Soap Hub Exclusive: Obba Babatunde on the Avants, Acting, Awards, and More Part Two

In part one of Soap Hub’s exclusive interview with “Bold and the Beautiful” Emmy-winner Obba Babatunde (Julius Avant), the actor spoke of his recent award, his career in show business, and the passion he finds in soap fans.

In this part, he speaks of Julius’ backstory, Maya’s life path, and the future of the soap opera genre!

SH: Can you talk about how you’ve managed to portray Julius as three-dimensional, when his character could easily have come off as only a villain?

People are complex in our humanity. Generally, because Julius’s life is unfolding, the joy that I’ve gotten is working through it in many scenes. And when I read your question, I said, ‘Wow. That’s someone that gets it.’” I thank you for getting it, because that means that you’re really vested in this.

SH: What has the experience been like being involved in a groundbreaking storyline like that of Maya’s (Karla Mosley) coming out as a trans-woman?

Maya made a choice, a necessary choice for her to fully realize her true self. Then, at the wedding, she for the first time hears that her choice would affect the relationship with her father. So there’s a rippling effect that we each have on each other, on the planet, with choices and decisions we make.

SH: What has or have been your favorite scene or scenes as Julius Avant?

My directors have been open to input, and there’s nothing better than when you’re in the trenches and you offer input, and our main producer/director very generously allows me to come into his office to offer my thoughts. So it’s a collaboration and that’s probably one of the things I love the most.

SH: Having worked in daytime in such different periods, the 1960s, the 1970s, and recently, can you say a little about what the future of the soap opera genre looks like?

I think that what is important is that there’s a great sense of longevity if we continue to keep the characters rooted in real issues, in its great drama. Daytime is different in the sense that we come into people’s lives daily. Just like our lives our daily. I have a saying that I’m fond of that “it’s not what happens to you in life, but how you respond to what happens to you.” And if we stay true to that, we have the potential for great longevity.

SH: Again, congratulations, Obba, on your Emmy, and thank you for your time. Also, thank you for your helping making daytime the compelling, magical place it is.

Thank you for really paying attention to the detailed work of the life of Julius. Because that says to me that I was able to present a real character.

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