Yahoo! Chat  June 28, 2000
~David Tom & Ashley Bashioum~

Ashley: Hey everybody, this is Ashley Bashioum, welcome to the chat!
David: What's going on, everyone?

december_reign : Ashley and David, what has been your hardest scene to portray?
Ashley: Oh boy, I'd say probably the dance was the hardest for me -- because it was technical.
David: I would say the scenes when I'm really mean to my mom, cuz I'd never get away with that stuff in real life.
Ashley: I was thinking about the scenes with David. Overall, I'd say probably the best and the hardest are the scenes with Jess Walton, but they're also my favorite.

newmans_21152 : David you are so hot! Do you have a good relationship with Ashley both on screen and off?
David: Well, of course, I do. Ashley Bashioum, right? We get along great. Right, Ashley?

mistysnow2000 : Hi D.T. and Ashley, Brilliant performance on the prom. Who or what do you think will be the biggest obstacle for Billy and Mac?
Ashley: Jill!
David: I'd say Jill, too.

december_reign : David, was it a little intimidating being in competition with Jonathan Jackson for the Emmy?
David: It was exciting. To tell you the truth, I honestly thought he was going to win.

macandbilly_online : Ashley, as a young lady in an unpredictable business, how do you feel you have changed since being on Y&R? - Crystal, CA
Ashley : Umm, well I think I've had to make a lot of business decisions that a normal 16-year-old wouldn't have to make, and I think I've grown because of that. And having to commit to a job while I'm in high school and balancing work and school is also a big challenge for me. I'm very focused on getting good grades as well as doing well on the show -- and that is probably the most challenging part.

manolis_varnassinger : David did you used to watch the show before you started playing there; and what attracted you most to play in this show?
David: Yeah, I watched a little bit when my sister was on it. I was in high school at the time.
David: The work attracted me to the show. I just wanted to work.

belle_26_8 : Ashley, does your boyfriend get jealous of your kissing scenes with the guys?
Ashley: Uhh actually, I don't have a boyfriend right now. My old one did, a little bit, but not really.

december_reign : David, since you have found fame, is it harder to find a nice girl for a relationship? Is it harder to tell the genuine ones from the ones seeking fame?
David: Well, it's always hard to find a nice girl for a relationship, especially in this town.
David: To tell you the truth, I've met more people since I've been on the show, that have actually been pretty cool.
David: Right now I'm seeing a cool person, she's out of town right now.

explosive_dee : David, first of all I'd like to congratulate you on your Daytime Emmy win. It was a wonderful moment, you hit the bullseye. Tell me a bit about your "lucky charm".
David: Oh, the dart that I had. Actually, I had a couple lucky charms, but I think one of the main significant ones that everyone knew about was this dart that I had that my sister gave me right before the show started. She said it was her good luck dart. Nicholle's king of superstitions. I believed it, so I held on to it.

december_reign : Ashley, is it hard to be intimate on screen with both David's since they are several years older than you and since you seem to be friends?
Ashley : It's a little awkward, but not really, I feel I still get intimate with them but it won't mean anything, so I don't really have a problem with it. Besides, it's part of the job.

nay17_83 : David, Do you feel closer to your sister Heather now that you guys are on the same show?
David: Yeah, it's been really fun working with her. I was always close to my sisters, before the show, and I will be after the show. It's nice to have a family member there. Someone you can say anything you want to. You don't have to worry about problems. It's great, we critique each other and give each other compliments.

nay17_83 : Ashley, Are there any similarities between you and Mackenzie?
Ashley: Oh boy, umm, I would say, let's see (laugh). I guess I kind of hide my emotions the same way as Mac, and that's about it. I don't talk back to adults or anything like that.

anthony98_2000 : David, you are so talented and handsome, do you plan to act in silver screen movies?
David: Definitely! Most definitely one of my goals. I've done some work on features. "Pleasantville" was the most recent. Yes, I definitely, hope to get back into that.

belle_26_8 : What one word would you use to describe each other?
Ashley: Oh God... I'd say, musical.
David: (laughing) Thanks. Ash, Ashley, what's a good word to describe Ashley? Oh boy, I don't know. Interesting... interesting!

LAFEMME99_2000 : David and Ashley, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Ashley: I like going to the beach, anything about the ocean or the beach. I'll do anything at the beach. I like the smell of it, and the feeling.
David: I like to hang with my friends. We go out a lot, and do summer activities. This weekend we're going to Tahoe. We do a lot of things, water-skiing...that's fun.

jill_is_a_bee : Why are they allowing Jill to torment Mac??
Ashley: Because it's interesting to watch and it develops a new depth in the storyline and a new conflict for Billy and Mac to overcome... just to show how strong their love for each other really is.

LAFEMME99_2000 : David, what is it like working with such great actors such as your sister, Jess Walton, and Peter Bergman?
David: Jess and Peter are absolutely wonderful. They're a lot of fun to play off of. They give a lot of gifts. They really know what they're doing. Scenes go so smoothly, without any hitches. They're just fun.

laurla3 : Do either of you plan the physical gestures you do in your scenes, that make them so realistic (i.e. David..when you were licking your lips during the dance at the prom)...these are the things that make your scenes SO realistic.
David: I use a lot of things from my own personal life in deciding what choices to make in my scenes. Some habits that I use in my own life definitely come out on camera as well.
Ashley: No, I don't usually plan what I'm doing, except for the blocking. I just go with what's in the moment, cross my arms, lean on one leg, reach out to David, etc.

davidtomfan : Hello David! I was wondering if you have an "Official" Fan club lined up?
David: I believe there's something on the Internet about it. I think there's a webpage I have. People have told me about it, but I haven't seen it. If they check out the Y&R stuff, it should be there.

manolis_varnassinger : David, would you say that Billy is immature and is he still a child, or is he just restless?
David: I think he's definitely just Young and just Restless.

y_and_r_les_s : Hi Ashley & David! Are you both coming to the Fan Club event in August?
Ashley: Yes, I will be there.
David: I believe so, yeah.

kathy_luvs_yr : Hi Ash! I'm 26/Female, and I have watched Y&R for 16 yrs. Since your debut, you have quickly become one of my fave actresses on the show (along with Tricia Cast & Vicki Rowell). Do you see yourself continuing with the show after your 3-yr contract expires?
Ashley : After my three year contract expires, I'll just have to see what happens. It'll be time for college, but I'm totally open to staying with the show and I'd love to do feature films. I'll decide at the time.

OaksL98 : David and Ashley what will happen to Raul and Brittany when they find out?
Ashley: Well, I don't think Billy and Mac...well they're still hiding their feelings, they're so strong so it's hard for them, right now they're thinking of Raul and Brittany so they're thinking about what to do.
David: I'm not sure. Of course he's going to be very upset, but I'm not sure what the writers have in store. We might become enemies, then friends later on. Whatever it is, I'm sure there will be a lot of drama.

belle_26_8 : What would you like to change about your character or storyline?
Ashley: Oh my gosh!
Ashley: Oh my gosh.. probably that Mac's family would enter the picture to see what's going on with my family in Saint Louis.
David: I don't know. They'll write something very interesting, I'm sure. There's definitely going to be more dramas and more scandals.

TiggerN_Pooh : David and Ashley....do you guys get stopped for autographs a lot?
David: Not so much in Hollywood, but when you go out of the area, a lot of people do come up and talk to you. It's fun.
Ashley: Yep, they do. Actually today I got asked when I was shopping. Anybody who is out there don't be afraid to come up and say hey!

davidtomfan : Hello David! I heard that you may be making a trip to Ontario, Canada for a few appearances this coming July. I was wondering if this was true and if so do you know exactly when? Love Andrea from Ontario, Canada
David: Yeah, the first one is July 8th, I'm not sure when the next one will be.

Goober1313 : Hi guys. I live in Canada and I am 20 and I have watched the show since I was born along with my family, but I have been searching for something for days. I was wondering what songs were those that played during Mac's entrance to the prom and her dance with Billy?
David : The songs played were "Closer" by the Corrs (the entrance) and "Take Me Home" by Donna Lewis (the dance)!

december_reign : David, do you cook? If so, what is your favorite meal to cook?
David: I like filet mignons on the grill. Chickens. Anything barbecued.

yrfanforfr1 : Did either of you go to your own high school prom?
Ashley: I'm still a junior, actually I got asked to go by a friend of mine. I'm at homeschool so I don't really have a prom. I was honored to be asked, however.
David: Yeah, I went to my high school junior and senior proms. It was fun. I took a girl named Shelley, the next one a good friend named Liz Adams.

manolis_varnassinger : Do you think that you'll be the next hottest couple on the show after Nick and Sharon
Ashley: I hope so!
David: I don't know. I have no idea. Maybe. I don't know.

laurla3 : After a year of struggling to have these two characters together...do you find it odd/interesting, that they are FINALLY admitting their feelings?
David: Well, I think it's been something that's been brewing up for a while and finally exploded at the Prom.

gogobuey : Ashley and Tom, because of your age, do you feel the other cast members treat you differently?
Ashley: No, I don't feel that. I think everyone is really nice and welcoming at the set. I don't have any problems at all.
David: Oh yeah, completely. Everyone's really cool.

carbar24 : David, would you consider dating someone outside of the showbiz realm?
David: More than likely. In fact, most of the people that I date are not actresses. The girl I'm seeing now is a writer. I tend to stay away from girls in the acting field.

davidtomfan : Is there one person you admire the most and really look up to? From Ontario, Canada
Ashley: My dad, because I admire what he has done with his life and he is very successful, and I'd like to model my career after his. He's also very smart, quite intelligent, socially and business-wise.
David: There's a bunch of people I admire for different things. The biggest is my mom. She raised 3 kids on her own and managed to do a good job, I think. So, I have to respect and admire her. I wouldn't mind finding a girl like her. She's the backbone of our family.

sallygal_27023 : Don't you think that Raul is going to turn out to be Nina's long lost son that was taken away from her many years ago?
Ashley: I guess it could be a possibility.
David: I've heard these rumors from David Lago, but I haven't heard it from anybody that would have super insight about that, but maybe. Stranger things have been known to happen.

davidtomfan : I was wondering if there is any particular music you both really enjoy listening to? Love Andrea, From Ontario, Canada
Ashley: I like to listen to hip-hop, country, well all music actually. My favorite group right now, they're new, is Youth Asylum on Quest records.
David: I like to listen to a lot of classical jazz and some swing is kind of fun. You can really dance to that kind of music. Cannonball's really good. I like some of the greats.

linzee107 : Ashley, how do you like getting to be "involved" with two of the hottest guys on the show??
Ashley: Well let's see, I feel honored to be involved with two of the hottest guys on the show.

ZDMO2 : Was anyone else disturbed by the fact that the writers basically had Jill commit child abuse with her tirade and threats? I mean, I know this is just a show, but come on..
David: Oh, that's Jill. That's just Jill!
David: Well, the Prom was the beginning. There's definitely going to be more drama happening. Everything happens with a twist.

LAFEMME99_2000 : Ashley, you look so familiar! Have you appeared on any other series?
Ashley: Nope. Young and the Restless is my first acting job but I did model a lot before.

melishia19 : David & Ashley, do you guys read your fan mail, and if so do you answer them back?
Ashley: I do read the NICE ones, the weird ones I'll start reading and then I'll put them aside. I'll send signed pictures to those writing nice mail.
David: No, I think they're funny. Of course I read my mail and answer back. It's great to hear from everybody.

monicamai77 : Ashley, what is it like living in L.A.? Is it as superficial and polluted as people say it is?
Ashley: I say in areas it is, but, I don't know, where I go it's not superficial, but the city has its pockets.

aviva_ca : Mac you have beautiful skin. any beauty secrets?
Ashley: I use my Dad's facial cleansers, I'll go check which ones they are.
Ashley: It's Biomedic Purifying Cleanser, the number is 18007365155, and they're located in Phoenix. It's really good stuff.

rs_parker : HAVE YOU TWO BEEN AROUND VICTOR YET?? WHAT KIND OF GUY IS HE???
David: I've hung out with him, seen him on set. Haven't had a scene with him yet. He's a great guy, a lot of fun stories to listen to.

december_reign : David, congrats on the new house? Was it hard to move out of the nest? Did your sisters help you decorate or did you completely make it your own private Idaho: mistakes, perfection's, and all other adventures in decorating?
David: Actually, most definitely my sisters and my mom are very decorative. They've come in and helped me out. I just got some carpet in my living room today.
David: Right now my house is not near completion - a little piece here, a little piece there.

Aquarius13100 : What is a typical day like for you at the studios?
Ashley: Well I get there and go to the school room, do the school thing and then head to hair and makeup, then I usually tape soon after I get hair and makeup done, finish taping and then go back to finish school. I have to do three hours of school each day I work if not more.

blondeez_2 : You are both from the Chicago land area, right?
David: I am.
David: I lived there for 8 years.
Ashley: I was born there but I grew up in Minnesota.

december_reign : David, are you aware of the 2 David Tom sites and several Billy/Mac Clubs?
David: A friend of mine was telling me about that.
David: I haven't been there yet, but I'm going to check it out.

adwag_16 : Ashley, have your family and friends treated you differently now since you are a big soap star??
Ashley: Not my family at all. Most of the people from back home have treated me a little different but for the most part the people I knew before and who know me for who I am haven't changed. It's hard being out here and not seeing my friends back there as much but I've made new friends out here.

domsting : Ash and David, could you guys tell us who are your favorite actors?
David: My two favorites are Robert deNiro and Al Pacino.
Ashley: My favorite actor would be Edward Norton, and my favorite actress, I don't really have one at the moment.

shellyc_04976 : More of a statement than a question - Ashley, just wanted to say I think you do an incredible job with your part. You help show how girls who have a little bit of confidence in themselves can make things happen. May not be easy (as with Mac's case) but I think it's an awesome message to send! Keep up the good work!
Ashley: Thank you so much, that's sweet, I'm glad I'm helping out.

manolis_varnassinger : Are you planning to work all summer or are you gonna take some days off?
David: The only breaks we get are two weeks at Christmas and one in May. Other than that we work year round.

fairybear312 : How did you decide that THIS is what you wanted to do for a living??
Ashley: It just crossed my path and I went for it and now I have totally fallen in love with it. My brother was there first, pulled me in and I got hooked!

meg62099 : Ashley, do you plan on going to college after high school?
Ashley: Yes I do. To UCLA, Medical School.

OaksL98 : Ashley and David do you hang out with anyone from the show after work?
David: Me and David Lago hang out a bit. Right now the little bastard's in Cancun, but we hang out a bit. Ashley: Actually I hang out with a lot of the teen extras, and I have a really good friend from the show.

anja_53590 : You do such an outstanding job. What's it like to watch yourself on TV?
David: I really try not to watch as much. Mainly because I'm my worst critic and I'll tear it to pieces. I should have done this or that or done it this way. I'd much rather hear what others say. Ashley: I tape specific scenes that I choose to watch. I can't really watch everyday because I'm so busy. I made a point of seeing the prom scene and the after prom scene. I end up watching the whole show usually anyway.

babylove : What show did you submit to the Emmy panel?
David: I submitted a show where I was arguing with Jerry (my dad) and another where I was arguing with Jess (Jill).

mupulane : Ashley - would YOU have chosen that dress? :)
Ashley: My style isn't really that princessy, but it was perfect for Mac because it showed a different aspect of her, I myself would have chosen something much more funky.

skittles_tk : Billy, do you like being Brittany's boyfriend?
David: Yeah, I enjoy it. The character Billy doesn't, he wants to be with Mac. It's cool. We have a good time working together.

bebebleu74 : Is is true Mac is going to get pregnant?
Ashley: It all depends on what the writers write...

newmans_21152 : David, is Ashley a good kisser?
David: Yes, but it's a different type of kissing when you are on camera then a regular kiss.

newmans_21152 : Ashley, is David a good kisser?
Ashley: Yeah.

blackman1mary : Will Raul and Brittany team up together to get revenge on you both for dumping them?
David: Probably.
Ashley: I'd say probably.

Goober1313 : Ashley, Jeanne Cooper came to Peterborough Ontario last month and I went to see her. She had such amazing things to say about you two as young actors, do you enjoy working with her?
Ashley: Yes, I always love working with her, and I look up to her. She's helpful.

skaklamanos : Ashley, what does your father do?
Ashley: He is a plastic surgeon in Minnesota.

sweetsmile29 : Ashley, is this summer going to bring your mother into town? Kathy from Ontario Canada
Ashley: Yeah, I hope so. I'd love to see what's going on in that part of Mac's life, I kind of have an idea but I'm not sure. I'd love to do those scenes, I'm sure they'd be heartwrenching.

ScriptGrl : How many pages of dialogue do you have to memorize for each episode? And do you ever find that difficult?
David: I think memorizing is a skill you can get better and better at the more you do it. I average about 25 pages a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I can memorize pretty quickly, the night before, and look at it again in the morning and a rehearsal, then put it up.

we5437 : If you weren't actors, what would you picture yourself doing...career wise?
David: I'd be a musician.
Ashley: I'd be a marine biologist preferably, or something in the medical field.

broadwayfanatic : When you film a scene, is the wonderful music that we, the viewers, hear, playing for you so that it gets you in the mood to do the scene?
David: They do play it before the scene begins, but then they turn it off for the dialog, then put it back in post.
David: But they let you hear it so you have the energy of the scene.

vicki_filo : You guys are GREAT!!! I love the show. Do you have any pets?
Ashley: No I do not have any pets but I would like a dog, either a malamut, chow or doberman.
David: I have a little miniature dachshund hound, 3 years. I now have an 18 week old rotweiller, named Lilly. The other dog is Sam.
David: Right now Lilly's passed out on her back.

macandbilly_online : This is really important for the loonies at the Billy and Mac Club, do you guys like the color ORANGE? - Crystal
David: My favorite color is green. But I have no problem with orange.
Ashley: I like orange, I'd say my favorite color is turquoise or dark green.

domsting : Ash and David, what are your favorite shows on TV-?
David: Oh boy, I like the Discovery Channel the best on cable. Really cool. The Independent Film Channel's really cool. Bravo's really cool.
Ashley: I like watching TLC (the learning channel) and any of the ER related type shows, I also like Animal Planet a lot, and Survivor's cool and MTV.

taintedlove : How did you get involved with soaps?
Ashley: First I had a manager back in MN who brought me out to LA who hooked me up with an awesome agent, I'd say that's the most important part. Then I auditioned for the show! A lot of shows have open calls, I guess you could try those. Modeling is a great way to start as well, then bring a contact sheet into an agency and some agencies have an acting section and that's another way in.

Ashley: Thanks everybody for the awesome questions, I hope I answered them to the best of my ability. Keep on watching and I'll see you on TV!!!
David: We're going to be at the Y&R fan club luncheon on Aug 27. You can find out more at Young and the Restless.com. Thank you so much for all your questions.

The screencap/picture on this page was from Mac and Billy Online.  (Thanks!)  I cropped it to my preference.