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She fully
appreciates
a good Costco bargain, can easily install some blow-in insulation;
enjoys Grey Goose on the rocks now and then and openly admits to being a
fully-fledged Chelsea Lately addict. She perpetuates the impression of a
playful teenager cracking suggestive yarns on the back of the bus. She’s
the kind of gal who “has your back” no matter what; she’ll probably even
provide you with a good alibi if you’ll provide the vodka and the
sunglasses. If not, once you’ve been hauled in on those trumped up
charges, you’ll make that one phone call to her. But when all has been
said and done… “Compelling Poetry with a Wicked Sense of Humor" is the
best possible way to describe actress Crystal Chappell. She is very rich
in contradictions and filled with a luminescent spirit that’s very
difficult to resist. She's also a stunning looker who doesn't care, a
confident and wildly talented actress who is deeply sincere; an enigma
who is articulate and acutely logical, and a consummate professional who
knows the score and yet somehow remains fatally idealistic. Chappell is
accessible and generous, and always (just ask anyone she knows and then
read the first part of this again) a supportive and compassionate
friend. It really isn't hard to understand why most people simply love
her. If every great actor embodies an essential paradox, Chappell's is
that she is both tigress-direct and fawn-subtle, quite often at
precisely the same time–– the climatic cross section of haiku and a
sonnet (the irony here is that she has actually written several volumes
of original poetry).
You will literally
find yourself watching and listening in wonder to unravel the quiet
mystery in each of her words. But Chappell, like all great actors,
understands the simple truths that bodies and words can tell. Discerning
viewers have come to truly appreciate her innate gift for
understatement; sweet-natured character interpretations followed by
risqué, uncompromising, perplexing and emotionally charged performances
in her Emmy Award-winning role... a role she will perhaps be synonymous
with for the rest of her career... Olivia Spencer of Guiding Light.
 Chappell
has become
nothing short of a huge cult phenomenon on the web. No one in the expensive
suits upstairs EVER expected the cross-over appeal of her work, but here
at UPBEAT, we've always known that this gutsy gal could stand toe to toe
with the best, be it daytime or prime-time or film. And at the center of
the entire daytime Internet universe, and Guiding Light (which will
cease to exist as of September), is the unabashedly shameless Olivia
Spencer–– sometimes cruel, irresponsible and yet completely
irresistible. Played to sheer flawlessness by Chappell, Olivia is a
sassy full-lipped beauty and feline, predatory in her own sexuality.
When she's on the television screen, you can't look at anyone else.
Olivia could easily have been a stereotypical daytime slut bomb. But
Chappell doesn't overplay Olivia's shamelessly seductive antics or her
moodiness; she gives an exquisitely nuanced and inherently layered
performance that makes you glimpse Olivia's better nature as well as her
deepest insecurities. Olivia is a master of the come-on and the disposable desire. When she's on the make,
she drops her studied aloofness and gazes at her prey as if he or she is
the most fascinating person in the world. Olivia represents tantalizing
sexual freedom; she does exactly as she pleases and, up until the past
year, has gotten away with it. The graveyard profession of Olivia's
undying, unconditional love for Natalia is one of the most mournfully
perspicuous things ever put on daytime television to date. Chappell's
vulnerability courses through the scene like a profoundly audible
heartbeat, even when, or especially when, she's trying to treat Natalia
indifferently. In her work, Chappell shows not only her playful sense of
humor, but more importantly her ability to truly understand the feelings
of others and to portray them both respectfully and sympathetically.
Chappell, unlike a
number of television "it" girls, is exactly who she is–– down-to-earth,
empathetic, loyal and sincere. Much like the legendary Audrey Hepburn,
she has an exquisite sophistication about her. She is elegant, sexy,
intelligent and charming, all of which contribute to her enduring style.
It's obvious however, once you speak with her at length that her style
isn't merely superficial. It is a true reflection of her character.
Unlike a number of stylish people, she really does have depth. Chappell
consistently maintains a touching sense of openness which she subtly
infuses into her work. She possesses a raw sensuality, with a mere
glance she conveys that smoldering "I want you" look–– even if she
happens to be totally unaware of it.
I had what I now
consider to be the privilege of engaging in a rather unexpected
conversation with Crystal Chappell. I’m rarely that impressed or
surprised by actors… or anyone else for that matter. But I do have to
confess, I was pleasantly thrown off balance by what inevitably became a
significant conversation for me… Much like the actress herself it was
fun, clever, fun, witty, insightful… and did I mention fun?
UPBEAT Do you
realize that your fans are now calling you the Goddess of Daytime and…
are there any temples currently being built in your honor?
Crystal Chappell
“Yes, there’s certainly a temple being built. My nine year old has a
very large, very tall temple he’s building out of Legos. It’s the
Goddess Temple of Legos.”
UPBEAT I’m sure he doesn’t call you Goddess.
Crystal Chappell
(laughs) “I’m still working on him. I was going for queen.”
UPBEAT What
makes a conversation interesting to you?
Crystal Chappell
“I do have a certain sensitivity to that, I will talk to anybody. I’m
the person who starts talking to them. People like to talk to me and I’m
so grateful for that. I will talk with anyone who makes me laugh. I like
to be funny— I like a good laugh.”
UPBEAT This next
question urgent— I think you need to answer it immediately. Wolverine or
Edward Scissorshands? Which one?
Crystal Chappell
“Oh, Edward Scissorshands. Hands down (laughs)… I’m such a huge Johnny
Depp fan.”
UPBEAT Do you
feel as an actress you are completely devoted to a process of self-discovery? If
so, what’s that process been like for you so far?
Crystal Chappell
“I do feel it’s important to myself, choosing to be an actress. I had an
acting teacher once tell me, ‘You might be a good actress in about
twenty years. It takes that long.’ Sandy Misner, who is a famous acting
guide, tells me this and I remember thinking, ’Oh, Crap…”
UPBEAT It takes
life experience.
Crystal Chappell
“That’s exactly my point. Hopefully, people want to do that for
themselves, and fortunately for me, I get to use it all because I’m
completely aware of it. (as an actress).”
UPBEAT What have
you discovered about yourself?
Crystal Chappell
“That nothing ever stays the same, everything changes. It’s that
wonderful roller coaster ride, the highs, the lows, the ebbs, the flows.
You can’t have one without the other. A lot of the old clichés, as much
as I hate the clichés, they’re true. They really are. If you have your
health, you have everything. It’s all the basic stuff—and it’s all valid
to some degree— the differences in all of us are what connects us.
That’s the fun part about being an actor or actress— you can delve into
basic human emotions… perhaps take on a different façade. We’re all the
same, it’s just a different exterior.”
UPBEAT How do you
pull all of these emotions out of yourself—
do you have a card catalog in your head that you go to?
Crystal Chappell
“No, I just have really great friends and great people that I can go to.
I’m fortunate, I’ve let myself be loved in my life. I’ve invited so many
people in— all different kinds of people.
UPBEAT So you’re
essentially an open person who embraces diversity?
Crystal Chappell
“Sure. I wouldn’t know how to be an actor and not be open.”
UPBEAT Do you
take it all in… sort of like a human tape recorder, to eventually use it
all later?
Crystal Chappell
“That’s really quite interesting... that is a very, very cool way to
look at it. But, no, I think I just try to absorb everything that’s
going on around me. I try to stay fully aware. I think I am always
amazed by what comes out of me when I go inward to reflect on a person
that I’ve met. You kind of do their voice— they have a mannerism that
you picked up on. I think given what we do, we become heightened
observers. But no, I can’t say that I’ve been the tape recorder. It’s
the attention to detail that make actors like Robert DeNiro and Meryl
Streep so brilliant.”
UPBEAT Given what
we’ve just talked about—
do you have a litmus test for meeting new people… something that you
might slip into a conversation to see how they react? Do you create
mental checkpoints and if so, what are they?
Crystal Chappell
“Yes, but most of my friends think that is rather caustic. I do it as a
gauge to see how far I can push the envelope.”
UPBEAT So you’re
an envelope pusher?
Crystal Chappell
(laughs) “I think it’s about how much I should restrain myself and how
much I should behave.”
UPBEAT What is it
that encourages your inner child to come out and play?
Crystal Chappell
“Besides a little vodka? (chuckles).”
UPBEAT I’m
hoping you say Grey Goose.
Crystal Chappell
(laughs) Yes… a little bit of Grey Goose will do that for me. Times are
tough but I’m a huge fan of Chelsea Handler. I don’t watch that much
television... but I’m literally an addict. She’s so open and gutsy, I
just LOVE that! And she’s also a Grey Goose junkie.”
UPBEAT What was
your childhood like?
Crystal Chappell
“Crazy. (laughs). Totally nuts. But you know, I love my family and I’m
very, very close to them now… but when you think about your childhood
from the perspective of an being an older person now, you think, ‘Oh,
that was just nuts,’ that was crazy.”
UPBEAT What did
you do that was so crazy?
Crystal Chappell
“We moved every two years growing up and they didn’t always tell us
why... it was sort of just okay, we’re moving. I remember after awhile,
I actually just stopped unpacking and so I had this box that said
Crystal on it.”
UPBEAT So you
just lived out of a box?
Crystal Chappell
“I am so adaptable…I’m so used to it…”
UPBEAT So we can
put you in a parking lot in another country and you’ll be absolutely
fine with it?
Crystal Chappell
“I’d be fine. I’d eventually have a little business going for myself.
After awhile, I was so used to all of the moving from place to place… I
went to fourteen different schools before I graduated high school.”
UPBEAT Fourteen
different schools before you graduated high school… Are you being
serious?
Crystal Chappell
“Yeah, we moved so often…that I always gravitated towards the army
kids... That was really nice. Everyone knew this was going to be a very
short lived relationship— and you had a great time, you got close very
quick, you didn’t squabble over crap and then you were gone. You learned
to become very adaptable.
UPBEAT We discovered
that your legion of fans are claiming that you, as an actress, possess
the innate power to have what is affectionately referred to as, “Eye
Sex”. What is THAT like and are you aware of this ability? Is it an
acting technique? What exactly do you have to do? How do on Earth do you
have Eye Sex? Are you able to convey sensuality with nothing more than a
longing gaze?
Crystal
Chappell
(laughs) “You see Bridget, there is this special course I teach— my
class— Eye Sex 101. (laughs) But seriously, I wasn’t aware of that— do
they come with little eye condoms?”
UPBEAT Those
would be contact lenses.
Crystal Chappell
“In all seriousness (if that’s possible) you would like to think, that
if you are interested in someone— you’re sending them a message.”
UPBEAT
Apparently, you are sending a lot of mental images out there. (laughs)
Crystal Chappell
“It’s better than taking a club and beating them over the head with it.
Hopefully, you are sending a strong message— But that’s actually very
funny that they all think that.”
UPBEAT It’s all
over the message boards.
Crystal Chappell
“Well, trust me… (laughs) it’s not as good as the real thing!”
 UPBEAT
Whether it’s documentary, dramatic, comedy or experimental... it’s all a
kind of chemistry... And it all begins with one person alone with a
camera who can actually find beauty, meaning and metaphor in the world simply by
immersing yourself in the flow of daily life, and looking around. Is this what
makes your work fascinating… or is it just that whole cool “eye sex”
thing?
Crystal Chappell
“I’m totally in love with life in everything that I see...even the
darkness...I don’t want to look away from things...it makes me
uncomfortable...I want to see what hurts, and I want to see it all
because I am a visual person. I think it is my job as an actress and
certainly my responsibility as a person, and especially as a
mother...this is my job...this is what I’ve seen. I have really seen it—
not merely giving lip service to it.”
UPBEAT You get to
choose one trendy fad from the 70’s, 80’s and the 90’s to thrust upon
the entire world for a year, what do you bring back and for God's sake,
why?
Crystal Chappell
“As for the 70’s— I know that it’s still around but I ate an abundance
of Velveeta Cheese in the 70’s.”
UPBEAT You ate a
bunch of Velveeta cheese in the 70’s? On purpose?
Crystal Chappell
(laughs) Well, that’s all we had Bridget! We were constantly on the go.
Hey— I like a nice Velveeta and Ham sandwich now and then…its good!”
UPBEAT To each
her own…that’s all I have to say. (laughs).
Crystal Chappell
“That’s right! In the 80’s— I don’t know why, but I am drawn to the
really bad music of the 80’s. I remember the big eyebrows, the big
hair. I’d bring them all back.”
UPBEAT What about
the 90’s?
Crystal Chappell
“My income! (laughs)— I want my income back!“
UPBEAT I don’t
know… was your income ever a fad? (laughs)
Crystal Chappell
(laughs) “No, not for me. I’d just bring everyone’s income back from the
90’s! “
UPBEAT Do you
believe that it’s the moments we can't talk about in our lives that
become the subconscious/conscious focus rest of our lives… that the
moments we cannot process by telling our story inevitably serve to
hinder our growth?
Crystal
Chappell
“Yes, I definitely believe that, I do. I think that you live with things
for as long as you need to. I had this weird thing… when I turned 39,
like twice in a row, (laughs)— I realized that you reach a point in your
life where you say, ‘I’m so fucking tired of being afraid of shit.’ I’m
really tired of being afraid to say this or afraid to say that’…and not
to be impolite and rude but it’s about speaking up and saying what you
need to say. I also went through this phase where I wanted to try new
things. I started commuting to my job in New York from California and
back for two and half years. I was working in a way that I could live there
and work in New York. But at the time, I was terrified to fly. But I did
it because I thought it was good for my family and after a while, I
became someone who was no longer afraid to fly but someone who wanted to
learn how to fly.”
UPBEAT How old were
the kids?
Crystal Chappell
“Dylan was two and a half and Jake was five and a half.”
UPBEAT So that was
an age that you really wanted to be there.
Crystal Chappell
“And I was there, completely. Sometimes I would be there for three weeks
at a time. so for two years, it was a really interesting schedule
because they would group all of my scenes together. I would fly in for a
couple of days, shoot and then I would turn around and leave. Then when
we went to the new format; it was like, okay, that’s not going to happen
anymore. And I wanted to see my children and that’s why we moved back
east. The point is, I just got tired of being afraid of things.”
UPBEAT Describe
something that has happened to you for which you have no explanation
whatsoever.
Crystal
Chappell
“Aging. “
UPBEAT Anything
supernatural, like déjà vu?
Crystal Chappell
"I’m sure that you have had those experiences, like déjà vu or you just
think something is going to go a certain way…. intellectually, you kind
of figure things out. But I ALWAYS expect the unexpected. I’ve always
been so fascinated that people even want to talk to me about my
career….I know it’s part of what I do, but I’ve always been amazed by
it."
UPBEAT So, it’s not
something you have to think about?
Crystal Chappell
“It’s taken me a long, long time to really appreciate the whole
relationship with fans…people who appreciate what I do. It took me a
long time to really understand and embrace it and be grateful for it.
But I am. I love my fans.”
UPBEAT You know how
most packages say "Open here"? What is the protocol if the package says,
"Open somewhere else"?
Crystal Chappell
“Oh, that’s sooooo dirty!“
UPBEAT Why is that a
dirty question?
Crystal Chappell
“Because that’s where my mind went (laughs), but I think you just check
it out and see where you go with it. It’s just open season, isn’t it?
(laughs) Okay… how about this— a sledgehammer to the entire
package. Then have a good drink and relax. Preferably Grey Goose.”
UPBEAT What’s your
favorite language?
Crystal Chappell
“Sex talk! No… I mean… EYE SEX. (laughs) I do like sex talk though.
(laughs) I think it’s interesting— I really love sensuality— I think
it’s a beautiful thing. How it comes out of people is very interesting—-
the conversations people have.
UPBEAT Have you ever
been a food fight?
Crystal Chappell
“On purpose? (laughs). Yes. I’ve done it on camera but I’ve never been
in a food fight personally.”
UPBEAT Are there any
roles you regret having done?
Crystal Chappell
“No, if anything, I regret not having done them better.”
UPBEAT Have you ever
written a fan letter? If so, to who?
Crystal Chappell
“I’ve only recently written a fan letter once and that was to Agnes
Nixon, (the Creator of All My Children). I read an interview with her in
Advertising Age— she was talking about the industry and all the pay cuts
and she was quoted as saying that she took a pay cut years ago and then
recently taken another. So, here’s a woman who’s created shows that are
still on the air and she’s willing to change with the times. I thought
that was so gracious and she was so with the ‘now’ and what needed to
happen and wasn’t stuck in some ‘time warp’. And, I so appreciated her
mind, so I wrote her a letter that said, ‘I read this article and I so
loved this and I think you are the most extraordinary woman’.”
UPBEAT Have you ever
had a MacGyver moment… where you had to use a paper clip and some
chewing gum to get out of a tight situation?
Crystal Chappell
I have, I have…being a mother I have had SEVERAL MacGyver moments with
my kids.
UPBEAT Define sexy.
Crystal Chappell
“Confident! “
UPBEAT What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Crystal Chappell
“I’ve done a lot of crazy things— I’m impulsive that way. I’ve done
stupid things, I don’t know if that’s crazy. Is there really a
difference?”
UPBEAT If you had to
change your name, what would you change it to?
Crystal Chappell “Goddess! (laughs)
No, probably Stan.”
UPBEAT You’d
actually change your name to Stan?(laughs)
Crystal Chappell
“You’re the one who said I had to— Okay, I’m going to tell you a true
story. I recently had dinner in the past month with an actual princess.
She was an older woman and extremely elegant, really just lovely. She
has this long name, Princess, (on and on) and she called herself Vern.
I just said to myself, ‘I like her!’ But for me… I’m going with Stan!”
UPBEAT If you were,
metaphorically speaking, a mouse, what would be the most daring thing
you would do while the metaphorical cat was away?
Crystal Chappell
“I’d throw a massive party— invite all of my little mouse friends over,
maybe some rats. You know, to liven things up a bit. There would be some
Velveeta on hand but I might upgrade it to Caciocavallo Podolico. I can
be classy. (laughs) I’d have little crystal bowls with little drops of
Grey Goose in them. And some nice little hors d'oeuvre trays and we’d
dance. It would all be very easy, very cool… come be yourself— you don’t
have to wear anything.”
UPBEAT Barbies—
Creepy demonic minions of the underworld or trendy, snappy dressers all
girls should blissfully try to emulate?
Crystal Chappell
“Just Creepy. They always have that demented smile on their faces and
their boobs and butts never EVER sag. I just can't relate to people who
don't have SOME saggage!”
UPBEAT What was your
most recent random act of kindness?
Crystal Chappell
“I try to encourage someone everyday. How lovely, how talented, how
creative, etc. We all need a little boosting. This might be related to
the sagging issue.”
 UPBEAT What's the
best bargain you've ever found at a garage sale?
Crystal Chappell
“I usually have the sale but I found a great pair of Kenneth Cole
shoes once. Obviously I didn't care whose feet had been in them.”
UPBEAT Considering
all of the lint you accumulate in your dryer, if you kept perpetually
drying your clothes would they eventually just disappear? If so... where
do you think they would end up?
Crystal Chappell
“No, they would not disappear. They would continue to grow and
eventually become the very armor that protects us from the sun's
impending torching of the earth!”
UPBEAT We all have
cathartic moments… and it’s having this great veil lifted from in front
of your eyes. Where everything, your entire life had never been quite in
focus and then suddenly it's like POW! This sharp imagery hits you dead
on... you know, one of those moments where you just go Oh, that's what
it is, that's what life is. I get it now. Have you had one of those
moments? What was it like for you?
Crystal Chappell
“Cathartic moments? I’ve had many. The biggest moments involve my
children. Once they exist, you totally abandon your ego. Realizing it's
all about them. And there's freedom that comes with that because the
struggle becomes maintaining a sense of self... a true sense of self.
And then keeping it all intact.” 
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