One Life to Live: Start Talking with Kristen

Jet setting!

Hey everybody!

I’ve had a crazy busy two weeks between Prom, the Emmys and traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast and back again. It’s been pretty exhausting but in a really good way.

Two weeks ago was my Prom.  It was the Senior Prom. I’m a junior but at my school juniors can attend.  I got ready at the One Life to Live studio -- they did my hair and make-up which was super sweet. At 6pm, I went to Bob Woods’ house because his son Tanner was my date.  Loyita (Bob’s wife -- she is going to be on the show soon. Tanner, too!) had to help me with the corsage.  We went onto the fire escape and took a bunch of pictures and had the best time joking around before we left for the Prom. Bob got us a limo and we were like two kids -- we had to play with everything. We picked up my friend Taylor and she rode with us to the prom.  At the prom, we had such a good time dancing and hanging out. It was a little sad too because some of my friends are seniors, some of my best friends, but we will make sure to keep in touch.  After the prom was over, Tanner, Taylor and I came back to my apartment and another friend Paul joined us.  We went out by the river and just hung out which was tons of fun and then came back and watched “Carrie” (a good prom night thriller). It was a big success and we had tons of fun with absolutely no drama like Starr’s prom night.

The following Thursday, my mom and I took a flight to LA. (I slept most of the way.)  When we got there, we didn’t stop moving.  We had to get ready for a pre-Emmy party and that was a really good time. SOAPnet throws a great party. The next day, as soon as I woke up I had to get ready for the Emmys.  I had breakfast, then my mom and BethAnn (“Talia”) curled my hair and then I did my make up before heading out to the red carpet. Brandon and I had to be there at 2:30pm to be on standby because we were one of the first interviews on the SOAPnet Live pre-show.  Right before I left, I got a call from my Aunt Randi and she said that my cousin just had a baby boy named, Cooper Robert Alderson.  It’s nice to share happy news. Usually the only baby news I am dealing with is Starr’s and that’s pretty dramatic.   So after the call, we ran to the red carpet to do the interview and I got to mention Cooper live on TV and my family was freaking out.  They recorded it and kept rewinding it to watch it over and over. 

On the red carpet, it was 105 degrees and everyone was really hot but even though we were sweating, we had a great time. I was really excited because Brandon and I were interviewed by Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, Access Hollywood and E! News. I watch all of those shows, so that was kind of cool. They all wanted to know my feelings about Jamie Lynn Spears and the 17 girls at Gloucester High School that are pregnant, which I learned about from The Insider.  They told me about the story and I was pretty shocked to say the least. (If you don’t know what I am talking about, here’s a link to a piece from Good Morning America.)

When they asked me different questions about teen pregnancy and my view on the subject, I was really confident in my answers because my story on OLTL has taught me so much.  It feels good to share what I’ve learned with other people.  I was on Entertainment Tonight on Monday, June 23.  It was really exciting because I was on with the girl from the new ABC Family show called, The Secret Life of the American Teenager (Premieres July 1 and Mark Derwin “Ben” plays the father -- he told me about the show when he came back to OLTL last week to tape some scenes for our Anniversary show.)  It really feels good to be a part of a story that is helping teens because there has been recent speculation that “Juno” and Jamie Lynn Spears have glamorized teen pregnancy.  They gave OLTL and ABC Family kudos for telling real stories that can help make a difference for the better.

The Emmys were also super fun because Brandon and I were asked questions by Cameron Mathison live during the show.  I was a little embarrassed because my grammar was a little off…oh well, I was excited! It was great to be in LA with the OLTL cast because they are like my family.  We were all so excited that our writers and directors won.  The next day, I stayed in CA and saw my friend Cole (son of Dan Gauthier, ex-Kevin) which is always great to see him. I left with some really good memories and I am happy that the red carpet did not turn out like my dream that I told you about last week (I was just really hot and sweaty but not pregnant!).

Now this week on OLTL, Cole spoke to Nora about his legal options to fight for custody of the baby. At the same time, Starr tried to get her point across to John McBain.  She wanted him to help her tell Cole that she wants what is best for the baby and it’s killing her as much as Cole to have to make such a big decision.

What’s been so amazing about this story is that the audience gets to go along for the ride through all of the challenges that Starr and Cole face each week.  I think that OLTL has done a beautiful job and we don’t have to skip anything because we are on five days a week. They have shown all of the characters’ emotions without being rushed which is so great for every character and the audience.

WOW! That was a long one.

Until next week.

XO,

Kristen

Start talking with your parent or child with tips from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy:

• Have you ever thought about what a pregnancy  would do to your life and your dreams for the future?  Would you be able to finish school?  Would you be able to take part in all the activities and fun stuff teenagers do? Would you have enough money? Would you be able to reach the goals you've been setting for yourself? Would you and your partner share parenting responsibilities for the next 18 years? As a teen parent, chances are that you wouldn’t.  Half of all teens have never thought about how a pregnancy would impact their lives. So take and minute and imagine how it would be for you.  Babies are wonderful -- and they deserve and require adult parents who are truly committed -- committed to their children and committed to each other.
• With all the media buzz right now about Jamie Lynn Spears as a teen mom, or the high school in Massachusetts where the teen pregnancy rate has tripled, it's clear that teen pregnancy is not just a good story on TV. It's real life, and it's 100% preventable.  For more information on abstinence, contraception, and preventing teen pregnancy, check out Stayteen.org's special page.   

It's Emmy Time!

Hi Everyone! It’s Emmy Day! Wish us luck!

So last week, I talked about Starr making the decision to choose adoption. If you remember in my 6th blog, I spoke about Ashley, a teen who got pregnant at 16 and had her baby at 17. She talked about how she chose adoption. She did not give her baby up or give up on her baby. She made an adoption plan. She was so passionate about it and it stuck with me. So now, I make sure use the term “choose adoption.”

This week, Starr decides to talk to Marcie because she wants to see if she would even consider adopting Starr’s baby before she decides to tell her Mom about her decision. She does tell Cole first because she believes he has the right to know about this decision that she is considering. During the discussion with Cole, he’s completely against the idea of adoption and more than anything, wants to keep the baby. He feels that this baby is the only family he has left. In the end, Cole’s final decision is against adoption for their child. Starr’s upset because she knows it’s the right thing, but before she decides to fight Cole on this, she wants to see what Marcie really wants.

I had a dream recently, that I was at the Emmys on the red carpet and I was almost 9 months pregnant! I looked and felt very pregnant. It was the most realistic dream that I’ve ever had because I could feel my stomach and it didn’t feel like a dream. I even saw my friend Cole [not Thornhart, Dan Gauthier’s (ex-Kevin) son Cole] and he just gave me the oddest look like he didn’t even know me and was really, really shocked. I tried to be normal and make him laugh by being goofy like we always are when we are together, but it wasn’t the same. He didn’t know how to react. When I woke up, I kept feeling my stomach because I needed to make sure it was flat. But when I woke up, it took a while for the feeling to go away because the dream was so real and scary. Slowly the feeling of the dream went away. In a weird way it kind of helped me to understand what it feels like to be pregnant. I really felt like I was in Starr’s shoes. But if I really was in Starr’s shoes, when I woke up the belly would’ve still been there and that’s definitely scary.

Talk to you next week, when I give you the scoop on my Prom and the Emmys. Tune in tonight and wish us luck (Daytime Emmys air TONIGHT at 8pm ET, live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA.)

Xo,
Kristen

Start talking with your parent or child with tips from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy:

• Pregnancy isn’t a dream, and you can’t just wake up from parenthood. Sex is a big deal and it has adult consequences. Such as pregnancy. In order to prevent getting pregnant either don’t have sex or use protection every single time. It’s that simple. Half of all teens have never even thought about how a pregnancy would affect their lives. Have you? What advice would you give someone who’s just starting to think about all this? For information and tips about self confidence, dating, falling in love, breaking up, waiting, sex, and more, go to stayteen.org. And remember, teen pregnancy is 100% preventable.

Prom Night!

Hi everyone! I hope you’re staying cool and safe in this crazy summer weather!

Well, now that Starr’s been home with her family for a while, she’s had some time to think about what’s best for her baby. Something just doesn’t seem to be right in her mind. She’s thinking about school, her life and her baby’s life. She comes to a major decision this week. She believes that choosing adoption is the right thing for her baby, mainly because of Michael and Marcie McBain. They were such good parents to Tommy/Sam and they really can’t adopt anymore. No one would let them because of Marcie’s history (remember she kidnapped him and then held Viki at gunpoint). Starr figures that she would be the only chance for them to be parents.

I love that OLTL is showing what Starr is going through every step of the way. It’s a difficult process for anyone, but especially a 16 year old no matter how many people she has around her willing to help. They’re showing a side of Starr, the side that’s always been there, the one that is passionate, the one that makes a decision and sticks to it.

On Tuesday night, I went to the Paley Center for Media here in NYC and was very honored to be part of a panel celebrating OLTL’s upcoming 40th Anniversary. OLTL creator Agnes Nixon was on the panel and I got to talk to her, which was really awesome. She shared some great words of wisdom on the panel and I loved hearing what she had to say. She talked about creating the show and working in show business. It was really cool to hear those stories. One of the things that she spoke about was why she created OLTL and the stories that she wanted to tell. She wanted to tell stories about the differences in people from every background and to tell stories that dealt with social issues that would bring awareness to the audience. Now 40 years later, to be a part of this story dealing with the important issue of teen pregnancy is really amazing. It feels good to know that I am part of the story that lives up to her vision for the show.

I’m really excited...my prom is tonight! I’ll be getting ready this afternoon, having my hair and make-up done. Next Friday, I will be doing it all over again in California for the Daytime Emmys (The Daytime Emmys air Friday, June 20, at 8pm ET, live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on ABC -- root for us since OLTL is nominated for a total of 13 Emmys). So in 2 weeks, I’ll tell you all about my Prom and the Emmys.

Talk to you soon.

XO,
Kristen

Start talking with your parent or child with tips from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy:

• Proms are great fun -- a night to remember. There are so many plans that go into prom night -- the right dress, the perfect date, hair, makeup, limo ride, parties before and after. But in all that planning don’t lose sight of the most important plan of all -- the plan not to get pregnant. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment so think about it beforehand and have a plan: Either don’t have sex or use protection every single time. Even on prom night. The teen years are a unique time -- full of fun and adventure and learning about yourself and the world around you. Don’t mess it up with a pregnancy.
  
  To see what other teens are doing, go to stayteen.org.

Talk of the town

Hey everybody.

This week on the show, Starr’s family -- grandmother, Great Aunt Dorian, Langston, her mom -- all keep talking about her baby. And Starr is not thrilled with that.

1. She’s still embarrassed and sensitive about being pregnant.
2. She’s not comfortable with so many people knowing because that means there are more people that have to hide it from Todd.
3. She hasn’t had much time to think what her decision is going to be for her baby. She wants choose the best possible life for him or her. So when others talk about her baby it just makes Starr get in her head too much. It’s confusing. So she is having a hard time deciding what she wants vs. what her family wants.

That said, it brings up the point that a lot of fans keep saying -- since Starr is so rich and she has so many people to help, why can’t they just help her raise the baby? But Starr isn’t looking at how much money she has. She’s looking at her life and her baby’s life. She thinks the baby should have two parents and have a normal, or “as normal as you can get,” lifestyle. That’s what’s going through Starr’s mind right now and because she has so much input, it’s hard for her to make a decision.

This past Wednesday, I had to tape scenes with a larger “belly bump” and also had to wear a cute pregnancy-type dress. I had 45 minutes before I had to put on the dress and the belly bump and start taping. The belly bump scared me because it was big and it was obvious that Starr was pregnant. It was embarrassing. I made a choice not to wear the bump during that 45 minutes. It was interesting. I felt what Starr must feel but Starr can’t get rid of her belly bump -- so that must be really frightening for her.

Summer is coming!!! I am so excited. I have a super busy couple of months. I have my prom next week, then the Emmys (we are nominated for Best Show -- wish us luck!), SATs, a few trips and hanging out with friends. What are your plans for the summer? I am sure you have tons of fun things planned but remember to stick to “THE PLAN.”

Talk to you next week.

XO,
Kristen

Start talking with your parent or child with tips from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy:

Did you know?

• 2/3 of teen mothers never finish high school.
• 80% of the fathers of babies born to teens don't marry their babies' mothers.
• Babies born to teens are at greater risks for health and developmental problems, as well as educational disparities later on.
• Girls born to teens are more likely to become teen mothers themselves.

Think about it. Sex is serious, and has real consequences -- emotional as well as physical. And it can make you grow up way too fast. We know you have a lot on your minds when it comes to relationships -- what you expect, how do you know when you're in love, whether and when sex should be a part of it. Check out "Kiss and Tell," a snapshot of what teens are thinking about love and relationships. How do your views compare to theirs? Do you and your parents share the same values? Share this with your family and find out.