TINA SLOAN: From Guiding Light to Changing Shoes
In her twenty-six year role as Lillian Raines on the day time drama, the
Guiding Light
,
Tina Sloan
has had her share of, well, drama! From domestic abuse victim to cancer survivor, Tina's character has been through it all and seen it all. Sadly, its lights out on the legendary and ground breaking soap which has enjoyed a 72 year life span. Tina shares her feelings about her amazing career on the
Guiding Light
and talks about an exciting future ahead. I must admit that I have been a fan of the
Guiding Light
since the Kevin Bacon days some 30+ years ago, so this interview which took place at a downtown deli, was a slightly surreal experience for me. I couldn't believe that I was having lunch with the "Saint of Springfield" as
60 Minutes
labeled Tina Sloan's character. Yet I kept my cool, not wanting to appear star-struck, which was easy because Tina was so charming and so engaging. Tina spoke candidly about the
Guiding Light
, passionately about her new endeavor,
and enthusiastically about fashion.
fashionado
: What would you like to say to your fans as the
Guiding Light
comes to an end.
Tina Sloan
: Its painful. We found out on April Fool's day and to say it is depressing is probably a small word for it. We all hoped it was a joke, but it wasn't. We were numb. We will really miss the fans because they made the show what it was. Our fans could truly relate to the
Guiding Light
, because there were so many generations of "us" that stood for the generations of fans. I think a show like ours that has been around for 72 years should still be around. There's so much (on the show) that reflects the time. I'm just lucky that I am starting a new project a week after the
Guiding Light
ends. The last taped line on the show is (mine)
"aren't we lucky, all of us,"
and then I walked off the set crying. The end.
fashionado
: Lets talk about
Changing Shoes
, tell me everything about it!
Tina Sloan
: I'm going from soap opera to theater. I wrote this play a few years ago at a time when I felt the diminishment as an older woman on a soap. Even though they love me, I was getting skimpy story lines rather than skimpy dresses which is exactly what happens when you're not wearing the sexy lingerie anymore-- all this is part of the play where I start with pink Capezios and move into Chanel high heels as I go to Paris to pursue acting. My shoes lead me to my art. So they are a metaphoric, though I am literally changing my shoes as they take me through all the stages of happiness and sadness in life. It starts with me in my twenties and I'm making movies and wearing spiked heels and then the blow of age happens where I find I'm not so young and feel more comfortable in a pair of flats. We have joy and sorrow in each pair of shoes. We wear different shoes at different stages of our life and its reflects what we're thinking about ourselves.
fashionado
: Describe your fashion style.
Tina Sloan
: I like classic. I like Armani, let me rephrase that, I like old Armani. I usually dress in sleeveless dresses paired with a jacket or sweater, but at night, it's a different story. I get quite glamorous. I shop at a little boutique in New York for my night clothes, but they're classic at the same time and I pair my outfits with beaded glam earrings most of the time.
fashionad
o
: Do you collect or acquire anything?
Tina Sloan
: Not really. I try to make myself give away the things I don't have. I'm not a keeper. I have a real thought or feeling that if I'm not going to wear something I should get give it away. And its not that I'm so goodie-goodie about charity but if I have six coats and I only ever wear four, why keep the extra two when I can give it to someone in need.
*Tina finally revealed a collectible fashion pleasure : EARRINGS!
Ok, jewelry. I love earrings-- love, love, love earrings! I have some that my mother had, my mother was quite glamorous. They're big and I'll wear them to red carpet events.
Changing Shoes
opens on Friday, September 25 at the
, exactly one week after the
Guiding Light
fades off the air. Atlanta hosts the kick off for the
Changing Shoes
national tour and I am very excited about going opening night! Tina is so extremely proud of this project. Her beautiful heart and soul is in it and its message will hit home for all people. She spoke highly of
Joe Plummer
, co-author and director of Changing Shoes. The dynamics of working together, creatively, on a project like this one, with a (younger) man, added a special element, which made Tina even more excited. So even though in so many ways Changing Shoes is autobiographical, it isn't. It isn't because its story and its message has a profound universality. WE can all relate, WE all change our shoes...
fashionado