Love Actually
it's hard to keep up with Lindsay Korman's (Theresa) and Justin Hartley's (Fox) personal lives. The couple revealed that they were dating in September, became engaged in November and announced that they are expecting their first child this summer --- all while their characters' friendship on PASSIONS is quickly turning into a hot romance. We caught up with the beaming duo at a photoshoot, then later to get engagement and baby news for this two-part Q&A.
PART 1: WORK AND PLAY
(Korman is sitting on Hartley's lap.)
Digest: How did your friendship turn into a romance?
Justin Hartley: It was all her idea, actually; I was just along for the ride [laughs]. No, let's see.... When I came on the show, I did all my scenes with her. We used to talk about the scenes and our work; we never mentioned anything romantic. [There wasn't] even alot of flirting.
Digest: Were you both in relationships when you met?
Hartley: Yeah. Even if I hadn't had a girlfriend at the time, I [wouldn't] have said anything because I respected Lindsay professionally. Then, I got over that.
Digest: Who made the first move?
Hartley: I did! I think I ...
Lindsay Korman: ... told me how you felt.
Hartley: We were talking about telling people what you think. I said "You mean, like if I could tell you I was in love with you?" Something like that. I kept going on and on so she couldn't comment about it. Then, I had to get up and go to the bathroom to vomit cause I was so nervous.
Digest(to Hartley): Whoa, so the way you told Lindsay you liked her was by telling her that you were in love with her?
Hartley:The weird thing was that I knew I was [in love with her] a long time ago, and I just didn't say anything because I worked with her and didn't want to hurt [our working relationship].
Korman: We were both single [by then], but we had helped each other with out previous relationships and became best friends. On the telephone, I was like, "You're like my best friend, I can tell you anything."
Hartley: Then, I moved in like the dog that I am [laughs].
Korman: He did, thank God. From the beginning, I thought that he was interesting, different and really made a statement when he was around.
Hartley:Got her fooled, don't I?
Korman:He's funny. He's very blunt, like I am. He intrigues me, and I'm not easily fascinated. Every day, he says something incredible.
Hartley: It was hard persuading her to go out with me. She would always say these things to me, like, "Well, if this ends up working out." Finally, I was like, "You know what? I'm sick of hearing if. Let's just say it is working out instead of if, if, if."
Korman: I was fearful to go forward because I didn't know if I could really believe what he was saying. I took a huge leap, and I'm grateful I did because everything since has been perfect.
Hartley: Yeah, but you thought I was a love 'em-and-leave 'em [typer of guy].
Korman: Not even love 'em, just hook 'em and dump 'em.
Hartley: But you knew I wasn't a jerk.
Korman: Yeah that's why I couldn't quite figure out why I was [resisting]. I was protecting myself.
Digest: How long did it take to say "I love you"?
Hartley (to Korman): I knew I loved your when I started dating you ... before that. When you know you love someone, you want to say it, but then you're like, "It's only been three weeks that we've been dating; that sounds ridiculous. I must wait three months to tell her that I love her because then it will be significant and justified." [It was probably three days.
Korman:It was quick for both of us.
Hartley: I have no shame; I just tell her what I think.
Digest: How do you feel about seeing the other kiss someone else in scenes?
Hartley (kidding): I tell you what, Eric [Martsolf, Ethan] and I have come to blows a couple of times. One time, I freaked out, stormed off-stage and started wringing his neck.
Korman (laughing): Don't say it seriously!
Hartley: No, I don't care. It would be an injustice if I was upset with her because it would take away from her work.
Korman: It's our job; it's what we have to do.
Hartley: It's not like we're doing a porno or anything. It progesses story.
Digest: When you started dating, did you keep it a secret from your co-stars.
Korman:We didn't tell anyone.
Hartley: We didn't necessarily keep it a secret, though.
PART 2: RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR
Hartley: I special-ordered the ring from New York. I was like, "I'm going to hold onto it for a little bit, then I'll ask her eventually." I probably had the ring in my posession for an hour before I gave it to her. I did the whole on-my-knee thing. I was probably halfway through with my speech, and she still didn't know what I was doing.
Korman: I was so scared that he wasn't going to ask me. I didn't want to get disappointed 'cause it felt like [a proposal], and it looked like it. I even asked him, "Are you serious?" And he's like, "Of course." I was very happy.
Digest (to Hartley): Were you nervous?
Hartley: I was nervous right before I saw the ring because I wanted it to be perfect. But when I asked her, I wasn't thinking about her saying no. It's the only thing I've wanted in my entire life, really, so I wasn't nervous.
Digest: Did you plan what to say?
Hartley: I was going to plan it, and then I thought, "I'll just look at her, and something will come out." I tried to hold it together because I didn't want to be the one crying. I didn't cry at all, but she did.
Korman: I did. He asked me questions like, "Do you know how much I love you? Do you know how I want to spend the rest of my life with you? No matter what happens, good or bad, I want to be with you."
Hartley (joking): And I had her sign a prenup.
Digest: How does it feel to have an enagememt ring?
Korman: Good, except that I have to take it off for work. I love that I get to basically show everyone I pass by whether I know them or not how I feel, which is happy, proud and grateful. I get to wear something that symbolizes that on my finger, and Justin gave it to me.
Digest: What are the wedding plans?
Korman: It will be May 1. I'll be waddling around. It will be a small ceremony.
Hartley: About 70, 80 people. It's going to be what she wants, bu tI want to help her with the planning. We do everything together.
Digest: You must be excited about the baby, but are you scared too?
Hartley: Every once in a while, I'll wake up in the middle of the night, a little bit scared. I'm thrilled, but at the same time, I want to make sure that I'm doing everything perfect. You know how most kids hate their parents by 16? I want to be an overachiever and have my kid hate me by 13 or 14 and get it over with. Maybe it hates me now because I'm always talking to it. The baby's probably in there saying, "Shut up, I'm trying to sleep!"
Digest: Have you picked out any names yet?
Hartley: We don't have a specific name, but we have the same taste.
Korman: Yeah, we're narrowing it down.
Digest: Do you know the gender?
Korman: No, but we'll find out soon.
Digest: Any morning sickness?
Korman: Some queasiness, but I didn't throw up. I napped constantly at work and I had some headaches, but that was it.
Hartley: She's already won the Mother of the Year even before the kid is born because she's always like, "I can't eat that, it's not healthy."
Korman: I feel guilty if I don't.
Hartley: See? She's perfect.
*From Soap Opera Digest -- February 17, 2004
*Please DO NOT take the pictures WITHOUT permission from me cause i scanned them.. i didn't tag them cause i dont like people who tag pictures if you want to use them ask and i will let you.
