Credit to Oceanview:

ROWELL'S BITTERSWEET GOOD-BYE

Dru's disappearance this week marks the end of Victoria Rowell's latest Y&R stint, which began in 2002 (she was previously on from 1990-1998 and again in 2000). The actress, who asked to be released from her contract, leaves with mixed feelings.

"I have not only been in the business of acting, but I've been in the business of lifting the whole show," she says. "That being said, I have a responsibility to my audience, which by the way, is predominately African-American; you can quote me on that. I care about the whole design of the show, I care about the wardrobe, I care about all details. I cared about the paint on the wall of the Winters family home because I felt that we needed more contrast between the color of our skin and the color of the walls. Those are the kinds of things that I would actually want to discuss. That's my responsibility as an actor, a performer and an artist; to care about the whole show. I'm detail-driven and those things are important not only to me, but to the debt of gratitude that I owe to Bill Bell."

As for her feelings about HW/EP Lynn Latham, Rowell says, "The word 'unhappy' does not exist in this equation. Lynn is a brilliant writer and she recognizes the importance of sussing out an actor's best strengths. She did the research, which I can't imagine how many hours she put into researching our characters and the history of the show, but she did it. And it shows. She's brilliant."

However, if Dru is recast, VR hopes Y&R finds "an actress who continues to march the way I did for African-Americans on covers of daytime magazines. I hope they find an actress who continues to advocate for black hair and makeup artists. I hope they find an actress who continues to march for a black writer or two on the show. I hope they find an actress who continues to demand that an African-American actress will be allowed to go [abroad] to represent Y&R. I hope they find an actress who will continue to carry the baton to care about the minutest of details, who will care about all aspects of the show and want only the best for the show." VR adds, "Sometimes, caring too much just doesn't have an audience."

This interview shows exactly why I love this woman and why she's a Y&R icon! She is so grateful to Bill Bell for what she has and you can tell in her loyalty and dedication to the show and her fans. What other actor would continue doing the daytime soap for five years while on a hit primetime show? That is going above and beyond, but this is what Rowell is known for. Respecting her audience and not forgetting where she came from whether it's foster care or Y&R. Her going the extra mile shows in all of her scenes. She gives so much to her fellow actors, even if she isn't the star of the scene.

With her exit we have only one African-American lead actress, Renee Goldsberry. I don't count Passions since it's canceled. Kent King is wallpaper on GH and Elena Goode over at ATWT is only explored through her white side. Plans to bring on her brother were scrapped and the entire black family was written off with very little fanfare. It's shameful to think that in 2007 the shows still need to work on diversity. And it's not just black people, it's Asians, Middle Eastern, etc. that need to be better represented.

Bill Bell would definitely be proud! I hope one day we can see her back in Genoa City.

That sums up why I love Ms. Rowell. She true represented on Y&R and had the courage to speak her mind. You can tell she left her mark during her run on Y&R, from dialogue, wardrobe, to character interaction.

I fear all the progress will fade away with her exit….but I will remember all the good years.

Indeed Home girl will really be missed thas for sure. The show just wont be the same

Victoria gets it, she truly does.

And I hate to say it but in regards to race on daytime, you either get it or you don't. I mean it, it's such a hard thing to describe. Anyway, it's sad on all levels to see someone who cares so much about Y&R driven away.

Victoria gets it, she truly does.

And I hate to say it but in regards to race on daytime, you either get it or you don't. I mean it, it's such a hard thing to describe. Anyway, it's sad on all levels to see someone who cares so much about Y&R driven away.

Amen.

But it's for the best as long as LML is HW.

Cause JD, ED, VR & the rest of the vets deserve so much better.

Wow. If I were the EP or show runner in charge of a soap -- and actually *wanted* that show to be/stay the best in the country -- I would be PRAYING for an actress like Victoria Rowell who was willing to give her ALL both in front of the character and behind the scenes. That kind of input from a vet like that is invaluable.

No words. Except LOVE her. And wish beyond belief for a last-minute reprieve.

I just hope she comes back sometime down the line. What a lame death..

I really wish Victoria would change her mind. I guess the best we can hope for is that she'll change her mind someday. Damn, Y&R is not going to be as good without her. The soap world has taken a lot of hits this year and I'm going to be feeling this one for a long time to come.

VR is like Bette Davis -- the young Bette Davis that picked her own film scripts and directors and made $$$ for her studio. She was awesome. I'm not usually a one-actor fangurl when it comes to Y&R because 99% of the vets are so good anyway, but... Drucilla's exit is going to leave one HUGE void.

Damn. Damn. DAMN. I wish LML would offer her a part-time spot on the writing team, like she asked.

Edited April 4, 200719 yr by Cat

The woman is marvelous, and it's sad that you can count on one hand (that's missing 3 fingers) how many exciting black characters are on daytime today - 2007!

Vicky will be missed because she contributed so much to YR, CBS and daytime!

A huge void has been left! HUGE!!!!!!!!

ANDREA

So, can someone sum up the reasons why she's leaving?

Was that the whole article or was there more?

She sounds like a biotch to me.

So, can someone sum up the reasons why she's leaving?

Officially, she's leaving to promote her book. The real story...

VR is angered she didn't get a pre-nom. Despite any spin, she's not really a fan of LML or Christel Khalil.

It's all so...SCANDALOUS.

She sounds like a biotch to me.

Word!

I can't stand her. Dare I say she's racist? Yes I dare.

And she is stuck on her own sh!t...