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Sweet rewards … and wrangling the wrap

This past weekend was a whirlwind of activities – two Daytime Emmy evenings and two separate Best Show wins. After my outfit contemplations over the last month, my choices felt right! Friday evening’s girl tux was comfortable, fun and certainly different than the majority of other gals at the event. Sunday evening was the televised event and I wore a beautiful dress, but still had to wrestle “the wrap.” At some point I just had to ditch it, let the arms be out and just go with it! That moment aside, it was a great night!

(Click here to see video of this weekend’s activities! Emmy Flip)

As I stood in the role of “belle of the ball 2015,” in the mix of winners, I couldn’t help thinking about how life ebbs and flows. How we’re up, and then we’re down (sometimes down too long). And how we always have to reinvent and recommit, recommit, recommit!

courageMy mother-in-law called to congratulate me the following day and we reminisced about the time, not that many years ago, when I talked about what I would do next. I was hardly working in my soap job – in fact, for only the second time in 29 years, I hadn’t even made the quota of income to provide health insurance for my family. I remember feeling so anxious all the time. I am a worker bee by nature, it’s just who I am and I just can’t take the lulls. So, I got moving. I had blasts of ambition where I’d audition for a play, contact a new agent or sign up for an acting class. I started reading periodicals that inspired me. Anything that would get me me fired up and feeling productive (and better about myself).

It’s during times like those that I take leaps of faith into the unknown. Like the web series THE BAY The Series. My manager arranged for me to meet with the creator of this new Internet show (Gregori J. Martin) … really just an idea at the time. There would be no money, but it would be an adventure for sure. It started out so rough, bad sound especially. But Gregori launched it and was doggedly committed to it. Now we’re headed into the fourth season and everyone is still giving it their all. Many of my friends joined me in donating time, money and our homes for locations.  It was (and still is) an intense effort on everyone’s part, but this weekend all of that work paid off as the show was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series – New Approaches. That is something that never even crossed my mind. I went into it to get my creative juices going and look where it took me! I leaped in and stuck with it, and it has had a sweet reward. I guess it all goes back to the concept, as I have said before – say yes and figure it out later. Putting yourself out there and feeling relevant, in whatever that means to you, really does make a difference! (Click here for video about our Emmy Win.)

I faced a similar situation when I first went back to Days of Our Lives in 2010. I was working in the family pub, and I would have days when all I would say was, “here is your to go order.” At first I felt a bit humiliated and asked myself, “how did it get to this?” Then I realized that I was lucky to have the job at all – all I had wanted was to get back to Days, and I was so thankful they brought me back in whatever capacity, even if they didn’t have a storyline for me at the time. So, I decided that I’d be the VERY best background player there ever was! I rocked that pretend bar – marrying condiments, folding napkins, wiping down the counters! I hung in there with a smile on my face and an improved attitude, and eventually things changed. Now, here we are four – five years later, and it has all changed again. I am back on contract, working like crazy and loving the stories I am playing. It is crazy how it turned around, and I am so, so happy to be back! (Click here for interview with SN & MB.)

Today, I am thankful (really) for every day I am there – I know it may not stay this way, but I will enjoy the ride and be so appreciative. I am “not so proud” that I won’t work for less (or nothing). Instead, I have learned to TRY to ride the roller coaster of not only my work, but more importantly my life. I know that there will be rough patches, but together (ME+ME), I will get through it. Most of all I’ve learned that I HAVE TO BE MY OWN BEST FRIEND AND MY OWN BEST ADVOCATE, because NO ONE will find me at home.

For me, the bottom line is that I will make the very best out of every situation, and I’ll reinvent myself again and again, as many times as it takes, until I reach 100.

Thanks to each of you for reading, watching and inspiring me! (Click here for message to PLANK readers.)

Mary Beth

0 Comments

  1. I am so glad you are back. I have enjoyed DAYS OF OUR LIVES for 50 years. when we retired, my husband told me to tell him what was happening on the show, and after 15 years, he enjoys it as much as I do. I am so happy they are putting some kind, upstanding, people in the story. I am happy that Steve is coming back. we really missed all of them. we will be looking forward to our ‘get away from it all ‘ hour. thank you for entertaining us so many years. Jack and I will be married 58 years next month and I bet there aren’t many couples like us that can’t wait until noon for out show. jean

  2. MB, can we talk about dresses with sleeves for a minute? How can we make this happen? I want in on this imaginary company, here. Because there has to be a way that girls can have a pretty dress that has a bit of a sleeve happening. You rock your wraps, you really REALLY do. Usually I give up, wear the sleeveless jobber, and just pretend everyone is looking at my boobs, which are far nicer than my arms. Alas, I know better, and once they’re done with the boobs, their eyes go to the unattractive upper arms on either side of them. Soooo … I think if you ever want your next venture in life to include a dress line with sleeves, then I would be all over that. I’ve done your pies, I’m in for the dresses. Or … maybe I’ll just take a cue from you and launch it myself .

    • Stacey AKA bravewidowmama

      Hilary……You had me at boobs girl! Sadly, not all women were gifted with God’s magical twin distractions. There is always the option of rocking the shrug or…as I’ve said before, project the attitude to all around…They’re arms haters! Don’t look if you don’t like ’em! Most of us think we look much worse than we actually do. And, if all else fails….lots of push baby…lots of push

  3. Mary Beth,
    I have been a fan since the 80s and have followed your career. Your attitude and work ethic are spot on and just what I needed to hear myself, at the moment.
    Congratulations and Blessings!

  4. way to go on the double recognitions ~ I hadn’t watched Days much before, but started last year or so and have enjoyed the storytelling style ( compared to some of the other soaps). I was familiar/impressed with your pie biz and appreciate your message of reinvention – go get ’em-ism and investing your energy fully in whatever you may be doing on set even if it’s background type work. It all brings home the fact that professional performers have to/ need to keep on bringing their A game and their game face to their work 0 and their life offset too . Thanks!

  5. MB,

    Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us. I’ve been a fan for such a long time. I’m not really one who writes fan letters and follows celebrities, but what I have seen as you’ve let us all into your life is that you are so grounded. You are comfortable with yourself and your family is so important. Not many people, least of all celebrities would bare their souls as you so often do in your blog posts. Thank you for sharing with us.

  6. I am so inspired by your acting! I have watched Days since I was four years old. So basically giving away my age but every since the first episode. You Mary Beth are one of my favorite characters. I am happy you will be having more years and a lot more to do on the show. I can’t wait to see you. I make my husband watch with me although he will not admit it he really likes the show too. Love and happiness! Debbie B.

  7. Traci Whiting

    Mary Beth,
    I feel like I can never say enough how amazing you are! I hated DAYS for awhile because it felt like they just dumped you without even so much as a good bye! I’m so happy for you and me 😉 that you’re back and we can all be blessed by your incredible talent again!

  8. Lisa Carnevale

    How fantastic!! Congratulations MaryBeth!! My phone lit up and there was a picture of you holding your Emmy!!! Cynthia g
    Gardner had sent it out to her North Shore gals and she was so excited and proud!! I hope to meet you someday with Cynthia, you really inspire me and make me want to do more, be more present in this wonderful, crazy life!!

    Enjoy this amazing time in your life, I know you are!!

    Lisa Carnevale

  9. Hi Mary Beth,

    Congratulations on your two emmy awards.
    I would like to know what you think of Maura West
    winning?
    You also worked with her and I always see simalarities in the way you and Maura acts?
    You both are very good actresses, very natural and very good in playing empowered strong women who are not afraid of showing their vulnerabilaty.
    I really like that of the two of you..

  10. Stacey AKA bravewidowmama

    Congratulations Girl!
    It was nice to see you win…certainly long overdue. I can relate to the things you were saying about the ups and downs of life. I proudly go by “bravewidowmama” in other circles as a way of reminding myself that the lows have been so much lower.

    I became a widow 6 years ago at the age of 42. I had three kids who were devastated, a mortgage, a bankrupt business, and my income decreased by 75% overnight. I had been married since I was 24 and didn’t know how to function as a single mama.

    Here is a list of the things I’ve done since: graduated with a BS in elementary and special education, kept my house, paid off all of my vehicles, paid my own bills, made my own decisions, slept alone in a big empty bed (still sucks), and lovingly guided my children through their grief journeys while navigating my own. I’m pretty damned proud of that. But, my kids are what has sustained me. They are why I am still here and why I still get up every day and fight the good fight.

    By the way, it irritated me when they had you in the background too. I wanted those other people to get the Hell out of the way. I’m glad that that’s what is finally happening so I can start watching again!

    xo
    bravewidowmama

    • Mary Beth thank you for your blog this week. …I am 3 months into going back to work full time after many years off raising our boys….to say it jas been an adjustment is an understatement. I have run a home based craft business from home during that time and to go back into the corporate sector has been at times extremely draining! You have given me new hope and I will start next week with a fresh mind and body!!! I live in Australia and don’t know how I stumbled upon your blog but just absolutely love it!!!!! Please keep it going, it’s my Friday night read over a glass of white! X

    • Mary Beth

      Dear Stacey,
      Thank you for sharing your story… I am endlessly amazed at the way life unfolds and how it may not at all be how we imagined it would go. You sound like you faced this impossible situation with strength, courage and grace. I hope your continued journey gets better and better.

      • Stacey AKA bravewidowmama

        Mary Beth….Thank you for taking the time to reply. I appreciate your kind words….Stacey

  11. Rashelle Phillips

    Thank you for your words of wisdom. I’m in one of the lull periods in my life and really needed this. Can not wait to see more off you on Days.

  12. Andrea Welmaker

    Mary Beth this weekend was amazing! Congratulations on both wins. I love reading your blog and I think it’s so sweet of you for sharing with us. Whether you’re writing or speaking words, you are always positive and encouraging to others (me). I have to say, I thought you were the prettiest one on both nights. I loved both dresses! I’m so elated you’re back on contract! Thank you for sharing your evening.

  13. I have been a fan since the 80’s and miss not seeing you daily. At first I could not believe one of the most beautiful woman on tv has ‘body issues’ . I thought how I would feel surrounded by size 0-4 and it makes sense. You have picked a difficult profession to survive creatively and with a healthy self esteem. I need to hear your positive reinforcement that I will not find what I want sitting at home. I am listening and trying to find my way. Thanks for sharing your positive outlook. I am sure it is giving many folks encouragement. I look forward to Thursday’s and reading your blog. Thanks, bj

  14. Hi! I must say I really love reading your blog. The entries are wonderful and insightful. Thanks so much for reaching out to us and sharing your life. It was exciting to see that both of your shows won thus weekend and with Stephen being back, it must’ve felt like perfection. Your comments about the ups and downs reminds me of an actor friend who had to sell his blood and deal with a mountain of rejection before he hit it big.

    And you’re background work was frustrating to watch too! Kayla is a doctor! I remember the first scene you had with Matt Ashford in 2011 and the lines basically were “Hi. How do you want your burger?” Wait. What!?!

    I’m so glad that the show has refocused. It’ll be exciting to see (and also to see how the Bay grows with the Emmy win). Congrats!

  15. I totally agree with the other posts- you give the best background scenes and it has been noticed. Thank you for your honesty too. Some of us wondered how a Doctor felt serving behind the bar! But the sheer energy that you give to everything you do meant that we all knew that rewards would come and now we are back full circle.Congrats Mary Beth and thank you for inspiring us not to ‘give up’ too.

    • Mary Beth

      After reading these posts, that I love, I thought there was one thing I should clarify….All I wanted was to get back to Days. I was SO thankful that they brought me back in whatever capacity (even if they didn’t have a storyline for me at the time.) Yes it was frustrating but I was so happy to be back!

      • Stacey AKA bravewidowmama

        We should all clarify that we LOVE Days for employing our favorite actress…even when we were frustrated that we could not see her in more scenes. The Bay is pretty cool too…gave me something to watch while recovering from back surgery last year! Thank you to everyone who gives us any opportunity to see Mary Beth Evans! Does anyone want to second that?

  16. Ashley Lewis

    Hi Mary Beth Thank you for inspiring all of us fans for encouraging us to want to follow our Dreams I am so happy that therisa is reunited with her and bradys baby you guys always make me laugh and smile through the good times and the bad and for always giving us shocking surprises brady and Rafe I like the other cast members and cheered my *** off on last nights Episode when marlena showd up and had Kristen and the other two guys killed I hope that Kristen was killed off and the gang leaves that place safely with the Baby

  17. Mary Beth, I’m so happy you are being appreciated at Days now! Believe me, fans noticed all the nuances you put into being “the best background player there ever was”! You totally gave dimension to Kayla even when the dialogue was not written to. I’m so thrilled you are back on contract as it should be!

  18. Patricia K

    Mary Beth you are amazing. You have so much fight in you – I can’t help but admire you more and more. You are so right – we just need to get up when we are down and fight our way back up. Even though sometimes it is hard to do– we have to work hard and commit.
    Reading about the place that you were at a few years back to where you are today. Wow incredible! All your fight and hard work gave you 2 Emmy wins and now more great news a contract with Days. I can feel your happiness. I am thrilled for you. Congratulations!
    I will say that your choice of the ladies tux was awesome (rocked it) and the Sunday’s Emmy dress with the shawl (gorgeous/stunning/classy) You were the Belle of the Ball.
    Thank you so much for sharing your special weekend with us fans. You really made us feel like we were there with you and Stephen –celebrating with you.
    We will always be there to support you no matter how many time you may need to reinvent yourself. We are so proud of you.

  19. Susan Nolen

    Mary Beth,
    As always thank you for sharing so much with us fans. This was one of the best daytime Emmys for me because of all the excitement that you & Stephen shared with us all! I truly loved seeing you & Stephen together again seeing both of yours excitement about your charaters “Steve&Kayla”and your upcoming storyline! I’m so excited that Days won an Emmy but way more excited that you won an Emmy for The Bay! I’m so glad to hear your back on contract with Days and I look forward to seeing more of you on my tv screen! Thanks MB…you ROCK sweet lady!!!!

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