SA celebrates 30 years with ‘Bold and Beautiful’
THE stars of one of the world’s biggest soap operas, The Bold and The Beautiful, arrived in South Africa this week in celebration of the show’s 30th anniversary.
Amid plummeting ratings for daytime soaps in the US, the daily lives of the Forresters remain staple TV viewing for millions around the world.
Heather Tom, who plays Katie Logan; Jacob Young, who plays Rick Forrester; and Karla Mose, who plays Rick’s wife Maya Forrester, were in Joburg and Cape Town this week.
They revealed that, apart from the tour, they will make a cameo appearance in local soap Isidingo. “I don’t know when it will be aired. We didn’t have a lot of time. It’s a simple scene of us coming and learning more about the culture and cuisine,” said Young.
Speaking about what viewers can expect in the coming episodes of The Bold and The Beautiful, Young said: “There is always some sort of drama that is going to be coming down the pipe, whether it’s Brooke or Ridge. As for my character, look for more with the Avant family and Nicole, who is my surrogate. There are a couple of curve-balls coming down.”
Mose, who plays transgender Maya, lead model for Forrester Creations, commented on trans-representation on the show.
“As a black woman, I understand the importance of being able to tell our own stories, so I am really happy that it seems to be opening the door for people to be able to step in and play those roles.
“As far as the story goes, I think it is changing hearts and minds or at least opening people up and educating them about what a certain person’s life might be like to walk through childhood being a transgender. I am proud our show chose to tell that story.”
The trio spent time visiting tourist and historical sites in Johannesburg and Cape Town, mingling with the media and fans this week.
Teresa Spinas, 70, has kept her eyes peeled on the show since it first aired here. Eloise Petersen, 41, was introduced to the show by her late grandmother. “They are part of the family. I still have an old VHS that I record with if I miss a programme.”