Also, find out how you can meet Tabyana Ali and other GH cast members in Graceland in late October.
Trina, played by Tabyana Ali, and Spencer, played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez, consummated their romance by making love in New York City during a romantic getaway. Now, the General Hospital actress speaks exclusively to Soap Hub to break down how it all came together and what could be next. Plus, how YOU can meet Ali and other GH cast members in Graceland later this month!
Tabyana Ali: Sprina Afterglow
“Like the fans, I have watched it about a dozen times,” Ali tells Soap Hub about the romantic scenes with Spencer and Trina in New York City. “I was really pleased with how everything came out. I thought it was extremely beautiful. I give credit to Allison [Reames], who directed those scenes. I wasn’t expecting it to be as romantic and as beautiful as it was. It was passionate, pure, and sleek.”
A video montage of the couple’s highlights, like Spencer catching Trina when she fell off a ladder, was inserted into the episode. “Including those was a very nice touch,” Ali says. “It was shocking to see how far Spencer and Trina have come in their relationship. It’s been very up and down and tumultuous, at times.” Now, the actress says, “They’ve finally been given their alone time, they’re happy….I don’t want to say ‘happy ending.’ It’s not the ending. But they were able to do this together.”
New York: Where Dreams Are Made
While GH didn’t travel to New York City to shoot the scenes, the show did spring for a beautiful rooftop restaurant set complete with a realistic-looking NYC skyline backdrop. The lighting, music, sets — everything came together to make viewers feel that Trina and Spencer truly were in the Big Apple. How vital did Ali think it was that Spencer and Trina have this moment in a city away from Port Charles? “That was really important,” she says. “I’m so glad that they decided to do that instead of having it be in Port Charles, where there might have been an interruption.”
Like the near chicken pox scare at Ace’s daycare? “At first, when I saw that [in the script], I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh! You’re kidding me! This will never happen!’” Ali says. “But it was nice to see that they were able to go to New York.”
Tabyana Ali: Representation Matters
Numerous social media posts have communicated just how important #Sprina is in regards to representation, and many social media users are giving props to GH for getting this moment just right. Examples include:
“I do understand,” Ali says. “I do understand it. Representation is important. People like to feel included. They want to know they’re not the only one in a situation. To see it played out on a show like this makes people feel included.”
Ali notes that it wasn’t all that long ago in the grand scheme of things that interracial relationships weren’t played out all that often on TV, as we’ve seen with Trina and Spencer. “To go from [where we once were] to now is such a big, mind-blowing thing,” she says. Ali is hoping that Sprina’s romance will open up some hearts and minds. “Some people still don’t want interracial relationships,” the actress acknowledges. “Seeing Sprina together is a beautiful thing. It’s something that can be accepted.”
Sprina Is Something to TALK About
Sprina caught the attention of soap opera devotee, Sheryl Underwood, host of The Talk. She championed the duo and hopes that Trina and Spencer go the distance.
General Hospital: Making it Right
Shows, including GH, have what is referred to as “intimacy coordinators” on set so that actors feel comfortable doing love scenes. “We did have one,” Ali shares, noting it was Liz La Mura (who has been profiled on Soap Hub). “I talked to Frank [Valentini, executive producer], Allison, and Liz all around the same time before doing the scenes. [Liz] guided me a lot. I’m sure she helped and guided Nic as well. It was so helpful to have her there. I am really thankful I got to sit down and talk with her ahead of time.”
Did Ali find Chavez to be supportive in their scenes? “For sure,” she responds. “Most definitely. This is something that, I think, was new to both of us. I don’t think either of us had ever done a sex scene. It was great.”
GH: Love in the Afternoon
Veteran ABC Daytime fans recall when the network branded itself as a destination for scripted romance back in the 1980s. The campaign was called “Love in the Afternoon.” Might the success of Sprina inspire more romance on soaps? “Most definitely,” Ali predicts. “We’re in such a great spot with [Sprina]. I want them to have more fun and explore more. We haven’t had a chance to do that. I just hope we keep on this path.”
Tabyana Ali Talks Inevitable Obstacles
Conflict is the essence of daytime drama, so Spencer and Trina will likely face some rocky times ahead as they have in the past. Ali has a message for Sprina fans if and when that happens. “I would say look at the history of Luke and Laura [Anthony Geary and Genie Francis]. They had a lot of downs before they could have their ups. They had to go through a lot before their marriage. I’d say to [Sprina fans], ‘Don’t lose hope. If we have a down period, we’ll always have our ups. It might take a second, but it’ll happen.’”
From Port Charles to Graceland
While Ali didn’t go to the real New York City for these recent scenes, she and other GH cast members, including Maurice Benard (Sonny), Laura Wright (Carly), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Michael Easton (Finn), Lynn Herring (Lucy), and others are headed to the real-life Graceland, home to Elvis Presley, in Memphis, Tenn. from Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29 for a fan gathering. Click here for details on how you can attend and meet many of your favorite GH stars. A plethora of events are scheduled to take part over the weekend.
“I saw Elvis which starred Austin Butler,” Ali shares. “I’m such a big fan of his.” The actress says she’s looking forward to meeting GH fans in person once again and understands their feelings on representation and needing to be seen. “In some way,” she offers, “seeing me on TV has inspired them. They see a young woman who looks like me, and many feel that they didn’t get to see that on TV when they were younger — especially on soaps. They liked the triangle with Rory [Michael Kruse] and Spencer, and Trina being with a man who looks like Spencer. They feel connected to the story.”