OLTL Star Speaks Out On Teen Sex Controversy

The message boards were on fire the minute Starr and Cole had sex on OLTL, with many fans expressing their concerns about 16-year-old Kristen Alderson's involvement in such adult scenes, but Alderson is urging fans to stick with the story. "If I didn’t want to do it, I wouldn't do it, and it's for a good message," Alderson tells Soap Opera Digest. "It's getting parents to talk to their teenage kids about it; it’s an issue that is going on today. What got me really upset, though, is this blogger sent out an e-mail to everyone and said, 'I don't know if you saw today's episode of ONE LIFE TO LIVE, but putting Kristen Alderson in a sex scene.... for Frank Valentini to do that to Kristen is awful and I say we boycott.' I thought it was very tastefully done and I couldn't believe that someone could watch that episode and afterward, want to boycott it! It gets people talking. Kids do feel those emotions, and they need to be careful."

Alderson adds that she and 23-year-old co-star Brandon Buddy (Cole) worked to make sure the scenes were not overtly sexual and that their real-life age difference was never a concern. "We're really good friends, and a kid that’s 16 year old has made me feel 10 times more uncomfortable than Brandon would ever make me feel. The story is about two teenagers. It's not that Cole Thornhart is a 23-year-old; he's 17!"

I honestly didn't know that Brandon was 23...LOL I should pay closer attention. I didn't like that they promo'd the hell out of it and didn't watch it because I haven't watched OLTL in months but she speaks the truth. Kids are having sex younger and younger these days. I'm surprised they waited until she turned 16.

I actually saw the episode, purely by accident as I typically don't watch OLTL. IMO the promo monkeys made it far worse than it played out on the television. And I totally get what Kristen is saying. It is something that happens and hopefully it would spark conversation between parents and kids.

I also loved Todd's reaction to the entire thing. That was real, too. Men don't like to find their little girls buck naked in bed with their boyfriends.

This is what used to be called a "social issue" storyline. Remember when that was what 90210 was all about????


Now call me a hypocrite, but as a mother of three young girls, I took more issue with the Jonathan/Ava sex scenes. That was purely gratuitous on AMC's part and there was nothing that would IMO spark the same kind of conversations.

Right! That was sex for the sake of it because I don't think they were even a couple at that point. There was no investment there. I felt he was doing it just because he couldn't boink Lily.

I watched part of it only because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I agree with Cheryl that the promo made it look worse than it was. This is the second time they do this kind of thing, though. The first time, they ran away to a ski lodge, but ended up agreeing they weren't ready. I think here, Todd comes in and breaks it up. And btw, Trevor St. John played that part so well. (I <3 him).

I see what Kristen means in regards to getting teenagers and their parents talking. If that's the case for it, then I guess it works. This storyline has absolutely nothing to do with the Jonathan/Ava s/l which was just ... ugh.

I didn't see the show on that day but I did see the preview, and said OMFG!!! I remember Starr when she was a wee little thing FFS now she's having sex? Oy! I can't comment on how it ultimately played out, because I didn't see it, however, I agree that the Jonathan/Ava thing was very disturbing/sickening to me, but even more disturbing/vomit inducing was the Jonathan Gump/Lily thing that AMC did. Now that totally disgusted me. I'm still shocked to this day that they didn't have them "do the deed." If the Bears had been writing, for sure that would have happened, to the disgust and lunch regurgitating of many a viewer, including myself.