Part 2
Connie Fletcher has had to tackle a range of emotions on screen as Erin, as has done so flawlessly. How does the actress approach emotionally charged scenes? Jokingly, Fletcher says she has considered asking her Lavery brothers to pinch her beforehand, then offers, "If you look at the situations these characters have been faced with - they are extremely emotional so I take the reality of that into account, and I try to fill in the rest with experiences from my own life, with my own (albeit far less dysfunctional) family. Once I start letting my emotions go, it can be hard for me to rein it back in, though. I end up a big, blubbering snotty mess. It's not so cute." Kleenex's are a staple on the set...
Fletcher also weighs in on the Internet rumors that can run rampant -- speculation at one point had AMC casting Erin as a love interest for Bianca, before Riegel's departure, and before Fletcher was cast. Eden Riegel (ex - Bianca) played Daytime's first prominent lesbian to much acclaim. Like Riegel, if approached by the powers that be to portray a lesbian, Fletcher would not be at all put off by her alter ego’s sexual orientation. "I certainly can't speak for everyone, but I think any time you're doing something that's controversial, the magnifying glass is on you a bit more. I think if you do a good job, as I'm sure she did, you can affect people in a way that they might not have been initially open to. And on the other side, if people don't like your work, you're going to face more criticism than the average performer. So it's a bit of a challenge, but ultimately, if that's who the character is, then I would embrace it fully, with the same truth and heart as any other."
How does a typical day in the life of a soap star begin?
In the morning, she laughingly says, "depending on what time the alarm clock rings, I hit snooze a few times." Call times can vary, but upon arrival at the studio she checks her mailbox, gets her costume from the wardrobe department and goes to get her hair made up and make up applied "which for the women on the show typically takes maybe forty-five minutes to an hour -- and the guys are there for 10 minutes -- it's very funny! Once I look presentable for the viewing public (God bless those women in hair and makeup for their amazing skills!), it's usually time for rehearsal, either in the rehearsal hall or on the set." As she waits for her time to go on the set she will catch up on a favorite novel or try to memorize for upcoming episodes. Contract players usually have to learn twenty-five to thirty pages of dialogue per show. Not one to attend movie premieres or openings, she usually follows up a full day on the set by returning to the comforts of home and her boyfriend, where she catches the latest episode of Rome (her favorite show, outside of AMC of course), Scrubs ("It is so funny!"), and Laguna Beach ("I don't know why, but I feel compelled to watch it every time it's on"). She also finds herself drawn into rerun marathons of America's Next Top Model.
A typical day in the life of a soap star but for the fact that three million watch her at work everyday. [Laughing] "You know, I think I would really freak myself out if I really concentrated on that! God love 'em though!"
Speaking of her fans: "I have wonderful, wonderful fans! I'm grateful for them. The fan club luncheon was a really big deal for me. It was my first event of that nature, and it was a little overwhelming! But, God, to see the kind of support and dedication people have for this show made me so proud to be a part of AMC. It's very cool to be on a show that's been on for as long as it has, to be part of this continuum."
With her status as a soap star, she feels compelled to give back. Fletcher is particularly proud of her involvement in the Love, Hallie Campaign. "Love, Hallie is a wonderful organization striving to bring attention and funds to children and families dealing with poverty and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Fletcher revealed. “I just think it's such a major and important issue today, and I'm there to bring awareness and hopefully action to those who need our help. I attended my first event for them about a week ago with other members of the daytime and entertainment community, as well as supporters."
Soapdom wants to know has being on AMC given Fletcher the opportunity to help people in ways she would not otherwise be able to do? "Absolutely! First off, I actually have a little bit of money to donate now! I'm so thankful I've been invited to attend events like the one for Love, Hallie as well as an event last week for Hurricane Katrina victims, which I might not even know about otherwise. Being on the show has brought my own attention to these charities and events and has given me a voice in them."
What does Fletcher’s future hold?
While many alumni of AMC have had success in primetime and in movies, Fletcher doesn't see herself leaving daytime "any time soon, certainly. I would love to do film someday, and primetime, and I will always love theater. But I am a happy girl at AMC right now. I am having a blast."
Considering her brother on AMC is Jonathan and the manner in which he "died," no words could be more suitable.
Related Features
Inside the Bubble ~ AMC's Connie Fletcher Part 1
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