Longtime television star Vernee Watson spent the last several decades wowing audiences in shows like Welcome Back, Kotter; The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; and The Love Boat, and she's finally getting the chance to really show soap opera audiences what she's made of. Granted, she played The Young and the Restless' Birdie in 1999 and Days of our Lives' Dr. Ella Kraft in 2007, but General Hospital is really allowing her to shine as Curtis' aunt Stella Henry -- and she couldn't be more thrilled.
"At first, it was a little overwhelming because of all the dialogue, but I'm loving it," she tells Soap Opera Digest of being a part of the ABC soap.
And it seems the fans are loving it, as well. "Even Frank [Valentini, executive producer] says, 'The fans really love you. We can't get rid of you. It's really annoying!'" she jokes with a laugh. "It's a great group of people and I feel very warm and cozy when I go over there, which you don't get a lot. It's just fun to go in and get all dolled up, do your thing, and work with the great actors that are on there, like Donnell [Turner, Curtis] and Vinessa [Antoine, Jordan], who I love."
As for what's coming next for Stella, Watson unfortunately remains tight-lipped, as is the policy for all GH actors.
"I don't know where it's going to go, but I'm grateful for what's happening right now," she says. "People stop me on the street: 'Aunt Stella! Oh, I'm loving you!' or they fuss at me for fussing at Jordan. I'm getting fan mail now and I'm like, 'What the heck?!' I'm really happy that people are connecting with it. If I can put a smile on someone's face, I'm all for it."
For Watson's full interview, check out Soap Opera Digest.
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