Bio

Hunter Tylo Bio: Chapter Three: The Very Bold Years (1990 - 1999), Part III (1997)

 

Part III: The Real Life Soap Opera Continues (1997)

 

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With a new, and perhaps much needed, source of joy in their lives, (in the form of Izabella - see picture below), the family Tylo turned to the even bigger challenges of 1997, in what could probably be considered the best year, overall, of their lives. The year included a new and enjoyable beginning for Michael, for example. The role on GL had come to an end (about a year after Michael commenced it) and he found himself based back in California, to pursue future career opportunities. He soon picked up some lecturing work at Allentown College in Pennsylvania, in the drama school.

 

Meanwhile, Hunter was continuing to balance work and children and in interviews provided her philosophy on the subject. She was quoted in soap magazines, (a paraphrase follows) saying that children should not necessarily govern one's decision of whether to work or not, but can provide the motivation to work and care for someone other than yourself - it soon falls into place. These are wise words that are not really all that surprising, coming from an energetic person like Hunter. There are many mothers facing this decision today, and if their work place is conducive to the care of children then Hunter is certainly an inspiring role model to follow.

 

 

So the months rolled by quietly in the first half of '97 (with the exception of another baby announcement), and in July the Michael and Hunter Tylo found themselves on a much-needed vacation. Leaving the children in the capable hands of their grandparents, the dynamic duo went to Ireland and various other parts of Europe (mostly places that Hunter would not be recognized as much) for some rest and relaxation. Of course, there were another few reasons, besides vacationing, for going there. July of '97 was ten years to the month since their wedding in 1987, and early July sees Hunter celebrating her birthday.

 

This young and energetic couple had some "serious raging" (Australian slang for a lot of partying and celebrating) to do in between touring places and relaxing. There were no reports, emanating from Europe at the time, that the couple tore up the place, with their celebrations, so it seems that they celebrated in their own quiet and special way. Of course Hunter did have to be careful, after all, because she was pregnant. Upon returning to the States, all rested and ready to face life at home with new vigor, the dynamic duo was set to embark on their biggest challenge yet: Aaron Spelling.

 

The firing from Melrose Place, back in 1996, saw its sequel in court, where Hunter had sued for pregnancy discrimination, wrongful termination, and breach of contract, and now the details were all coming out. In November of '97, attorneys argued for five weeks about the legality of an appearance clause in her contract. The clause would allow the firing if Hunter's appearance materially changed. She was hired to play a "sexy vixen" but her pregnancy made her "unsuitable" for a seductress type of role, according to Spelling attorneys - it was all about dramatic believability to them.

 

Hunter countered this by saying that they could have used body doubles and props and creative camera angles to hide her pregnancy. Providing visual evidence that even these were not needed, and that she could look sexy whilst being pregnant, Hunter, who was close to the delivery date of her fourth child, wore tight mini-skirts to court each day. No one noticed a bulge in her midsection and few knew she was pregnant again, but were stunned when she finally announced to jurors that she was. Some might say how silly Spelling's people must have felt when this happened! In hindsight they probably realized that if she had looked like that in '96 also, they could have kept her on at Melrose Place - if only they were patient enough to see if her appearance did materially change. It would have been a better course of action than what Hunter claims happened.

 

When she announced her pregnancy (in '96) some Spelling employees were not pleased, offering an extremely distressing solution to the "problem", Hunter claims. While some thought her primary reason for suing was for publicity, she was claiming that she had been made to feel (in '96) like she had done something wrong and that an abortion might be the solution. Not being one to believe in abortion, Hunter became distressed after actually entertaining the thought evanescently. She felt ashamed before and after the birth, and this was the main reason for the suit, so that others would not be made to choose between career or pregnancy, she said.

 

In a truly inspiring statement in court, she responded to questions about the repercussions of suing such an influential man by stating that, despite the possibility that her career may be overlooked in future, other issues outweigh that. She just did not want to see others put in a similar situation. One of her attorneys asked the jury to award more than $US2.5million in damages for lost wages and emotional distress, urging them to send a message to Hollywood that pregnancy discrimination in the work place would not be tolerated. With the court case over by mid December, the jury deliberated for about four days and then something truly magical was set to happen, that would have far reaching consequences (to be discussed in a few paragraphs below).

 

Just days before Christmas, the world's media started gathering outside the Los Angeles Superior Court - it was decision time! On Monday December 22nd, the jury of two men and ten women (one of whom was pregnant) delivered their decision. They ordered the Spelling Entertainment Group and Spelling Television Inc. to pay $US4million for emotional distress and $US894 601 for economic loss, saying that they believed that she could play a vixen role while being pregnant and that she was wrongfully terminated. This was twice the amount she had originally asked for but Spelling attorneys declared that they would appeal, saying that the decision was based on emotion rather than the wording of the law or the contract.

 

Soon, Hunter was outside the courthouse, surrounded by her attorneys and also husband Michael, answering the world media's questions. The footage was beamed around the globe and was on every news bulletin in Australia (where I saw it), and no doubt in other far away places in the world. Those that did not know her soon heard what she had achieved and were cheering her on and discussing the topic all day (and for days to follow also). Those that did know her (including us fans) were ecstatic as we listened to her declare that the decision was a victory for women's rights. Hunter achieved more fame on this day alone than she would have in the three years leading up to the axing of Melrose Place, if she had continued to work there.

 

It brought a whole new audience of people to her (albeit briefly) that otherwise would not have been in the stereotypical 'Melrose' audience age group (15 - 30 year olds). It was a truly sweet moment and even in Australia some fans either began impromptu celebrations, on what was early Tuesday morning already (Australian time), or started planning to celebrate later in the day, and went to sleep in the meantime. Those that chose to were able to spend almost 24 waking hours celebrating and hearing more about the victory, with the day culminating (for Aussies at that time of the night) in a live feed from the States of the Today show, for example, from NBC's New York studios. Here, Katie Couric interviewed Hunter herself (who was in the LA studios with attorney Gloria Allred) on Tuesday morning (American time) - about midnight Tuesday (Aussie time).

 

At approximately 7:15am (New York time), while others would have had bags under their eyes and a sleepy look on their face, Hunter was looking absolutely stunning and I mean stunning - a goddess some might have thought they had woken up to (in America)! Us fans all thought she looked quite good on Bold, and had some inkling as to her "real-life" beauty away from the cameras, but this particular morning went some way towards proving her natural beauty is far greater than what we see on a glossy soap. Even Anne Curry described her as beautiful and she would know, having been in the annual 'People' magazine most beautiful list herself previously. Hunter, though, was not really there to look stunning of course - it just came naturally.

 

A few significant points came from this interview, some might theorize, beside the fact that this lady is a stunner. During the interview, Hunter declared that the win was complete vindication that says that "even studios aren't exempt and it's a victory in small businesses as well". Of course Gloria Allred, God bless her, was throwing in her praise saying, among other things, that any woman facing this same situation in future "need only say two words: Hunter Tylo". It was probably from this moment onwards that some might have started looking at all this as a blessing in disguise, despite the personal distress Hunter, and even her fans, endured.

 

The fame Hunter achieved from all this publicity was far more positive than what it would have been in the 'Melrose' role, one may be so bold as to say. This is because, with all due respect to Lisa Rinna's portrayal of the character, "Taylor McBride" seemed to be a very irritating and less than flattering sort of character for the likes of Hunter to be playing. So it may very well have been a bad career move for Hunter. More importantly, though, Hunter has set a precedent that some might say should have happened decades ago, making her one of this century's greatest heroines as a result. Even when you consider this millennium's female achievers, from the likes of Joan of Arc to Princess Diana, Hunter could be considered as being someone of that ilk, because she contributed significantly to the rights of fellow humans, resulting in a better society to live in. In addition to these, there were other consequences to come from her victory, that some might have realized after the interview.

 

The whole scenario really was one of a classic "David versus Goliath battle", between Hunter, who was not exactly all that impoverished in the lead up to this, and, the vastly wealthy and influential, Aaron Spelling. This huge difference in their personal wealth and power levels meant that they both represented the typical little guy against formidable guy joust, that inspires every average person - especially when the little guy wins. If ever there were a movie about it, it would probably be called 'The Battle in Los Angeles' because no one else existed in LA while this was going on, in some people's eyes - it was all that LA focused on. When Hunter won though, it would have given others, living anywhere, the inspiration and courage to challenge their tormentors, in the hope that their battle would help others ultimately, one way or the other. In addition to even this there was one more, peaceful and joyful, consequence of the battle's victory for Hunter.

 

The victory could not have come at a more perfect time and reminded us of some truths. It was as if God wanted us to unite in happiness to celebrate, not just Christ's birth, but that of a giant victory for the little guy. Maybe it was no coincidence that Hunter's pre-Christmas victory reminded us on Christmas Day that the little guy can win, like Christ's ultimate victory over death, and David's win over Goliath. It may take time but it will happen to those that persevere (it was more than 18 months since the 'Melrose' firing to the time of Hunter's court victory). Perhaps it was probably also God's way of saying that He gave Hunter beauty and subsequently continuous work, so He could work through her, via her celebrity status, to tell His opposition that they can stick it up their jacket if they think that any sort of discrimination is acceptable.

 

More than this, though, was the happiness that even the loneliest, impoverished, or pessimistic of little guys would have enjoyed that Christmas - thanks to God and Hunter. This sweet victory made it a truly magical festive season for everyone, even for those with realities in life that are different from ours. We do not often see or think of the down and out members of our society, that live in our city's dark, cold, back alleyways, behind restaurants or in vacant buildings. They may have access to newspapers at libraries, or those blowing down the street, and they may walk past shops with televisions screaming at them. Some would have seen Hunter on the television that Christmas or read about it in the newspaper, or heard about it on everyone's lips (it was a hot topic of discussion).

 

For these people, the unemployed, or those away from their family and feeling lonely, her victory over the big guy would have provided some joy and escapism from a reality that is not quite as peaceful, joyous, and warm and comfortable as Christmas would have been for others that year. It would have inspired the less fortunate and given them hope for a more prosperous or less lonely New Year. It was probably also a reason for them to put aside bouts of sadness and deep depression about their situation (albeit briefly) and instead feel a natural high. This sweet victory of Hunter's made it a truly happy time for all, and for her fans this happiness continued well in to 1998 - until an announcement in April shocked even the more cold hearted of us to the core.

 

Prologue.

Chapter One: Another Lifetime (1962 - 1987).

Chapter Two: The Days of Our Lives & The Masked One (1988-90).

Chapter Three: The very Bold years (1990 - 1999), Part I (1990 - 1995).

Chapter Three: The very Bold years (1990 - 1999), Part II (1996).

Current page: Chapter Three: The very Bold years (1990 - 1999), Part III (1997).

Chapter Three: The very Bold years (1990 - 1999), Part IV (1998 - 1999).

Epilogue: What might the new millennium bring for Hunter?

 

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© 1999, L Ramsay. All rights reserved.