Talking with Tia: The Tia Dionne Hodge Interview, Part Three

In Part One of my interview with Tia Dionne Hodge, this inspiring talent discussed her take on her groundbreaking wedding to Dorian Lord on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.  In Part Two, she shared more about her own professional goals, and the value of mentoring of others.

In this final part of our interview, Hodge discusses her ability to multitask various projects, and hints at Amelia's future on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.  

We Love Soaps: There’s been some criticism within the gay community that the Amelia/Dorian wedding is making a mockery of the gay marriage issue.  What do you think about that?
Tia Dionne Hodge: I wouldn’t say I have a stance, as much as, isn’t it wonderful people are talking about it? Not everyone is going to like the sweater you are wearing today.  But you picked it out, you wore it.  Everyone is going to have an opinion, but it’s yours.  This is the character that I am playing, and I am proud that people are talking.  It does not hurt me, and I don’t think it hurts the show.  If it gets people talking, if it gets them engaged and talking about what’s true, then we can be in a real dialogue.  Shows show us about ourselves.  The good, the bad, the indifferent.  But it does show you a point-of-view, now get talking about it.  You want to make a change?  This is what is going on on this show.  Now take a stance.  If you believe it’s right, then go into your community and talk about it.  How do we make our truth show up in the real world? 

We Love Soaps: Are we going to get to learn more about Amelia and her family?
Tia Dionne Hodge: Yes. 

We Love Soaps: Good! So far Amelia has been defined by her political causes, I would like to learn more about her heart.
Tia Dionne Hodge: Yes.  We get to learn more about her heart.  And I believe she has a good heart.  She’s a tough cookie! 

We Love Soaps: So all these projects that you juggle at the same time, you must be a master of multitasking.
Tia Dionne Hodge: I suck at it.  I used to say I’m a perfectionist.  But actually I’m a recovering slob.  Part of the twelve steps is admitting when you have a problem.  One of my problems is when it comes to doing one project, I’m not so good at the little things.  Give me two projects, and I can do everything.  Give me three or four projects, and then an assistant.  Because the more I have on my plate, the more energy I have.  I keep it organized only enough so that I can do more organizing [laughs].  It never ends! I always have to reevaluate, “Why did I do that? Oh, I did that because I thought I had time.”  I’m filling the time with the things I love the most with the people  I love to be with the most, with the characters I love being the most.  I have been blessed to do that. 

We Love Soaps: Just hearing you say that is inspiring me to go further in my own projects.
Tia Dionne Hodge:Well look at what you’re doing.  Bless your heart! You know how many people would love to be doing what you’re doing and don’t know how to? Or they are afraid they don’t have much to say or don’t have to guts to actually contact the actors they really want to talk to? You’re doing what you love to do.  You get to talk to people you want to talk to, be with the people you want to be with, then report on what excites you.  You doing that opens the door for other people to get excited. 

We Love Soaps: I think so many are afraid to take that step, or make that phone call.  Many are afraid to make that extra effort to get what they want.
Tia Dionne Hodge: I won’t lie there are times I have done that myself.  I remember in 1984 when Madonna was on AMERICAN BANDSTAND with Dick Clark.  I remember when he asked her, “What are you going to do now?” And she said, “Take over the world.” My mouth went, “WOW, I never thought you could do that.”  My desire is not to take over the world. But that moment inspired me.  I could see how my words, what I say, and who I say I am, can change the world. I have to remember that because sometimes I say very mean things about myself that stop me in my tracks.  That stops me from being open to other people.  It stops me from saying, “Ok, I desire to do this.”  And then it stops me from making that phone call, I’ll say, “What if I can’t?” But there are those few times in my life I have said, “I want to be on a soap opera!” It took four years...

We Love Soaps: And now you’re marrying Dorian Lord.
Tia Dionne Hodge: Yeah! Of all the things, I played a dead white man, and then I married Dorian to boot.  You can’t kick a dog in the butt with that. 

We Love Soaps: I truly believe that daytime television can have more emotional and mental impact on it's audience than all other art forms.  I think this story that you are part of is helping people.  You’re helping people who may not be out to themselves, or may not be able to be open in their communities.  I also love that the gay characters on ONE LIFE TO LIVE are so diverse.  They are different people with different political point-of-views.
Tia Dionne Hodge: I didn’t do that, that is the genius of Ron [Carlivati, Head Writer] and the other writers.  I will not take credit for any of that.  This is how genius they are—they have to think this way ahead. There are five episodes going in one day of shooting.  Like I said, I’m a recovering slob.  I organize to organize! I don’t know how they do it! I wish I knew, I wish they could bottle it, and give me some.  I applaud them, they inspire me.  Maybe that will be the next dream I will dream:  to be a daytime writer.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Marriage Family Therapist practicing in New York City, and the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve". He is blogging about surviving the holidays at www.shouldless.com.