Moving Day with OLTL - Brett Claywell Interview

We Love Soaps had the opportunity to visit the new ONE LIFE TO LIFE set in Manhattan on February 16th and tour the new digs.  During this time we spoke with several cast members about their current experience on the show, the big move, and reflections on their time in Llanview.  Please enjoy this series of interviews.


BRETT CLAYWELL ("Kyle Lewis")

We Love Soaps: It's so great to see you again. What do you think of the new digs?
Brett Claywell: It’s amazing.  We have so much more area, so much more space. We’re really excited what this represents for the future of ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

We Love Soaps: Llanview has had a pretty rough week with the blizzard.
Brett Claywell: It has.  But it’s kind of fitting we’re in the middle of a  real New York snow storm too.  There’s a lot up in the air.  It’s been fun to film, but more fun to watch.

We Love Soaps: Kyle has been on the sidelines during this storm, but his relationship with Fish is in for a big obstacle.
Brett Claywell: I think most relationships change when there is a child brought into the picture.  I think this one is going to change more than most because one of them is not involved with the child.  It’s exciting to see where it goes.  As with every relationship, Kyle and Fish have been told in a way that’s honest and can blend with any demographic.  It will be exciting to see how this couple handles this new obstacle.

We Love Soaps: What can you tell us about Kyle’s feelings about this baby?
Brett Claywell: I think Kyle loves Oliver.  If the baby turns out to be part of Oliver, then Kyle will love it equally or more than he loves Oliver.  I think they are caring couple who really care about making it work now and adding another piece to the puzzle makes it a little more colorful.

We Love Soaps: “Kish” this past year has been a phenomenal hit.  Did you ever expect this a year ago?
Brett Claywell: Not even close.  I wasn’t hired for this.  A year ago last February didn’t know this was going to be a storyline.  I never could have expected that we would get this kind of support and this kind of fanfare but we try to do the work as honest and true as we could.  We’re really blessed to have such supportive fans. 

We Love Soaps: What have you learned from Kyle?
Brett Claywell: Kyle Lewis has changed Brett Claywell for the rest of his life.

We Love Soaps: How so?
Brett Claywell: It’s made me a more compassionate human being.  It’s made me more of an activist,without a doubt.  It was a blessing to be able to do my work with my heart.  To stand up and fight for something I believe in, which most artists don’t get a chance to do.  I got to blend something I feel strong about in society with the work I’m doing in television and come to the forefront of a social issue that I’m really proud to be a part of.

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 re-imagining a world without "shoulds" at www.shouldless.com.