Photo Credit: Brytni.com In case you missed it, there's a new Spencer in town! Model/actress Brytni Sarpy joined ABC's General Hospital in March as Valerie Spencer, the daughter of Luke's mysterious sister Patricia, who had all the answers to his befuddling and sudden mental breakdown: childhood trauma (in defending his mother from domestic abuse, Luke accidentally hit her with a bat, resulting in a fatal head injury). Valerie showed she had Spencer blood when she nearly slit Luke's throat after an already ailing Patricia presumably died from shock. This definitely put her at odds with new-found cousin, Lulu, and it isn't helping that she keeps catching Valerie hugged up with her hubby, Dante. Sarpy got with JSaysOnline.com to discuss her GH role and racial diversity in Hollywood.
JSaysOnline: First off, welcome to soap-land and General Hospital! Your entry into daytime is on a 52-year-old serial in a character family with a 37-year legacy and a big reveal. Did you know when you booked GH that you would be a part of such a rich history, and was it intimidating for you?
Sarpy: Thank you! I found out about Valerie's history the day I found out I booked the role. Previous to that, I wasn't given that information. Upon finding out I would become a Spencer, I was given a “Spencers 101” lesson, if you will. Learning that I would be working with Tony [Anthony Geary, "Luke Spencer"] was probably the most exciting part, and has been one of the most humbling and educative experiences in my acting career.
JSaysOnline: What brought you to audition for GH and what's the back-story of how you were cast?
Sarpy: I have been in [auditioned] for GH several times; last year I screen tested for the role of Jordan, but was too young for the role. When the role for Valerie came about, Mark [Teschner, casting director] had me in mind for the role, and the rest is history…
JSaysOnline: Did you watch any soaps growing up? If so, which ones, who were your favorite characters and what were your favorite plots?
Sarpy: My mom watched GH and All My Children when I was growing up, so I'm pretty familiar with the soap world.
JSaysOnline: What we presume/know about Valerie right now is that she grew up the only child in a single parent household and, in recent days, was held hostage, gained an extended family she didn't know about and suddenly lost her mother, Patricia. Will we learn more about Valerie and Patricia's life together? What's on the horizon for this character? What are you hoping will happen?
Sarpy: I think Val's relationship with her mother will always be integral to her character, as it defines her. I think here and there you will find out bits and pieces about her relationship with Patricia. Val's main focus will be finding her place in Port Charles, in regards to her living situation, possibly a job, friends, etc.
JSaysOnline: When Valerie first meets her aunt-in-law, Tracy Quartermaine, she has a hard time processing that Valerie is biracial. In the 1990's, her biracial nephew, Justus Ward, confronted her about her prejudice. Were you surprised to see Tracy's pause with Valerie in the script? How would you feel if racial dynamics became a part of your character's storyline?
Sarpy: The script was written slightly different than how we ended up performing it. We felt it was important to answer the question of Valerie's mixed ethnicity head on. I think racial dynamics as a part of my character's storyline is less likely, but there are great things to be said about being an actress of differing ethnic background in a traditionally Caucasian family, and the prevalence of diversity in writing in today’s age.
JSaysOnline: First off, welcome to soap-land and General Hospital! Your entry into daytime is on a 52-year-old serial in a character family with a 37-year legacy and a big reveal. Did you know when you booked GH that you would be a part of such a rich history, and was it intimidating for you?
Sarpy: Thank you! I found out about Valerie's history the day I found out I booked the role. Previous to that, I wasn't given that information. Upon finding out I would become a Spencer, I was given a “Spencers 101” lesson, if you will. Learning that I would be working with Tony [Anthony Geary, "Luke Spencer"] was probably the most exciting part, and has been one of the most humbling and educative experiences in my acting career.
JSaysOnline: What brought you to audition for GH and what's the back-story of how you were cast?
Sarpy: I have been in [auditioned] for GH several times; last year I screen tested for the role of Jordan, but was too young for the role. When the role for Valerie came about, Mark [Teschner, casting director] had me in mind for the role, and the rest is history…
JSaysOnline: Did you watch any soaps growing up? If so, which ones, who were your favorite characters and what were your favorite plots?
Sarpy: My mom watched GH and All My Children when I was growing up, so I'm pretty familiar with the soap world.
JSaysOnline: What we presume/know about Valerie right now is that she grew up the only child in a single parent household and, in recent days, was held hostage, gained an extended family she didn't know about and suddenly lost her mother, Patricia. Will we learn more about Valerie and Patricia's life together? What's on the horizon for this character? What are you hoping will happen?
Sarpy: I think Val's relationship with her mother will always be integral to her character, as it defines her. I think here and there you will find out bits and pieces about her relationship with Patricia. Val's main focus will be finding her place in Port Charles, in regards to her living situation, possibly a job, friends, etc.
JSaysOnline: When Valerie first meets her aunt-in-law, Tracy Quartermaine, she has a hard time processing that Valerie is biracial. In the 1990's, her biracial nephew, Justus Ward, confronted her about her prejudice. Were you surprised to see Tracy's pause with Valerie in the script? How would you feel if racial dynamics became a part of your character's storyline?
Sarpy: The script was written slightly different than how we ended up performing it. We felt it was important to answer the question of Valerie's mixed ethnicity head on. I think racial dynamics as a part of my character's storyline is less likely, but there are great things to be said about being an actress of differing ethnic background in a traditionally Caucasian family, and the prevalence of diversity in writing in today’s age.
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