From meeting love of her life Bo Brady at Shenanigans to epic jaunts to New Orleans, New York, and beyond, Alfonso as Hope Brady (and sometimes her alter ego, Princess Gina) has done it all. “I always described her as a diamond in the rough, waiting for another facet of her personality to be discovered, and I loved that,” she says. “She was physical, she was bold, she was strong, she was funny, she made mistakes, she loved hard, even if she knew she was going to get hurt, and most importantly, she never gave up.”
In many ways Hope was just like Kristian Alfonso herself. “If I could go back as a young girl walking into Days in 1983, I would tell myself, ‘Thank you for taking the risk. You’re about to go on an incredible journey. It's one you will always be eternally grateful for.’”
Ahead of her last appearance on October 14, Alfonso opens up to Glamour about the lessons she's learned along the way, from the value of nerves on the job to asking for what you need.
Alfonso with Days costars Stephen Nichols (Steve “Patch” Johnson) and Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez) in 2015
NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesSimplify big work decisions.
When my contract was up for renewal in the mid-’80s, I remember not knowing whether to stay or go. I asked my dad for advice. I was like, “Should I stay, should I leave? I just don’t know what to do.” And he asked me if I was happy, and I said, “I am happy.” And he said, “Well, there’s your answer.”
Being nervous can actually serve you well in your job.
I am always nervous because I want to be great. I've never been the person who is like, “Let’s just get this done and I’ll collect my paycheck.” I want the audience to feel what the character is feeling. I want to give it my best. I want to give them their money’s worth. They gave me their time; I want to give them some enjoyment. But even though I’d been at Days for so long, some actors would tease me for feeling nervous. But my parents would always tell me, “Kristian, it’s good to be nervous—you never want to be too comfortable.”
Don’t mistake your job for your identity.
None of my identity is wrapped up in playing Hope. When they say cut, I’m out. I’m Kristian. Ultimately, a job is a job, and a lot of relationships—great relationships, even—are created [from those jobs], but never assume anything. Just show up prepared. Be professional. And always be respectful of your coworkers, regardless of who’s been there for how long. It doesn’t matter. We’re all trying to accomplish the same thing.
Never be afraid to let others know what you need.
I never miss a family moment, a life moment, ever. And Days always knew that. If something was happening back East with my family, then I'm getting on that plane. My family trumps everything. They are my heart and soul. So I was never afraid to ask for days off, and Days worked with me to make that happen.
