Background
The concept of Venice grew out of Chappell’s role as Guiding Light’s Olivia Spencer, a heterosexual, middle-aged woman who realizes her capacity to love another woman. Chappell played opposite Jessica Leccia who portrayed Natalia Rivera, Olivia’s object of affection. The storyline, now known as “Otalia,” followed Olivia and Natalia as they grew from foes to friends to lovers; and elevated the profile of same-sex relationships on mainstream daytime television. Both Chappell and Leccia garnered passionate fan attention and ardent recognition by gay, soap, and mainstream media outlets. “Otalia” quickly became daytime’s “It” couple and is known as one of the best love stories ever written for television. “Otalia” even sparked YouTube channels, community boards, and chat rooms dedicated to the telling of the story.
In her embrace of the overwhelming fan attention that came out of Otalia, Chappell wanted to continue telling the story of so many of the women who had written, emailed, and reached out about their own personal journeys. “The fans are what inspired this concept. There have been such great people who have come into my life because of this experience,” Chappell says. Chappell’s commitment to telling their story the “right way” is the driving force of Venice, “The fans have shared their stories with me so honestly and openly. I want to keep telling their story. That is why we are doing this. That is why this is so important.”