It was a discussion that took place in 2014 with The Insider, a show that later went off the air in 2017, that had The Bold and the Beautiful star Lawrence Saint-Victor reminiscing via Throwback Thursday about the conversation he and other black stars from his show and The Young and the Restless — including Kristoff St. John — that still resonates today.
Lawrence Saint-Victor Remembers An Important Interview
The handsome actor posted a picture to his Instagram account of those interviewed at the time by a host of the entertainment news show, Kevin Frazier. It was a roundtable discussion done in two parts — the men and then the women.
“Throwback to when we spoke to @theinsider about our @naacpimageawards nominations, diversity and inclusion, and the responsibility of being a black actor on daytime. #boldandbeautiful #youngandtherestless #inclusion #tbthursday,” he wrote in the caption. It was an incredible discussion that began with Frazier asking if people thank them for what they have done.
“Sure,” answered St. John (Neil). “When my character started, he was a business executive. I had to wear a suit all the time and I would get young brothers and sisters who’d come up to me and say, ‘I know you. You’re that guy with the tie on the show, on that soap, on my story.’ Made me feel good, you know, to have an image that’s respected, something that was going against the stereotype.
“You know I wasn’t playing a detective, I wasn’t playing a pimp, a drug dealer. I was playing an executive,” St. John continued. The actor also revealed that his character’s relationship with a white woman [Victoria Newman] had caused him to receive hate mail — at his home. But representation is important — and fellow star Saint-Victor brought that point home.
“I always knew there was a place I could look to see black, educated, strong actors, you know? I would watch The Young and the Restless when I was 18 and see you guys working.”
Also involved in the discussion were Aaron D. Spears (Justin, BB) and Redaric Williams (ex-Tyler, YR). You can watch the entire interview with the men and learn more from their important 2014 discussion below.
Video Credit: A Man Called God
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