Drucilla Winters

Drucilla Winters
Victoria Rowell as Drucilla Winters (2003)
The Young and the Restless
Portrayed by	Victoria Rowell Dawn McMillan (1996; temporary recast) Kent Masters King (2000; temporary recast)
Duration	1990–2000, 2002–2007
First appearance	March 1990
Last appearance	April 6, 2007
Cause/reason	Presumed dead after falling off a cliff
Created by	William J. Bell
Profile
Nickname(s)	Dru
Gender	Female
Occupation	Former Director of Newman Enterprises Consolidated Cosmetics Division Director of the Tuvia line at Jabot Cosmetics Model in Paris, France Ballerina Assistant at the Photographer Department at Jabot Cosmetics Worker in the mailroom at Jabot Cosmetics
Relationships Parents Walter Barber Lillie Belle Barber Sibling(s) Olivia Winters Spouse(s) Neil Winters (1995–97, 2003–07) Romances Nathan Hastings Neil Winters Malcolm Winters Wesley Carter Children Lily Winters Ashby Devon Hamilton (adoptive) Grandchildren Charlie Ashby Mattie Ashby Aunts and uncles Mamie Johnson Nieces and nephews Nate Hastings First cousins Justin Barber Other relatives Marcus Forrester (once removed) Rosie Barber Forrester (twice removed)

Drucilla "Dru" Winters (née Barber) is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, portrayed by Victoria Rowell. She made her onscreen debut in March 1990. She was introduced as part of the show adding more African American characters. She departed in 2000, only to return in 2002 and again depart on April 6, 2007. The character fell off a cliff, and her body was never retrieved and presumed to be dead. In reality, Rowell was unhappy with the Soap Opera behind the scenes, labeling daytime and the soap as racist for not having enough black cast and crew. She also argued the directions of her storylines which weren't heard, prompting her to leave the soap opera. Rowell has openly expressed pleasure in returning, and due to the character's strong appeal and popularity fans have begged the show to re-hire her. The character is a ballerina turned model and is well known for her forward personality and feisty persona. Her storyline revolves around her relationship with Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John), sleeping with Malcolm (Shemar Moore) resulting in the birth of her daughter, Lily Winters, and it wasn't revealed until Lily was an adult that Malcolm, not Neil was her father. Drucilla is also known for her rivalry with Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) and friendship with many pillars of the town, including Brad Carlton and Sharon Newman.

Casting

Victoria Rowell originated the roll in August 1990. Dawn McMillan filled in for Rowell while she was spending time with her newborn in 1996. Kent Masters King also filled in for Rowell in 2000. Rowell exited in 2000. She returned as Drucilla returned in 2002 and stayed for another 5 years.

Racism accusations and Departure

Drucilla's exit in 2007 was without controversy. Rowell, who had been unhappy voiced her opinions (on multiple occasions) according to sources. Ultimately, Rowell opted to be let out of her regular contract. Months after the character dramatically exciting, Rowell had an interview with Black Press Magazine. She explained her reasonings for leaving, which caused controversy. "We have the most popular daytime show and the number one show for African Americans, hands down. Yet, there are no Black writers. There are no Black producers. There are no Black directors. There are no Black make up artists. There are no Black hairstylists," Rowell said in the interview. Rowell went on to say that to get any attention or recognition, she had to write her own script for it to be comfortable with her. Rowell had pointed out signs of racism, as she was a top actress for her work on The Young and the Restless yet had failed to secure many Daytime Emmy Nominations, and never won once. Rowell expressed her displeasure on social networking site Twitter, too. In an interview with Soap Opera Digest prior to her final airdate, Rowell stated:

“

I rewrote every single script I got. I've had to and the writers have always been receptive to that. It all started with [former Head Writer] Bill Bell giving me permission to tweak script after script and I've been able to do that for 14 years.–– Rowell on her changing her script

”

In the same interview, she had revealed that accomplished and central actors on the show such as Eric Braeden (who plays Victor Newman) had asked her to stay. She further went on to say "I tweak my scripts to give Dru a voice and I wanted to do it on a much bigger level. But everything happens for a reason and where I couldn't exercise that particular artistic expression with Y&R." Due to the ongoing popularity of the character, an online petition to bring Rowell back to the serial was created. It has garnered over 2,600 signatures to date. Since 2008, word has spread that Rowell would reprise the role at some stage, however none of this has materialized. In 2010, it was briefly believed that Drucilla would return, however didn't. Facebook pages and other forms of social media pages for Rowell to return have been created.

Storylines

Backstory

Drucilla Delores "Dru" Barber runs away from home as a teenager, due to her problematic relationship with her mother, Lillie Belle (Norma Donaldson), and goes to stay with her aunt Mamie Johnson (Veronica Redd) who is a housekeeper for Jabot Cosmetics founder John Abbott, Sr. In doing so, she sacrifices her opportunity for a promising career as a ballerina.

1990–2000

Drucilla is illiterate, but is taught to read by private detective Nathan Hastings (who was once also illiterate). Nathan later marries and fathers a child by Dru's successful physician sister Olivia. Drucilla and Olivia originally have a relationship fraught with tension and anger, due to mother Lillie Belle's favoritism of Olivia over Drucilla, but the two eventually reconcile in a very emotional manner and have more or less been best friends ever since.

Drucilla eventually marries Neil Winters, but only after many trials and mistakes. One such misstep, is posing nude for Sensuality magazine, though Jill Abbott (Jess Walton) discovers and destroys the film. Over time, Dru eventually evolves into a glamorous model. In June 1993, after marrying Neil, Drucilla finally receives closure by telling off her mother for wanting to abort her and not showing love for her as a child. Dru becomes close with Neil's brother Malcolm Winters, who develops a crush on her. While she is under the influence of cold medication, the two engage in sex. When she ends up pregnant they decide not to uncover the child's paternity and keep their affair a secret. Dru gives birth to her daughter, Lily, in 1995. Dru's marriage to Neil ultimately collapses because her desire for a career clashes with his desire for a wife who stayed home. Dru develops very close friendships with people in town, including Brad Carlton (Don Diamont), Sharon Newman (Sharon Case), Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), and Jack and Ashley Abbott (Peter Bergman and Eileen Davidson). She develops an adversarial relationship with Phyllis Romalotti (Michelle Stafford), which only intensifies as the years go on. Dru and Lily move to Europe where Dru continues her modeling career.

2002–07

They return to Genoa City for brief visits until 2002 when they come back to stay. Dru comes back hoping for help in reining in their now 14 year old daughter Lily (Christel Khalil). Instead, it is Lily and Dru who end up helping Neil deal with his drinking problem. Neil and Dru fall back in love and remarry in Japan in 2003. In early 2006, Lily (Davetta Sherwood) and Neil learn the truth about Lily's paternity. Neil wonders if he will ever be able to forgive Dru for her betrayal, and begins a flirtation with Carmen Mesta (Marisa Ramirez). Drucilla shows up at an important Newman function, gets drunk and slanders Carmen Mesta in front of everyone. She later lies her way into Carmen's hotel room and ruins many of Carmen Mesta's expensive clothes. Drucilla attacks Carmen in the offices at Newman Enterprises. The entire attack is caught on a video tape found by Phyllis, who gives a copy to Carmen. After Carmen gives copies of the tape to the district attorney and her former lover David Chow (Vincent Irizarry), Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) is forced to fire Drucilla. Dru is arrested, and though Neil is very much attracted to Carmen, he ends their relationship to stand by his wife. Dru ends up receiving probation for her crimes, and court ordered therapy.

Dru's attention shifts to focus on Indigo, a night club she and Neil are opening. The night it opens, Carmen is murdered and her body is discovered behind the club. Dru's adopted son Devon Hamilton (Bryton) is arrested for the crime, and Drucilla believes her sanity is crumbling as she begins to see Carmen around town. Drucilla is convinced that Carmen is still alive, and after accidentally injuring her daughter, Neil has her voluntarily committed to a mental hospital. After Devon is cleared of all charges, it is revealed that Carmen's former lover David and her look alike cousin Ines are responsible for the hauntings that sent Dru over the edge and Crimson Lights worker Jana Hawkes (Emily O'Brien) is responsible for Carmen's death.

Things are looking up for the family, as Neil receives a promotion to the board of directors at Newman Enterprises, Drucilla regains her job, and Lily and Devon receive high marks in their college courses.

After Sharon asks Dru to be her maid of honor at her upcoming wedding to Jack, Dru accompanies her and their mutual enemy Phyllis to a cliffside photo shoot for NVP. When Phyllis threatens to use her cell phone to reveal Sharon's affair with Brad to their friends and family, Drucilla reaches for Phyllis' cell phone, and a brief struggle with Phyllis causes Drucilla to fall off the cliff and into the shallow waters below. Sharon hangs on to Phyllis as she, Lily and Daniel Romalotti try to pull Sharon up. Eventually she lets go and she too falls into the shallow waters below. A nearly dead Sharon is eventually rescued, but search and rescue personnel only find the remains of Drucilla's jacket. Her body is never recovered.

External links

• Victoria Rowell's Official Site
• Drucilla Barber Winters at soapcentral.com