Katherine Kelly Lang - The Exclusive WLS Interview, Part Two
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I imagine you must get sympathies from people who are dealing with a troubled mother-in-law. Katherine Kelly Lang: [Laughs] Yes, and they all think Stephanie is crazy. But they love it. Everyone loves the Brooke / Stephanie story.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: What do you think people all over the world love about that dynamic?
Katherine Kelly Lang: Everybody has somebody in life that is like that. Somebody they have to deal with. It’s good to see someone else on TV have to go through it. Then seeing how Brooke never gives up, Stephanie never gives up either, and they both stand their ground. It’s interesting how they come together sometimes. They really do like each other, but then they go back to hating each other. It is a great dynamic.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I sincerely believe that soaps have a way to promote mental wellness in ways that no other art form can. Brooke’s consistent resilience, and her ability to stand up to Stephanie’s bullying, resonates with the audience. Katherine Kelly Lang: I hope so. That would make me feel good.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Do you think of yourself as resilient? Katherine Kelly Lang: Oh yes!
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: How so? Katherine Kelly Lang: Getting through things, getting though life itself. People think that certain people have it easy, but everyone has issues and problems that they have to get through. You have to go through things while trying to be stable, grounded, in control of emotions, and still go through those tough times and come out the other side a better person.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: At WE LOVE SOAPS TV, we have been painfully aware of the rash of gay suicides that have been getting media attention in recent months. Katherine Kelly Lang: It’s terrible. You have to keep telling yourself that it doesn’t matter what people say or think. You have to keep telling yourself that. It’s what you feel on the inside that matters. You have to be comfortable and confident with you are a person, and believe in yourself. You can’t look at these other people who judge you. You have to learn to ignore them in some way and look inside, figure out who you are, who you want to be, and then be happy. It takes a lot of strength. I feel bad for those people who don’t know any other way out because there is another way.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: And Brooke has personified that there is another way. I wish that there were more examples in our society of someone who gets through some of the worst things life can throw at her. Brooke never goes away and says, "Poor me.” Katherine Kelly Lang: Right. The minute you do that it gets in your head. You have to keep fighting it. Stand up for yourself. I wish I could be more help in this way. It’s nice to think that maybe somebody is getting something from what I’m doing on a daily soap opera. I just think that if we are doing this, we need to be able to help out in some way. There’s got to be something good that comes out of this. Of course, it is entertainment, but there has to be something more.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Have you gotten back that kind of feedback from viewers? Katherine Kelly Lang: I have. People have told me I make them feel better. They see what Brooke is going through and they feel better. I never really understood that but maybe it is what you’re talking about. Brooke doesn’t give up, she keeps plowing forward, she keeps going through things. That is what they see, and that is what gives them hope. I’ve talked to Brad [Bell] about the issue of doing more. We don’t have to go around making speeches, but do some kind of story that also brings awareness to issues. Even what you’re mentioning, with kids committing suicide, that would be a great storyline to approach in someway. But what we did recently with the homeless community was great. I’m glad he’s been going in that direction. He can’t do that all the time, it’s hard to do that kind of thing every day on a soap opera. But once in awhile we can do stories that are eye opening and bring awareness.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I have been enjoying this story with Stephanie helping the homeless quite a bit. I even remember the first time B&B focused on this issue in the early '90s. In your personal life, you have shown great dedication to helping the homeless in L.A. Katherine Kelly Lang: Yes. I go down to the Mission with my family and help serve food. We bring things that they need, especially during the holidays.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Why is that important to you? Katherine Kelly Lang: First of all, it reminds us that we have a lot to be thankful for. It reminds us that there are people worse off, and it gives a good perspective to the kids. There are people that are struggling every day who don’t have a roof over their head. They are trying to find a way out, and we need to help. You can help change society.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: What other causes are important to you? Katherine Kelly Lang: We do a yearly benefit to help Rally For Kids With Cancer. It is Eva Longoria’s charity for the Children’s Hospital. We raise a lot of money every year doing that. My father passed away from cancer and then to see kids with cancer and fighting this disease is really overwhelming. We also support Feed The Children which helps children all around the world. This is important all times of the year.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Come back for Part Three during which time we discuss the haunting 2007 rape story line, and Lang's take on being overlooked for Emmys. Did Lang compete on the Italian DANCING WITH THE STARS? Come back to find out!
