Rochelle Aytes – Mistresses

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What can you tease is new this season on “Mistresses?”

A) We already know we are down one with Alyssa [Milano], but I promise you we won’t be void of drama. You will get to see a new character and we’ll find out if she is actually there for a friendship or something else like using someone. We’re not sure yet. There is a question about that.

Q) How do you think April has evolved as a character throughout the seasons?

A) Between Seasons 1 and 3, I feel like she has developed so much more. I wouldn’t say she was different because a lot of the same characteristics are there, but there are just so many levels to her. I’ve actually been able to have fun with her and play with her a lot more than in the beginning. April has definitely come into more of her own. She is still quirky and nervous, but is so much stronger and kind of put together than she was in the beginning. Her clothes have definitely evolved. This season she has also evolved in a more fun way. April is again dating and having fun with it. There is not as much terrible situations happening to her this season as the last two.

Q) Fans are curious to see if April will find her way into a relationship with Mark this season and end up in a love triangle. What can you share is in store for April’s love life?

A) How do they know all of this already?! We haven’t even aired yet! I will say they are definitely building something, but honestly I don’t know if Mark (Rob Mayes) and April are going to get together. There is definitely a bond and a friendship that will grow. Maybe they want to see us together, which is kind of the fun of it. However, April is juggling three men this season. They will not be disappointed because Daniel (Ricky Whittle) will be back, but there will also be some others that April will have to figure out who is right for her. It’s more her turn this year to not intentionally do it, but break some hearts this season.

Q) April is also a mother. What issues will she be facing with Lucy this season?

A) That is how we begin the season. If you remember, at the end of last season, Lucy (Corinne Massiah) found out her dad wasn’t really dead. He was alive and I didn’t tell her. Now, he is dead for real and she missed that opportunity to be with him. So, Lucy is angry and rebelling more than she has ever rebelled before. This whole season is up’s and down’s. We make up and then she does something else or she’s trying to be too grown by dressing grown. There is one episode where she looks like a grown woman and she is not leaving the house that way, but she thought she would. We are really going at it this season!

Q) Jennifer Esposito has joined the cast. What can you fans about this new character?

A) Jennifer comes in and her character is stirring up trouble in a fun sexy way. She is such a diva!

Q) She is joining a cast that has already been working together for two seasons. Was there instant chemistry when she began working with the cast?

A) I hear she did, but I wasn’t a part of that. Her stuff is mostly with Joss (Jess Macallan). I didn’t get to work with her until about episode five. She comes into the shop and I get to finally meet her because I’ve heard so much about Calista Raines. We don’t have a lot of scenes together, but when she came to do that one particular scene it was just natural and instant chemistry. We all had fun and bonded like we were all friends forever. That’s the sign of natural chemistry – when you don’t have to force anything.

Q) What is it about portraying April that continues to challenge you?

A) Just when you think she has it together she doesn’t! I could talk about how strong she has become and that she has grown, but then she finds this new guy and she is just confused, nervous and quirky. I’m just challenged all over again because I have to go back to that kind of childlike space. She just has so many levels that it is so much fun to play. It’s also fun to play someone who is quite vulnerable. Rochelle tends to be a little stronger, not wanting to cry or show my hurt. I think April is a little bit more open and more vulnerable than I am, which is again fun to play, but challenging.

Q) What was one of your most memorable moments from filming this season of “Mistresses?”

A) There is also a wonderful episode coming up where we get introduced to my mom. We get to see a little bit of the history of April and maybe why she is the way she is. It’s a very good episode with my mom, who is played by Lynn Whitfield. I can’t wait for that! I think that is episode six or seven. It just gets so deep and heavy and you get to understand a little bit of why April is so lenient and sort of soft with her daughter because she doesn’t want to be like her mom.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you will receive when the season begins?

A) I look forward to it. It’s been a year and I remember every Monday night being on kind of a high from all of the feedback and communication and all of the love we got. I love it and I can’t wait to experience that again on Thursday nights. The fans are so supportive!

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

A) I want to say thank you so much for continuing to support me and my projects. I have fans who watch the smallest thing that comes on that I did years ago and they are so supportive. And I appreciate it so very much and I make sure to let them know. I try my best to comment on everybody’s posts because I want them to know that they are being heard and scene.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure to share with fans?

A) They need to tune in because there is going to be some fabulous hot men like Brian White who is on “Scandal.” He is going to be a huge part of the cast this season. He was juggling “Scandal” and “Mistresses” this season so the fans get to look forward to that as well. He comes in and brings great energy to the cast. He is one of my love interests this season.