Skeeter
01-26-2004, 07:06 AM
THE NEW KELLY GIRL
By DIANE CLEHANE
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Rebecca Budig started dating Bachelor Bob Guiney during one of her recent projects.
- NY Post: Jennifer Weisbord
January 26, 2004 -- IS Rebecca Budig the next Kelly Ripa?
There are more than a few similarities between the two.
Like Kelly once did, Rebecca is juggling a major role on "All My Children" with a batch of other TV jobs while doing something Ripa never had to - keep her high-profile romance out of the tabloids.
Besides her role on "AMC," which she's had since 1999, the 30-year-old Kentucky native is the host of "The Bachelor/Bachelorette XYZ" on ABC Family, a talk show where the contestants from the current season weigh in on the romantic goings-on of the show during episode rebroadcasts.
Last year, she was mentioned more than once as a possible host on "The View" to replace Lisa Ling.
The actress is clearly a favorite of ABC execs who have tapped her for a cross section of projects.
In a case of life imitating art, on "Hope & Faith," Budig plays the actress who took over on the fictional soap when Ripa's character was fired.
"The producers just called me and I jumped at the chance," she says. In March, she'll tape another episode where both characters learn they've been nominated for a daytime Emmy for the same role.
Budig's first assignment for "XYZ" was interviewing Trista's jilted suitors from "The Bachelorette," including last season's "Bachelor" Bob Guiney.
"We struck up a friendship," says the actress, whose face lights up at the mention of Guiney's name. At the end of last year, they began dating after Guiney ended romance with Estella Gardinier.
"He is just so smart - people underestimate him," says Rebecca. When they're apart - Guiney is currently traveling topromote his new CD "3 Sides" - the couple stays in constant touch via cell phone. (Guiney even called during this interview, conducted while Budig was on a lunch break.)
The couple will make their first public appearance at Oprah Winfrey's 50th birthday party in California this weekend.
Budig, currently in search of the perfect dress for the occasion, is excited about attending the star-studded soiree but jokes no one is going to be looking at her.
"I always tell Bob he's much more famous than me," she says. "I'm a not a celebrity."
The flurry of attention Budig is currently receiving as Guiney's girlfriend shouldn't overshadow her increasingly high profile as a performer.
But don't expect to Budig to ditch her soap for greener primetime pastures just yet.
"I'm proud of our show, and I love people I work with," says the actress, who has a year and a half left on her current contract.
By DIANE CLEHANE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rebecca Budig started dating Bachelor Bob Guiney during one of her recent projects.
- NY Post: Jennifer Weisbord
January 26, 2004 -- IS Rebecca Budig the next Kelly Ripa?
There are more than a few similarities between the two.
Like Kelly once did, Rebecca is juggling a major role on "All My Children" with a batch of other TV jobs while doing something Ripa never had to - keep her high-profile romance out of the tabloids.
Besides her role on "AMC," which she's had since 1999, the 30-year-old Kentucky native is the host of "The Bachelor/Bachelorette XYZ" on ABC Family, a talk show where the contestants from the current season weigh in on the romantic goings-on of the show during episode rebroadcasts.
Last year, she was mentioned more than once as a possible host on "The View" to replace Lisa Ling.
The actress is clearly a favorite of ABC execs who have tapped her for a cross section of projects.
In a case of life imitating art, on "Hope & Faith," Budig plays the actress who took over on the fictional soap when Ripa's character was fired.
"The producers just called me and I jumped at the chance," she says. In March, she'll tape another episode where both characters learn they've been nominated for a daytime Emmy for the same role.
Budig's first assignment for "XYZ" was interviewing Trista's jilted suitors from "The Bachelorette," including last season's "Bachelor" Bob Guiney.
"We struck up a friendship," says the actress, whose face lights up at the mention of Guiney's name. At the end of last year, they began dating after Guiney ended romance with Estella Gardinier.
"He is just so smart - people underestimate him," says Rebecca. When they're apart - Guiney is currently traveling topromote his new CD "3 Sides" - the couple stays in constant touch via cell phone. (Guiney even called during this interview, conducted while Budig was on a lunch break.)
The couple will make their first public appearance at Oprah Winfrey's 50th birthday party in California this weekend.
Budig, currently in search of the perfect dress for the occasion, is excited about attending the star-studded soiree but jokes no one is going to be looking at her.
"I always tell Bob he's much more famous than me," she says. "I'm a not a celebrity."
The flurry of attention Budig is currently receiving as Guiney's girlfriend shouldn't overshadow her increasingly high profile as a performer.
But don't expect to Budig to ditch her soap for greener primetime pastures just yet.
"I'm proud of our show, and I love people I work with," says the actress, who has a year and a half left on her current contract.