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ABC

Slezak Responds To Accusations Of Racism

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In the recently-published book, Llanview In The Afternoon: An Oral History Of ONE LIFE TO LIVE, actress Ellen Holly (ex-Carla) accusing former castmate Erika Slezak (Viki) of getting her fired off the soap in the ’80s. According to Holly, at an anniversary party at Tavern On The Green, Slezak told the soap’s creator Agnes Nixon, “Get those two black bitches out of my face,” referring to Holly and Lillian Hayman (ex-Sadie).

This past weekend, Slezak posted an update to her official Web site announcing that she had contacted author Jeff Giles to refute the tale and now her response will be edited into future editions of the book.

“Let me begin by saying that never happened,” Slezak writes. “I have never, in my entire life, used such language, nor would I have ever said that; especially about two ladies who I greatly admired and respected. I have no idea why Ellen has chosen to blame me for her being let go from One Life to Live. Not only is that an absolute fabrication on her part; it was never in the power of any actor or actress to make such a decision and anyone who has worked on One Life to Live would know that. We were owned and run by ABC; this was their decision alone. Furthermore, I would like to add that Ellen Holly was a wonderful actress, a beautiful woman and an essential and vital character on One Life to Live and there was nothing to be gained by her leaving the show. In fact I felt that her absence was detrimental to the show. Agnes Nixon had put together an amazing, multi-racial cast, which was groundbreaking at the time, and by losing two very important black actors, ABC was robbing the show of its diversity. I am very sorry that she has deluded herself into believing that I was in any way instrumental in her being fired, but more than that, I am appalled that she would accuse me of using racial slurs.”

You can purchase your own copy of Llanview In The Afternoon: An Oral History Of ONE LIFE TO LIVE at Amazon.com.

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