Rachel Melvin – Days Go By

Q) What are the current projects that you are working on?

A) I just got done shooting the movie Legacy and it starring Hailey Duff. It’s an independent movie that should be coming out sometime this year. Other than that, I am just working on my soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”

Q) Please tell us about your character Chelsea on the show “Days of Our Lives.”

A) She is trouble! She lost her adoptive parents in a car accident, a drunk driver killed them, and after that she found her biological parents who are Beau and Billy on the show. She’s been getting adjusted to life with them, but just when she was finally starting to accept them in her life she has an accident of her own where she accidentally ran over her half brother, who is five years old. He ran out in front of her car in the middle of the night and she didn’t see him because she was looking down at her cell phone. She killed him and now her family is kind of disowning her. She’s trying to stay out of jail and do what ever she can, even if it involves sacrificing other people’s happiness. She’s kind of in her selfish stage of life where she is trying to do whatever she can for herself to make sure she is happy.

Q) What made you want to be apart of this show?

A) I had worked on the show before as a different character and everyone there was super friendly on set. It was just a really great environment on set and they were all a huge family. I thought it would be a really great set to be a part of and the character really appealed to me, too. It was a challenging role, something I had never played before, and I wanted to do something different, challenging and fun. I think Chelsea is a great character for that. I’m learning so much about her every day. I am just really happy and content right now.

Q) What is a typical day of filming like for you?

A) You get there at around six o’clock in the morning, and usually I will work until 5PM to 6PM. The show, itself, has crew there all night, but cast starts arriving at 6AM and sometimes we are there until 9PM at night. It just depends on how many episodes you do a day. Since Christmas hiatus, we’ve been doing one episode a day. So, we’ve been doing that at 6AM in the morning and leaving at around 5PM or 6PM.  It’s pretty hectic, but it moves pretty fast, which is nice. You go in there, do your scenes and then you are out. Usually, you still have a long day ahead of you if you are not coming in too late. So, it’s nice, but next week we’re going to start doing two episodes a day. Maybe they will be a little bit longer because you have to cram a little bit more because there are more lines, but it’s really fun and you get caught up in it.

Q) What is your most memorable moment from filming?

A) I was supposed to be doing a chase scene, where I am supposed to be running from the police. They had to have me stop my car, like I was putting it into a driveway, and get out of it. They were to say, “Action” and then push the car into sandbags. I was driving the car, was supposed to hit the sandbags, then hit the breaks and get out. However, in this particular scene, when they actually shot it, it was a stick shift so they pushed it when it was in neutral and the car wasn’t on. I had huge platform shoes on and I went to go hit the break, like I was supposed to, but I guess I was hitting the clutch so nothing was happening. When I went to hit the break, my foot got caught in between the two pedals so the car kind of went through a wall! There was no damage because it was a fake wall, but it was just really embarrassing and funny. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that!

Q) How do you feel being such a popular character?

A) It’s really great! I don’t think that anyone knew when they were creating this character that she is going to be as big as she is or have such a pivotal role in all of the story lines. Right now, she’s involved in one of the biggest storylines that “Days of Our Lives” has ever had. I’m just really flattered and honored that I can be a part of that and it’s just a really great opportunity as an actress. I’m just really grateful that I get to have it!

Q) Why do you feel that “Days of Our Lives” has been such a long lasting program?

A) I think it’s great! I think it’s cool that we’re the longest running show! I think that is so great for Ken Corday, the Corday family and everybody who created something and had a dream and made it happen. They had this dream for such a long time and it’s really inspiring. I think that has lasted due to the new storylines, the new actors and the way they bring new things to the show and contribute. I think it’s a younger show, as in it appeals to more to younger fans. I know I used to watch it a lot when I was younger. They have fun storylines, you really get involved and you feel for the characters, even the bad ones. Everyone just gets really caught up in the storylines and they want to see what is going to happen every day. I think they do a really good job with cliffhangers and all that other stuff!

Q) What made you want to be an actress? 

A) I’ve kind of always been that child who wants to be the center of attention. I started to shy up in high school and did only one play, but I loved that play so much. I thought that acting was what I had to do. My dad and my mom both tried to push me to come out to LA while I could. I was eighteen years old, but I had the face of a fifteen year old, which is an advantage to have in Hollywood because you can play so many more roles. They told me to go out and give it a try because if it doesn’t work I can always come back and go to college. They said I should try it now while I can. So, they pushed me out here and it was really just like a gamble. I took a shot and it really caught on!

Q) What do you do in your spare time?

A) In my spare time I like to shop, of course. I am starting to take up yoga and kick boxing. I do a lot of painting, reading and writing. I also like to watch a lot of movies.

Q) What would you like to say to all of your fans and supporters?

A) Thank you for watching! If I had to give any piece of advice, I’d tell them that everything happens for a reason and take each day as it comes!