Weekly: So he would also be the most sensitive one?
Lemus: Oh, yes. I said that in an interview once, and Jesse (Metcalfe, Miguel) was like, "Really? You see me like that?" I said, "Oh, yes. And you are like that in real life." He said, "You know, it's so funny, you're the only person who sees that, because most people think I'm so cold and standoffish." I said, "Oh, my God, Jesse, it's just the opposite. That's all a facade, honey — you don't fool me for a second!"

Weekly: On-screen, Pilar had to overcome an estrangement with Antonio because he'd been absent for many years. Was there a similar adjustment in real life for all of you, with Christopher Douglas joining your "family" late in the game?
Lemus: It was very difficult for me. Pilar had been praying for this young man to come home and he was the apple of her eye, being the oldest. It was obvious that their relationship was a very solid one. So when they cast Christopher, I felt at such a loss because I didn't have four years with him like I did with Galen (Gering, Luis), Lindsay (Korman , Theresa) and Jesse. And the fact that he was just a few years younger than me, damn good looking, and from the South. Even worse, he worked on the show for eight months before we had any scenes together. I remember passing him in the hallways and being like, "Hey, how's it going?" because we were strangers. Finally, one day I went up to him and said, "You know, I play your mom, so it might be nice if once in a while you give me a hug!" That broke the ice and he was fine. Because he's kind of reserved and shy. It was difficult for him too, I'm sure, to have this hot Latin woman play his mom! (laughs) When he first saw me he was like, "You're kidding, right?" It was the same thing with Galen. They had a barbecue the first week of production where all the actors got to meet and mingle. I was in my little tight jeans and my little top — I was Eva! Galen came up to me and said, "They told me over there that you play my mom. Please tell me that's not true!" I said, "I'm afraid so." He was like, "Oh, this is not going to be good!" I love Galen; he has become such a big part of my life. And it really has become a mother-son relationship, even though I'm not old enough to be his mom. He looks up to me and respects me. I love him with heart and soul.

Weekly: Who keeps the neatest dressing room?
Lemus: Chris — he's a Virgo. Let me tell you, that man doesn't have a book out of place. Galen did a nice job with his — he put in wood floors and vertical blinds. His room is "the bomb" as my kids say. But it's always messy. Galen always has crap all over the floor. He's a boy!

Weekly: Of all the three boys' loves, present and past, who would make the best and worst daughters-in-law for Pilar?
Lemus: Pilar raised Sheridan, she knows what she's about. There's a lot of Pilar in her, and Pilar sees her as her daughter. She always has. Kay would be the worst, only because she has not found herself and she's extremely self-centered.

Weekly: Pilar seems to be the kind of mother who'd stick her nose into her children's marriages if she felt the need.
Lemus: I would love to put a lot of how I parent into the character, but it doesn't work with the dynamic of who Pilar is. You parent however you were parented. Or, if you're wise or you do the work like I have done...I've taken some [parenting and psychology] classes. I've tried not to be a repeat offender. I do the opposite of what my parents did, but they did the best they could. They thought that that was good parenting. It's not like they were trying to destroy my life and make sure that I'd be in 17 years of therapy (laughs).

Weekly: If you could give advice to Pilar, what would it be?
Lemus: I'm sure she could benefit from some yoga, a little bit of therapy, and a lotta Prozac.

This article originally appeared in the May 13, 2003 issue of Soap Opera Weekly: