--interviewed by Chicki

Alicia Leigh Willis was born on March 1, 1978 in Atlanta Georgia. Her father is David Willis, who has starred in many commercials and on Ally McBeal. Alicia played Alli Fowler on the NBC’s Another World from 1988 to 1999. From December of 2001 to February of 2006, she played Courtney Matthews on ABC’s General Hospital. She has been nominated for two Daytime Emmy awards for her work on General Hospital. She also had a reoccuring role on the WB Network series, 7th Heaven.

I was around nineteen when I played in Another World, and then only a couple of years later landed a role as Courtney Matthews on General Hospital. I think that what differs, is that The L Word is a lot more racy than General Hospital was. So, it’s different in a lot of ways. When they shoot, you could be finished in half a day and do like forty pages of dialogue, where as on The L Word, and most shows you maybe have a page or two a day which could take up to sixteen hours. So the hours are a lot longer, with much less dialogue. For me it was very different.

I read in an interview that your dad, David E. Willis, has been highly supportive in terms of your career. Has that continued to be the case when you accepted the role as Cindi?
Oh yeah absolutely. When I told him about it, he was really very excited for me. He knew The L Word was a big show. He also knew this was one he wasn’t going to get to watch. (laughs). He’s so supportive of me, and knows that this was a big step in terms of my career, because I would be going from traditional daytime roles to an evening show.

You will be appearing in 7 episodes in Season 5 of The L Word. Tell us a little bit about how you came to be on the show.
I had read for them a couple of times for difference characters. I don’t know, I guess they liked what I did. They called me back in, and I got lucky. I got to read with Elizabeth (Keener) on my last read, and I guess it just bit.

I spoke with Elizabeth on Monday.
You did? She is a great lady. I love Elizabeth.

And Kate French last week actually.
Oh I love her too! I miss her, I have to call her.

I’m sure she would appreciate that.
She’s great. I’m going to.

Have you ever played a gay character before?
You know I haven’t. I never ever had the opportunity before, and it was a great opportunity because I think this show is so important. The more shows we have like this, I think is good.

It is, we have few shows that get to represent same sex relationships. What did you find most challenging about it if anything?
The only thing for me that was difficult was doing nudity. But that would have been like that in any case. A gay scene or straight scene, either way it’s a big decision to make, especially if you haven’t done it before. You wonder what kind of effect it is going to have on you. I found it kind of liberating though, in a way.

Once you were able to get beyond your initial discomfort, did you find it easier?
Oh sure, I was like…hey, if I can do this... (laughs) I get these scripts now from my agents, and they are a lot racier than I’ve been accustomed to in the past, and I’m like ‘okay guys’ (laughs)

How did you feel about acting out the more intimate scenes?
I was very nervous. I was really nervous, even though I’ve done that sort of thing in soaps before, and everyone was so supportive and wonderful. Working with Elizabeth and Kate (Moening) it was just a lot of fun. Thank god for them because I was pretty nervous in the beginning.

I think that being nervous is a common reaction where this is the first time you had participated in a nude scene, and also as you portray this woman, you are trying to create this lesbian character in way which is convincing to the viewers. Those are two new challenges you faced simultaneously.
Absolutely! That’s so true, and I a lot of that was going through my mind. What I really liked about working with women, is that you look out for one another, more so than when you are working with men. They are very supportive, and it’s kind of nice. They just watch out for each other and I really enjoyed that.

It kind of compromises the belief that women are excessively competitive and can’t get along with one another doesn’t it?
It sure does. You know, towards the end of the Season, you know you look at these women who have worked together for so long, and you see so much love that they have for one another. To be a part of that, was so special for me. I just can’t say enough about this group of women, from the crew, to the writers, the directors, producers, Ilene. It was just incredible.

We know that Cindi is expected to be romantically involved with Dawn Denbo, but we would like to know a little more about what to expect in terms of the type of person she is, how she blends with the other characters, and what she gets into in Season 5.
You know I think she comes out of a situation where Dawn kind of rescues her in a way, and gives her a different kind of life. They run a club together, and Dawn buys her nice clothes, and treats her good, but she is a little too controlling. Cindi kind of acts out and she does some things in some of the episodes where she acts out against her girlfriend. She is a little fickle, but I think she is just trying to find herself. There is a transformation sort of, throughout.

Is there suppose to be a significant age difference between Cindi and Dawn?
You know, not really, I don’t think so. It’s funny because I hang out with Elizabeth and I don’t feel like there is one at all. (laughs). I think it’s more of a difference in experiences than anything

Outside of scenes with Dawn Denbo, who else can we expect to see your character in a number of scenes with?
Kate Moening…Shane. She is something, a lot of women like her.

She’s quite popular, there’s no arguing that.
I know. My girlfriends, even the straight ones, were like ‘oh my god, you’re going to make out with Kate?’’ (laughs) They got so excited, I would just crack up. I used to watch the show in the beginning. I really, I mean I love all the girls in the show, but it was so funny because of all the girls I had to make out with, all my girlfriends have a crush on.

That’s so funny.
It just cracks me up, my straight friends all excited about me kissing her. She (Kate) just laughed when I told her that.

Well you’re only straight until you’re not right?
(laughs hard). Yeah, I remember that…Alice said that. I love that line!

How comfortable are you, becoming a sex symbol in the lesbian community?
I think its great! (laughs). I don’t see myself as that, but…It’s just exciting, and I do feel it is such a privilege to be a part of the show.

I’ve asked Kate and Elizabeth this, and they were both excited to talk about it. Did you participate in the Turkish Oil Wrestling scene, and if so, what were your thoughts?
Oh yeah! Ohhhh yeah, I was very much involved. (laughs). I never laughed that hard in my entire life. Your skin and hair is so soft for about a week. If you can do it, you have to do it. We were just hysterical when we filmed that scene, just one of the funniest moments ever.

If I didn’t ask, the vast number of Bette and Tina fans would be disappointed. From some of the Showtime trailers, spoilers, and of course speculation, will the Bette and Tina fans have something to be happy about by the end of Season 5?
Let’s just say that I am a big fan of them as well, because I did watch the show, and um...let’s just say...I don’t know what I can say. (laughs). Let’s just say I had a big smile on my face.

The L Word shows a lot of diversity in terms lesbians, so it would be interesting to see if there will be a long term couple being represented.
Yes. They have such a connection. Who knows what’s going to happen? But I…I think fans are just going to really love this season, I really do. There’s a lot of fun, laughing, and so much that is going on.

We know that Cindi is with Dawn, but let’s say if Cindi was to be written into Season 6, should the show be renewed, who would you like to see Cindi hook up with?
Well, I think Cindi and Helena.

Yeah?
Yeah, I do. (laughs). They would be a scorching couple.

Helena has made an enormous turn around on the show.
She has! Now the girls like her. She isn’t as evil.

We have learned a bit about Cindi, what about Alicia? I’ve read where you had been learning to surf and snowboard at one time. How have you done?
Oh yes, I have snowboarded for about fifteen years, and that is like my number one love. Surfing is something I like to do when I go on vacations, on surf trips with my friends. I’m not the greatest surfer in the world, but snowboarding I actually do much better with.

I understand that you first started playing soccer when you were five, and had become an accomplished soccer player at the club level in high school, being recruited to play college soccer in your senior year at Laguna Beach High. Are you involved in any way in the sport today, and looking back, do you have any regrets that you had chosen a career in acting instead?
Yeah I played soccer since I could pretty much walk. I think right now if I was to take a ball out there I would pretty much get my ass kicked. I have to say that I love what I do, I really do, so I have no regrets whatsoever.

Alicia, in closing, what would you like to say to the members of the L-word.com?
I hope the fans just love this season, and I hope they embrace Cindi. (laughs). I just hope that I can make people laugh.

It sure sounds like it is going to be a really fun season. We look forward to seeing you in Season 5, and hopefully back for a sixth season.
Thanks so much, and keep working it girl.