THE BEST ‘DAYS’ OF HER LIFE
This year has been especially kind to daytime newcomer Tanya Boyd. Besides landing the contract role of the devious Celeste on “Days of Our Lives,” Boyd’s personal life has taken an exciting new turn: The actress recently became engaged to jazz pianist and recording artist Bobby Lyle and is planning a December wedding.
“A lot of good stuff has been happening for me,” says Boyd with a smile. It’s been a good year. I have to say as I grow spiritually more and more things are opening up for me. I just sit back and watch them happen.”
“I always said I wanted to work in a wonderful environment where the people are loving, the atmosphere is happy, and I can learn, grow and give,” says Boyd. “I’ve got that at ‘Days.’ It’s one of the nicest situations to be in.”
With her background firmly rooted in the theater--the actress had been producing, directing and starring in plays with the Mojo Theater Ensemble for the past few years--Boyd knew little about the daytime medium when she arrived last spring. Still, she was able to handle her short role as the housekeeper/henchwoman of Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) with great ease and style. At the end of her stint, Boyd was offered, and later accepted, a three-year contract with the show.
“Just as I really started to settle into Celeste,” she recalls, “just as the character started to take me over, the role was over. I knew (returning to ‘Days’) would give me the chance to get into her more. It would bring her out more.”
The role of the scheming Celeste has been a real kick for Boyd, who enjoys “conniving and being wicked. It’s so much fun,” she says with a smile. “And everybody loves the villain. When I’m out, people will come up to me and say, ‘You know, I hate you, but I love you.’ I think Celeste is pretty popular with fans.”
Before her daytime and theater work, Boyd got a taste of fan adoration while making her living as a singer. Over the years she has toured as a background vocalist, and worked at different jazz clubs.
“Singing is another passionate love of mine,” says Boyd. “I worked with Lou Rawls for three years. I did Anita Baker’s ‘Rapture’ tour, and I toured with Natalie Cole. From time to time I’ve sung with my fiance on his albums. He has his own band. His latest album called ‘Rhythm Stories’ was released by Atlantic Records in June.”
To mention the fact that Boyd is multitalented makes the actress blush.
“I appreciate the compliment, but my feeling is I don’t do anything,” says Boyd. “I just make myself open to that which is within each and every one of us to come through, and it does. When I direct a play, I never know what I’m going to do until I show up. I just let that power within come out, and it shows me everything I need to do. It is my guide through everything in my life. I don’t have to manipulate anything to get anything. I just turn within, and it’s all right there.”
“Days of Our Lives” airs weekdays at noon on KNBC and KMIR and 2 p.m. on KNSD.