Christine Blair | |||||||||||||||||
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The Young and the Restless character | |||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Lauralee Bell | ||||||||||||||||
Duration |
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First appearance | July 15, 1983 | ||||||||||||||||
Classification | Present; recurring | ||||||||||||||||
Created by | William J. Bell | ||||||||||||||||
Introduced by |
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Crossover appearances | The Bold and the Beautiful | ||||||||||||||||
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Christine Blair is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless , an American soap opera on the CBS network, portrayed by Lauralee Bell, the daughter of series creators William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. [1] "Cricket" (as the character was originally called) was introduced in 1983 as a teen model, developing into a lawyer and district attorney. In 2001, Bell asked to be moved to recurring status after maternity leave, though she returned to regular status the following year. In 2005, she returned to recurring for another year. In 2007, the character was brought over to The Bold and the Beautiful by executive producer Bradley Bell, the actress' real-life brother, for a short-term stint, returning to The Young and the Restless in 2010, where she continues to make recurring appearances.
Christine has been married to rock singer Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian), a union that lasted four years until he left her to be with Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford), a woman he believed to be pregnant with his child. This sparked an ongoing rivalry between the two women that continues to present time. Later, she became involved with investigator Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) and, although their first marriage ended after five years, they continued as friends. After 12 years apart, Christine and Paul remarried at Katherine Chancellor's funeral. Bell's performance has garnered her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2016.
Beginning in 1983 at the age of fifteen, Lauralee Bell is the sole actress to portray the role. [2] In 1986, she was given a contract. [3] In 2001, after fifteen years as a regular, Bell only made sporadic appearances after returning from a maternity leave. [4] [5] The following year, she returned as a regular for a bigger storyline, [6] though later took another leave of absence, [7] slated to be shorter than the last. [7] She returned in January 2003, [8] remaining as a regular until 2005 when she was bumped back to recurring upon request. [9] She appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful in the episodes dated June 12-21, 2007. [10] In 2008, Bell was asked for a short term reprisal, [11] [12] though declined the offer, explaining she would return if "the show crafts a substantial storyline for her". [11] Bell explained in an interview that she'd "never been pressured so much in the nicest way when [she] was asked to come back". [12]
In 2010, it was announced that Bell would return to The Young and the Restless. [10] Since then, the actress has remained on recurring status. [13]
Cricket Blair, the teenage niece of Jabot Cosmetics photographer Joe Blair (John Denos), was introduced as a model for Jabot Cosmetics, and made her way to Genoa City in 1983. She befriended a young Nina Webster (Tricia Cast) and was engaged to Phillip Chancellor III (Thom Bierdz), before she discovered them in bed together. She was forced to grow and toughen up after being raped by Derek Stuart (Ken Olandt). Despite being traumatized, Cricket decided to press charges, which in turn allowed for more victims of Derek to come out. Derek vowed revenge on Cricket and even tried to shoot her, but Scott saved Cricket and took the bullet. Derek tried to escape by jumping through a window, but ended up falling to his death. This experience moved Cricket away from modeling to pursue a legal career. She also abandoned the nickname "Cricket" for her full first name, Christine.
While working at the Whitman, Walker, and Wilson firm, she was sexually harassed by fellow lawyer Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc). She taped their conversations and got him fired, which only pushed Michael to stalk her and eventually kidnap her, then hold her captive for days before she was rescued by Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) and Nathan Hastings (Randy Brooks). Michael was put in prison. Christine found love again in Scott Grainger Sr. (Peter Barton) and they even got engaged, but it turned that they shared a father and the relationship ended.
In 1990, Christine married her longtime friend Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian), but their marriage ended when Danny cheated on her with a fan of his, Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford), who became pregnant. Years later, it was discovered that the baby – Daniel Romalotti – was not Danny's biological son. Also, it was learned that Phyllis drugged Danny and made him think they had slept together. Christine's business life, on the other hand, was quite successful. She defended many residents of the town and accompanied Paul Williams on various adventures, including one where they traveled to Vietnam to find Jack Abbott's long-lost son, Keemo Volien. The two fell in love and planned to get married, but were prevented by Phyllis, who ran them over in December 1994, leaving Paul in bad health. Just before the accident, Christine shared a brief kiss with Danny, obliviously enough to make Phyllis jealous. At the time, it was never publicly known that Phyllis ran them over. Christine later discovered this in July 2012 and Phyllis was then prosecuted. As for Christine, she reunited with Danny after the accident, but she ended up choosing to stay with Paul and they were later married by 1996.
With Paul and Christine finally married, the two planned to have children, but their careers ended up taking away time and began to strain their marriage. Once Michael Baldwin returned from prison, he convinced Christine that he was a changed man and she testified for him in court. She and Michael ended up starting up a very successful legal practice. Christine ended up taking up a case in Hong Kong and convinced Paul to come along, but he backed out at the last minute. The case ended up taking months, and when it finished, she was offered a new case in Australia. She turned it down to return to Genoa City to repair her marriage. Yet, when she returned she found Paul in bed with his new client Isabella Braña (Eva Longoria). She took the job in Australia and left. Isabella ended up pregnant but claimed that a brief romance she had with Michael led to the pregnancy. In reality, Paul was the father, but Isabella didn't tell him because she felt that he was still in love with Christine. The truth quickly came out and Paul wanted to be with Isabella to do right by the child. Christine ended up building a romance with Michael.
Michael proudly announced to Paul that he got engaged to Christine, which angered Paul who punched Michael and then forced himself on Christine, although Chris never said no to him. Paul was, at the time, married to Isabella. Several months later, Christine went to see Paul in L.A. and had sex with him, then disappeared for a few weeks, leaving Michael and Paul wondering what's going on. Paul's marriage to Isabella was over when he admitted the truth to her. Christine returned, after a short absence, disguised as Kelly Simmons, keen on finding out more about Isabella. Paul knew the truth and decided to stick with Isabella, while Christine went back to Michael. The two were going to get married, but Michael admitted the truth about plotting with Isabella to ensure Christine stayed away from Paul. Christine, in turn, rushed back to Paul, and they had sex on the beach. Isabella plotted revenge against the couple and made it look like Christine had murdered her, then went to attack Chris in a bathtub. Paul saved Chris, and then they were both saved by Michael.
Christine and Paul moved in together, but decided to part ways when Chris didn't accept Paul's proposal. Chris decided to concentrate on her new job, being a prosecutor, but several months later realized that she didn't like the job. Christine started dating her ex-husband Danny Romalotti again, but he left town before anything more serious could happen. Since then, Christine was only seen working on cases, mainly defending people in trouble, including Daniel Romalotti, Jr. (Michael Graziadei) when he was accused of manslaughter, and she was also seen defending Ridge Forrester (Ron Moss) in Los Angeles.
Christine returned to Genoa City in July 2010, unsure whether to stay or go back to Washington, D.C. Her return also coincided with her anniversary with ex-husband Paul Williams. They ended up making love, but Paul realized it was a mistake given that he was now in a relationship with Christine's old friend Nina Webster. Nina actually saw Christine and Paul kiss that night and quickly her romance with Paul was strained, as was her friendship with Christine. Hurting their friendship even more was that Christine knew that the police detective Ronan Malloy was actually Nina's long-lost son. Ronan was actually FBI, working undercover to expose some dirty cops that Nina's other son, Chance Chancellor, was being blackmailed by. Eventually, Ronan shot and killed Chance just as Nina found out about their connection. Yet, a few weeks later it was learned that Chance faked his death and was now in the Witness Protection Agency where only Nina, Paul, Christine, Ronan, and Phillip Chancellor III know the truth about him.
Some months later, Christine returned again when Ronan was sick. Apparently, he was suffering from a liver condition that also plagued his biological father, and was going to need a liver transplant. Thanks to Christine, Chance was able to return and donate his liver to his half-brother. During his return, everyone else, including his grandmother, Jill Abbott Fenmore, Katherine Chancellor, and his former romance, Chloe Mitchell, learn the truth.
Christine returned in November 2011 for a visit, in which she and Paul talk about his son Ricky Williams, and also recollect his psychotic mother, Isabella. Chance reveals to her that he will be working at the Pentagon and that he will be closer to her. Christine, Nina, and Paul decide to confront Ronan and ask him why he refuses to talk to them. He never really gives them a straight answer, but after a one-on-one with Christine, he feels bad about the way he has acted. Christine returns to Washington, D.C., on November 9, 2011.
Christine returned to Genoa City in May 2012 to represent the Department of Justice regarding the case the built against Genevieve Atkinson. Paul confides in her that he believes that Ricky might be like his mother, Isabella. She later has a sexual encounter with Danny Romalotti, who had recently returned to Genoa City as well. She returned to town in July to offer her support to Paul, announcing her decision to take a leave of absence in D.C. to defend Paul in his case of murder against his son, claiming no one else would be able to defend Paul as well as she could. During this time, Christine also learned the truth about Paul's and her car accident in December 1994; Phyllis Summers hit them. Phyllis denied it, but a credit card receipt connected Phyllis to it and later her admitting that she saw Christine and Danny kiss just before the accident gave Phyllis a motive. The trial was called off by the judge.
Paul and Christine ended up beginning another relationship, and Christine decided to stay in Genoa City to become the new district attorney since Michael Baldwin had resigned. On September 3, 2013, Paul and Christine held an impromptu wedding ceremony following Katherine Chancellor's memorial service. Katherine suggested Paul propose in a letter written to him before her death that he received during Katherine's memorial. Paul and Christine marry the same day after brief preparations from close friends.
Nina Webster is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless, an American soap opera on the CBS network, portrayed by Tricia Cast. She was introduced during the episode airing on June 26, 1986, as a pregnant teenager whom Christine Blair befriends. Cast remained a regular cast member for fifteen years before asking for a contract release and departing onscreen in February 2001. In 2008, the actress returned for several guest spots, and the following year, she returned for a bigger storyline, and has continued to make occasional appearances until 2014. Cast later returned in 2020 to present.
Lauralee Kristen Bell is an American actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Christine Blair in the CBS daytime soap operas, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. As a producer, she received the award for Outstanding Special Class Short Format Daytime at the 41st Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for the short film mI promise.
Paul Williams is a fictional character on the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Paul was introduced to the show on May 23, 1978, and has been portrayed by Doug Davidson until 2020. Initially, Paul was a "bad boy", who had a romance with Nikki Reed, giving her an STD. The relationship ended, but the two have remained friends since. After a year on the series, Bell gave the character a proper backstory, surname and family. This included his notoriously unstable sister Patty Williams. After a failed marriage to April Stevens —who gave birth to his daughter Heather Stevens —focus turned towards Paul's career as a private investigator, as well as his relationship and eventual marriage to and later divorce from Lauren Fenmore. Paul's string of unsuccessful romances with women—including his ill-fated bride Cindy Lake, and Cassandra Rawlins, the wife of one of his clients—continued. Over the years, Paul continued to become heavily involved in various storylines as a private investigator.
Michael Baldwin is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The role is portrayed by Christian LeBlanc, originally from November 26, 1991, to July 7, 1993, and again since April 25, 1997. Michael has had relationships with Christine Blair, and has had marriages to Hilary Lancaster and Lauren Fenmore, with whom he has a son, Fenmore Baldwin.
Phyllis Summers is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless, an American soap opera on the CBS network. The character was created and introduced by William J. Bell, and debuted in the episode airing on October 18, 1994. Phyllis was originally and most notably portrayed by actress Michelle Stafford, until 1997, when Stafford was replaced by Sandra Nelson. Nelson continued in the role until 1999, when the character left; upon the character returning in 2000, head writer Kay Alden rehired Stafford. Stafford has been praised for her portrayal, for which she has won two Daytime Emmy Awards, but left the series after nearly sixteen years, with the character being written into a coma; Stafford last appeared on August 2, 2013. The role passed to Gina Tognoni, who debuted on August 11, 2014, and continued for nearly five years until she departed in June 2019, when Stafford re-claimed the role.
Traci Abbott is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Created and introduced by William J. Bell, the role has been portrayed by Beth Maitland since 1982. Traci is the daughter of John Abbott and Dina Mergeron.
Mackenzie Browning is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The role was most recently portrayed by Kelly Kruger, who portrayed the role from February 19, 2002, to July 1, 2003, and from March 28, 2018, to January 11, 2019. Previously, the role was portrayed by Ashley Bashioum from 1999 to 2002 and 2004 to 2005, Nicole Tarantini temporarily in 2001, Rachel Kimsey from 2005 to 2006 and Clementine Ford from 2009 to 2010.
Danny Romalotti is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, portrayed by Michael Damian. The character of Danny first appeared in Genoa City, the town where Y&R is set, in 1981. Damian and his character Danny exited the show in 1998, though Danny has returned on several occasions in 2002, 2003 to 2004, 2008, 2012 to 2013, and 2022 to 2023. A rock star, the character is known for his relationships with Traci Abbott, Lauren Fenmore, Christine "Cricket" Blair, and Phyllis Summers.
Isabella Braña is a fictional character from the American CBS Daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. She was portrayed by Eva Longoria, created by Kay Alden and introduced by former executive producer Edward J. Scott on March 8, 2001. During her run, the character gave birth to Paul Williams' son and later tried to kill his ex-wife, Christine Blair. Described as "crazy", "evil" and a "whack job", Longoria said the character was a challenge to portray. The actress was let go and Longoria last aired on August 15, 2003.
Patty Williams is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The character made her debut in 1980 and, after a brief portrayal by Tammy Taylor, Lilibet Stern took over for three years, followed by Andrea Evans until 1984. The character was re-introduced by former head writer Maria Arena Bell 25 years later in 2009, with Stacy Haiduk taking over the role. She appeared sporadically for an additional three years, and then returned from 2015 to November 2016. Much of Patty's history revolves around her romance with Jack Abbott, and her rivalries with other women that were competitor for Jack's love, such as; Jill Foster, Diane Jenkins, Phyllis Summers, Emily Peterson and Genevieve Atkinson. She also suffers from difficult mental health issues which was expressed among other things in her obsession with Jack, and in the crimes that she committed in order to get him.
The storylines of the soap opera The Young and the Restless have changed over the years since the show debuted in 1973. Originally examining the lives of the wealthy Brooks and the poor Fosters, a series of recasts and departures in the early 1980s turned the focus of The Young and the Restless to the Abbotts and the Newmans, including the corporate rivalry between their two respective companies. However, one basic plot that has run throughout almost all of the program's history is the rivalry between Jill Foster Abbott and Katherine Chancellor, similar to the show's sister show, The Bold and the Beautiful, regarding Brooke Logan and Stephanie Forrester.
Heather Stevens is a fictional character The Young and the Restless, an American soap opera on the CBS network. Created by William J. Bell, she was introduced in 1979 as the daughter of Paul Williams and April Stevens. She was portrayed by a series of child actors for her first three-year period, followed by Conci Nelson as a teenager. In 2007, the character was reintroduced by then-head writer Lynn Marie Latham as an adult, portrayed by Vail Bloom. At first, she is unaware that she is Paul's daughter, but they develop a father-daughter relationship. She becomes district attorney and later a high-profile lawyer.
Ricky Williams is a fictional character from the CBS Daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. The character was created as the son of Paul Williams and Isabella Braña, born onscreen on May 10, 2002. After being portrayed by a series of unidentified infant child actors, the character was raised by Isabella's parents in Los Angeles, California. In 2011, Ricky was rapidly aged to an adult, with Peter Porte being cast to play the character. Zap2it described Ricky as "a one-dimensional villain with daddy and mommy issues".
Daniel Romalotti is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The role had most notably been portrayed by Michael Graziadei since 2004.
Chance Chancellor is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless, an American soap opera on the CBS network. Introduced as the son of Nina Webster and Phillip Chancellor III, he was portrayed by various child actors from 1988 to 2001. From 2009 to 2011, actor John Driscoll portrayed the role. In 2019, actor Donny Boaz was cast in the role; he exited in February 2021. Conner Floyd debuted in the role that November.
Ronan Malloy is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Introduced by the former head writer Maria Arena Bell, the role was portrayed by Jeff Branson. After the character's debut, it was revealed that Ronan was, in fact, the child that was stolen from Nina Webster many years before. The character then went on to have romances with Heather Stevens, Chloe Mitchell, and Phyllis Summers.
Daisy Carter is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Created and introduced by former head writer Maria Arena Bell, the character was portrayed by Yvonne Zima. She debuted during the episode airing on October 30, 2009, under an alias, later revealed to be the daughter of Sheila Carter and Tom Fisher. Bell created Daisy and stated Sheila was back in a new form. Daisy later raped Daniel Romalotti, drugging him to believe he was sleeping with his then wife Amber Moore. She became pregnant with his child, and gave birth to a girl, Lucy, in 2011. However, she later abandoned her in a church and the child was placed in an illegal adoption ring. After Daisy was sent to prison for her actions, Daniel's mother Phyllis Summers gained custody of Lucy after Daniel gave up his parental rights. In 2012, Daisy was released from prison by Avery Bailey Clark and reclaimed her daughter, later earning full custody. Daniel then married Daisy to be close to his child, and after Daisy went missing, Daniel has been raising Lucy. Despite a brief stint in a psychiatric hospital, Daisy's whereabouts are still unknown.