WLS Interview Archive: Tia Dionne Hodge

Not many African-American actresses get their start on soaps by playing the ghost of a dead white man.  But as I learned in this interview last December, Tia Dionne Hodge [Amelia on ONE LIFE TO LIVE] has a history of trail blazing her own career path, on her own terms.   If you haven't read it, please enjoy this interview with this multi-talented and fascinating actress. 

 In Part One - We learned how this inspiring talent started on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, what it was like to play Robin Strasser's "wife," and how she approaches political stories in her work.

In Part Two -  We explored more about how she relates to Amelia, and what drives Tia to inspire others.
 
In Part Three - Hodge discussed her ability to multitask various projects, and hints at Amelia's future on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Marriage Family Therapist practicing in New York City, and the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve". He is re-imagining a world without "shoulds" at www.shouldless.com.

Talking with Tia: The Tia Dionne Hodge Interview, Part Three

In Part One of my interview with Tia Dionne Hodge, this inspiring talent discussed her take on her groundbreaking wedding to Dorian Lord on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.  In Part Two, she shared more about her own professional goals, and the value of mentoring of others.

In this final part of our interview, Hodge discusses her ability to multitask various projects, and hints at Amelia's future on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.  

We Love Soaps: There’s been some criticism within the gay community that the Amelia/Dorian wedding is making a mockery of the gay marriage issue.  What do you think about that?
Tia Dionne Hodge: I wouldn’t say I have a stance, as much as, isn’t it wonderful people are talking about it? Not everyone is going to like the sweater you are wearing today.  But you picked it out, you wore it.  Everyone is going to have an opinion, but it’s yours.  This is the character that I am playing, and I am proud that people are talking.  It does not hurt me, and I don’t think it hurts the show.  If it gets people talking, if it gets them engaged and talking about what’s true, then we can be in a real dialogue.  Shows show us about ourselves.  The good, the bad, the indifferent.  But it does show you a point-of-view, now get talking about it.  You want to make a change?  This is what is going on on this show.  Now take a stance.  If you believe it’s right, then go into your community and talk about it.  How do we make our truth show up in the real world? 

Talking with Tia: The Tia Dionne Hodge Interview, Part Two

In Part One of my interview with Tia Dionne Hodge, the actress discussed her roles as Angel Mel and Amelia Bennett on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, as well as the differences between playing "politics" versus "truth." In the second part of our interview we explore more about how she relates to Amelia, and what drives Tia to inspire others. 

We Love Soaps: Amelia very much plays life as “The end justifies the means.”
Tia Dionne Hodge: She has said that.  “I have a vision, I have a desire, I have a dream. How will this come to pass with the time I’m given?” Amelia has taken this on.  We can also ask, how often in our lives do we take something wholeheartedly, 100 percent? Can we all say we’re taking on 100 percent for ourselves?  That’s what acting allows me to do.  I get to take on somebody within myself 100 percent. 

We Love Soaps: Are you similar to Amelia in that way?
Tia Dionne Hodge: I think Amelia is a better person than I am.

Talking with Tia: The Tia Dionne Hodge Interview, Part One

Not many African-American actresses on soaps get their start by playing the ghost of a dead white man.  But as I learned in this interview, Tia Dionne Hodge has a history of trail blazing her own career path, on her own terms.  Please read on to learn more about how this inspiring talent started on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, what it's like to play Robin Strasser's "wife," and how she approaches political stories in her work.

We Love Soaps: I remember when you started on ONE LIFE TO LIVE it was a little unclear of you were supposed to be.  We didn’t know if you were a living embodiment of Mel, or Dorian’s vision.  How did that role come about for you? 
Tia Dionne Hodge: I actually went in and auditioned for my friend January’s character (Noelle).  I went in for that, they put me on tape, I heard nothing.  Then my agent called and said, “They’d like to see you play a nurse.”  Because they liked what I did on tape I didn’t have to audition for it.  That was my first meeting with Frank [Valentini] and everybody.  I went in, did my, job and I left.  My agent called back, “They really like what you did, so you’re now going to be Angel Mel.”  And that’s how I became Angel Mel.