Feature Interview
Sweet 16

CBS Soap Opera Indepth
June 6, 2000
Written By: Karre Lynn


David Tom amps up Billy Abbott's adolescent angst.


As a member of a talented Hollywood family, David Tom may not have been shocked to have become a sensation as Billy Abbott, the latest youngster to get restless on The Young And The Restless. But the twin of THE NANNY's Nicolle and younger sibling of Y&R's own Victoria, Heather, sure never expected to go down in history - which he will, now that he and Heather are the first brother/sister act to score Daytime Emmy nominations. "Sure, it's a big deal," concedes the down-to-earth soap newcomer, who only made his debut last June. "But aside from choosing my scenes [to submit to the blue-ribbon panel of judges], I haven't given much thought to the Emmys or what Heather and I have done.
"If I win, it would be great, but if a co-worker does, that's fine, too. I'm really looking forward to just going to New York and having some fun."

Rebel Yell


Aside from the accolades, Tom considers the chance to walk in the shoes of a complicated character to be the greatest dividend paid by his Y&R work. " On the outside, Billy is strong ... confident," he notes. "And I like that. But inside, he's 16 and needs as much help as any other 16- year old. He needs guidance because he's afraid of life and of what's going on between [best bud] Raul and Mac [the girl they both love]. He's also struggling with his relationship with his Mom and Dad."
In fact, the more strained Billy's relationship with parents John and Jill becomes, the more content is the performer, who also was cast as a bad boy in the Reese Witherspoon/Tobey Maguire film "Pleasantville. "I'm a drama fan. I like the conflict, which adds a bit of excitement," he explains, "so I'd much rather play the rebel than the goody-two-shoes."

Girl Talk


On the romatic front, Billy is faces with an enviable choice to make: Does he take Mac from Raul or continue to romance the amorous Brittany? "He cares about Brittany," insists his portrayer. "But there is that aspect that there is something about Mac. He doesn't want to intentionally hurt Brittany, but he would if that meant he could have Mac. "I can relate to alot of what Billy is feeling," adds the twentysomething. "That makes the work more real."

Everything But The Girl


Alas, Tom's of screnn love life isn't nearly as intense as his Y&R counterpart's. "I don't have a steady girlfriend," he confesses, "but I'd like one!"
His requirements seem perfectly reasonable: "She should be real an dhave a good sense of humor .. and be ambitious. Mostly, she should be easygoing and have a passion for whatever she does."
While the single guy is in no hurry to settle down, once he does, he would love to be a father. "I want a son - not anytime soon, but eventually," says the offspring of single parent Marie. "I want to be able to do all the things with him that I didn't do with my Dad. I want to teach him how to be a good man!"


Next Of Kin!


David Tom speaks out about his nearest and dearest, off-screen and on!

Jess Walton (Jill): "Hess is such a great person to work with, One of the best things was that she was the first person I had scenes with. She made is so easy... so comfortable I felt immediately relaxed and an instant connection. I feel like I have two moms. I ask Jess questions all the time about etiquette. [And as a two time winner she also fave me the rundown on awards and the whole Emmy thing."]

Jerry Douglas (John): " He's been on Y&R so long that he's very confident about what he's doing. He makes the scene go smoothly and quickly. And he always had stories about business and life. He's a very smart man."

Heather Tom (Victoria): "[From her, I've learned] so many things. She has taught me confidence and self-reliance. And we critique each other's work. She's honest, and so am I. I trust her [judgement] completly."

*This page was last updated on May 23, 2000*
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