Who most influenced you with regards to your work?
I've got to give a lot of credit to John McCook [Eric] and Susan Flannery [Stephanie], for really helping me a lot. John, especially, initially when I was first getting off my feet and kind of learning about this. It was all so new to me. Then Susan stepped in and also taught me about the importance of being natural and less is more and trying to underplay stuff, which is a challenge on soaps, but it seems to work out pretty well most of the time. Adrienne [Frantz, Amber] also. I couldn't have asked for a better co-star to work with, in the sense of working with an actress who is always prepared and ready to go which is a really nice treat.

Torkildsen is indebted to his fairy godmother, Emmy award-winner Susan Flannery (Stephanie), who's helping him and Bonnie pull their nuptial plans together. "We have to thank that woman for the rest of our lives," he exclaims. "She's well connected."

Q: “Who helped you get acclimated at the show”?
Justin: “John McCook and Susan Flannery [who play Eric and Stephanie]. John's been kind of like a father figure to me. He helps me and gives me advice. Susan, too. They've taught me about acting and life. I have to say everyone has been wonderful. Everyone was so welcoming”.

“Last year, I went to the Emmys because I just wanted to support Susan Flannery and see what it was all about.”

“All of my cast mates inspire me every day. Being a soap opera actor is tough. I learn so much from Susan and John.”

Q: “Justin what is like working with Ron Moss, John McCook and Susan Flannery (Ridge, Eric and Stephanie)”?
Justin: “It's an absolute pleasure. They're all excellent actors. It keeps work fun!”

“My favorite character is Stephanie. She's really the powerhouse of the Forrester family. She holds it all together. I really love her”.

“John and his wife have had me over for dinner, I talk to Susan a lot about acting.”

WEEKLY: “Who gives the best advice?”
Torkildsen: “John McCook [Eric] and Susan Flannery [Stephanie]. They've been here for me since day one. Anything that I've had trouble with, I've gone to them. Even little things like where you put your hands during a scene. When you're talking normally in a conversation, you don't think about it. But in front of a camera, you think about what you're going to do with your hands. They've helped me get comfortable on the stage. And they've helped me grow up in life, too. I've learned a lot from both of them”.

WEEKLY: “Who's performance always makes your jaw drop”?
Torkildsen: “Susan Flannery's performances. Always. She just taped the most amazing scenes. She's a great actress”.

WEEKLY: “Who has the best dressing room”?
Torkildsen: “John McCook. It's right by the makeup room. It's big and it's kind of a community room. It's great”.

WEEKLY: “Who would you hang out with on a Saturday night”?
Torkildsen: “We all hang out. Last week Rick Hearst [Whip] got together a big party to go up to Senoritas on Sunset. Most of the cast was there short of a few people. Even Susan Flannery stopped by. We're like a big family”.

“I've learned so much from Susan Flannery (Stephanie) and John McCook (Eric). I'm so happy that all of them -- Adrienne [Frantz; Amber], too -- are nominated, especially John. It's overdue, I think, and he works so hard and really loves what he does. He's taught me so much, so I'm really excited for him. My whole TV family is nominated with me”!

“I think John is most like his character. He is full of understanding and has high morals, and is someone I really respect look up to.”

Q: “You’re up for an Emmy now with John, Susan and Adrienne…”
Justin: “I'm so happy for everybody. John McCook [Eric] deserves this more than anybody, you know, [after] all these years. Susan [Flannery, Stephanie] again, and Adrienne [Frantz, Amber]. It's incredible. I'm so honored to be with them”.

CBS.com: “Now that Amber seems to be getting into designing and you're moving into the corporate world, it seems that they're also much like Stephanie and Eric were with regard to being involved in the company.”
JUSTIN TORKILDSEN: “Absolutely. It's a great, wonderful place right now for both Rick and Amber as characters.

Q: “What keeps you grounded? When you're young and you work in this industry, it's easy to let it get away from you”.
Torkildsen: “Most everyone here -- John McCook and Susan Flannery and our crew -- all help me stay based in reality”.

“John McCook is a wonderful man. He makes everybody there feel important. The first day I aired, I was in his dressing room and we watched it together”.

Digest: In one word, how would you describe Susan?
Justin Torkildsen: Mentor, I´ve learned a lot from her, but I´m proud to say that she´s also become a very close friend.

Digest: Were you intimidated by Susan at first?
Torkildsen: Oh, yeah. The two people I was most afraid of when I started the show were Susan Flannery and Ronn Moss (Ridge). I mean, I was scared to death of them! My only impressions of them at first were what I got from their characters. But she was just so friendly, and Ronn turned out to be such a nice guy.

Digest: What plans do you have when you’re in New York for the Emmys?
Torkildsen: I´ve had some amazing times in New York because of B&B, beginning with my first year when Susan won. I distinctly remember climbing a water tower and hearing Susan say, “Honey, get down from there.” Apparently, it was a good party.

Digest: Besides knowing which party you´d better show up at, what else have you learned from Susan?
Torkildsen: Professionally, just keep it simple. When Susan has emotional scenes, it´s so much more interesting because it´s not heavy drama. All of a sudden, you see this burst of anger, hurt or passion come out of her, and it´s so interesting to watch. I learn something new from her every day. And she´s shown me that the fun of acting is finding new things. You´ve got to mix it up and keep it interesting. Right now, I´m trying to master what to do with my hands. Susan is so good with the physical aspect of acting, too.

Digest: Do you like it when Susan directs you?
Torkildsen: Man, I love it. Her style of directing is geared very much from an actor´s point of view. I´m not talking down the other directors work because they´re very good at communicating with us, too. But Susan is so much fun to work with.

Digest: If B&B were to become a movie, who should play Stephanie?
Torkildsen: Susan. If they´re going to make B&B a movie, I could not see anyone else playing Stephanie. Rick, yes. Bridget, yes. But Susan is Stephanie.