Kassie DePaiva Dishes on Fans, One Life to Live Co-Stars

Ask Kassie DePaiva the difference between fans of prime time or movie actors, versus those that support soap opera stars, and you'll get the following, passionate response:

"Daytime fans are like country fans. They are very specific and extremely loyal. They believe in us. They read about us in magazines. They know about our personal lives as well as our character’s lives. They’re invested emotionally."

Kassie DePaiva is grateful for all her fans.

DePaiva said as much to Merle Goldberg of Soapdom. The writer talked to the One Life to Live actress prior to this year's Daytime Emmy Awards.

For every ten women in the audience, there was probably one man, although Kassie said she "didn’t even notice that." But the statistic didn't surprise her. Because women are the ones who are home most of the time, DePaiva thinks "they relate to the fantasies of the daytime dramas. If my character can help them forget about some of their worries... it’s all fun and soap watchers realize the reality is not what it is.

They appreciate it, embrace it, and most of all want to share in the celebration of it.”

The week before the Emmys, DePaiva was in Nashville singing her heart out. Many people in the audience had no idea she toiled in daytime. She's got a whole crop of new fans who appreciate not only her music, but hopefully her acting ability.

DePaiva loves to perform on stage and in front of the camera. She wants to be appreciated, especially by people who not only love the soap opera characters, but embrace what they do in their personal lives and personal endeavors.

Goldberg said enjoyed her time with the actress behind Blair Cramer. In show-life, she said the search is on for Todd. The pair will be reunited, but how that happens is unclear since One Life to Live had a new head writer at the time of the interview.

But what about dressing roomate, Renee Goldsberry? Is she leaving or not?

“I don’t know. I don’t think that that’s definite. But, I think that Evangeline’s a prominent character. Renee is a prominent force in the cast and I totally adore her. Everyone does.

She wants a two-year contract. The show wants her for four. I don’t blame them, but at the same time I don’t blame her. She’s got a viable career that she wants to establish and she’s young enough to do it. I hope she comes back because I miss her. She’s my touchstone and she’s my buddy."

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.