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Just when one you think there isn't enough African American talent on daytime soaps, a few long lasting veterans are possibly leaving to venture onto other projects that could be more fruitful.
Recently, two-time Emmy winner and 'The Young and the Restless's 19-year veteran Kristoff St. John released a statement on his Facebook page, denying reports that he was set to leave the #1 rated daytime soap.
"As of right now, today, I am not leaving The Young and The Restless. I love my daytime home and treasure it. I love all of you and thank you for your beautiful support."
According to Soaps In Depth, a rep for the actor stated, "Kristoff St. John will make a very brief departure from daytime to focus on a professional opportunity. As he considers Genoa City home, he looks forward to returning quickly and giving fans much more of Neil Winters."
Meanwhile, 'One Life to Live' star Tika Sumpter posted a video message on her Facebook page informing her fans that she decided to go to recurring status with the ABC soap. She has been Layla Williamson, the sister of Llanview Assistant District Attorney Evangeline Williamson (formerly played by Renee Elise Goldsberry), on the show since 2005.
"As of July 30th, I will no longer be on contract. I will be on recurring (status). This was my choice. I decided this because it's just time to move on for me. It's time for me to try other things. And... it's just time. You know, you come at a crossroads in your life and you know that it's time to go on."
Sumpter will be starring opposite TNT's Hawthorne's Collins Pennie in 'Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming,' the sequel to the 2007 box office hit. It will be released on video on September 21.
In the meantime, 'Y&R' has added Julia Pace Mitchell to the cast.
Debuting today, she's playing Sofia Dupre, the confident, no-nonsense CFO to Tucker McCall's company.
She shares screen time with Tucker, Neil, and Malcolm.
She's representing bold, beautiful and black plus sized woman on daytime television with her new role.
If she looks familiar, Mitchell was last seen on the big screen in 'Notorious,' the Biggie Smalls film. She played Jan, the mother of his first child.
She will next be seen 'Faster,' starring Dwayne Johnson.
Comments: (9)
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By: Sharon on 7/20/2010 5:40PM
Bill, Smill, whatever your "alleged' name is, you NEVER fai to prove yourself as an uneducated, uninsipired, and MOST CERTAINLY UNEMPLOYED CRITON>
Get a Life! HA! HA! HA!
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By: PrissyB on 7/21/2010 2:19AM
It takes a really ignorant and uneducated person to make a comment like that. Obiviously you need a hug. Or a swift kick in the A** whatever it maybe get it together sweetheart..
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By: ray on 7/21/2010 6:07PM
daytime soap operas have a precarious future these days - some of the oldest ones have been cancelled, and i'd be surprised if the remaining ones last all that much longer.
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By: rdw on 7/22/2010 6:28PM
I agree, I mean rather they have black characters or not now days on soaps, the storylines are being recycled to death, to the point of being ridiculous, just plain unrealistic and stupid! That's why daytime dramas are loosing a significant amount of viewers in mass numbers each year. To be honest, since the death of Bill Bell several years ago, to me personally The Young And The Restless died as well.
I mean the show is just not the same anymore, the vetran characters are put on the back burner or being displayed as a "supporting" cast, not having any major storyline at all. Some of the popular characters were either written out of the show or worst killed off. Plus, the new characters are not well developed, just thrown in for air time without even knowing anything about their history or past. Also, the acting is horrible now! I mean, some of these young so-called actors on the show can't act worth a damn!
The masterfully storytelling of Bill Bell, the character development, storylines about basic real life issue such as family relationships, the scene built up confrontations of rivals, even how the show is directed now on Y&R is very different today, from what it use to be in the 70' 80's and 90's. The uniqueness of the show is just not there anymore. Sad to say Y&R (OLTL too) is not as good like it use to be back in the day, just my opinion.
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By: "DimePiece" on 7/22/2010 4:02PM
I hope that "Neil", Kristoff St. John isn't leaving? There are so many new faces and some old faces on there such as; Darrius (Malcolm Character), Phyllis, Ashely's daughter(The Peta "It Girl"), Katharine Chancler's son), Paul's(The Detective)daughter, and maybe a couple non-acting non-exciting folks on there that need to GO! But as far as Julia who plays Sophia (Malcolm's Fiance, I don't feel the connection between the two? I feel she is trying to hard and it's not natural? That's my opinion? Maybe she will step it up? Young & The Restless is still my #1 SOAP!
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By: Kate on 7/24/2010 10:17PM
Many people have not notice but African Americans are losing their jobs all over the country. In this bad economy people make choices. Most jobs chose to keep whites and let black go.
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By: Terry Manning on 7/25/2010 5:57PM
Yes they are the storylines are silly and geared more Towards the white chracters if u are a black Actor on daytime t.v. expect nothing but they Always have our sisters with white actors but Rarely do u have our brothers in relationships with white actress (see neil winters with ashley and victoria)
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By: emalekev on 7/25/2010 9:52PM
Since Victoria Rowell was let go at Y&R. The black story line has suffered. They just don't know what to do with us on there. I know they don't have black hair stylist and make up people. Because that new actress that plays the character Sofia Dupre is made up horribly. Take that blue eye shadow off of her and those horrid outfits. Neil Winters haircut is not fly at all....They need to hire some black writers too.....
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By: Ronnie on 7/28/2010 4:24PM
I'm so sad to hear that Tika is leaving! She finally had a story after way too much time on the back burner. Over the last six months, OLTL has lost most of its interesting and diverse characters in order to give us more of the same. Tika, best of luck to you in all of your future endeavors. We'll be watching out for you!
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