Soaps In Depth
March 14, 2006
Cat With Nine Lives
Catherine Hickland (Lindsay) reveals how she’s always been able to land on her feet
Renaissance woman Catherine Hickland is no stranger to change in her life. From acting and singing around the world to starting her own company, she has continuously managed to reinvent herself. So when she went from contract player to recurring status last year as ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Lindsay, she responded with her usual optimism. And after announcing her separation from husband Michael E. Knight (Tad, ALL MY CHILDREN) last month, we expect the star to get through it all once again. “You have to understand that change scares people because they don’t know what it is,” she says. “I don’t ever look at the glass as half empty ever – about anything.”
Hooray for Hollywood
Hickland’s fans, who’ve followed Lindsay’s exploits since 1998, were understandably upset when the actress’ contract was not renewed. The news was particularly surprising considering that she was doing some of her best work at the time, as Lindsay was in the process of grieving daughter Jen’s murder. But Hickland chooses to be positive about her recurring role. “Obviously,” she points out, “there are bad things about it. But the good part is that I can do other things, and if I’m on another project, I can tell them that I can’t work that particular week, and they’ll just shoot around me.”
In fact, Hickland is even exploring options on the West Coast. “I will be in Los Angeles for pilot season,” she mentions excitedly. “And I’ve never done that in my life before because I wasn’t able to.” So, how would she handle the commute if she found a role there, especially considering Lindsay’s increased presence in Llanview lately? “I can always fly home and do the OLTL episodes,” she laughs. “If I really believe that something amazing is about to happen, I’m available to do it!”
Girl’s Best Friend
Regardless of her choices, one of Hickland’s support systems will continue to be her pets. Sadly, one of them recently passed away. “My Chihuahua, Chick, died on December 31,” says the actress. “It was horrible for me. Fifteen years – she was the best dog I ever had. I just think of her as still being here.”
No stranger to putting on benefits and raising awareness for causes like Animal Haven, the down-to-earth star always gives as good as she gets. “I don’t wear fur, and I raise money when I can,” she modestly mentions. “I just do my best and am very committed to the work.”
Purrrfect Products
While her love for the animal kingdom seemingly knows no bounds, the same can be said for her thriving company, Cat Cosmetics. The business, which Hickland started five years ago, features beauty products made by the star herself. “I sit in the lab with the chemist,” she explains, “and I let her handle the formula, and I handle the color. Together, we come up with something that I think is extraordinary, and I put it out.”
While her time in the lab can be “relaxing,” the go-getter can get frustrated at times, too. “You want to get it right immediately,” she points out, “and sometimes it takes all day to make one little thing like a lip gloss. But I’ll sit there for eight or nine hours just to get it done.”
The experience always ends up being rewarding for Hickland. “It’s fun,” admits the actress. “I’m definitely using another part of my brain than I use as an entertainer!”
So, with all her success, we’d like to know: Is there something (gasp!) Hickland can’t do well? “I’m a horrible dancer – absolutely the worst!” offers the Florida native. “It takes me forever to learn routines. I’m just not good at it.” Hmmm…”not good” at something? It’s a tough call, but somehow we imagine her fans will let that one slide.
…on the possibility of working with Hillary B. Smith (Nora) again: “A girl can always hope,” says Hickland, “because I never had more fun in my life than when she and I were adversaries at each other’s throats!”
…on her memorable performance in the 2005 OLTL Valentine’s Day episode: “That was really fun, because it’s not every day you get to be in a red gown and slink around on top of a black grand piano singing a Frank Sinatra/Sammy Cahn tune, “she laughs. “So yeah, it was really great.”
…on castmates who participated with her on the One Life, Many Voices fundraiser CD: “I was blown away, “gushes the star. “I had no idea about some of their vocal abilities. And Michael Easton’s (John) photography was so great. You don’t realize how talented these people are!”
…on preparing for her emotional scenes when TV daughter Jen died: “I didn’t really know what I was going to do with it,” she remembers. “When I’m aware that I have a big scene like that, my conscious mind is already hard at work thinking about everything. But I tried so hard to be in the moment.”
FYI FYI FYI FYI
Birthday: February 11.
Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale, FL.
She Dreamed a Dream: Hickland starred on Broadway as Fantine in Les Miserables in 1995 and has also released a CD of hit musical songs called Sincerely Broadway. “I love singing, but I consider myself an actress who sings, not a singer,” she states. “When anybody gives me a chance [to sing], I jump at it!”
Friendly Skies: The actress landed her first role and gained national exposure playing a stewardess in an airline ad campaign called “Fly Me.”
