Face Forward 2nd Annual Gala

Date: 2011.07.23 | Category: News | Response: 0

Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin will join actress Vanessa Marcil at the Face Forward Foundation’s second annual fundraising benefit next month.
Also expected to attend are Teri Hatcher, Sophie Monk, Sean Kanan, Amber Valletta and many others.

Saturday, July 9, 2011, Century City. It is estimated that an act of domestic violence occurs every 15 seconds in the United States. That figure translates to over 2.5 million victims per year. Approximately two-thirds of reported domestic violence incidents are classified as “simple assault.” which results in a misdemeanor rather than a felony. However, up to 50% of these “simple assaults” result in physical injuries and disfigurements that are at least as serious as 90% of all rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults.

Astin and Marcil are celebrity charity ambassadors for Face Forward, whose mission is to provide physical and emotional reconstruction for women and children who have been victimized by domestic or gang related violence. Face Forward vows to provide each victim with the best possible treatment pro bono.

The event takes place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City, California, on July 9. It includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with Live Music from Daveed & Gio at 7pm, followed by a Read the rest of this entry »

General Hospital’ says goodbye to Brenda

Date: 2011.07.23 | Category: News | Response: 0

A huge story is unraveling this week on General Hospital — which culminates with some pretty spectacular work by Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo. As fans know, Giovinazzo shot her last episode of the ABC sudser on June 9. Here’s an exclusive sneak peek of one of her last scenes with the equally beloved Maurice Benard (Sonny) that airs July 21. ABC Daytime says to keep an eye out for Read the rest of this entry »

Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo leaving ‘General Hospital’

Date: 2011.06.09 | Category: News | Response: 0

She said she’d only stick around a year and she damn well meant it. Emmy-winning diva Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo will conclude her current run as Brenda on General Hospital the week of July 18. The star gave TV Guide Magazine the scoop on her exit, what she really thinks about the way Brenda’s return was written and the likelihood of coming back. You’ll be surprised which character VGM wants Brenda to bed next!

So it’s happening, eh, baby?
Marcil Giovinazzo: It’s happening! My time’s up. It happened awful quickly and I’m really sad about leaving, really depressed, really emotional, but this was always supposed to last just one year. I was always very careful to call this a “visit.” Always.

Let’s assess this year in the life of Brenda Barrett. How have you felt about what’s been done with — and to — the character? A lot of fans have taken issue with it.
Marcil Giovinazzo: When things go really well, I don’t take credit, and when things don’t go well, I don’t take credit. I don’t listen to the good stuff or the bad stuff. I work really hard, come home, hang out with my family. I’ve been really oblivious to what’s been said about Brenda’s story and how the audience is responding. And I don’t see the show. In our house, we don’t watch ourselves on television. [The actress is married CSI: NY star Carmine Giovinazzo.] It just works better that way. Fame is fleeting. It comes and goes, ebbs and flows. I learn so much from Read the rest of this entry »

Memorable Moments of General Hospitals

Date: 2011.04.11 | Category: News | Response: 0

When it comes to looking back on the best, craziest, most dramatic moments on General Hospital this week, we know what we think. But what we really want to know is what YOU think? What were your picks for this week’s funniest moment? Or best performer? We’ve got some talking points to get you all started, but give us your own picks in the comments below!

Funniest Moment: Diane Miller attempting to secure Sonny and Brenda’s release signatures in anticipation of her and Spinelli’s book.

WTH? Moment: Luke dousing the Haunted Star in gasoline, in an apparent attempt to burn it down. The man is on a downward spiral.

Best Moment: Carly asking Sam to give Jason a baby in order to help him get over losing Jason. First of all: classic soap logic. Second of all: classic Carly, butting into everybody’s lives and trying to get her way.

Performer of the Week: Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo as Brenda Barrett, for her Read the rest of this entry »

Brenda’s Kid and more about General Hospital

Date: 2011.04.02 | Category: News | Response: 0

General Hospital has devastated — okay, outraged — many of its viewers with the accidental hit-and-run death of four-year-old Jake Spencer, an unthinkable tragedy compounded by the revelation that Jake’s killer was his own grandfather, Luke (Tony Geary). Now, thankfully, here’s some good news on the Port Charles kiddie frontOn April 5, heroine Brenda Barrett (Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo) will come face to face with the child she thought she’d lost years ago in a stillbirth. Now three, he’s a happy and healthy boy named Lucian.  spoke with GH head writer Bob Guza about this new kid in town — played by the adorable Elvis Martinez — and how his arrival will rock Port Charles!

You’ve been telegraphing the return of Brenda’s child for quite some time, so this is no surprise. Why play it that way?
GuzaBecause this is so much more than a reunion of a mother and son. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Brenda has always wanted children and she bonds quickly Read the rest of this entry »

Sonny & Brenda Finally Get Married

Date: 2011.02.23 | Category: News | Response: 0

Here comes the bride! Emmy winner Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo, who’s had multiple weddings to CSI: NY star Carmine Giovinazzo, is about to get hitched on General Hospital, too. The date: February 18 (though the ceremony and its shocking aftermath will air for a full six episodes). TV Guide Magazine spoke with the daytime superstar about her character Brenda Barrett’s long and legendary romance with mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and her own oh-so-mysterious love life!

This is the wedding of the new soap century! Let’s cut to the chase: Are you a gorgeous bride?
Marcil Giovinazzo: I don’t know about that but I’m definitely smart and funny in this wedding, which I love. Marrying Maurice is my dream come true. Brenda is one of the rare characters in soaps who’s been around 20 years and has never married. She did have that infamous funny-pretend wedding to Jason but that doesn’t really count. I’m talking about a real wedding to someone she truly loves, so this is a Read the rest of this entry »

“Simple” Christmas with son Kassius

Date: 2011.01.03 | Category: News | Response: 0

Vanessa Marcil-Giovinazzo plans to spend a “simple” Christmas with son Kassius.

General Hospital star Vanessa Marcil-Giovinazzo, new hubby Carmine Giovinazzo and her 8-year-old son Kassius plan to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas.

Kassius is very good about Hanukkah prayers and candle lighting,” Vanessa tells Celebrity Baby Scoop.
“He loves Christmas as well. Our traditions are Read the rest of this entry »

Kassius Is My Favorite Human Being

Date: 2010.12.17 | Category: News | Response: 0

We’ve loved her as Brenda on General Hospital for years! Vanessa Marcil-Giovinazzo has returned to the popular daytime soap to bring fans something they’ve been “waiting 18 years to see.” The gorgeous mother-of-one recently teamed up with Oral-B Glide and Operation Smile, an international children’s medical charity that provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the globe.

Vanessa opened up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about her “smart and very funny” 8 1/2-year-old son Kassius, her return to General Hospital, and herholiday plans.

CBS: We are so glad you’re back as Brenda! Are you also glad to be back on the show? Can you give us any hints of what’s to come?

VMG: “Brenda was my first job and I’m so honored to remain welcome on the show and to teach my son how important it is to always honor your roots. What’s coming up is something that some people Read the rest of this entry »

General Hospital’s’ Vanessa Marcil’s Healthy Eating Plan!

Date: 2010.12.08 | Category: News | Response: 0

Vanessa Marcil has figured out the secret to getting her son to eat healthy! After all, what parent hasn’t shed a few tears or stormed off in frustration when their child refused to try their veggies or even worse, scraped them off the dinner plate? I know I’ve been there.

Vanessa’s secret is quite simple. Instead of making mealtime an active combat zone, she lets her 8-year-old son join her on the front lines in the kitchen.

“I try to instill healthy eating in my son, such as eating organic, by making sure he’s involved and feels a part of the healthy eating process.” Vanessa adds, “For example, I involve him in the seeding our garden in Los Angeles and upstate New York so that he understands and sees where his food is coming from.”

Let’s face it: most of us aren’t lucky enough to have our own garden, but we can let our kids into the kitchen. Let ‘em chop veggies or be in charge of mixing. These little prep tasks might just make Read the rest of this entry »

Brenda and Dante’s Secret Involves a Gun

Date: 2010.11.05 | Category: News | Response: 0

We finally learned Brenda (Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzzo) and Dante’s (Dominic Zamporgna) secret on ‘General Hospital’: when she is around Dante she shoots people in self-defense.

She fatally shot one of the Balkan’s henchmen after rushing into a decoy stakeout where Sam was serving as her own decoy. Flashbacks revealed that she also shot a man — who appeared to be the man she was on a date with earlier in the sequence and presumably is connected to the Balkan. Dante hid his body, proving that the ability to bury dead people where the cops won’t find them is genetic.

Brenda: tiny supermodel and sharpshooter. It’s not a particularly shocking secret, given that baby Emma is the only character on the show who has never picked up a gun. Unfortunately, Brenda’s response Read the rest of this entry »