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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Former soap star premieres film produced in Jamaica at Miami's Black Film Fest
When actress, producer and activist Victoria Rowell talks about telling stories on her own terms and one of her latest film projects , the response she often gets is usually one of bewilderment. 'A lot of people are so surprised when I introduce them to Jamaica,' says Rowell, once one of daytime's most beloved actresses for her nearly two-decade role as the iconic Drucilla Barber Winters on the CBS soap opera, 'The Young and the Restless.' 'They are astonished at the resources I'm talking about; the camera houses, the editing, the costume design, the two casting directors I know there. All of the assets are there, the boots are all on the ground.' Indeed, Jamaica may elicit mountains and waterfalls, but these days the Caribbean nation is also trying to showcase its cinematic potential and budding film industry. One of those films, 'Love Offside,' will premiere during the 29th annual American Film Festival on Friday at O Cinema in Miami Beach to a sold out crowd. The festival, founded by Jeff and Nicole Friday and sponsored by HBO, has become a crucial launchpad for those seeking to tell stories on their own terms. Shot entirely in Jamaica, 'Love Offside,' tells the romantic story of a physical therapist developing feelings for her patient, a rugby star. Rowell served as a producer on the film and also stars as the mother of the female lead, Camille Hart, played by Judi Johnson, with whom Rowell has collaborated several times over the years. The other lead character is Mike Merrill. The production company behind the film is The Limners and Bards Limited or The LAB, which has been raising funds to support Jamaica's local film industry. LAB managing director is Kimala Bennett has been pushing to meet the needs of those seeking locally grown stories. She and Rowell have known each other for several years. 'One of the big conversations that Kimala and I always would have is I say 'Kimala the name of the game is creating your own content so you are in control of the licensing opportunities globally,'' Rowell said. 'This is the economic chasm that needs to be closed in terms of' intellectual property ownership and that takes time. Rowell has been visiting Jamaica since 1979 and considers the Caribbean nation to be a second home. She's been working with the production company in Jamaica for almost a decade. And equally important, she said, 'I just appreciate the organic nature of doing production in Jamaica.' From soap opera actress to independent filmmaker The author of the New York Times bestselling 2007 memoir 'The Women Who Raised Me' about her upbringing in foster care, Rowell gained fame in a nearly 20-year run as the feisty Drucilla, an illiterate runway teen turn who later became a glamorous model and married Neil Winters on 'The Young and the Restless.' Her character was a regular from 1990 to 2007 and was finally written off the show in 2017 after Drucilla disappeared over a cliff but her body was never found. After her daytime run, she starred in several other movies but became known for her fight for racial equality in the daytime soap industry. These days it's independent films and boutique productions that inspire her. Prior to this week's premier, Rowell starred in the stage adaptation of 'Jason's Lyric: Live in Detroit. 'I'm 66-years-old and at this point in my career, I'm looking at the next 20 years. I want to do projects that make me happy, that make me laugh that gives me a sense of fulfillment,' she said, 'working with like-minded people that want the knowledge I have if I'm asked, and being able to pass the baton, because in passing the baton and sharing knowledge that is reciprocity, it's a big thank you. So maybe it is a smaller production, and that's okay.' Rowell who creates content of her own under her own company, Days Ferry Productions, said she loves 'boutique production, as long as the script is good, the people are good.' 'I'll continue to do other projects as well, but I love independent projects,' she said. 'There's more artistic freedom, less people telling the producers what to do.' Rowell's second film screening at the ABFF is 'The Secret Between Us,' which was directed and written by Tamera Hill. Rowell stars alongside Michael Jai White and Karen Abercrombie. Rowell plays the character of Maxine, a hired private nurse who finds herself thrown into the middle of a family drama after someone knocks on the door. 'There's levity in the movie, and she has her opinions and some advice throughout the movie,' said Rowell adding that she enjoyed the script. The goal with both films is the same, Rowell said, to get a licensing or several licensing deals. 'The American Black Film Festival, which is founded by husband and wife team, Jeff and Nicole Friday, they are about, yes, screening content but connecting executives, connecting filmmakers,' she said. 'It is the largest black film festival in the nation and it offers opportunities to get your IP shown and licensed or sold.'
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Young and the Restless' star Victoria Rowell heads to Detroit in 'Jason's Lyric: Live'
One of daytime television's most popular actresses will visit Detroit this week. Victoria Rowell, beloved to legions of fans for her nearly 20-year run as the fiery Drucilla Barber Winters on CBS sudser 'The Young and the Restless' from 1990 to 2007, will perform in 'Jason's Lyric: Live' at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts March 6-8. In the stage adaptation of Bobby Smith Jr.'s 1994 film widely regarded as a classic in Black homes, Rowell will star as Gloria, the maternal role originally played by the late Suzzanne Douglas. Also a bestselling author, she will appear on Wednesday, March 5, at Detroit's Source Booksellers to sign copies of her 2007 memoir, 'The Women Who Raised Me.' In a candid, wide-ranging conversation with the Free Press, Rowell spoke about her long and storied fight for racial equity in the daytime soap industry. The timing is keen: Just last week, CBS – her former network – premiered the long-awaited 'Beyond the Gates,' America's first over-the-air daytime soap opera with an all-Black cast, plus Black creatives leading the production elements. 'I am elated that I lived to see the day that my vision and the vision of countless other Black and brown performers came true,' Rowell said. 'We knew there was a void in this space. I have long campaigned – it's well-documented – for diversity and economic inclusion, and I'm talking about behind the camera as well as in front of the camera. We are at over 50 years of 'The Young and the Restless,' and to this date, to my understanding, there has never been a Black executive producer. Yet Black women keep 'The Young and the Restless' at number one (in the Nielsen ratings). 'And, to be more specific, (those) Black women are brand legacy consumers. Black grandmothers and great-grandmothers watch daytime television. They allow themselves a bit of respite in the middle of the day for this aspirational thing, while they are watching their children, their grandchildren, their great grands. Those children are watching that soap opera and (growing up to buy) the brand products that their elders are buying in bulk.' Rowell pointed out that the soap genre began as radio serials in 1934 when Procter & Gamble wanted to create a program that would inspire homemakers to purchase Oxydol soap. P&G continues to sponsor 'Y&R,' with ads for its products running daily during the program. 'Y&R' has reigned for decades as the top-rated daytime drama on American broadcast television – and a large portion of its viewership has routinely been shown to be comprised of low-income, middle-aged African-American women. 'Why aren't these extraordinary statistics being shared with the Black community,' Rowell wondered. 'How powerful we are! I felt that, exercising the statistics, surely I'd be able to convince the powers that be to hire a first African American executive producer, a first African American SAG-AFTRA union writer, a first department head of hair and makeup. Or, surely, Black directors, surely more Black cast covers in the top-tier soap magazines, which drive storyline, which drive the paychecks actors are paid per episode. 'Surely, I would be able to convince the powers that be (behind) this number one soap opera that is supported so vigorously, so loyally by African Americans – Black women keeping it there. I found there was resistance to all of the above, and I found it incumbent to do all in my power, regardless of pushback, regardless of reticence, and words, to stay the course, hold the vision, trust the process. I was successful in getting the first Black writer hired: Susan Dansby, who walked through that door with Emmys under her belt. That was at the 37-year mark.' Rowell, who saw white colleagues writing, producing, and directing, offered her own services as a writer but was refused. After years of lobbying for more Black professionals behind the camera, in 2007, Rowell was written off the show, with Drusilla disappearing over the edge of a cliff (but, in typical soap nature, no body was found). Avid 'Y&R' fans continue to plead for Drucilla's return. See also: CBS' 'Beyond the Gates' is juicy soap-opera gold: Review See also: Detroit Public Theatre's 'Confederates' examines struggles of Black women in America In 2017, Rowell created 'The Rich and the Ruthless,' a backstage soap she also directed and starred in, leading a Black cast of characters. The first three seasons aired on AMC's ALLBLK streamer, with 2021's fourth season streaming on BET+. Returning to the subject of 'Beyond the Gates,' Rowell briefly nodded to NBC's 'Generations,' which ran from 1989 to 1991 and was the first American daytime soap to feature a predominantly Black cast. 'Let's be clear – it was 'Generations,' right?' she said. 'But what's different (with 'Gates'): This is the first Black-produced venture, with a Black civil rights group, the NAACP, and under the guidance of Sheila Ducksworth at CBS. It is historic, and I'm proud to be a part of the DNA of 'Beyond the Gates.' I'm thrilled for my colleagues who stayed the course.' Separately from 'Lyric,' the actress recently wrapped production on a film titled 'The Secret Between Us' that will be released later this year. She is also currently working on a film by 'The Bear' actor Edwin Lee Gibson titled 'a pink and red dress made of satin … covered in flowers, mostly roses.' At Source Booksellers on Wednesday, Rowell will be signing copies of her New York Times bestselling 2007 memoir 'The Women Who Raised Me,' which examines her upbringing in foster care. 'It is an homage to the extraordinary women who raise other people's children,' she said, 'and the sacrifice that people make, especially as immigration has exploded around the globe. It's not just about foster care; it's about teachers, it's about mentoring, it's about healthcare, it's about poverty … it's about the aspirations of children who dream to be a ballet dancer like I did, like my mentee Misty Copeland did. It is about passing knowledge forward, perseverance, no shortcuts. The book resonates with people globally. It has been introduced in India, the Caribbean, in Turkiye. The book has been optioned by HBO and will be made into a film. Stay tuned!' Since the book's publication, Rowell has found and connected with her paternal family through 'We all have been making up for lost time,' she said. 'It is a blessing for me to be on tour with 'Jason's Lyric' and to be able to meet family as I crisscross this nation. I've been meeting family, re-meeting family members, breaking bread. It's been an incredible miracle.' Her stop in Detroit will be yet another family occasion. 'I love the city,' she said. 'I've worked there, I've directed a film there (2022's 'Catfish Christmas'), and I have family there. The Cowan family, on my paternal side, live in Detroit, so I'm excited to see them.' Rowell said she's thrilled to be working in 'Jason's Lyric' after 'many years away from the stage,' acting alongside friends such as Eva Marcille and Allen Payne and getting a chance to show off her dance skills. ''Jason's Lyric' is unapologetically gritty,' she said. 'It is addressing poverty and the ravages of the Vietnam War and how it broke Black families – how young men were recruited, promised a better way of life and came back broken or ghosts of themselves. I witnessed that in foster care, living with one of my families, and the devastation that took place. It addresses gun violence, domestic violence, single-parent households … so there is no sugar coating in this piece. It is brilliantly executed, and I also get to perform as a ballet dancer, which I cherish. 'So, it's gritty, but it's entertaining. And we do come out to the house after the play, to say hello.' Rowell said that everywhere 'Lyric' tours, 'Y&R' fans turn out in droves to see and meet her, and she continues to honor the close bond viewers form with soap actors. 'As a Black girl,' she said, 'I saw that my Black mother allowed herself this one thing to participate in, to enjoy – she watched 'The Doctors' – and, then, here I was, a part of something that was so important to my foster mother's life. I threw everything I had into the character of Drucilla. I knew the audience I was performing for – but, more than that, it was in tribute to my foster mother, Agatha Armstead. 'I was so proud. I'm still proud.' Victoria Rowell will appear at Detroit's Source Booksellers (4240 Cass Ave. #105) on Wednesday, March 5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. signing event. 'Jason's Lyric: Live' will play Detroit's Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts (350 Madison Ave.) four times this week before departing town: ⬤ Thursday, March 6, 7:30 p.m. ⬤ Friday, March 7, 8 p.m. ⬤ Saturday, March 8, 3 p.m. ⬤ Saturday, March 8, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29.95 and can be purchased at Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Young and the Restless' star hits Detroit for 'Jason's Lyric: Live'
