Melody Thomas, plays Nikki Reed Newman on 'Young and the Restless'.
HAVING RECENTLY celebrated 27 years on the No. 1 daytime soap The Young and the Restless, you'd think that Melody Thomas Scott would be getting a bit restless. No way! As Nikki Reed Newman - a character who has been married seven times (twice to Victor), been addicted to alcohol and pain pills, killed her sexual-molester father and been shot several times - Melody has an exciting alter ego.
Through it all, Nikki has matured into the strong, independent woman that she is today. While given the chance to play a character who has had the opportunity to grow and develop like that is exciting for any actor, Melody says: "You're not even aware of it at the time. As an actor, you feel lucky just to have a job after the first 13 weeks. When I started, I didn't understand the idea of becoming a fan favorite - especially after replacing the original actress (Erica Hope), which many people don't even realise. It's good to know as an actor."
Melody is also excited to be playing her current story line, which shows her character possibly getting readdicted to prescription pain medication.
Years ago, when she played the alcohol/pill-popping story line, Melody felt "it never really finished properly. Nikki just woke up one day and decided that she's fine now. I felt that was unrealistic. I would like to follow Nikki through rehab and detox. I want to find a good conclusion. Maybe this new story line will address that. It's looking like it might."
RUTHLESS BUSINESSMAN TO LOVING HUSBAND
Nikki is still finding ways to get herself into trouble. Her current plan to side with her children, Victoria and Nick, against Victor's takeover of Newman Enterprises is sure to drive a wedge between Nikki and Victor. "It's so difficult sometimes (to play the current story line). I cannot believe that she has the guts to do what she's doing. There must be a reason that we'll find out down the line. This move doesn't seem in character to me."
As "a narcissist who needs attention, her husband's attention," Nikki's recent shooting is destined to bring Victor and Nikki even closer. "This is the turning point of Victor adoring her again. He turns from ruthless businessman into loving husband."
On May 31, Jewel will be coming to Genoa City, as herself, to perform in a charity concert. The charity event is in honour of Nikki's granddaughter, Cassie, who passed away last year owing to a car accident. While it was a joy to meet and work with this Grammy-nominated artiste ("She was just so sweet, and an excellent live performer!"), the subject of the fund-raiser brought back bittersweet memories for the actress.
"I can remember: The day Cassie died, Nikki was in her hospital room saying goodbye, and then the time came for it to be just the parents in the room. So I left the room, and just outside the door, I slid down the wall and completely collapsed. I'm sobbing on my knees with my hands over my mouth since they were still filming just on the other side of the wall. It was very emotional. The crew must have thought I was nuts!"
LUCY-DESI DAYS FESTIVAL
Outside of work, Melody is especially active with the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York, the birthplace of Lucy. As a lifelong Lucy fan, Melody is a founding member of the board of directors, whose mission is: "To preserve and celebrate the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter."
When Melody first became involved with the Lucy-Desi Center, "it was a tiny museum. Now, with the help of donors and through good will, it has taken over the town of Jamestown. Major sets have been re-created - such as the New York apartment, the Tropicana Club, the L.A. penthouse - and they sponsor a Lucy-Desi Days Festival twice a year."
This year's first festival is May 26-28, where there will be contests, appearances, lunches, dinners, book-signings, etc. "This is definitely the place to be that weekend for Lucy fans."
And while Melody is not always a fan of Nikki ("Sometimes I just want to strangle her, like when she went to work for Victor's competitor, and the times when she isn't treating her children too nicely."), she loves the challenges of playing her every day for the past 27 years. For Nikki's future, Melody would love to have Nikki "just go crazy. Let's put her in an insane asylum, bouncing off the padded walls and everything. As an actor, that's a great challenge - and it's also great therapy!"
