In the world of Hollywood, the line between reality and fiction can sometimes blur with lasting consequences. For actress Joan Collins, three simple words spoken by her Dynasty producer would haunt her for decades: “Joan is Alexis.”
Aaron Spelling’s offhand comment about Collins embodying the cutthroat character of Alexis Carrington Colby on the hit ABC soap opera Dynasty followed her long after the cameras stopped rolling. Now, at 92 years old, Collins is finally revealing the true impact those words had on her.
In a candid interview with British Vogue discussing her latest project biopic, My Duchess, where she portrays Wallis Simpson, Collins opens up about the hurt caused by Spelling’s remark. Confronting him directly, she questioned why he would say such a thing, to which his cynical response was simply, “Honey, it gets headlines.”
Joining Dynasty in 1981 as Alexis Carrington Colby, Collins breathed life into the scheming, sharp-tongued character that transformed the show from struggling to number one. However, the success came with a price that Collins continues to pay.
Spelling himself acknowledged in a final interview before his passing in 2006, that Collins didn’t just play a character – she became synonymous with it. While meant as a compliment to Collins’ talent, it also hinted at the idea that Alexis and Joan were one and the same, a notion Collins vehemently denies.
Despite pouring her heart and soul into creating a multi-dimensional character, Collins found herself pigeonholed by the public perception that she was just like Alexis. The actress believes Alexis was a complex, vulnerable, and misunderstood character, but the public’s focus on the villainous aspects overshadowed the depth of her portrayal.
For eight seasons, Collins embodied Alexis, showcasing her wit, glamour, and depth as a character. Yet, the persistent confusion between the actress and the character she portrayed, compounded by Spelling’s headline-grabbing comment, cast a long shadow over Collins’ career.
In a world where perception often overshadows reality, Joan Collins’ journey as an actress serves as a poignant reminder that sometimes the headlines aren’t worth the price of one’s identity.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.