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TV Guide: Priscilla Garita, Gabi Martinez on Sunset Beach, has also appeared on One Life to Live, All My Children, and As the World Turns. She also just starred in Bright Nights Dark Days. Thanks for coming.
Garita: Greetings from Priscilla. And I'm over at Shawn Batten's place, so greetings from her home!
Bernard_Michael: How does it compare working on East Coast Soaps (ATWT, OLTL, AMC) to West Coast Soaps (SB)?
Garita: Well, my experience with East Coast was very limited. But it's pretty much the same. Getting one episode done a day. It's generally the same. The lifestyle outside of the work environment is different obviously, because I'm in a different state.
sunsetgirl1402: Do you prefer playing Gabi when she's good or when she's bad?
Garita: BAD! Bad, bad. It's much more fun. The character is not Priscilla, so I get to live vicariously through Gabi. Where as when I'm good, it's more like me. Issues are more related to my personal life, and I get to work through them. But, being bad is more fun.
Bzaney: Do you prefer the day to day storylines, or the actions scenes such as Terror Island and the Tsunami storylines?
Garita: I really loved the Terror Island and tsunami stuff. It's great for me as an actor, because I get to be involved in things that I don't normally see. I get to do stunts, if they allow me to, as long as they're not too dangerous. But the whole development of the set is amazing, and seeing it build to completion is even more exciting. And the whole Terror Island thing was just fantastic. Hank, Shane and I, we did our own stunts during the tidal wave. I think that was 100 gallons of water being dumped on us in one shot. It was really terrifying, but really cool.
kittykat12345678910: Do you like kissing Antonio?
Garita: Why would I not like kissing this guy? Especially a cute guy! My friend Shawn, who plays Sara on the show, and Steve Lukather, from Toto got engaged last night! So, I'm here celebrating with them.
TV Guide: Tell us about the ring.
Garita: Oh, god the ring! It's like 3 carats plus. It's 3 1/2... emerald cut. It's gorgeous! You are some of the first people to find this out! I'm so excited!
Bzaney: Congratulations Shawn and Steve!
SBAnnieRlz: Who do you hang out with when you have time off and who is your closest friend from the show?
Garita: I think that answer is pretty obvious by now. It's Shawn. And I hang out with Shawn and Steve in their house out in the Hills. They told me that they have a guest house for me at their new place. I also like hanging out with Chrissie, we're trying to move in together, and Sherri Saun.
sun2rise: Are you going to be a bridesmaid at their wedding? Thanks for the scoop!
Garita: Shawn did tell me that if she got married I would be one of her bridesmaids. She'll make me wear green, because I hate green!
metkid1287: What are your hobbies?
Garita: I like travelling. Your regular movies and reading. Creative stuff. I like hanging out with people, taking day trips. I like new things. New things are exciting. Travelling is cool. My parents are from Costa Rica and they like to travel.
surfinsbchick: What kind of film is Bright Nights Dark Days?
Garita: That was a short, it was my first film ever. I did in Toronto, Canada in like 1996. It was the story of a East Indian girl. I was done up in the sari, the wedding dress, and I had the bendi done. The whole thing was beautiful. It was a sad story. It's a story about a girl who is about to get married. She starts to get flashbacks about when she was raped as a child. It's kind of ironic, because the same thing happened to Gabi on Sunset Beach.
JONNY54698: What primetime series would love to be on?
Garita: It would probably be a drama, NYPD Blue.
bev_hills99: What do you think of the show bringing back Maria from the "dead?" Are you friends with Christina in real life?
Garita: Yeah, we talk. We don't hang out outside of the soap. But, she's a nice person.
Bernard_Michael: I heard that you like to eat pizza at least once a week. What's your favorite topping? (From Bernard & Michael - former SB interns.)
Garita: MMMMMMMMM... sausage, pepperoni, garlic, spinach and onions. Carmalized onions.
Poogaly: I thought your short haircut was fantastic, it showed your beautiful face and conveyed that you were a strong woman. I used your pix to show my hairdresser what I wanted done to my hair. Anyway, I read that you hated it? No chance of getting it done that short again?
Garita: Never, I don't think. It was a very bold and difficult move for me. I can now say that I've tried it once in my life. I'm glad it worked out for you. But, for me personally, I prefer long hair. It's a security blanket for me.

Bzaney: I have heard rumors that another Scream-like storyline would be happening late summer. Is this true?
Garita: Oooo. Not that I'm aware of. But, I'd really like that. I like the more adventurous storylines. Even though we shoot during the day, we shoot it like a film. And it's more fun for the actors, and the directors I think, because it's different.
JONNY54698: Please don't leave Sunset Beach. I am hearing rumor's come February 2000 you won't re-sign.
Garita: Rumors, rumors! Don't believe rumors. I love my SB co-stars and everyone I work with. Write in, write in. I love my mail, so if you don't get the chance to send in your question now, please write me care of the show. It's one of my favorite parts about the job.
dsol1626: Who do you think Gabi truly loves?
Garita: Ricardo... and Antonio. But, Ricardo is my soul mate.
christy_f1s: What kind of music do you like?
Garita: Toto! I watch them a lot now live, which is really a treat for me. I get special access and front row tickets. I'm a rock and roll chick. But, I'm really open to anything. It depends on my mood. Alternative and some of the harder stuff. I have a lot of sisters, and that's what my older sisters listened to, so I guess it stuck with me.
Stephen_H_01: Do you know that Sunset Beach has cult status here in England, and does that surprise you?
Garita: It doesn't surprise me. I probably get the most fan mail, percentage wise from England. I wanted to visit this past summer, but I had to postpone because of business. It doesn't surprise me. I get so much mail, and I really enjoy that.
Bernard_Michael: How do you like the new opening of SB? Finally, Gabi gets an updated picture! (From Bernard)
Garita: I know! I fought the change, because I had difficulty with my short hair. But I like the new photo. I wish we could show the whole cast, instead of having two openings. But I think the new opening is the best for the actors. And I miss you guys! You were great!
xavier_blade: What's your favorite movie?
Garita: Godfather. Any De Niro or Pacino film. Or Meryl Streep. Sophie's Choice, very touching. Splendor in the Grass, with Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty. It changes every year, because I'm always trying to keep up with what's new and what artists are doing these days. So I guess it always changes.
twilso96: I like how you pronounce the Spanish words with the proper accent. Were you raised speaking Spanish?
Garita: Yes. My parents moved directly from Costa Rica to the US. I wish I could have used my Spanish more growing up, but my parents wanted to make sure that English was our first language. But we used both in the household. And I have to thank SB for not being afraid to have me speak Spanish on the show. It encourages people to learn a second language.
sun2rise: In the fan mail you receive, do you get more pro-Ric or pro-Tony?
Garita: I'd say 50-50. It's a tough one.
Amy_103_99: Is it hard keeping a straight face during all those serious scenes with Ricardo in the hospital?
Garita: Yes! Yes, yes! I love to giggle. Everyone who works with me knows that. And I'm always being scolded for it!
sun2rise: Who was responsible for mixing Spanish in the dialogue? Do you correct the writers in case they get it wrong?
Garita: Occasionally. Obviously the writers do their homework, but there is ad libbing. When I work with Margarita Cordova, we get to play a little bit more with our Spanish.
Bzaney: Can you cry on cue? That would be a plus considering how often they have Gabi cry.
Garita: Yeah. I've done it enough for them. I've cried on cue plenty of times. I'm kinda getting an aversion to it, because it's very emotionally draining. I can't do it 100%, but I've done it enough.
SONIA140: How can we get an autographed picture of you?
Garita: Write me c/o Sunset Beach, 3000 W. Alameda, NBC TV, Burbank, CA, 91523.
TV Guide: Thanks for chatting with us tonight Priscilla. Any words before you go tonight?
Garita: I had a great time. I'd love to do this again. And we'll update the picture. Thanks for sharing this special time and my special news. It was fun to do, and I only wish I could have answered more questions. I feel so bad! Please write me!