Victoria Rowell Shares Kristoff St. John Memories…And What’s In Store For Her Future!

Today, Victoria Rowell will appear in a special episode of The Young and the Restless along with many actors from the show as they speak, not as their characters, but as themselves in a tribute to their late colleague, Kristoff St. John (Neil). The actor passed away on February 3 from hypertrophic heart failure.

The episode will be similar to the one YR aired back in 2013 that honored the late Jeanne Cooper (ex-Katherine).

Soap Hub spoke to Rowell about St. John previously, and now, in the second part of a two-part interview, she reveals more about her former TV mate, future projects, and if there’s a possibility viewers will ever see presumed-dead Drucilla ever again.

Fans are asking online if somehow you could return to the show as Drucilla. Dru finding out Neil had died would be heartbreaking.
I don’t know that the combination of tragic events that have taken place will make a difference. I have no control over that.

The audience is mourning Kristoff’s loss. They are mourning twice because many may have felt that Kristoff and I would be [someday] reunited on the show.

What did you think of the decision to reveal who Lily’s father was?
When Bill [Bell, Y&R’s late creator/head writer/sr. executive producer] ran that show, he revealed things in his own time.

I thought when it did come out it was timely and good to reveal. Business-wise, it needed to be revealed.

Bill, as you know, knew how to draw out a story. He knew how to draw out the drama for years. Lynn Marie Latham [former YR head writer] revealed that buildup. It was so impactful. The audience was asking for it. I believe she revealed it at a good time.

People still have …continue reading on the next page —>

Continue reading on the next page…

People still have a chuckle about the cough medicine part! [Dru was zonked out on cough medicine and, thinking Malcolm, played by Shemar Moore, was Neil, made love to him.]

You’re starring in Lifetime’s Pride & Prejudice on Saturday, June 1. And the series you created, The Rich & The Ruthless returns for season 3 on Tuesday, May 23 on UMC, AMC Networks streaming service. What else is next?
I’ll be at the American Black Film festival from June 12 onto June 16 in Miami. And we just won Best Ensemble (Comedy) for The Rich & The Ruthless at the Independent Series Awards. I had talked to Kristoff about him coming onto The Rich and the Ruthless.

I have had Brenda Epperson (ex-Ashley) come on and Kimberlin Brown (ex-Sheila), too. I have been in a position to offer diversity on the other side of the camera for people.

We’ve employed African-American and minority actors. We did many storylines on YR – adoption and the cochlear hearing device, both with Devon (Bryton James).

You and Kristoff were on-screen partners and off-screen friends. How are you doing?
I continue to process his loss. It is tremendous not only for me but the family of fans, his own family, which goes without saying.

I remain in touch with his dad, Christopher. [Losing Kristoff is] not one-dimensional. Many people are still processing this loss.

You can’t expect for people to just get over the loss of someone who’s been in their living room for 26 years. It’s going to take time for people, including myself, and I’m allowing myself time to process this loss.

Individuals, whether in entertainment or not, should be allowed the help they need. I believe that Kristoff did not believe that was possible for him.

The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for air times.