Victoria Rowell Not Ruling Out Return to 'Young & the Restless'

Like her legendary character, Drucilla Winters, on the 'Young and the Restless,' actress Victoria Rowell doesn't bite her tongue. The NAACP Image Award Winner had no problem filling the BV Newswire in on her discontent with the show's direction, her next book project and why we need to hold CBS accountable for the representation of African Americans on television.

"I introduced a story line about foster care five years ago that was very authentic," Rowell disclosed.

Rowel says she asked CBS to hire a black actor because black men are the predominant race in foster care. The story line was a huge success, garnering the show an Emmy, an NAACP Image Award and Congressional recognition, but Rowell said she is unhappy with the recent direction it has taken.

"About some weeks ago, they had the young foster son sleeping with his father's girlfriend, and it did not sit well with a lot of people, predominantly black women because African American women make up the 'Young and the Restless' audience," she said.

"I take this very serious, and I think that a sterling story line that received so much positive attention just hit a cord with a lot of people, and this is not the Bill Bell legacy."

"I'm devastated," she continued. "I put in 16, 17 years and doggedly tried to bring in effective change so that the new generation of actors wouldn't say who's going to do my hair...It's 2009 and the show has been on the air for 37 years. We had a cast of eight black actors and now you're down to two. Come on NAACP and Urban League, speak up. Who's asleep at the wheel at CBS?"

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Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time

Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All Time:
First off, we acknowledge that 'sexiness' is extremely subjective, but since when has that stopped anyone from offering their opinion? It certainly hasn't kept us from taking note of the women who have served it up to us over and over again on the silver screen. That kind of consistency deserves recognition. That's why Black Voices took time out to compile a list of the top 30 sexiest actresses of all time. Although many of the women on our list have excelled in various media throughout their careers, we decided to rank each actress based on their "sex appeal in feature films, roles and scenes." Whether you agree or disagree with our rankings, we want to hear your opinion. Why not give us your own top 30 sexy actresses list? Please post your thoughts, comments and/or opinions in our community message board. Let the sexiness begin!

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Mel B Pictures

In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **

In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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Rowell's character fell off a cliff into shallow water, but her body was not discovered. Fans of the actress have started a grass roots campaign, urging for Drucilla's return.

"White actors in daytime are brought back from the dead all the time. Why does it require a national campaign to bring back perhaps arguably the strongest black actress in daytime?," she questioned. "What is that about? Let's evaluate what's keeping the show on the air -- the sponsors, the black hair products, black women clutching detergent bottles. Who's pimping who?"

Despite Rowell's frustration, the Portland, Maine native has a lot of other fabulous things in the works.

She recently tied the knot with visual artist Radcliff Bailey. The couple honeymooned in Spain and spend their time between Los Angeles and Atlanta.

After an international book tour for her New York Times best-selling tome 'The Women Who Raised Me,' Rowell is working on her next book, 'Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva', which will be out next year. The novel is one hundred percent fiction, but Rowell says there are hints of her struggle in its story.

"It's about a protagonist from Mississippi who migrates to Hollywood with no formal training," Rowell said. "She struggles with the disparity that exists for black actresses."

When the book launches, there will be a one-woman show with a limited run, "Whoopi Goldberg-esque," Rowell adds.

Although cities and dates are uncertain right now, Rowell has confirmed there will be an Atlanta show at the Southwest Arts Center.