By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
I nearly lost it as I watched the harrowing scene of Drucilla Winters tumbling to her tragic death -- or what should be -- during yesterday's episode of 'The Young & The Restless.'
Being the ________ bitch she has been known to be for the past 17 years on the top rated daytime series, Drucilla was cussing somebody out and fussing over a cell phone during a high fashion photo shoot before falling off Niagara Falls-like cliffs to her watery grave.
Drama.
What a way to go out.
But that's not the last we will see of Victoria Rowell, the 11-time NACCP Image Award winning actress who immortalized the role since 1990, and has become a soap opera icon.
The Portland, Maine native's next chapter of her career involves the publishing of her memoir, 'The Women Who Raised Me.' William Morrow/Harper Collins will release the book April 10, with Rowell planning to kicking off a national whistle-stop book tour in New York City next week.
'Women' is a tribute not only to the amazing women who cared for Rowell when her birth mother could not, but also to the foster care system that brought them into her life.
"I was never meant to be raised by one mother, but my many," said Rowell, who spent 18 years in the foster care system.
A passionate voice for children like herself, the former American Ballet Theater dancer and fashion model founded the Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan, which enriches foster children through artistic expression, in 1990.
Since 1998, Rowell has been the national spokesperson for the Annie E. Casey Foundation's direct service arm, Casey Family Services.
On the acting front, Rowell has always kept busy outside of the soap world. Last year she had a memorable role playing a dow-low woman torn between her husband and her female lover on Patrik Ian Polk's brilliant 'Noah's Arc.' In December, she starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson and 50 Cent in the overlooked war drama 'Home of the Brave.'
In the forthcoming film 'Of Boys and Men,' Rowell stars alongside Oscar nominee Angela Bassett and director/actor Robert Townsend in the Chicago based family drama.
Comments: (364)
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By: Ro on 4/06/2007 12:33PM
What is Y & R thinking?...I'm a newbie to the show and only began watching because I was flipping channels and was captivated by this amazing actress..I can truly say her character will be missed and they had better introduce a new storyline quick...or they just may lose their number one spot!
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By: Practical on 4/06/2007 7:56PM
It was shocking Y&R killed off Drucilla. I heard she was leaving but I thought they'd replace her with another actress. Kristoff St. John is now the only black on the show. Hmmm!
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By: Jason Clark on 4/07/2007 1:54PM
Wow, it's going to be "The Young & The Blackless" shortly. People were starting to hate her character anyway. That's a damn shame to kill off an important character and for her to leave the show after a career like that? Who's going to leave next? Victor?
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By: Philly Girl on 4/07/2007 8:13AM
When I watched the episode of Dru's untimely demise, I could do nothing but screen. She was one of the best actors on that show. Y&R has made a huge mistake castining Victoria off. Then again, this is the world of fantasy.... They can come to their senses and bring her back from the dead!!!
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By: JRenee on 4/07/2007 10:06AM
I'm a die hard fan of Y&R and I can say that Dru is definitely going to be misssed. I know the Victoria asked to be let out of her contract for her own personal reasons. But I'm hoping that she doesn't stay away for too long, because no one can stir up trouble better than her!
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By: J Furlow on 4/07/2007 12:10PM
I hated to see Dru falling to her death ! The show will NOT be the same without her ! I hope she somehow is found and brought back in a few months. She can not be replaced ! My husband even watched the show with me so he could see what Dru would be wearing !! (smile) COME BACK DRU !!!
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By: Lisa on 4/07/2007 1:59PM
If they don't find the body we can count on the return of DRU just like they did with Malcom.
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By: Eva on 4/08/2007 1:03PM
Drucilla is my favorite actress on the show I can say she will be truly missed unless she return with amnesia to really get thangs to poppin, all I can say now is I can't wait until Monday to catch whats gonna happen next.
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By: Diva!!!!!!!!! on 4/07/2007 7:14PM
I really cut for Y&R I hope they bring more blacks on the show but it seem like they was focusing on Sharon than Dru I really didnt like that at all.... BUT GO DRU HOPE YOU COME BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: joy on 4/07/2007 9:06PM
bring dru back soon i love seeing her that is why i love seeing dru she is so real and so down to earth she dont believe in holding her tongue bring dru back
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