Sheer Elegance, that is definitely one statement that describes my dear friend and All My Children star Bobbie Eakes, even after a hard day of training for the upcoming New York Marathon, Bobbie still took the time to sit down and do this interview. Ever since she began her daytime career as Macy Alexander Forrestor on CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful, Eakes has been wowing daytime viewers with not only her beauty, sophistication, elegance and warm personality, but with her multitude of talents which include a beautiful singing voice. 

It’s that beautiful singing voice that lead Eakes to release her latest CD Something Beautiful in 2005 and embark on her next project, that includes some other talented daytime leading ladies.

“I LOVE being on All My Children, but I also wanted to work on my music some more as well,” shares Eakes. “I’ve always enjoyed it when we (daytime stars) have been able to do live shows like the "Broadway Cares" events and I decided that I wanted to do some more live shows.”

I told Eakes how surprised she has been over the years to see the multitude of talents that many of today’s hottest daytime performers exhibit. “Oh I agree, we do have some VERY talented performers in daytime,” says Eakes. In fact it is her friendship with two of those talented stars, that led Eakes to formulate an idea for what is sure to be an entertaining live show.

“Through the “Broadway Cares” and numerous other daytime events I have gotten to know One Life’s Kassie DePavia and Kathy Brier,” shares Eakes. “Since I was planning on doing some of my own live shows, I thought how fun it would be to have some company on stage with me, so I approached Kassie and Kathy to see if they might be interested in doing some shows with me and they both said yes. We will be doing some tunes that everyone knows as well as some of our own pieces.”

So, be on the lookout for these 3 leading ladies of daytime to possibly come to your home town sometime this summer or fall. “Three daytime divas coming to a theatre near you,” Eakes says with a laugh. But never fear, all 3 of these ladies will still be wowing daytime viewers on the small screen as well.

For the last four years, Eakes has called Pine Valley and the Manhattan studios of the alphabet network home. “Four years in Pine Valley and I am still having a BLAST,” she says. And what a four years it definitely has been!

From switching DNA tests, to a small stint in the slammer, a marriage to a silver haired fox, marrying Tad The Cad and giving birth on the floor of the Chandler mansion, Krystal’s life seems to be somewhat on an even keel. “For the moment” (interjects Eakes with a laugh). But as we all know, things can change in daytime with the drop of a hat or a new head writer. 

Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the last six months (or in Siberia) then you have been VERY well aware of the Writers Strike, which impacted not only our favorite primetime shows and films, but our much loved daytime shows as well. Characters were shelved, storylines changed directions, and many couples found themselves snuggling up with strange bedfellows. With all the changes occurring (on almost a daily basis) viewers were a tad befuddled as to what was happening (or would be happening) down the road. 

The viewers were not the only ones befuddled. “Of course viewers know about the Writer’s Strike and saw the changes that occurred from it, storylines were dropped and changed direction” sighs Eakes. “Other than what we’ve recently filmed, I have no idea what is in store for Krystal down the road.” 

The one thing viewers hope to see in Krystal’s future is she finally addresses the tension that occurs each and every time she is in the room with former hubby, Adam Chandler. It is quite obvious that Krystal and Adam have some unfinished business and unresolved issues with one another. “Isn’t that the truth,” Eakes says with a chuckle.  “You are definitely right, Adam and Krystal do have some things that need to be dealt with before either one of them can fully move forward with their lives,” she continues.  Like her spur of the moment holiday wedding to former flame, Tad Martin?  “Yea that was a big one,” she says softly. “A part of Krystal loves and cares for Tad, after all he is the father of her baby daughter and they will always be connected to one another because of that, no matter what paths they choose to go down in their lives.”

And how does Krystal feel about Adam? “The other half of Krystal still truly and deeply loves Adam, she knows she hurt him deeply by sleeping with Tad during their marriage and she knows it devastated him when little Jenny ended up being Tad’s daughter. The show has already established that Dixie is and always will be Tad’s true love and quite honestly I think that Krystal is Adam’s.”

Something tells me that a triangle between the trio is not to far off on the horizon for viewers.  “You know, I think that was originally a plan of the writers before the strike, but I have no idea what the head writer has in store for them now.”

Speaking of the show’s head writers, Eakes who was on vacation in Los Angeles and was shocked when I told her that AMC is about to get a new head writer. “Are you kidding me,” she says shocked.  “I just talked to Jim and Barbara a few days ago. Oh wow, well then what will happen with Tad, Krystal and Adam is anyone’s guess, we will just have to wait and see then.”

Just like viewers, Eakes is anxious to see what changes will occur in Pine Valley and which longtime characters might we just see coming home again, hopefully one of those being Dixie, portrayed Cady McClain I suggested. “Cady’s great isn’t she,” proclaims Eakes. “I would LOVE to see the show bring Dixie back full time and alive, so many great storylines could evolve from it, especially if Krystal and Kate were to end up bonding.” 

Not only could it cause more conflict in little Kate’s life, but Dixie’s return could cause some conflict in the Martin marriage? “Who knows Dixie and Krystal might feud for the affections of Tad or even Adam?” says Eakes. 

Or perhaps another ex-wife, of Tad and Adam’s who they have in common might return to town and give Krystal a run for her money in the affections department, Brooke English. Ever since, Julia Barr was released fans have been clamoring for her return, and what a way to bring Brooke back than by having her feud with Krystal for the love of Adam Chandler. “That is a fantastic idea,” says an excited Eakes.  “Julia (Barr) is such a great actress and I would love the chance to work with her again, especially in a triangle storyline such as this.”

But right now it appears as if Krystal may be competing with another female for Tad’s time and affections, a female of the short and childlike kind. Over the last few months, we were treated to “Ghost” Dixie who made it her mission to reunite her long lost daughter Kate, with Tad, something Tad and Dixie fans have been waiting years for to happen.  “The dynamics in Tad and Krystal’s household when Kate comes to live with them are about to become a little different,” hints Eakes. 

And who would’ve thought otherwise, after all Kate is the daughter of Tad and his true love Dixie, something that might just intimidate the new Mrs. Martin, just a bit. “I am sure that Kate being Dixie’s daughter will cross her mind but just like she did with Colby, Krystal is going to reach out to that little girl and love, raise and care for her as if she were her own flesh and blood.”

And speaking of her own flesh and blood, what changes might occur for Eakes on screen daughters, Babe and little Jenny? Ever since David Hayward dropped the bombshell regarding little Jenny’s paternity, fans have wondered whether or not it would be addressed again?

“It’s mentioned all the time. Just the other day one of the crew member’s said to me wouldn’t it be interesting if Jenny turned out to be Adam’s especially now that Tad has been reunited with Kate,” chuckles Eakes. With a new head writer “anything is possible,” she stresses.

Besides, Krystal seems to have found a kindred spirit and BFF in the newly returned Angie Hubbard, something she really has not had from any other Pine Valley female since arriving in town. 

“Both Angie and Krystal are strong willed, stubborn women who share similar hopes, fears and dreams for the future and the future of their children and loved ones,” she shares.  “I think that it is the common link they share that has helped them build and develop this friendship with each other.” It also helps when the two lead females in this onscreen friendship are becoming just as good friends off screen

“I met Darnell and Debbie prior to them ever returning to the show,” she reveals. “Fans may not be aware, but Darnell was one of our directors on the show for a number of years and I had the chance to work with him during before he returned as Jesse. He even brought Debbie by the studio for a visit one day.”

So what started as an on screen friendship has now become an off screen one, much like the friendship Eakes shares with former onscreen daughter, Alexa  Havins. “Alexa is doing great, I actually spoke to her when she was in New York a few weeks ago.”  Eakes knew from the minute she met Havins, that she was bound for stardom. “Alexa is very talented and not long after she started on the show, she talked about projects and opportunities once her contract was up.” Life mirrored art as Eakes gave Havins a mother daughter chat, “I told her she would be foolish not to explore other projects and opportunities,” hugged her and said goodbye. 

The only difference was after Havins left, Eakes found herself taking on the mom role once again, this time with daytime newcomer Amanda Baker. “I really like Amanda,” says Eakes. “I think she has definitely come along way and made the role of Babe her own, it is funny how alike she and Alexa are, they are both sweet and funny.” 

“I am having a great time in Pine Valley,” she says in between numerous thank you’s and acknowledgments to the fans.  “I owe a lot of this to them and I truly appreciate all their support over the years.” 

So the next time you are in New York, be on the look out for Bobbie Eakes. Who knows she might just be running beside you in the New York City Marathon. “I have been in training and am getting prepared to run the marathon.”

Again, Elegance, beauty, poise, with, sophistication just a few of the plethora of words that could be used to describe Bobbie Eakes.  I would like to say a huge thank you to Bobbie for taking time out of her vacation (and marathon training) to do the interview with us.