February 1, 2011) Austin Peck (ex-Brad, ATWT; ex-Austin, Days) got into a vampish mood with lady-love Terri Conn (Aubrey, OLTL).
The Bitching Hour (Soap Opera Weekly - February 1, 2011) Jerry verDorn is enjoying sparring with Terri Conn's Aubrey. "Her nickname is LB, standing for 'Little Bitch,'" reveals verDorn of Aubrey, adding of Conn, "She's just terrific. She's got some good stuff to play. Aubrey's not what she appears to be, and she's real good at doing that. She's got more information ammunition than anybody else does, and when it's revealed, it's a lot of fun!"
Austin Peck to OLTL (Soap Opera Digest online - January 26, 2011) Soap Opera Digest has learned that Austin Peck (ex-Brad, ATWT; ex-Austin, DAYS) has been hired for a new role at OLTL. He first reports to work on January 31. "In a lot of ways, it's a compliment that they feel I can play this character," he notes. "I don't know what kind of legs this character will have; hopefully, he'll have strong ones. It all depends on how they write him and what I do with what they give me. No matter what, I am going to do my best to bring it alive and have fun." The new gig brings him to the same set as former co-star Terri Conn (Aubrey; ex-Katie, ATWT), also his real-life love interest. "We've both lamented over the past year how much we miss working with each other," he says. "Who knows whether our characters will have any interaction, but the fact that we'll be on the same set on some of the same days is quite a consolation." For more, check out the issue of Digest on sale 2/8.
Myth or Reality? (CBS Soaps In Depth - January 17, 2011) Terri Conn (Katie) actually had a hand in penning the ATWT novel Oakdale Confidential.
MYTH: Now ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Aubrey, Conn portrayed quite a few different careers as Katie, including her alter ego's stint as a novelist of the salacious best-seller. But Conn herself actually had nothing to do with the actual writing of the real-life tie-in book - despite attending book signings across the country. "I felt a little bit like a fraud signing a book that I didn't write or put any time into, but that's okay!" she laughs.
Star Style (Soap Opera Digest - January 11, 2011) Big Bang: Terri Conn talks about her new look as OLTL's Aubrey.
"I did it just because I wanted to make a distinction between Katie [her ATWT character] and Aubrey," she explains. "I didn't want people to go, 'Oh, there's Katie on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.' It was a small change, but it was good. I needed something anyway. It's not drastic, but it's enough to create a new character. I cut bangs and put some more lowlights in it so it's not so blonde."
Perfect Timing (ABC Soaps in Depth - January 10, 2011) Terri Conn (Aubrey) is grateful for her next chapter in LIFE
There's another new face in Llanview, and she goes by the name of Aubrey Wentworth. However, her portrayer, Terri Conn, is no stranger to daytime, having played spitfire Katie on AS THE WORLD TURNS for 12 years. When the long-running soap wrapped production this past June, it was a very trying time for Conn, both professionally and personally. "It's been a rough year," she acknowledges. "It was the death of the show, divorce, moving and losing a job."
But Conn says the tide turned once ONE LIFE TO LIVE came calling, and she landed the contract role of Aubrey. "I was scared there for a while," she confesses, adding that having a few months off allowed her to decompress. "It was just the right amount of time for me to put everything in perspective and [made me] really appreciate what I have with the kind of job that we get to do. Having somewhere to go and having somewhere to put my creative energy makes me feel so much more secure," reveals the Emmy nominee. "I do look at it as a rebirth."
CREATIVE LICENSE
Certainly, joining OLTL has provided a fresh start for Conn, who says she's up for the challenge of molding Aubrey's personality. "She's a woman. You don't know her past. I have the opportunity of starting as an adult, whereas with Katie, I tried to make her grow up, but they liked her the way she was," explains the blonde beauty. Although she admits there are some similarities between the two characters, Conn points out there's one glaring difference: "Aubrey is more calculated."
Indeed, viewers may have already been given a few clues that Aubrey is hiding something, given her secret phone conversations. But Conn is coy about who's on the other end. "There's a lot more to her story. It's been really fun to play, because she's got her secrets, but I didn't want to do the whole twirling of the moustache thing with the audience, because it's fun for them to be shocked, too," she teases, adding that she hopes fans will accept Aubrey.
"I know that the audience gets upset when this new character who they don't know [surfaces], and the people they love to see are lacking air time because of it," shares the daytime vet. "So I feel really confident about the way that [the writers] introduced her. Hopefully, it will give the audience time to want to get to know her instead of being like, 'Oh, there she is again.'"
CRAZY IN LOVE - OR NOT?
Conn believes Aubrey's entrance to the canvas via her chance meeting with a chatty Kelly during their plane ride to Llanview was an ideal set-up. "I loved that, where she was going through the whole story," she enthuses. "That exposition is so hard to write in. I used to say all the time on ATWT, 'Can I just look into the camera and say, 'For those of you who haven't been watching for the last three weeks, here's what happened.' But Kelly got to explain everything without it seeming like [it was] just to remind the audience. And it gave me an opportunity to say, 'Whoa! This girl is crazy!'"
And Conn is right that Kelly is definitely crazy - crazy for Joey, that is. But the question remains whether Aubrey's feelings for him are genuine. "It's so sweet," says Conn of the way Joey is head over heels for her alter ego. "Up to this point, everything seems very innocent and benign." However, the actress teases that's all about to change. "There's something up, but it's not obvious. You don't know what it is," hints Conn with a gleam in her eye. "But on New Year's Eve, you find out, and it's a shocker!"
… ON BONDING WITH ON-SCREEN RIVAL GINA TOGNONI (KELLY): "I can see us being really good friends," she beams. "She loves to get in there and do good work, and I appreciate that."
… ON BEING A PART OF THE LATE HELEN WAGNER'S (NANCY) FINAL ATWT SCENE: "That was hard for me to watch," shares an emotional Conn. "But it was so perfect. It was Nancy being loving and giving advice about love. To get to work with her was such an honor."
… ON OLTL'S UPSWING: "It's so good," raves Conn of the current plot twists on the soap. "It keeps you interested. It's taking what soaps are and taking it to the next level. Every day, I'm like, 'What's going to happen?'"
… ON HER PREVIOUS CONNECTION TO TOM DEGNAN (JOEY): "To ATWT fans, I'm sure it's a little weird that I'm making out with my 'nephew,'" chuckles Conn. "but it's been great."
FYI
Birthday: January 28.
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM.
Did You Know?: Conn attended the same high school as actors Neil Patrick Harris and Freddie Prinze Jr.
Breaker Breaker 1-9: Before joining ATWT, Conn starred in the TV series BREAKER HIGH as spoiler Southerner Ashley Dupree. "It was totally different from soaps. It was like a sitcom. It was shot more like a film," she recalls, adding that it didn't exactly prepare her for daytime. "I did not understand the soap genre at all."
Healthy Choice: Conn is taking correspondence courses to become a holistic health counselor. "I'll be available for consultations in about six months!" she says.
From ABC Soaps In Depth Newsletter: NO PLACE LIKE HOME
No longer stirring up trouble on AS THE WORLD TURNS as Katie Peretti, Terri Conn has soap-hopped to Llanview as ONE LIFE TO LIVE's mysterious Aubrey. The Emmy nominee made her debut last month as Joey's mysterious love interest, and she's already winning over longtime viewers.
"I didn't think there was going to be a role for me," admits Conn. "It seemed to me that they already had that taken care of with [Kelly] and the Buchanan girls. And then, when I found out really what the character was about, it just made it even better."
In addition, Conn reveals that she would have definitely considered taking a job outside of New York. "I was open to anywhere work would take me. So many things are shooting all over the place now in places like L.A., Vancouver, Toronto and Georgia. But my first choice was to stay here," she explains. So of course, landing the role on OLTL was the icing on the cake. "I was like, 'Woo hoo! The only soap left in New York. Bring it on!"
For more on Conn's views on Llanview, as well as her thoughts about sharing screen time with her former ATWT nephew, Tom Degnan (Joey), pick up the new ABC issue of Soaps In Depth, on sale now!
Buzz Barometer (Soap Opera Digest - January 4, 2011) New Year's Edition!
OLTL: The Revelers… Terri Conn [Aubrey]
The resolution I won't be making this year is… "To completely quit anything because it never works. Anything in moderation."
On New Year's Eve, I'll be sippin' on… "I'll be on a flight home from Albuquerque, so probably some Sprite or tomato juice [laughs]."
At midnight, I'll be… "Toasting my daughter on a plane."
I hope the DJ plays… "'This is your captain speaking. We have arrived safely'."
Noisemaker, party hat or sparkler? "Party hat."
My trusty hangover cure is… "Coke and french fries."
I plan to shop the post-holiday sales… "Online. I can't deal with those after-Christmas sales."
Early Super Bowl prediction? "Couldn't tell ya."
My next vacation destination is… "Hopefully somewhere warm and relaxing. An island."
I hope 2011 will be… "Drama-free for me, but drama-filled for Aubrey!"
Going Rogue (Soap Opera Digest - January 4, 2011) Paul Leyden Stays True To His Roots on Y&R
Did You Know? Leyden remains in touch with original ATWT love interest Martha Byrne (ex-Lily/Rose) and still counts former on-air wife Terri Conn (ex-Katie, ATWT; Aubrey, OLTL) as "one of my closest friends."