We Love Soaps: And what I love about soaps is that they can tell a complex story like this over time, versus a two hour movie. I know a lot of our readers can relate to this situation.
Jessica Leccia: You have also seen the story manifested in the behavior of the boys and all the things they go through and how they relate to people and the world. It’s very interesting.
We Love Soaps: I wonder if Inez has any good things coming up?
Jessica Leccia: Me too! She has fun things happening. She’s trying to assimilate with her children, figure out her place, and re-form a family that was never fully formed. But in the meantime she’s in a new town, meeting new people, trying to work, support her family.
We Love Soaps: Is there any one who is catching her eye romantically?
Jessica Leccia: Sure! There are some handsome men in Llanview. How would one not notice?
We Love Soaps: My understanding is that Eddie cast her out when she was pregnant because he thought Nate could have been fathered by a different person. In your mind, is that a possibility?
Jessica Leccia: No. From my perspective, she has stated emphatically that what happened was because of his state of mind. It was his jealousy, his paranoia, not because of anything she did. She was trapped in this place with him, trying to be a mom, trying to be as protective as she could be. She was scared to death for her life and her kids lives.
We Love Soaps: Have you ever known anyone who has been in a relationship like this?
Jessica Leccia: To this degree, no. I always think you don’t know what really goes on behind closed doors with some people. But to this degree, no, and I hope I never do. I think these days people are a little bit more knowledgeable about resources and help they can get. That is my hope. But you never know. When it’s something as important as protecting your family, you can never put yourself in anyone else’s place.
We Love Soaps: In all your roles you seem to connect the viewers and help others. Why do you think our readers connect to you and your characters so well?Jessica Leccia: I know why I connect to my characters. So far they have been everyday relatable women that are hard working, have their issues, their major flaws, but at least really try. They work real hard. They are moms. There are a lot of loving moms out there, and that is one thing they relate to, whether they agree with her or not, they at least get into the mom head with you.
We Love Soaps: I think it’s also the human down-to-earth way you portray these characters. When you first stated on GUIDING LIGHT, the response was not as positive.
Jessica Leccia: No, it was not. It was a complicated story too. Whenever there’s a really popular couple, and you stick your nose in there, people are emotional. They love their characters. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
We Love Soaps: You seem to understand the mindset of soap audiences. Did you grow up watching soaps?
Jessica Leccia: Sure did! I watched the ABC lineup with my mom and my grandmother.
We Love Soaps: Including ONE LIFE TO LIVE?
Jessica Leccia: I did. I watched ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE, GENERAL HOSPITAL. I was really little when Luke & Laura were going on. That was a huge deal. I remember a lot of different shows. It depended on who you were with, who’s house you were playing at. There’s always someone who is hooked on soaps, you can always catch bits of a story. People in general know soap characters whether they watched or not, they know the different characters.
We Love Soaps: When you watched ONE LIFE were you a Viki & Clint fan?
Jessica Leccia: Yes. I remember ONE LIFE when Viki had another personality [Niki]. I was always so excited when she would put on the long red wig. I remember the story about the lost city [Eterna].
We Love Soaps: So then what’s it like to be here on the set and seeing these people you grew up watching?
Jessica Leccia: Sometimes it’s totally bizarre. Sometimes it feels like work, and other time you’re like, “Oh my God.”
We Love Soaps: You are reunited with Gina Tognoni from GUIDING LIGHT. But you did not have scenes with Jerry Ver Dorn, he left before you started.
Jessica Leccia: But oh boy did I hear about Jerry all the time. He was so loved there.
We Love Soaps: Any chance we may see you in some scenes here with Jerry?
Jessica Leccia: There is a chance (smiles). He’s fabulous. That’s another thing about working on soap. Everyone has been here a long time, or those that haven’t, get enfolded with people who have been here a long time. Everyone loves each other, there is a nice vibe. There’s not a lot of ego walking around here.
We Love Soaps: Do you find that people working here at ONE LIFE are familiar with your groundbreaking “Otalia” story from GUIDING LIGHT?
Jessica Leccia: Maybe, I don’t know. I don’t like to talk about stuff. I get nervous, I get shy. But I think we all pay attention to what other people are doing on soaps. I do. I’m sure do and some don’t.
We Love Soaps: If you could go back a year to the end of taping GUIDING LIGHT, and give yourself a piece of advice, what would that be?
Jessica Leccia: Just relish it. Which I did. We all knew it was coming. So everyday we went to work we were on our best behavior. We were loving the time we had and realizing what a great job that is. This is the best gig. I should have taken more pictures, I regret that.
We Love Soaps: Aside from VENICE and ONE LIFE, do you have any other projects in this mix?
Jessica Leccia: No, that would be exhausting. There are some people that can do that and I’m not one of them. I like to focus on the matter at hand.
To watch the video of this interview, please go to We Love Soaps TV #67
Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist seeing individuals and couples in New York City at Mental Health Counseling & Marriage And Family Therapy Of New York. He is also the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve."
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