Georgia born Willis is no stranger to soaps-she did spend a brief time on “Another World” in it’s final days as Alli Fowler.  It was an experience she enjoyed and helped prepare her for the rigors of her “GH” role, but comparing the shows is like apples to oranges.

“Well I work A LOT more here (at “GH”) than I did there,” she states.  “I loved working on ‘Another World’.  Chris Goutman (the show’s EP, now at “World Turns”) gave me my first shot on soaps and I was really lucky.  I played a fifteen year old there, so I think my ‘GH’ role is a lot meatier.  I get a lot more to do now.  ‘Another World’ got me started and I don’t think I would’ve gotten ‘GH’ without that experience.”

As a fan of “General Hospital”, Willis always “watched when I could and I always enjoyed it.”  That still didn’t prepare for that life-changing moment when she found out she landed the role of Courtney Matthews, sister to mob kingpin Sonny Corinthos played by one of the most popular actors to ever grace a soap Maurice Bernard.

Willis says, “I was REALLY excited!  I had watched the show and always thought the cast was so talented.  When I found out I was going to be Maurice’s sister, that just made it SO much better.  He’s so great-such an amazing actor!  I was really fortunate to get this opportunity.”

A lot has happened to the character of Courtney since Willis joined the show in December 2001.  She was immediately paired with Billy Warlock’s infamous AJ Quartermaine.

“I  LOVE working with Billy,” she enthuses.  “I think he’s great.  It was fun.  I don’t think the characters could ever be together as a couple again because the damage was so bad.  I would somehow love to work with Billy again-he’s a lot of fun.  Could they be friends?  Maybe.  It’s a soap, they can figure out a way to do it.  It’s just so hard to redeem that relationship.”

Willis also answers the million-dollar question fans have asked……

“Yes, they (AJ & COURTNEY) are divorced!”, she laughs, “In fact she mentioned it on the show.  I kept asking about that-I’m like is she divorced yet?  Finally, they threw in a line.  That was it.  But yes she is divorced.”

The actress has played many aspects to her character, including a storyline twist she wasn’t crazy about.

“She’s gone through a lot since she’s been on the show.  The hardest was when they made me strip.  That was the hardest for me because it’s something I felt really uncomfortable with.  It was really hard for me to get up there in those outfits and dance around.  And I got A LOT of crap for it too!  I still get people making fun of that storyline.  That was the hardest-I didn’t enjoy that at all.  It was a little crazy.  I don’t think I’ll ever do that again!” she explains.

It was this story that sprouted the romance of Courtney and Jason.  Willis is thrilled with where this story has taken her.  “It’s great,” she says.  “Steve and I have so much respect for each other and I think we work really well together.  He’s a great actor and a really great guy!  It works.  I think it works.  It works for me (she laughs).  We have a lot of  fun together and we goof around, but we can also be very serious.  It’s a good thing!”

Could Courtney and Jason revive that 1980’s soap term the ‘super couple’?

 “I don’t know, are we a super couple,” she laughs, “That’s so cool! “  And based on the past year it’s surprising this couple IS a couple.  Willis explains, “It’s funny.  It was a bumpy road at first because of all the Liz and Jason fans out there, which is great.  They made a great couple too.  It was bumpy at first, but now I think people are accepting it more and more.  When I went to the Emmys, I got a really good response from all the fans.  That kind of made me realize how much people are enjoying the story.”

Bumpy is an understatement for this couple and Willis particularly.  Rude posts from viewers and fans not happy with the pairing have been downright disrespectful.  The young lady has tried to look at the positive side of the situation and handle it in a very mature way.

“They can be pretty brutal sometimes!”, Willis states, “I try not to pay attention to it.  I understand why there is such a huge deal about it.  Becky (Herbst who plays Liz) is so incredibly talented and she’s got such a strong fan base.  I think that’s so great.  On one hand it is great that she has such enthusiastic fans…….on the other, I don’t want my fans to bash her EVER.  You know what I mean?  I don’t want them to speak badly about her or any of the other cast members.”

She continues, “It’s rough when you have people that like to bad mouth you and attack you personally.  It’s really not fair.  But you know what, I don’t really pay attention to it anymore.  I just try to listen to all the positive things.  There are a lot of Jason and Courtney supporters out there and I think that’s pretty cool.”

Fans need to understand Willis is a performer paid to do her job.  That job is acting out what the writers give her to work with.  While grateful for her front burner storyline, Willis also understands the frustration fans feel when “GH” puts the focus on only a handful of characters.“I think that’s changing a lot more lately,” she says, “I think they are giving everybody a lot more air time, which I think that’s the way it should be.  The fans-they want to see everybody, they want to see their favorite characters.  They don’t want to see a few different characters.  Yes I’m happy and I’m grateful that I work so much and I love it.  But at the same time, I think that everybody should get his or her time.  It’s starting to happen.”

Born the third child in a family of six, Willis got her start in commercials at a young age.  The athletic actress also found another love-soccer.  As a senior in high school, Willis chose to give up her budding soccer career to pursue acting.

A Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes commercial led to a role on the prime time show ‘7^th Heaven’.  Then daytime came calling.

Willis tells the story, “I’ve been acting for quite a long time.  My dad’s an actor.  My parents kind of got me in it when I was little.  I dabbled in it a bit.  I did commercials.  I stopped for awhile just to be a kid.  I started doing commercials again when I was fifteen and I just never stopped.  I just fell in love with it!  I went to acting school and stuck with it.”

 Idols like Julia Roberts and especially Meryl Streep keep Willis striving to be as good as she can be.  But daytime, and especially “GH”, has definitely gotten into her blood.

 “Daytime has come a long way.  I think, in my opinion, ‘GH’ has the best group of actors in daytime OR prime time.  I look at the actors on our show and it just amazes me all the time how hard working and how committed they are-they are just amazing.

Continuing, “Our day will come again.  I think the next year’s going to be amazing.  I don’t think we need an Emmy to do our best.  We work hard and I think it shows.”

Speaking of Emmys,  Willis recently found herself nominated for one for her work on “GH”.  She had the chance to venture back to New York City to attend the ceremony.

 “It was so cool!,” she says enthusiastically.  I know everyone says it’s so great to be nominated, but it REALLY was.  I kind of knew Jennifer Finnegan (Bridget, “B&B”) was going to win.  It was my first year on and my parents and my sister got to come out and we just had a blast.”

“GH” is always ripe with Internet rumors, some stronger than others.  Willis responded to a few to set the record straight.

Chaos on the “GH” set?  “Chaos?’ she asks.  “No! No!  There isn’t total chaos.  People get let go, things happen; it’s the nature of the business.  It’s the way it’s been since the beginning and I don’t think it’s any different than any other time.  We all have such a blast, we really do.  We all get along great.  We’re all friends-cast, crew, everybody.  I couldn’t be luckier.  I work with a great group of people.  No, it’s very mellow.”

Courtney fakes her death?  “I honestly don’t know.  I haven’t even heard that one,” she laughs.

Jason and Courtney get married?  “I really don’t know,” she says coyly.

One part of Courtney’s story that Willis treasures is the characters friendship with Carly.  “It never happens in daytime right?,” she jokes.  “We were excited that finally, in daytime, there were going to be two women who actually get along.  We enjoy it.

“Tamara (Braun, who plays Carly) and I are really good friends.  All of us kind of hang out together-Maurice, Steve- we’re all friends.  I hang out with Tamara the most.  Tamara’s great-she’s hilarious!”

While stories constantly change at “GH” and Willis is working a lot, where would she like to see her character head in the plots?

“I would love her to go to college.  I don’t know whatever happened to that.  I think it got put on hold because of all the drama and everything that’s happened.  I’m not sure what line of work Courtney would be in.  Despite what some people may think, she’s NOT a ditzy blonde (laughing), which she gets called A LOT.  That’s alright-they can say what they want.  I laugh; I think it’s hilarious.  It’s okay though, they aren’t really attacking me, they’re attacking the character and it’s like you know what,” she trails off.

Continuing, Willis says, “If I wrote for her, I make her less of a victim than she used to be.  I don’t want her to be sappy or a victim.  I just want her to stand up for herself and be strong, be someone that women can look up to and not someone people think is ditzy, because she’s not.”

Willis has worked with the top actors not just on “GH” but daytime altogether.  Is there anyone she wants to share scenes with?

“I’ve never had a scene with Tyler (Christopher who plays Nikolas).  I had scenes with Coltin (Scott, ex-Nikolas) but not with Tyler.  Also I had a short, little scene with Tony Geary and I would love to have something with him.  I think that would be so much fun,” she says.

“I work with a pretty great guy right now, but I would like to move around a little bit and work with some other people,” she adds.

The talented Willis does respond to fan mail.  “Oh definitely.  Yes.  I read all my fan mail and I sign my pictures and my mom helps me mail it all out.”

She also makes time to check out various websites, including her own.  With time off so precious, being part of a major storyline, Willis has made time for a new hobby.  “I’ve been boxing,” she states.  “I love it!  I also love doing yoga and just taking my dog to the beach.

 “People are surprised that I box.  Not a lot of women box.  I box at a real gym three times a week.  I love it.  Watch it, you talk trash to me and I’ll beat you up!  (she laughs).       

Just kidding!!  It’s such a great release and such a great workout.  I’m addicted to it!”

I ask Willis to describe Courtney in ten words or less.  “Ten words or less……aahhh,” she laughs.  “She’s honest, she’s a good person and she’s a tough cookie!”  And Alicia?  “Oh, tomboy.  Really easygoing.  Beach girl,” she says laughing.

As my time with this spunky actress draws to a close, by talking to her she comes across as a genuinely sincere lady who isn’t afraid to laugh, a lot.  And she has an unabiding appreciation for all the fans that support her.

 “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support.  I love my fans.  I love getting your letters and I read every single one, so keep writing.  Thank you so much.”

Visit Alicia's official web site and drop a line and say hello. She loves to hear from her fans.