Saundra Santiago talks about joining “One Life to Live” as a gay-friendly Carlotta

On the Sept. 3-4 episodes of One Life to Live, the character of Carlotta will mistakenly thinks her son Cristian (David Fumero) is gay and reacts in a positive and supportive manner.

This was apparently too unrealistic for actress Patricia Mauceri, who had played Carlotta since 1995, and she refused to perform the story twist.

She was quickly replaced and in stepped Saundra Santiago into the role. TV Guide interviewed Miss Santiago who has previously been on the show in a different role. Here are some excerpts:

Such backstage drama!
I’ve been avoiding talking about it because I thought anything I say will offend somebody. It’s such a touchy subject. But I was very excited to go back to OLTL—I’ve loved that show since way, way back when Tommy Lee Jones was on it!

So far, it’s just a two-day appearance for you, right? Will they invite you back for more?
I hope they write more for Carlotta because I’d love to take over the role and do something new with it. Do my thing with it.

How much warning did you have when you took over the part?
Like almost none! I had absolutely no problem with the content of the scenes. My problem was that, when I got the call from OLTL, I was out for the evening with friends and had just finished a vodka gimlet and was about to have another. That was at 9pm. At 10pm the show sent me 20 pages to memorize and I had to be on the set the next morning at 6am. But somehow I pulled it off. Either I’m a real pro or just nuts.

I’m told the scenes where Carlotta thinks Cristian is gay play very lightly, very charmingly—surprising given the serious uproar that resulted.
I think it’s a really good storyline. The show is just trying to make viewers aware of [gay people]. I love Patricia and have known her for years. She’s a wonderful actress. I’m sure she had her reasons. Whatever. I don’t get involved in that aspect. I’m just so glad it worked out. And it’s a good thing I hadn’t moved on to that next vodka gimlet—that’s all I can say!