Victoria Rowell and Kristoff St. John
A tribute to the late Kristoff St. John, who played Neil Winters, simply would not be the same without his former co-star Victoria Rowell (ex-Dru). After, CBS and The Young and the Restless extended an invitation to the Emmy-nominated actress, she didn’t hesitate to give them her answer.
Rowell accepted and she will join St. John’s friends and colleagues Christel Khalil (Lily), Shemar Moore (Malcolm), Mishael Morgan (ex-Hilary), and Bryton James (Devon) in a tribute episode to the beloved actor in which they’ll speak not as their characters, but as themselves.
In the first of a two-part interview, Rowell talks to Soap Hub about her reunion at YR and her memories of St. John.
Can you preview the Kristoff tribute episode?
I don’t know which clips will be used in the tribute, but one of my fondest memories of Kristoff is in the beginning when we created, collectively, [Neil and Dru’s relationship]. There was a real open spirit at YR to work collaboratively.
I had been scheduled to do a public appearance [in Antigua] and I pitched to CBS execs that we shoot Neil and Dru’s honeymoon there. We did and it ended up being historically popular.
What was it like returning to CBS for the tribute episode?
Very positive. It was wonderful to see Bryton and Christel and to meet Mishael Morgan and Daniel Goddard (Cane). It was beautiful, surreal. There was a certain feeling of laying down the sword all around. Peter Bergman (Jack) coming off stage and embracing me meant a lot.
Crew members came from different floors to hug me. Executives got to see that. I don’t think the crew tries to hug someone who’s been off the lot for 11 years if it’s not genuine.
I will add that …continue reading on the next page —>
I will add that it matters to crew members when an actor comes to work prepared, when you know your lines, and are willing to change wardrobe in a nanosecond so you can get out on time. They didn’t forget.
What did Neil and Dru mean to soap opera audiences?
Kristoff and I, of course, valued each other as people, but we also valued the chemistry that we had, which was priceless. Our relationship spans not only the 14 years we worked together [at YR] but it spanned into other projects. We worked for Viacom, Uplifting Entertainment, we did Christmas movies.
I was proud to get him an executive producer credit on one of those movies. He loved that. He loved being a producer. We knew each other in marriages, having children, and through life’s ups and downs.
You had a nice social media exchange with CBS Daytime executive Angelica McDaniel. When did you meet her?
Formally, at Kristoff’s official memorial. She couldn’t have been warmer when she introduced herself. I admire that she’s a woman of color at CBS and has a very big job as head of CBS Daytime. It was great to meet her.
The Young and the Restless special tribute episode to Kristoff St. John airs on Monday, April 29 in the show’s regular time slot.
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