Brittany Underwood currently stars on Emmy winning digital series The Bay. She’s also a mainstay on Lifetime Movie Channel, and was on the nighttime soap Hollywood Heights. But it was her role as Langston on One Life to Live where she’s garnered the bulk of her fans – working opposite Jason Tam – now a big time Broadway star – and her long time best friend Kristen Alderson.
How are you dealing with the stay-at-home part of Covid-19?
Well, I definitely miss seeing my friends and going to work, but I do feel like instead of stressing quarantine, I’ve just been making the best of it and finding ways to keep myself entertained.
Do you deny, that according to your social media posts, you have not been alone?
Yes, you caught me! I have not been in solitary confinement! I have been very fortunate to be able to quarantine with my boyfriend, Nick Diamond, and we have been keeping each other company and entertained and I feel like that is another, very important reason I have not gone insane during the stay at home order.
Is he an actor – what does he do, other than not shave?
He is not an actor. He is also not a shaver anymore since quarantine. But, he is an assistant director on sitcoms. Most recently he was one of the assistant directors on the CBS show with Matt LeBlanc called Man With A Plan.
Does he ever tell you to cut it out with the singing all the time?
He has not, so hopefully he doesn’t mind? But, I actually am not one of those people that just walks around singing all the time.
Were you in Los Angeles when the shut down occurred?
I was. It seemed pretty surreal at first that that was what it came down to but I thought it was a good idea to do a harsh shut down to stop the spread. I had hoped that everyone would actually stay home and we could get back to normal sooner, but sadly, some people don’t want to follow the rules and we keep having a rise in cases, it’s really unfortunate.
Is there anything you’ve learned about yourself during all this?
Well, I feel like it’s bad to say ‘no’, but, I’ve always known that I generally am able to adapt to adverse situations pretty well. But, I will say, I’ve learned a lot about other people, and some of that has made me a little sad and disappointed to be honest. But, at the same time, I’ve been very proud of others.
Any hobbies you’ve picked up during this time?
I’ve learned how to cook! I mean, I’ve cooked a few dishes, here and there, before but I’m definitely trying more things now. Ever since we got a grill during quarantine we’ve been grilling and cooking a lot more, it’s been really fun and yummy! I’ve been making a lot of steak lately. I just season it with garlic, onion, oil, sea salt and then I serve it with corn on the cob and either broccoli or small potatoes – dice them and then sauté them in the pan with lots of margarine – yes, I prefer that to butter. And lots of garlic and onion and ground Himalayan Pink Salt and minced garlic – do you sense a trend? And sometimes I sprinkle cheese on top! Now I’m hungry!!
Do you think your boyfriend liked all this cooking, or he just keeps eating your meals, so as to not hurt your feelings in this difficult time?
OK, well, I’m not saying I’m a chef! But, ok, he does the grilling, and we each season our steak the way we each want them. I make the sides, and he likes my sides – well, he tells me he likes my sides, but now you have me questioning everything!
Prior to moving to Los Angeles, you lived in New York. How was working with the cast of One Life to Live?
I’ve been very fortunate to be blessed with so many great casts throughout my career, but my One Life To Live castmates will forever hold a special place in my heart. We really were a family. I can’t say enough about how much I love them. I feel like everyone already knows how close Kristen Alderson and I have remained, but, I still stay in touch with many of our other OLTL alums. It always makes me happy to see them or hear from them. We were the best of friends. And, they were some of the best years of my life. I learned so much and had so much fun. If I could, I would relive those days in a heartbeat.
OK, but, who didn’t you like?
Jason Tam – he’s the worst! I’m kidding, he’s the nicest human on the planet. And, I really mean it – I genuinely loved everyone at the show!
Did you ever date a co-star? Who? How did you screw it up?
You know, I haven’t. But, this is a true story – my mom seriously asked me if I could date Jason Tam. She thought he was the best.
What do you think Langston could be doing now?
She was a writer, so I’d like to think her and Marco made all the movies together, maybe got married – maybe kids? I think that would be so cute!
Would Langston deal with the stay at home order better than you are?
Hard to say, Langston became such a part of me, sometimes it was hard to discern the differences between us, so I’d like to think she would handle it pretty well and make the best of it, especially if she got to spend it with Marco! But, if they had kids, I would imagine that would be quite stressful. I have so much respect for parents with young kids right now, especially those that have to still work during this time. Major props to them.
Comedy or drama, what is in your future?
I would love to do more of both. I usually get cast in dramas but whenever I get to do comedy, I have a blast and would love to do more of it. But I’m also a hopeless romantic so would be ecstatic to work on an epic love story like The Notebook – or an action film. I love it all, truthfully.
How did you become the Queen of Lifetime movies?
Oh wow! I don’t know that I can really claim that title but I’m flattered and very grateful! They’re super fun to do and I end up working multiple times with the same handful of production companies and they become little families. It’s always a pleasure to work with people you care about and I’ve become such good friends with a lot of the cast and crew from those movies, so I always look forward to them.
If you were starring in a movie as soon as Hollywood starts back up, who would be your dream co-stars?
Oh, good question! Robert Downey Jr., because I love him 3000. But also, I think he would push me to make fresh choices every take. He always seems so organic, it would be a major privilege to ever work with him. And, same with Johnny Depp. But, if it was a comedy, I’d say Dwayne Johnson because I think he’d be hilarious to work with. And, Paul Rudd, too.
What is the last tv show that you were hooked on?
I used to be so obsessed with Game of Thrones. I used to play in a fantasy league about the show. It was basically fantasy football but with the characters of the show and way nerdier.
And what about tv shows that you’re not quite so proud of watching?
I am definitely guilty of binge watching Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. It films in LA, obviously, so it’s fun to be like ‘oh they went there? Looks adorable, I want to try that place’. The show cracks me up and I always amused and entertained with the drama! Oh, and also, I really got into The Bachelor these past few years – for which I totally blame Kristen Alderson for this new addiction of mine.
If you are throwing a dinner party, a who’s who of Hollywood, but you only have room for six guests, who would they be?
John Krazinski and Emily Blunt – they seem like they have a good time wherever they go, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart – they’re so smart and funny, Idris Elba – that man is so sexy, and Keanu Reeves – he just seems like the sweetest person you will ever meet.
Would you do the cooking?
I would love to do the cooking! I would probably make a chicken dish that Kristen’s mom, Kathy, shared with me one time, that I make a lot now. My boyfriend calls it Tomorrow Sauce because it tastes even better the next day. It’s ground chicken and garlic tomato sauce but I add corn and serve it with some type of pasta. I prefer orzo or rigatoni. Also, I’d make popovers. Everyone should Google it and make it – and, you’re welcome.