(Source: EW, May 4,1999)
Vanessa Marcil moves into the spotlight Wednesday night. The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' wild child tells EW Online about finding career happiness after years of boozing and, gulp, a 'marriage' to Corey Feldman
by Shawna Malcom
Sure, she's wafer thin and a self-described fitness freak, but don't even think about giving Vanessa Marcil the Calista treatment. ''I eat whatever I want, junk food included,'' says Marcil, whose ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' alter ego, the bitch-alicious Gina, reveals on Wednesday's episode (8 p.m., Fox) that she suffers from an eating disorder. ''If I deny myself something, I just get resentful, so what's the point?''
While she may not be a starving artist, Marcil, 29, has indulged in her fair share of destructive behavior. What she characterizes as a ''difficult childhood'' led the Palm Beach, Calif., native to start drinking at 11 and to ''marry'' Hollywood wild child Corey Feldman in the late '80s. Despite published reports to the contrary, Marcil now claims the union was ''actually a joke we played on our friends. We were messed-up kids, you know? Now that I'm in the public eye, it's turned into this whole wrong rumor. To say that we were really married is completely not true.'' (Sorry, Corey.)
Regardless, at 20, Marcil entered therapy, got sober, and threw herself into acting. She's been working ever since: She popped up in her good friend Prince's video ''The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,'' made out with Nic Cage in 1995's ''The Rock,'' and spent six years raising temps on ABC's ''General Hospital.'' But success came with a price: ''I didn't take a vacation for five years. A few times, I passed out from exhaustion and ended up in the hospital. It was kind of insane.''
Since checking out of the ''Hospital'' and into ''90210'' last fall, Marcil has learned to slow down -- sort of. ''I balance things better and don't kill myself so much,'' she says. ''But conflict makes me a more interesting actress to watch. The places I go to to pull emotions from, I think if you have a perfect, happy life, you just don't have those places. And I want those places. I'm proud of those places.''
(Source: Soap Opera Update, May 11, 1999)
A horrible, life-altering event awaits Kelly in May, according to BEVERLY HILLS 90210 executive producer John Eisendrath. "It's a terrible experience that affects her thinking about everythingshe does, what she does for a living, who her friends are and who her boyfriend should be," he hints. "She has t reevaluate her entire life".
While everyone attempts to deal with this tornado surrounding Kelly, Noah asks Donna to move in with him. As Donna ponderswhat to do, a new guy, Wayne, will represent an appealing alternative to acommitment with Noah. She's make a very surprising decision, and the choice she makes will have dramatic consequences on Noah", says Eisendrath.
When Dylan and Gina decide to part ways, David is there to pick up the pieces and lend Gina a shoulder to cry on. Asurprising personal problem of Gina's will be revealed, and David will be there tosupport her, but will she make the right decision when it comes to picking aman to love? "She's always drawn back to Dylan," says Eisendrath. "Dylan and Gina are like a car wreck. They are drawn to each other, but it isself-destructive."
All this is a prelude to a big season-endingcliffhanger on May 19. "The last episode has a final moment in it that is notonly going to change Kelly's life forever, but change the experience thegroup has forever," says the producer. "I can't underscore enough what a bigmoment this is!"
"Your favorite soap stars are saving the "day" at night"
It wasn't so long ago that soap actors were routinely passed over for primetime roles. Daytimers who have always been considered the hardest-working actors in the biz, nonetheless were thought of as lightweights by series producers and casting directors. Those who left soaps for a shot at the big time often found that their daytime experience was more harmful than helpful. Oh, how things have changed over the past few years. Now, more than ever, soap stars are being taken seriously and given the opportunity to shine as brightly by night as they have by day. (In the article they mention some of the most successful ones, and of course Vanessa Marcil was on that list.) Fans are still mourning Marcil's move last year from Port Charles to Beverly Hills 90210. But GH's loss has definitely been 90210's gain. As Donna's scheming cousin Gina, Marcil has been given the opportunity to sharpen her claws. Though the actress has always said her decision to leave GH was very difficult one, she is thrilled now with the move. "It's awesome" she told Fit Magazine, where she appeared as the January/February cover girl. Marcil's favorite part of her new job, she said is working with Luke Perry (Dylan). "Most of my scenes are with him, and he's been the joy of my life," she told Fit. "He's so talented and we had instant chemistry from day one, so we're having a good time!". Not too good, mind you. In real life, Perry is happily married, and Marcil is still engaged to her former GH co-star Tyler Christopher (Nikolas). (Soap Opera Update 1999)
Gina will stick around to cause trouble! Beverly Hills 90210's Vanessa Marcil (Gina; ex-Brenda, GENERAL HOSPITAL) is not going anywhere any time in the near future! As Update reported in its previous issue, the actress's status on the series was called into question after Marcil pulled a no-show at executive producer Aaron Spelling's holiday party. It was speculated that Marcil was released from her primetime gig, and the blame was placed on her rumored disagreements with 90210 cast members. However, everyone soon learned that one missed round of eggnog does not translate into a dismissal from the boss. The official word from a 90210 spokesperson concurs with the denials voiced by the actress' spokespeople: "Vanessa is remaining on the show. Any rumors that you may have heard flying around are completely and totally inaccurate." Any lingering doubts should be put to rest when one considers the addition of Marcil's face to the show's opening credits. Marcil has proven her appeal transcends daytime by becoming a pivotal presence on her new show. She and Luke Perry (Dylan) have the potential to become a legendary supercouple. The pairing is extremely hot with fans, and the ratings surge mirrors their enthusiasm. In fact, the show surprised insiders when its numbers managed to surpass The WB's hip and hyped DAWSON'S CREEK. In addition, without Marcil's character Gina, 90210 would lack the necessary "scheme" quotient that makes any drama a delight. Given that the long-running show's zip may soon be close to depletion, Gina's (as played by Marcil) success is its best chance at rejuvenation. (Opera Update Jan 19, 1999- This article was contributed by Barb at [email protected])
Rena Sofar will be part of a recent wave of soap stars to head to MP or Spelling's other prime-time sudser, Beverly Hills 90210. Among them: Steve Wilder (ex-Jack, Days), who joins MP in the fall and Vanessa Marcil (soon-to-be ex-Brenda, GH) and Daniel Cosgrove (ex-Scott, AMC), who are headed to 90210." "Spelling has a long history of mining soaps for talent. And he acknowledges that this practice sometimes draws flak. 'Every time I mention to producer friends of mine that we're bringing a daytime actor to a prime-time show, they say, 'You are?' I don't understand that,' Spelling muses. 'I can't imagine MP without Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH; ex-Warren, Santa Barbara).' Spelling has high praise for some of his latest additions. He calls Marcil "fantastic" and says he wanted her after viewing a week's worth of her GH tapes. Of Cosgrove, he raves, 'I was just stunned by him.... He's adorable and nice." "As far as the snooty 'tude toward daytime stars, Spelling pronounces, 'It's this close to bigotry: If you're on daytime, you shouldn't be on prime-time. Everybody we have used from daytime has been marvelous.' (Thanks to Crys Hodgens for this article.)
Vanessa Marcil has confirmed that she is leaving General Hospital on August 14. She has signed a seven episode contract with Aaron Spelling for 90210. Sources say that she will play the new bad girl when Valerie (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen) leaves. Marcil tells "Soap Opera Weekly" that she is tired and needs a break. She also explains that it was a hard decision for her to leave General Hospital, because she feels like it is her home, but it was a decision that she felt was right. GH producers have given her the opportunity to come back whenever she wants, so that has also helped Marcil in making her decision. Marcil's last air date will be Sept.8, making it almost 6 years that Vanessa has played Brenda Barrett. Marcil tells "Soap Opera Weekly" that she credits actor Maurice Benard (Sonny) and her acting coach John Homa with helping her grow as an actress. GH sources say that Veronica Barrett (Brenda's mom) will leave with her daughter on Sept.8.
First on Marcil's agenda is her seven-episode run on 90210 as troublemaker Gina, a role she did not choose over GH, she insists. "I definitely did not leave GH to do 90210. I would never choose 90210 over GH. My decision to leave was made months and months before the 90210 offer even came in. They just both happened to be announced at the same time."
However, Marcil did reportedly choose the 90210 gig over the part of a lawyer on FOX's hot dramedy ALLY MCBEAL. "There were other shows that I got great offers from," she explains, "but 90210 was in first position, which means that whatever show starts negotiations with you, they legally get you first. So, when the offers came in from the other shows, we were already in negotiations, and I was already excited about working with everyone at 90210. "But" she adds, "it was nice to feel wanted."
Chances are, Marcil still will be wanted after her seven episodes are in the can. If that is the case, her 90210 run could be extended, she confirms. "It definitely could be longer than that. We'll see how it works out and how we both feel about it."
The folks at 90210 clearly seems to be smitten with Marcil. Not only did they give her a role, they created one specifically for her. "I never went in and met with them or tested for anything," she marvels. "They just called and said that Aaron Spelling knew my work from GH and from other things that I've done. It was the most flattering thing that ever happened to me. The other shows that I was offered had specific characters, but 90210 was the only show that said, 'We want to create a character with you in mind."
FOX isn't revealing too much about who Gina will be, except to say that she is a spoiled-brat former pro ice skater who "will add a definite edge to the show" -- no doubt in much the same way that the departing Tiffani-Amber Thiessens's Valerie has. And with Luke Perry's returning this season as rebel Dylan, a Gina/Dylan match-up seems inevitable. "I still don't even know," Marcil admits. "They are actually writing it now. But I'm excited to find out what kind of character it's going to be."
Beverly Hills 90210 Season nine begins Sept. 16. Jason Priestly (Brandon) who is also a 90210 executive producer and Tiffani-Amber Theissen(Valerie) have already announced that they will appear in a limited number of episodes. Melrose Place alumna Laura Leighton(ex-Sydney) joins for 7 episodes as aspiring actress Sophie Burns.The show is keeping mum on who she will cross paths with, but on soaps,"aspiring" usually means bad girl. Look for Vanessa Marcil(soon to be ex-Brenda,GH) to play nasty Gina, a former pro ice skater. Fan favorite Luke Perry(Dylan) is returning,and another daytime face, Daniel Cogrove(ex-Scott,AMC) joins the show as naive lawyer Matt Durning.
Taken from an interview with Aaron Spelling:
Do you deliberately go after daytime talent to put in your prime-time shows?
"Everybody from daytime is just remarkable.We just signed Vanessa Marcil (soon to be ex-Brenda,GH) on Beverly Hills 90210. I think she's fantastic. I saw about a week of tapes of her. I didn't even have to meet her"
(Thanks to [email protected] for this article.)
