Yvette Nicole Brown Says ‘General Hospital’ Found ‘Perfect Way’ to Honor Sonya Eddy
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As viewers saw in yesterday’s episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) got devastating news related to her friend and fellow nurse Epiphany Johnson (played by Sonya Eddy, who passed away in December at the age of 55). As the General Hospital family comes together to pay tribute to Epiphany in Wednesday’s episode, they’ll be joined on-screen by a real-life friend of Eddy’s: actress Yvette Nicole Brown (Community).
TV Insider chatted exclusively with Brown about how she and Eddy became pals and why she accepted GH’s invitation to honor her pal, who played the beloved, no-nonsense nurse.
How did you and Sonya become friends?
Yvette Nicole Brown: We started in the industry around the same time. We’d see each other at auditions. We became friends when we tested for an ABC pilot, The Big House, which starred Kevin Hart, in 2003. I collected her. She became a family member. There were four of us — Sonya, Octavia Spencer, Carla Renata, and myself. We called ourselves “The Four Divas.” In our “salad years,” we supported each other. We put our flags down in different parts of the industry. We had a great 20-year friendship.
Actors competing for the same role isn’t always the best blueprint for friendship. It’s rare.
When I got into this business, I decided from the beginning that I wasn’t going to go through this without kindness or decency. Thankfully, the people I’ve decided to take this ride with feel the same way. There were times when we’d all call each other and say, “I got a call for this role. It’s perfect for any of us.” That’s not foreign to me. It breaks my heart that more people aren’t like that. I’d love to help people reach their destiny.
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How did you coming to GH for this tribute episode come about?
Octavia and Carla and I had all spoken online about how losing Sonya affected us. Mark Teschner [GH’s casting director] reached out to my agent and said, “We’re putting something together that will be a tribute to both Sonya and Epiphany. We were wondering if Yvette would come on for it?” I didn’t know what the role was going to be, but I wanted to do this. I got the script a few days before we shot the episode.
GH could have written that Epiphany graduated medical school, fulling her dream to become a doctor, and gone to work at Mercy Hospital – or write Sonya’s passing into the show. Thoughts?
What I love about them letting Epiphany pass is that we’ll get to see the residents of Port Charles pay tribute to her as well as see these great actors pay tribute to Sonya. I would love the idea of Epiphany saving lives at Mercy Hospital as a doctor, but I think [what GH is doing] is a perfect way of honoring her.
How did you get started watching soaps?
My grandmother, of course. I think that’s everybody’s story. I watched The Young and the Restless, General Hospital, and Another World. Later, I fell in love with The Bold and the Beautiful. I feel like I’ve watched at least a year of every soap. My choice of soap was General Hospital. I watched it back when Luke [Anthony Geary] and Laura [Genie Francis] first got together… I was a fan through Sonny Corinthos [Maurice Benard] coming to Port Charles. I’ve watched my whole life.
The thing about soaps is that there are always some actors who will do decades on them. You tune back in and say, “There’s someone I remember.” When I was on set, I saw Jackie Zeman [Bobbie]. Also, Genie Francis and Tristan Rogers [Scorpio]. The fact that for one day I got to be a part of this show that has meant so much to me… I have Sonya to thank for this.
Without getting too deep into how your character knew Epiphany, how did you separate that from your real-life friendship with her?
This was very difficult. It was hard for me as an actor to play [as the relationship was different]. I’m playing reverence to this person, but I can’t give it the same weight that I would give Sonya. The hardest part was not crying throughout it all. I had to find a way to do it. I got to a point where [my character] felt emotional, but I tried to hold it in ’til then.
As difficult as this was for you, I imagine it was also cathartic?
Yes. It was. I was also terrified. I knew if I looked in a given direction [during taping], I’d be out. I was trying to stay focused. I was on the verge of losing it. The idea that I am on GH under these circumstances is heartbreaking because I’ve lost a dear friend. It’s hard to get excited about the sign outside [the studio that says ‘General Hospital’] and to walk by the nurses station. But I am 100 percent positive that Sonya’s in heaven saying, “Girl, you better go and enjoy this day!” She gets the send-off she deserves on this show. She really does.
What can you share about Sonya that people might not know?
Sonya was one of the most real people I knew. If she loved you, you knew it. If she didn’t…she could still work with you. She didn’t suffer fools gladly. She had a heart as big as the moon. She was honest. She understood this industry in a way that most people don’t. She navigated things with grace. She gave great advice with a listening ear. She was the first person I’d go to if something was bothering me. I knew she wouldn’t judge me and she’d help me through it.
It’s helpful for fans who are also grieving when shows do tribute episodes to late actors.
Everyone does a wonderful job. They were talking about Epiphany but they were also talking about Sonya. It was a beautiful tribute to Epiphany and Sonya at the same time.
Why was it important for you to partake in this tribute to Sonya?
I knew Sonya for 20 years. I want people to know that Epiphany had the heart of Sonya. The people at General Hospital really got to know her. You didn’t meet Sonya without loving her.
General Hospital, Weekdays, ABC
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P
So glad to see the beautiful tribute to Sonya. She was awesome as Epiphany and everyone laughed and cried as they said goodbye. I cried during the whole thing. GH did a great job on honoring her. RIP Sonya.
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K
I loved general hospital Sonya Eddy was a big part of general hospital the nurses ball has her best iam so sorry for your loss she went to soon won't ever be another like her
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R
I loved what GH did for Sonya it was wonderful. And yes it was a tear jerker. I've watched GH for a long time. I remember in high school my mother watching GH. I remember Luke and Laura, Dr. Harty and the rest of the older cast. I can not ever remember not watching GH. I'm going to be 68 yrs. old know you know how long I've been watching GH. RIP Sonya you will be missed. Loved the show.
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B
Watching now. Tears in my eyes. Loved her since I saw her on Seinfeld. I really wanted to see Dr.Johnson change the world. You will be missed Sonya!
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S
I haven't watched it yet but I will miss seeing someone who you never saw as I was growing up. Always struggling with my weight and the stigmas that go along with it I always felt better when I saw her wonderful portrayal of a woman who knew exactly how she felt about things and wasn't afraid to address them head on. I will miss her character and all the potential her new career could have taken us all!
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C
I think it's important to remember this wasn't just a "goodbye" to a character, it was "goodbye" to an actual person and much loved colleague. Fly high Sonya, your spirit remains with everyone you touched.
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O
The wall of pictures of the gh family always gets to me.
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O
Such a beautiful, moving tribute to Sonya. We will all miss her wonderful portrayal on GH. I wonder, if miss brown is not otherwise engaged at this time, if the GH writers might bring her onto the show as a new character, or future love interest for Marshall? I think it would be interesting.....
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O
It was a beautiful tribute to Epipfany (Sonya). I had been wondering since late December why she was not appearing on the show. I loved her character on the show.
I did not know her, but I too am mourning her passing. She felt like a part of my family, thats how real she played her part in the show.
Love from Canada.
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M
I was So glad to see that beautiful tribute to Ms Sonya Eddy I cried in December it was unbelievable 😢 and watching the episode of GH yesterday!it was real! More tears 😢, Epiphany was the best her love and dedication on the role at GH tells you the kind of person Sonya was,, I truly miss her, SLEEP WELL ANGEL 😇 🕊🕊🕊💔
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P
I have been watching GH for 53 years and when I first saw her I was like wow that nurse is strict she was helping a very young sonny to walk again and she told him she didnt care who he was because right now you are my patient meaning your gonna cooperate with what I tell you I was impressed even at that age I knew sonny was somebody you didnt get smart with but she didnt care I will miss you on GH you rest now Diva
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K
Gone to soon beautiful tribute i cried like a baby
R.I.P Nurse Epiphany 😢❤️
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sonya she was the best i lost a tv friend RIP BEAUTIFUL LADY
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G
My heart is still breaking for Sonya. She had a glow around her,I will miss. She made u want to see more. I will miss her so much. The tribute was absolutely beautiful. Please bring Yvette Nicole Brown into GH family. She is great! Sonya would like that. Love u Epiphany! RIP.
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I think maybe in the future, they could do a spinoff story line with Ms. Brown, as in she moves to Port Charles and becomes a nurse at GH from the inspiration of Epiphany. She already said she was a nurse and with the need to keep GH in nurses, it could work!
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G
GH gave us a wonderful tribute to Epihany/Sonya Eddy.
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