'Beautiful' Bobbie Eakes Shows Her 'Boldness'

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CBS' "Bold & The Beautiful" is the No. 2 rated daytime drama in the United States (on the heels of CBS' "The Young and the Restless"). And every week, 400 million viewers tune in world-wide to watch one of the shows most popular characters: Macy Alexander. Now, meet the multi-talented and charming woman who has played Macy for 11 years, Bobbie Eakes.

Macy's Day Parade
Eakes laughs as she shouts to her co-stars Mick Cain (C.J.) and Schae Harrison (Darla) through the walls of her cozy dressing room. The cast dressing rooms are all lined up side-by-side and the walls are paper-thin. They holler back playfully.

"It's a wonderful group," Eakes tells me about her co-stars of the hit daytime show "Bold & The Beautiful."

We're at CBS' Television City in Los Angeles. Just out the door and down a short flight of stairs, other cast members are busy taping a scene.

When people think of daytime drama actresses, they often think of drama queens. But you're hearing it from me: I know divas, and Eakes is no diva.

This is the second time I've met her and as we sit to chat, I am still impressed with her genuine friendliness. Sure, she's attained the trappings of a television star, but she's more intent on making you feel comfortable than basking in the limelight.

Perhaps this is why millions of people tune in every week to catch the trials and tribulations of the loveable Macy Alexander; Eakes' true personality shines through.

Georgia Peach
"I never really put it on my resume," Eakes says of her stint as Miss Georgia in 1982. That crown led her to go on to be a top 10 finalist in the Miss America pageant.

"Most people really don't care about that especially if you're looking for an actor," she tells me.

What Eakes did find was that her pageant experience prepared her for the pressures of the spotlight.

"I think what it did more than anything was prepare me. For being on stage, for being in an interview situation," Eakes says.

But winning the Miss Georgia title was hardly her first time in the public eye.

The youngest of five daughters, Eakes grew up in an Air Force family in Warner Robins, Georgia. All five sisters were performing at an early age. Eakes loved to sing and she soon found herself singing with her sisters all across Georgia.

And their talent did not go unnoticed. Eake's sister Sandra became Miss Georgia in 1979.

To this day, the sisters remain very close, sharing holidays and going home to Georgia for Christmas with her parents.

Making Ends Meet
Bobbie Eakes never wanted to be an actress.

"Not at all. I wanted to be singer," She tells me.

So, in 1984, in pursuit of this dream, Eakes packed her bags and headed for the City of Angels.

Los Angeles can be pretty daunting to a young woman thousands of miles from home. But then again, not everyone is Bobbie Eakes. One thing that can be said about Eakes: she doesn't lack in the tenacity department.

Her talent and persistence soon landed her in an all-girl group called "Big Trouble." In 1987, the group achieved moderate success, cutting an album and touring the U.S.

While in the band, Eakes started accepting small acting roles. But it was a 1989 audition for a two-year old show called "Bold & The Beautiful" that would unite her two amazing talents -- singing and acting -- and ultimately change her life forever.

The shows storyline has allowed Eakes to showcase her singing and helped to launch several duet albums with her former "B&B" co-star Jeff Trachta who played her love interest Thorne on the show. The character of Thorne is now played by Winsor Harmon.

Bobbie vs. Macy
So, how does Eakes feel about international stardom?

"When you think about (how many people are watching), you can get a bit nervous before your scene," Eakes tells me.

And do people get the actress mixed up with her character Macy Alexander?

"Well, I think people want to believe you are the character and if they think that, I guess you're doing your job," Eakes tells me.

And although Eakes is widely recognized, she says the attention is even crazier in other countries when "B&B's" on primetime and more people watch it.

But, in Los Angeles where she lives, Eakes has been able to maintain her privacy.

"I think in L.A., I live a fairly normal existence. But if you go out of town I think more people are excited to see you," Eakes says.

Family Ties
"She's good now. I think it's good for people to hear. It's a success story. She had breast cancer twice. Once when she was 28 and then a few years later. Now, she's really good."

Eakes is talking about her sister who battled and won breast cancer.

Eakes celebrity status brought attention to the disease that is unfortunately still taboo for many people.

"It wasn't my decision (to speak publicly about the disease). I talked to her (my sister) first. I wanted to know if it would be all right and she said absolutely," Eakes says. "She wanted me to talk about the self-examinations. Both times she caught it herself. In fact, the first time the doctor said there was nothing to worry about it."

Married With Kitties
On the show, Eakes' Macy Alexander has experienced a range of ups and downs. And according to Eakes, we should look out for even bigger doings.

"We just did a big reveal. Now, it's a big buildup to the next big thing." Eakes stops here and looks at me.

After a pause she says coyly: "I can't tell you what. Something monumental is going to happen with my storyline and the Spector side of the show. It's going to involve mother, my father, my sister and myself. It's going to be just really ground breaking and it's going to move my family in a completely different direction."

And when can we expect this twist?

"I think it's going to be in about three weeks. Because we just taped it," she says.

In real life, Eakes couldn't be happier. Her face glows when she talks about her husband, television and screenwriter David Steen. They will celebrate their eighth anniversary this July.

As far as motherhood, Eakes says she's not quite ready. However, she's certainly getting a lot of practice playing mom to two frisky cats, Elvis and Leroy. Eakes says, "(The cats) are really cool. I'm a great mom and I love my kitties."

Feline Leroy Eakes has a budding acting career of his own, posing with his mom in a year 2000 Purina Celebrity Charity cat calendar.

It's time for Eakes to get back to the set. She has a big day ahead of her. After all, she's got 400 million fans waiting for her.

What's Next For Bobbie Eakes
Eakes has signed a music deal with Columbia/Sony. We should expect a country album out in a few months. I'll let you know when it happens.

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