Victoria Rowell Turns 61 Years Young

Soap Hub recently announced that Soap vet Victoria Rowell celebrated her 61st birthday on May 10 which was Mothers Day. This versatile and often controversial artist was born Victoria Lynn Rowell in 1959 in Portland, Maine. Her biological mother’s name was Dorothy Rowell. All she knew of her birth father is that his last name was Wilson. When her mom went into labor with Victoria she rode to the hospital in a taxi cab, leaving three other children home alone. When Rowell was only 16 days old she and her 2 sisters, were taken by child protective services. She was later raised in a foster home by Robert and Agatha Bently. When she was 8 years old Victoria’s foster parents gave her ballet lessons. Growing up in foster care is why the actress has put so much time and work into helping foster children.

In addition to ballet dancing and acting Victoria is a producer, and writer. She was a runway model prior to her acting debut. Her first movie role was in Leonard Part 6 in 1987. Rowell joined the cast of the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless, in 1990 as Drucilla Barber. This became her signature role and longest stint on television. Drucilla later married Neil Winters, (the late Kristoff St. John) and they were a beloved couple She was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards for her work in 1996, 1997, and 1998, She also won 11 NAACP image awards for her work on Y&R, She has also acted in several major feature films.

From 1993 to 2001, Victoria Rowell portrayed Dr. Amanda Bentley in the popular CBS primetime series Diagnosis: Murder. She costarred with with Dick Van Dyke and Scott Biao. There were a number of years where Rowell was on Diagnosis: Murder, and simultaneously working on The Young and the Restless. In one episode of Diagnosis Murder, everything centered around a murder on the set of The Young and the Restless. Victoria Rowell was showcased as both Drucilla and Amanda in that particular episode.

In 2007, Rowell became unhappy with some behind the scenes issues at The Young and the Restless. She spoke out, calling the CBS daytime drama racist for not having enough African-Americans in the cast and crew. She also had issues with the direction her storylines were taking, and felt her concerns were ignored, She left the CBS daytime drama and her character was killed off after falling from a cliff. Later the actress wanted to return to the show, but CBS execs said no. They claimed that Drucilla returning to Genoa City was not within the creative direction they had for the show at that time. The actress did return last year to offer reflections regarding the death of her costar Kristoff St. John. . In 2014, Rowell posted a series of critical tweets saying that The Young and the Restless has a diverse audience but in 40 years on the air did not have one African American in the decision making process.

The outspoken actress filed a lawsuit in 1995 against filed Sony Pictures Television, CBS, Bell-Phillip Television Production Inc, and Bell Dramatic Serial Company. She alleged racial discrimination and retaliation that had been taking place since 2010. Rowell said she attempted several times to be rehired at The Young and the Restless and also wanted to work on sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful. She says her requests were repeatedly denied. Rowell has stated she believes this was because her her speaking out regarding the lack of diversity at CBS, both in front of and behind the cameras. She also alleges that she was the target of racially motivated attacks on the set of The Young and the Restless,coming from Michelle Stafford, (Phyllis) Melody Thomas Scott,(Nikki) and Peter Bergman, (Jack).

The judge presiding over the case dismissed the suit against Y& R in November of 2015, Rowell's legal team later resubmitted an amended claim. This included an allegation against Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television. The actress says she had pursued a role on the NBC daytime drama Days of Our Lives, but her name was removed from the audition list. In June 2016, the judge once again dismissed the claims against all parties related to CBS. He did how ever allow Rowell to continue her suit against Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions. It was reported in February 2017, that the case had been settled but no details were given to the public. In September 2018, after Les Moonves' resigned as the CEO and chairman of CBS due to allegations of sexual misconductRowell went public with her own story.

Rowell addressed the issue on her verified Twitter account and accused Les Moonves of hindering her career. She mentioned Moonves' statement where he denied all accusations that he tried to damage the careers of certain women, and called him a liar. Rowell replied that his loafer had been in her heel for 11 years because she raised the issue of a lack of diversity at CBS. Happy Birthday to Victoria Rowell and may she continue to champion the cause of those who often don't have a voice.

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In September 2018, in the wake of Les Moonves' resignation as the chairman and CEO of CBS due to sexual misconduct allegations, Rowell took to her verified Twitter account to directly accuse Moonves of hindering her career. Partially quoting Moonves' statement denying the accusations that he attempted to damage the careers of certain women, she tweeted:

"And I have never used my position to hinder the advancement or careers of women," Moonves responded. #LIAR. Your loafer heel has been on my neck for over 11 years all because I cited a lack of substantive of diversity at CBS behind the camera #MeToo #RetaliationIsIllegal #Bully [22]

Personal life

Rowell (left) with Maj. Gen. Nadja West in Washington, DC in 2013

Rowell's first marriage was to Tom Fahey in 1989. They had a daughter, Maya, and divorced the following year. Rowell had a long-term relationship with musician Wynton Marsalis; and they had a son, Jasper.[23] In May 2008, Rowell announced her engagement to Radcliffe Bailey, an Atlanta artist, at her annual High Tea at Noon fundraiser. Victoria and Radcliffe married on June 27, 2009, in Dublin, New Hampshire. On January 2, 2014, Bailey filed for divorce from Rowell.[24]

Work with foster children

In 1990, Rowell founded the "Rowell Foster Children Positive Plan,"[25] which gives emotional support and financial aid to foster children, especially to those who aspire to become actors and dancers – the road Rowell took. In 2004, she was a special guest on the talk show Dr. Phil, in which she gave an emancipated foster child a chance at a job with Sony, dental care, and a scholarship from her foundation.

In May 2006, Rowell was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Southern Maine in recognition of her work for the benefit of foster children. In 2007, Rowell published a memoir of her life that focused on her time in foster care. Entitled The Women Who Raised Me, Rowell discusses all of the foster mothers who cared for her and for her sisters. She also pays tribute to the women in a documentary film, The Mentor, that she participated in.[4] Rowell says that she began writing the book when Y&R turned down her offer to write for the show. She began a national book tour in April 2007.[26]

In March 2008, Victoria was the first recipient of the Gift of Adoption Celebration of Adoption Award, an award given to individuals or groups who are helping to unite children with adoptive families.

In March 2012, Rowell's book, Tag, Toss & Run: 40 Classic Lawn Games, co-authored with environmental activist Paul Tukey, was released.[27]

Filmography