Summer Sizzles! (From Soapcity.com)

Independence Day is upon us! SoapCity quizzed your daytime favorites to find out how they would be spending the 4th of July and upcoming summer breaks.

Erin Hershey Presley (Alison, PC): "We are going to Lake Tahoe with my husband Brian's family. I have never been so I am looking forward to it."

Red Carpet (From Soapcity.com)

Port Charles nominee Erin Hershey Presley (Alison) wasn't the least bit nervous. Real-life hubby Brian Presley (Jack), who was nominated last year, told her, "Being nominated is the victory."

The Mayor's Reception (From Soapcity.com)

PC's real-life marriedites Erin Hershey (Alison) and Brian Presley (Jack) spent Emmy week in N.Y. hanging out with visiting relatives. "My family has never been here, so we all took one of those double-decker tourist buses around Manhattan," Erin said. Meanwhile, Brian was determined to catch a Yankee game before returning to L.A.

Emmy Nominations - Surprises Galore! (From Soapcity.com)

For today's West Coast presenters, being on The View meant back-to-back redeye flights, with not much chance to enjoy New York during their brief stay. Alicia Lee Willis was hoping to sandwich in a matinee performance of the hit musical, Hairspray, now that the Broadway musicians' strike is over; and newlyweds Brian and Erin Hershey Presley were just planning a relaxing dinner in midtown. Brian admitted that just the idea of not having to do dishes would be wonderful. "I have a tendency to just rinse off the dishes and let them sit in the sink," he laughed, "so I'm always in trouble at home for not loading the dishwater!"

Brian Presley Brings a New "Face" to the Emmys (From Soapcity.com)

Brian Presley (Jack) isn't letting the grass grow under his feet (no, just the whiskers on his face) while Port Charles is on a six-month taping hiatus. When Brian escorted his Emmy-nominated wife Erin Hershey (Alison) to the Radio City awards shindig, he showed up sporting enough facial fuzz to make us wonder if his razor had been confiscated by airport security at LAX before he boarded the plane to NY. Actually, it turns out that Brian is growing the beard for an independent film called Eddie that starts filming in July. How does Erin feel about her hubby's new five-o'clock shadowy existence? "I like it," she confessed. "He was actually very scruffy at first, but now it's much neater." "That's because it was getting kind of nasty looking," Brian admitted, "so Erin made me shave it way down to come to New York for the Emmys. But I'm not worried. It'll grow back."

excerpts from One On One with Port Charles' Erin Hershey Presley (Alison) (From SoapCity.com)

SoapCity spoke with the daytime ingénue about maintaining her balance in a crazy industry like show business, the media’s depiction of women, the heavenly pairing of Rafe and Alison and how her husband, Brian Presley (Jack), helps her stay grounded.

What keeps you grounded?

My family. We don’t go out and do a lot of things. Brian [Presley, her husband] and I are both family orientated people. We love working and fun events. We really try to remember that it [show business] is a great job, not a life style. We really stay focused with our families, we go to church, we have quiet times and date night. We are just like everybody else but really stay grounded with our families.

How has the male/female relationships changed over the years? Better or worse?

Older generations did not live together before they were married. Now, it is a lot different. It is very common now for younger people to live together. People date more before they get married. I didn’t, I stayed home a lot! But people do date more. Music and fashion are totally different and I think that is a key factor with today’s younger generation.

What empowers you?

My family. I know that I am so blessed with an awesome family and great friends, really true friends. I have an awesome husband. Brian [Presley] and I always talk about how blessed we are -- not just about our jobs, but the really great opportunities we have had. We recognize that it is a blessing and we are thankful for them. You always have to reflect and to be thankful for what you have done in life.

Click here for full article.

Caught in the Act (From TV Guide Online)

Hershey Kiss: There were hugs and kisses all around as Port Charles star Erin Hershey celebrated her Daytime Emmy nomination for outstanding younger actress with her co-star and husband Brian Presley.

Real Life Romances: #9 Erin Hershey and Brian Presley

Making Magic Dreams Come True!

It was an evening of romance that was worthy of a daytime supercouple!

On April 19, 2002, at ABC's Super Soap Weekend in DisneyLand, "Port Charles" actor Brian Presley ("Jack") led co-star Erin Hershey ("Alison") to believe that she was about to appear in an interview for the TV newsmagazine "Entertainment Tonight" at Disney's California Adventure Park.

Suddenly, Cinderella's glass carriage appeared and whisked the actress over to the Magic Castle, where trumpeters announced her arrival. Amid an unending sea of rose petals and in a candlelight-dinner setting, Presley arrived with a glass slipper and ring, proposing marriage to his self-described "soulmate."

"Entertainment Tonight" captured the proposal and aired it during an episode in late April. The happy couple tied the knot in Santa Barbara on July 27, 2002.

"FAST FACTS" ABOUT ERIN HERSHEY AND BRIAN PRESLEY

ERIN HERSHEY:

-Born Erin Katharine Hershey on September 2, 1976, in Seattle, Washington. (**note from Rachel...I believe this information to be false. Erin's middle name is Alise.)

-Grew up in Mercer Island, Washington; graduated from Mercer Island High School.

-TV credits include "Paranormal Borderline" and "Pandora's Clock."

-Starred in independent film "Slaves to the Underground."

BRIAN PRESLEY:

-Born August 18, 1977, in Arkansas.

-Works with various groups that improve the lives of disadvantaged children.

-Hobbies include cycling, golf and guitar.

RECENT CREDITS:

ERIN HERSHEY:

PANDORA'S CLOCK (TV movie), 1996

PORT CHARLES (TV series), 2000-present

BRIAN PRESLEY:

PORT CHARLES (TV series), 2000-present

From Netscape's TV page: "Top 10 Off-Screen Couples"

Click here for link.

Christmas Photo Shoot (ABC Soaps In Depth Online)

Real life newlyweds Erin Hershey Presley (Alison, PORT CHARLES) and Brian Presley (Jack, PC) welcomed us into their new home with open arms. The couple moved in last summer and almost have their digs completely furnished. They were even gracious enough to give our crew a guided tour. Although Erin takes pride in all the rooms, she is particularly fond of the kitchen. That’s right. Not only is she beautiful and talented, but she loves to cook and had fresh pumpkin bread waiting for us.

Although we shot Brian and Erin’s Christmas photos in November, it was not hard for them to get into the holiday spirit. After all, this would be their first Christmas as a married couple. They were more than happy to snuggle up in front of the hearth to take our Christmas photos. The lovebirds had such a wonderful time joking and cuddling, it was hard for us to choose which pictures to run!

      

PC's Hershey Loves to Bake (from SoapCity.com)

PC's Erin Hershey Presley (Alison) and Brian Presley (Jack) have fond memories of their fairytale real-life engagement at Disney last year, which even included Erin's ride in Cinderella's carriage. Brian explained that things are really cookin' for the couple, who were married this year on July 27, 2002. "When I get home from work there are cupcakes or muffins everywhere," said Brian. "She brings them to work." Erin admitted it was true, "I love to bake." Brian quipped that Erin even decorates the cupcakes with the names of the cast members!

excerpt from "It Takes Two: A Q&A with Kelly Monaco and Brian Presley" (from TV Guide Online)

How does Brian's new bride, your co-star Erin Hershey (Alison), react when you do scenes together?

KM: Oh she hates it! (Chuckles) No, she's totally cool. Erin understands; she's an actress. She knows it's part of your job.

BP: We were talking about love scenes on the plane ride out here. With someone outside the business I think it may be a lot harder to understand. Erin and I are glad we have separate stories. We've only had one scene together since we've been back.

excerpts from "Forever Friends: A Q&A with PORT CHARLES' Alison and Livvie" (from ABC Soaps In Depth Online)

In Depth: Kelly, how long in advance did you know Brian [Presley, Jack] was going to propose to Erin?

Monaco: I knew quite a few weeks ahead.

Hershey Presley: Kelly messed with me a couple of times.

Monaco: I knew she was doing an interview with ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT as part of it, and I told Brian, "I’m going to mess with her. Watch!" I went up to her room and I was like, "Hey! That’s so [messed] up, man. You get to do that — that’s really cool. No one asked me to do any promotions!"

Hershey Presley: And Brian looked at you with daggers in his eyes! I remember thinking, "She must be really upset. Why would she even care?"

Monaco: Exactly!

Hershey Presley: Later, Brian was like, shut up — don’t even fight about it.

Monaco: And I totally played it off.

Hershey Presley: Yeah, that was funny — you totally got me!

In Depth: What’s the best gift you could give each other?

Hershey Presley: A plane ticket home.

Monaco: Ditto! Or I could get Erin the ranch in Tulsa that she and Brian want. I’d love to be able to do it someday to just give everybody exactly what they want.

Hershey: Or one of those hologram things where you can talk to your family and have them appear right in front of you. That’d be pretty cool.

"Port Luck" - SOW, April 16 2002

Coffee Talk - SOW, April 9 2002

Port Charles' Brian Presley (Jack) found being nominated for an Outstanding Younger Actor Emmy even stranger than playing a vampire. "It's surreal," he marvels. "hard to believe. I'm going to be the one up there representing everybody involved with Port Charles."

Presley credits his co-workers for the honor. "My theory is, you're only as good as the people around you. I'm very blessed to have great actors to come to work with every day and great stories to work with."

Presley's loved ones may be even more excited than he is. "My mom said, 'Well, I need to go hit the treadmill.' She was calling the newspaper and half of Tulsa," he laughs. Girlfriend Erin Hershey (Alison) is just as excited. "She's been on cloud nine with me," he beams. "She's so supportive. We went to Starbucks this morning on the way to work, and she had to tell the lady at the counter."

FALL NOT INTO TEMPTATION - From KnoxNews.com

For the young stars of the daytime soap "Port Charles," life in Los Angeles can be one big enticement.

"I think being in this town makes you stronger," says Erin Hershey, a 25-year-old Seattle native who plays the much-put-upon Alison on the show.

"It's easy to fall to temptation," says co-star Brian Presley, the 24-year-old Arkansas native who plays Jack. "You're around temptation all the time. It's very easy to fall into habits. It's all about you.

"So it's easy to fall into that self-centered attitude. It's just like with any job. You can't let your career define you. You have to define you.

"I think you are in a little bit of hurt if you let your career define you. Enjoy the people you meet (but) ... don't let them (fool you)."

What has given them this perspective?

"We got it before we moved here," Hershey says. "We got it from our families."

And in Presley's case, his father got something back in return.

"He now subscribes to Soap Opera Digest," Presley says with a laugh. "He likes to keep up with what I am doing."

Excerpt from SID online's Interview with Brian Presley "Going Live!":

Luckily for the first-timer, he didn’t have to go the evening alone. There to cheer him on was girlfriend and fellow PC castmate Erin Hershey (Alison). "It’s neat to have someone to experience things with," he relates. "She was reciting my lines on the side — she was my coach. I said next time, she’s doing it and I’m gonna watch!" [abc.soapsindepth.com]

"The Show Must Go On!" from SoapCity Online

Couple Cop To A Real-Life Romance - from SID

Responding to rumors that sought to expose their real-life romance, PORT CHARLES stars Brian Presley (Jack) and Erin Hershey (Alison) officially confirmed for Soaps In Depth their dating status. "Yes, Erin and I are together," declares Presley. "It's been 'under the table' for awhile, but we kind of just came out. We didn't want to make a big deal out of it," adds the actor.

Erin at a SID Photo Shoot - from SID Online

Brian Gaskill (Rafe) shared a light moment with Erin Hershey (Alison) while everyone poured over the pages of a wedding planner that the newly-engaged actress had brought with her. "I totally forgot I had this shoot today," she mentioned upon arriving. "I'd planned on putting together our wedding reception all day!"

From SID

Presley and Hershey would have a tough time riding off into the sunset on this particular steed.