Interview With
Maitland Ward Baxter

I'll say it again. I feel so blessed because I get to do interviews with some really interesting people, including a few in the film/TV industry...what a far cry from my world!! Anyway, I was fortunate that some "Tweeting" led me to Maitland and after some chats she graciously agreed to let me interview her.

This lovely red-haired actress is probably best known for her roles on the daytime series "The Bold and the Beautiful" (as Jessica Forrester), for which she was nominated "Outstanding Female Newcomer" and won "Best Performance by a Youth Actress in a Daytime Series" in 1995 and again nominated in 1996. She also appeared in the prime-time series "Boy Meets World" (as Rachel McGuire), and the film "White Chicks" (as Brittany Wilson). She's had other guest-starring roles in several TV shows and films as well over the years. In 2006 she married real estate professional Terry Baxter and travels frequently between the coasts (LA and New York) with her husband.

So, now that I've introduced you to Maitland, hope you can grab a favorite cool beverage and join me as we move on to the interview!

1) Hi Maitland. I’m so happy you agreed to the interview! Please tell us a little about your family.

I am happy to talk with you! Love your site! I come from a small family. I'm an only child and so is my husband. I am actually the only grandchild on both sides, too! I had lots of pets growing up, though. Dogs, cats, rabbits, even a few rats. I am a huge animal lover.

2) You have such an unusual and pretty first name. I just have to ask if you were named after someone or is there any special story there?

Maitland is actually Jimmy Stewart's middle name (mom and dad loved him) and also was a friend's last name. It's actually my middle name (first is Ashley). I started using it when my 1st agent thought it was more unique. And there are a lot of Ashleys now.

3) I read you were born in lovely Long Beach, California, and wanted to be an actress growing up. How did living in S. California help you get your ‘foot in the door’ so to speak into the acting profession?

Yes, grew up in Long Beach. Surprisingly not many people there are in the industry. Very beachy and suburban. But, when I was little I would beg my parents to let me take acting. They got me involved in classes and community theatre, but didn't let me do it professionally until I was almost 16. I took a class in LA with a soap casting director who asked me to audition for a role. I ended up booking a contract role on "The Bold and the Beautiful" on my 2nd audition. I think they thought I'd get a commercial or two starting out, so it was a huge change. I worked and got tutored at the set (and went to reg school some of the time).

4) Did anyone support/encourage your passion to act? Or mentor you?

My parents were very supportive, they just wanted me to be old enough to handle everything. The veteran actors on B&B taught me so much! I was completely green going in and they helped me turn pro. Susan Flannery, John McCook and Ronn Moss were all mentors and still friends.

5) You mentioned you began acting while in high school with the role on the daytime drama "The Bold & The Beautiful" (for 3 years & appearing as a blonde). What was your very FAVORITE thing and also LEAST FAVORITE thing about doing a daily soap opera?

I loved working! Everyone was so cool to me on set and I was the envy of all the girls at my school for doing kissing scenes with all the hunky guys:). I think the worst was the commute from my family home to LA everyday and having to do schoolwork when the other actors were hanging out.

6) What is it about acting that appeals to you?

It's like playing. You get to use your imagination and be so many different kinds of people. I love making people laugh, too. There's so much sadness in the world, I think comedy is essential.

7) Because you are so gorgeous with lovely fair skin, stunning eye color, and red hair, I was actually surprised to discover your natural hair color is ‘auburn’ – Any chance there might be some natural redheads in your family somewhere? And what is your heritage (like Scottish, Irish, etc.)?

I was born with auburn hair (like my mother) but it lightened when I got older to golden blonde. I highlighted it for years until I did a role in a TV movie, where they colored my hair. I ended up going red and shorter after it and then landed "Boy Meets World."

I do have Irish/English on my Mom's side and my Dad's Norwegian father was a red head!

8) Did your change to the red hair color affect your career in a positive or negative way?

People take me more seriously and it makes me so much more unique in casting. Not many people can wear red hair so my hair colorist says "own it!"

9) What advice can you offer to anyone considering changing their hair color and going red? … And who does your hair coloring for you, as it’s wonderfully natural?

My colorist is a red genius! It's such a hard color to get right. Pinky reds are horrible! Her name is Negin Zand of Sally Hershberger salon in LA. She's done Nicole Kidman's red, so I trusted her. She's done color for me since right after BMW. Even during my blonde years (White Chicks,...). Red is not right for everyone. Some with more olive complexions can wear darker auburn, but don't go for a purple hue!

10) Now that you are a redhead, and people may assume you were born with it…so have you run into or experienced any of the ‘redhead stereotypes’ – positive or negative?

I'm not freckled, so I don't get the negative ginger comments (which are sick to hear!) in that way. I didn't have it in school so I missed most of that kind of teasing. I think ginger kids are so gorgeous! The freckles are adorable.

11) I understand that you and your husband travel a lot, going between New York City and Los Angeles, and probably busy lives. How do you keep priorities right, stay ‘grounded’ somehow, and keep a good balance between your personal and professional lives?

Well my husband is not an actor so it's easier for us to stay grounded. We're kind of yen and yang for each other. I think it's so much harder for two actors to make it work, especially if they're always on location. When I film somewhere else I'm lucky my husband is able to visit a lot. We are the best of friends and spend a lot of time together. We love to travel and LA and NYC are our favorite cities. Plus no kids yet (except our cat):)

12) Finally, please share your top 2 tips for budding actresses/ actors who are just starting out!

-- TRAIN. Take classes and master your craft. In LA people tend to think that isn't as important. I studied in NYC not long ago and the work ethic of the actors there is incredible. In the long run you will find more success by honing your skills.

-- BE UNIQUE AND YOURSELF. Embrace who you are and be confident in that. Everyone should be an original. And love your freckles!:)

A big thanks again to Maitland! It was fun for me to find out more about her, how she got started in acting, and her input about being a redhead. I appreciated her honesty, sharing about her life and her husband, and wise advice. Let's wish her the best of success in her career and hope she visits with us again down the road!

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE about Maitlaind:

• Chat with her on TWITTER.

• Visit her Facebook page.

[CREDIT: Maitlan's Photos are property of Maitland Ward Baxter]

To my readers, let me know your thoughts on my interview with
Maitland. I'd be happy to post your comments below, if appropriate!

Plus, if you have someone particular in mind you'd like me to chat with, drop me a note at my 'Contact Me' page. Thanks for stopping by.....

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