| Revision as of 05:53, 4 June 2016 editAoba47 (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers92,591 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit |
Latest revision as of 16:06, 20 May 2024 edit undoVegantics (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users13,054 edits removed Category:Fictional African-American people; added Category:African-American characters in television using HotCat |
| (44 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
|
|
#REDIRECT ] |
|
{{good article}} |
|
|
|
|
|
{{Infobox soap character |
|
|
|
{{Redirect category shell| |
|
| name = Whitney Russell |
|
|
| series = Passions |
|
{{R from fictional character|Passions}} |
|
|
{{R to section}} |
|
| portrayer = ] |
|
|
|
{{R with history}} |
|
| years = 1999–2007 |
|
|
| first = July 5, 1999 |
|
|
| last = September 7, 2007 |
|
|
| creator = ] |
|
|
| classification = ] |
|
|
| image1 = File:Whitney_Russell.jpg |
|
|
|alt=A woman with curly hair and a hoodie stares forward |
|
|
| gender = Female |
|
|
| occupation = ]<br>] (formerly) <br> High school student (formerly, graduated) |
|
|
| residence = ] |
|
|
| parents = ]<br>] |
|
|
| siblings = ]<br>] |
|
|
| spouse = ] (2006–07) |
|
|
| children = ]<br>] |
|
|
| grandparents = Reggie Russell (deceased)<br>Warren Johnson (deceased)<br>Ruby Lincoln (deceased) |
|
|
| aunts/uncles = ] (adoptive) |
|
|
| nieces/nephews = ] |
|
|
| cousins = ] (adoptive) |
|
|
| relatives = ] (great-grandmother; deceased)<br>] (great-aunt) |
|
|
| color = #D8BFD8 |
|
|
| color text = |
|
|
}} |
|
}} |
|
'''Whitney Russell''' is a ] in the American television ] '']'', which aired on ] from 1999 to 2007 and on ] in 2007–08. ''Passions'' followed romantic and supernatural adventures in the fictional, coastal, ] town of ]. The role of Witney was created by the soap's creator and ] ]; the character was portrayed by ] from the series' debut on July 5, 1999, to September 7, 2007. In 2005, ] portrayed the character in flashbacks.<ref name="Name1">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/whoswho/whitney.php|title=Who's Who In Harmony |website=] |date= |accessdate=January 16, 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160603231950/http://soapcentral.com/ps/whoswho/whitney.php|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
Whitney is a mamber of ''Passions''{{'}} ]; she is introduced as the eldest daughter of ] (]) and ] (]), and the sister of ]. The character is primarily shown as a confidant to ] (]) but her later storylines focus on her romance with ] and the possibility they may be engaging in an incestuous relationship. Following Chad's death, she leaves Harmony to raise her children ] and his ] in New Orleans with the support of her father and sister. |
|
|
|
|
|
Kerr's performance was praised by critics; she was nominated for the ] at the 39th NAACP Image Awards. She was also nomiated for the 2005 ]' ], and with co-stars Lindsay Hartley and ] for the Favorite Triangle award. |
|
|
|
|
|
==Development== |
|
|
|
|
|
===Background=== |
|
|
Whitney Russell is one of the 25 original ] created by the program's co-creator James E. Reilly. In the series, the residents of the fictional, coastal, ] town of ] struggle with romantic and familial issues while also contending with supernatural threats. ], senior vice president of NBC’s daytime programming,<ref name="Kalouria1">{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2000/scene/news/nbc-days-abc-s-kalouria-1117781385/|title=NBCS days ABC’s Kalouria |website=] |date=May 9, 2000|accessdate=January 16, 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160603232123/http://variety.com/2000/scene/news/nbc-days-abc-s-kalouria-1117781385/|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> said Whitney and the Russell family were created and casted in an attempt to build characters "as diverse as the U.S." and to set the show apart from other soap operas. He added the show’s racially diverse ensemble represented by "the African American ] and the Hispanic ]" reflects "its truly color-blind storytelling". Each member of the Russell family was designed to be "an integral part of the show" in an attempt to avoid creating ].<ref name="Jet">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H74DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=liz+sanbourne+passions+casting&source=bl&ots=kQw2SvsX0M&sig=6A_4zjJje4v2q6DaH-k1BZgU-E8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_sf_x3q7KAhVC5iYKHY8rBH84ChDoAQgqMAM#v=onepage&q=liz%20sanbourne%20passions%20casting&f=false |title=Soap Opera ‘Passions’ Keeps Igniting Fervor Among Daytime Viewers |website='']'' |date=January 13, 2003|accessdate=January 16, 2016|archivedate=http://web.archive.org/web/20160603232225/https://books.google.com/books?id=H74DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=liz+sanbourne+passions+casting&source=bl&ots=kQw2SvsX0M&sig=6A_4zjJje4v2q6DaH-k1BZgU-E8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_sf_x3q7KAhVC5iYKHY8rBH84ChDoAQgqMAM|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
Rodney Van Johnson, who plays the family's patriarch T.C. Russell, later said in an interview with '']'': |
|
|
{{quote|We are the only daytime drama with a full African-American family. The Russells have a key role in the community. There aren't just a flash in the pan. The storylines are heavy. The show has received a huge response from the African-American community for that reason.<ref name="Jet" />}} |
|
|
|
|
|
===Casting and characterization=== |
|
|
''Passions''{{'}} casting director Jacklynn Briskey originally rejected 29-year-old ] for the role of Whitney Russell, believing she would look too mature to play a teenager. Despite the rejection, Kerr's husband Christopher Warren sent in his wife's ]s into the network and she was hired to play the character.<ref name="casting1">{{cite episode| series= '']'' | network= ] | airdate=December 23, 2003}}</ref> Kerr later described the week of auditioning and two ]s to be formally cast in the role as "very fast for me".<ref name="casting2">{{cite web|url=http://www.w3pg.com/nbc/passions/20questions/000330_brook1.html|title=20 Questions Interview: Brook Kerr |website=NBC |accessdate=January 16, 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160603232349/http://www.w3pg.com/nbc/passions/20questions/000330_brook1.html|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
Kerr described Whitney as initially being "so goal-oriented" and without a sense of balance.<ref name="casting2" /> Dana Block from ] described Whitney as "the good girl daughter ... who didn't concern herself with much else".<ref name="Character1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/daytime-dial-life-is-far-from-harmony--ous-for/article_fb4c1138-affc-586a-848c-f5a811bb9e56.html|title=Daytime Dial: Life is far from ‘Harmony’-ous for Brook Kerr’s Whitney |website=Tulsa World |date=May 21, 2006 |accessdate=January 16, 2016}}</ref> While discussing her portrayal of the character, Kerr said, "I was always the sensible one, the friend everyone could count on, always doing what I should".<ref name="Character1" /> She said her scenes with love interest Chad Harris-Crane allowed her to explore more of Whitney's independence and described her portrayal of Whitney's guilt and confusion at the possibility of Chad being her half-brother and giving birth to his child as allowing her to act the character in new and different ways.<ref name="Character1" /> |
|
|
|
|
|
Whitney's storylines with Chad received mixed responses from other ''Passions'' cast members. ], who was one of the two actors portraying Chad, said the characters' tumultuous romance met viewers' expectations for a soap opera and added, "People watch soaps as an escape. People need drama. Whether you love it or hate it, people will talk about it.”<ref>{{Cite web|title = Interview: ‘Passions’: Looking Back|url = http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/interview-passions-looking-back/article_e060a1e2-7430-571a-bbec-9c3646a59fe0.html|website = Tulsa World|access-date =January 31, 2016}}</ref> Near the end of the show, Tracey Ross, who portrayed Russell family matriach ], stated "I was never crazy about the incest storyline with Whitney and Chad".<ref name="Ross">{{cite web|url=http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/2133/tracey-ross-looks-back-at-her-time-on-passions|title=Tracey Ross Looks Back at Her Time on Passions |website=Soaps.com |date=July 14, 2008|accessdate=January 21, 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160127220937/http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/2133/tracey-ross-looks-back-at-her-time-on-passions|archivedate=January 27, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
==Storylines== |
|
|
|
|
|
=== 1999–2003: Early appearances and love triangle === |
|
|
Whitney Russell's early appearances focus on helping her childhood friend ] with her relationship with attorney ] and her rivalry with ]. Whitney is initially portrayed as constantly looking up to her parents Eve and T.C. Russell for guidance, and devoting her life to tennis and school at their insistence. She is unaware of her mother's past drug abuse, and relationship and child with ]. Whitney briefly dates private detective ], but their relationship rapidly deteriorates when she discovers he was hired to report Theresa for stalking Ethan. Shortly after the break-up, Whitney meets and falls in love with Chad Harris but he becomes involved in a relationship with her sister Simone. Eve discourages Whitney from pursuing a relationship with Chad, fearing he will be a bad influence on her daughter in the same way Julian was on her teenage self. T.C. disapproves of Whitney having relationships that will distract her from tennis. |
|
|
|
|
|
Whitney's relationship with Chad is complicated by Simone's crush on him. Whitney and Chad keep their romantic and sexual encounters secret for years while he pretends to be in love with Simone. The love triangle continues until Simone catches Whitney kissing Chad. Simone publicly breaks up with Chad and tells everyone in Harmony about his relationship with Whitney. During 2003, Whitney's connection with Chad steadily unravels after the discovery of his marriage to ] and her attempt to murder Whitney. |
|
|
|
|
|
=== 2004–06: Rumors of incest === |
|
|
In 2004, Eve's vengeful adoptive sister ] arranges for Eve's past relationship with Julian to be exposed to the Russell family and the rest of Harmony, resulting in Chad being erroneously identified as their son.<ref name="Exposure">{{cite episode | title=Episode 1291 | series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=July 30, 2004|season=6}}</ref> The possible incestuous implications of Whitney's relationship with Chad serves as her primary storyline on the soap opera. Whitney initially rejects her mother for hiding her past with Julian, but they reconnect by singing at the ], a local jazz club. Whitney briefly considers pursuing a career in music and frequently sings at the Blue Note. Vocalist ] was selected as Whitney's singing voice; Kerr lip-synchronized during her scenes.<ref name="Singing">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/passions-faqs-0|title=Passions FAQs|publisher=Soap Opera Digest |date=2005-04-26 |accessdate=2016-02-10}}</ref> When the possibility Chad could be Eve's son is revealed, Whitney discovers she is pregnant with Chad's child (would later be known as ]) and initially keeps her pregnancy secret.<ref name="Pregnant">{{cite episode | title=Episode1302 | series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=August 13, 2004| season=6}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
Whitney initiates a relationship with ] to insinuate he is the father of her unborn child and to protect herself and her child from the stigma of incest. She originally plans to drug and rape Fox to make the cover story believable, but could not complete her plans because they conflict with her moral and ethical beliefs. The couple eventually have consensual sex and Fox identifies himself as the father of her baby. While Fox helps search for Theresa's missing daughter ], Whitney persuades him to leave her with his ]. On March 23, 2005, she gives birth to a son and immediately uses Fox's power of attorney to put him up for adoption.<ref name="Adopt">{{cite episode | title=Episode 1470 | series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=March 23, 2005| season=6}}</ref> Two couples—Julian and Eve, and T.C. and Liz—compete to adopt the boy but Chad is awarded custody of the child. He attempts to use the child to reconnect with Whitney. Whitney and Chad name their baby Miles Davis Harris after jazz musician ]. |
|
|
|
|
|
The storyline escalates during the earthquake and tsunami in the show's 2005 ]. Whitney has sex with Chad in the middle of the tsunami and admits to Chad he is Miles's biological father. Fox overhears her confessions and ends his relationship with her. Whitney is overwhelmed by guilt and shame by the assumption of committing incest; she joins a convent to become closer to God and prepares to take ]. At the convent, she is manipulated by ], who is disguised as a messenger of God as part of his scheme to steal a chalice from the Pope's private chambers and take over the world. Identified as the ''Vendetta'' plot, the show's 2006 summertime extravaganza centers on Alistair luring Whitney, Chad, and several other residents of Harmony to Rome. While in Rome, Chad is given his birth certificate by ] editor ] and discovers he was conceived during Alistair's rape of Liz. Following the revelation of his true paternity, Chad restarts his relationship with Whitney and they decide to raise their son together.<ref name="Rome">{{cite episode | title=Episode1772 | series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=June 29, 2006 | season=8}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
=== 2006–08: Marriage, widowhood, and departure === |
|
|
On December 26, 2006, Whitney marries Chad and takes his last name, becoming known as Whitney Russell Harris-Crane.<ref name="WhtineyChadWedding">{{cite episode | title=Episode 1896| series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=December 26, 2006 | season=8}}</ref> Unbeknown to Whitney, Chad previously began a sexual relationship with the tabloid reporter ] and continues the affair after their reunion and wedding. Chad is unaware Vincent is actually his half-brother because he is Eve and Julian's child. Whitney becomes increasingly suspicious of Chad's fidelity after discovering she is pregnant with their second child. Vincent arranges for Whitney to catch him having sex with Chad in a gay bar, causing her to file for divorce. The estranged couple start to reconcile as they try to help Theresa and Ethan reunite, but the possibility of a union is cut short when Alistair kills Chad on August 28, 2007; Chad dies while professing his love for Whitney and their children. As a result of Alistair's actions, Whitney chooses to delete Crane from her name and asks to be known as Mrs. Harris.<ref name="Death">{{cite episode | title=Episode 2039| series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=August 28, 2007| season=8}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
After saying goodbye to Theresa and Eve, Whitney leaves Harmony and moves to New Orleans to live with her sister and son. T.C. is later said to have moved there to help her.<ref name="Bye">{{cite episode | title=Episode 2075| series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=September 7, 2007| season=8}}</ref> On January 2, 2008, Whitney contacts police chief ] to say she is willing to testify at Alistair's murder trial.<ref name="Testimony">{{cite episode | title=Episode 2136| series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=September 7, 2007| season=8}}</ref> This proves unnecessary when ] kills Alistair. On July 16, 2008, a letter from Simone to her friend ] discloses that Whitney has given birth to her child; the exact date of birth, and the child's gender and name are never revealed.<ref name="LettertoKay">{{cite episode | title=Episode 2221| series=Passions | network=National Broadcasting Company | airdate=July 16, 2008| season=10}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
Trever Kimball of TVSeriesFinale.com reported Kerr's exit was a result of the cut in costs during the show's transition to DirecTV.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Passions: Who Won't Survive the Move to DirecTV? - canceled TV shows - TV Series Finale|url = http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/passions-who-wont-survive-the-move-to-directv/|website = canceled TV shows - TV Series Finale|access-date =February 17, 2016|language = en-US|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160603232738/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/passions-who-wont-survive-the-move-to-directv/|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> The show's budget was reduced by "a reported $4-to-$5 million" to secure the renewal on a new network.<ref name="Reception5">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/news/2006/0612-budgetcuts.php|title=Budget Woes Result in Passions Cutbacks |website=SoapCentral |date=June 12, 2006|accessdate=January 16, 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160126011239/http://soapcentral.com/ps/news/2006/0612-budgetcuts.php |
|
|
|archivedate=January 31, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
== Reception == |
|
|
Kerr was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the 39th ] for her portrayal of Whitney.<ref name="Awards1">{{cite web|url=http://www.naacp.org/press/entry/list-of-naacp-image-awards-winners|title=LIST OF NAACP IMAGE AWARDS WINNERS|publisher=NAACP|accessdate=January 21, 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160603233124/http://www.naacp.org/press/entry/list-of-naacp-image-awards-winners|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> She was also nominated for Outstanding Younger Lead Actress, and alongside co-stars Lindsay and Justin Hartley for the Favorite Triangle award at the 2005 ].<ref name="Awards2">{{cite web|url=http://soapzone.com/gh/gossip/20041101.shtml|title=News for the week of 01-Nov-20014|last=Weber|first=Carol Banks|date=November 1, 2004|publisher=Soap Zone|accessdate=March 23, 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160603233200/http://soapzone.com/gh/gossip/20041101.shtml|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
The exact nature of Whitney's relationship with Chad attracted frequent speculation from media outlets and fans. The incest storyline led media outlets to sensationalize Harmony as the place where "half-siblings sleep with one another".<ref name="Character1" /> An article in '']'' listed the 2006 revelation that Whitney and Chad were not related by blood as one of ''Passions''{{'}} most shocking secrets.<ref name="Shocking2">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/passionss-most-shocking-secrets-bra-look-back-those-memorable-revelations-rocked-harmony-0|title=A Look Back At Those Memorable Revelations That Rocked Harmony|date=December 18, 2007|publisher=]|accessdate=January 21, 2016|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
==Other appearances== |
|
|
|
|
|
The character of Whitney received further media attention because of Kerr's participation alongside the other cast members of the Russell family to record ]s (PSAs) to celebrate the achievements of African-Americans including ], ], ], ], ], and ] in a commemoration of ]. The PSAs aired on NBC stations throughout February 2003. Sheraton Kalouria identified the PSA campaign as "another example of ''Passions''{{'}} commitment to diversity and inclusion" alongside its featuring of a racially diverse cast.<ref name="PSA1">{{cite web|url = https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=BALLMT20030220-01.1.37|title = NBC's "Passions" Actors Celebrate Black History Month|website = Hoosier State Chronicles|date =February 20, 2003|accessdate =January 16, 2016}}</ref> Despite the focus on promoting female African-American characters like Whitney, Lynette Rice of '']'' wrote the show failed to attract the "hard-to-reach audience African-American women". Kalouria said, "quite frankly, many of them aren't aware ''Passions'' is even on".<ref name="Reception4">{{cite web|url = http://www.ew.com/article/2003/01/07/passions-tries-attract-new-type-audience|title = ''Passions'' tries to attract a new type of audience|website = ]|date =January 7, 2003|accessdate =January 19, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
Following DirecTV's decision to not renew the show, ''Passions'' partnered with Premiere Props to hold a public, two-day estate sale of props and costumes from the show. Stacey Ward, a director of ], pitched the auction as "an opportunity to own a piece of favorite show".<ref name="auction">{{cite web|url=http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/archive/2008-04/|title=Passions Props Sale|date=2008-04-02|publisher=]|accessdate=2016-01-16|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215082941/http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/archive/2008-04/|archivedate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Several items related to Whitney, including her diary<ref>{{Cite web|title = Passions Whitney (Brook Kerr) Diary TV Movie Props|url = http://www.icollector.com/Passions-Whitney-Brook-Kerr-Diary-TV-Movie-Props_i8281856|website = iCollector.com Online Auctions|access-date =February 12, 2016}}</ref> and the "Music Video of the Year" Whammy award she dreamed of winning, were put up for sale.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Passions Whitney (Brook Kerr) MUSIC AWARD TV Props|url = http://www.icollector.com/Passions-Whitney-Brook-Kerr-MUSIC-AWARD-TV-Props_i8298693|website = iCollector.com Online Auctions|access-date =February 12, 2016|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20160603232941/http://www.icollector.com/Passions-Whitney-Brook-Kerr-MUSIC-AWARD-TV-Props_i8298693|archivedate=June 3, 2016}}</ref> |
|
|
|
|
|
==See also== |
|
|
{{portal bar|Fictional characters|Soap operas and telenovelas|Television}} |
|
|
* ] |
|
|
* ] |
|
|
{{clear}} |
|
|
|
|
|
==References== |
|
|
{{Reflist|30em}} |
|
|
|
|
|
==External links== |
|
|
* at ] |
|
|
|
|
|
{{Passions}} |
|
|
|
|
|
|
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Whitney}} |
|
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Whitney}} |
|
] |
|
] |
|
] |
|
] |
|
] |
|
] |
|
] |
|
|
] |
|