The moment viewers of The Young and the Restless met chemist Kerry Johnson, it was clear she was a force to be reckoned with. It's not every day that a female character who has both beauty and brains manages to be likable, but portrayer Alice Hunter is managing even more than that: she somehow has made The moment viewers of The Young and the Restless met chemist Kerry Johnson, it was clear she was a force to be reckoned with. It's not every day that a female character who has both beauty and brains manages to be likable, but portrayer Alice Hunter is managing even more than that: she somehow has made Kerry completely lovable, which is a feat when you consider how rare it is to find a strong, intelligent female character that everyone supports.
In a recent interview with Soap Central, Hunter reveals that the fact that Kerry has serious brain power is one of the aspects that originally drew her to the role.
"I really related to that, the idea that when you're bubbly and fun and sweet, people think that maybe you're not as smart. And then, it's a surprise when you come at them with facts and figures and say, 'Oh, I can handle my business!'" she shares with a laugh. "It's a balance. And it's also true to life. I have so many friends right now, a really good group of core friends, who are so talented, so, so smart, and so about their business, and we have the most fun together. They're silly, and we can talk about anything. And that's just the reality of women, as it has always been. But women in 2019 aren't afraid to show that side of themselves."
Part of the reason Hunter feels women are able to express themselves more fully is the ever-expanding diversity in the entertainment business. When she first started acting in Australia several years ago, it was difficult to land roles with her ethnic background. And while there's still a long way to go, the actress says the progress in on-screen diversity that's happening now will continue to open doors.
"To think that we can take stock of that [change] in our lifetime means that it's moving a lot faster than it has in the past. I'm proud of us," she shares. "I'm optimistic about the human race. I'm one of those people who's like, 'We're going to be okay! Let's take stock of where we are and where we've been. We're figuring it out.'"
Some might argue that being so optimistic about the human race is about as rare as creating a likable female brainiac, but Hunter says that she truly believes it is in everyone's personal control to remain positive, despite whatever is happening around them.
"Come back to your own life: everything in the world seems crazy, it seems out of control and that you don't have a say in certain things that are happening in your country and around the world. But what can you do at home?" she advises. "How can you love your family? How can you wake up every day and approach every day? And that's what we have to do."
What do you think about Hunter's portrayal of Kerry? Do you think she's doing a good job at making the character a likeable female? What would you like to see the writers create for the character in the months ahead? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
