Days of our Lives' Kristian Alfonso (Hope) remembers her first show -- in March of 1984 [sic] -- not because it changed her life, but because it was her father's birthday. Kristian's father, Gino, was the first man in her life and remains the supporting pillar of all her success. He lives in Boston.
The actress calls her family every day, often several times, and Gino always answers -- even during business meetings. Making time for each other is a family characteristic. From dance and skating lessons to escorting his daughter world for modeling jobs, mother and father took the responsibilities of parenting to heart -- just as their girl now does with her own little boy, named . . . Gino.
Kristian knows what fathers can do for daughters: "Provide a safe haven of love, so you know you're never alone in this world and there is no problem you can't conquer." Kristian shares: "Daddy taught me to believe in myself and be honest, that working hard on one thing at a time gets all the jobs done."
When Kristian debuted on television, she was the prettiest of girls. She wore diamond earrings, glamorous for one so young. "My character is a jewel of many facets," she notes. Each adventure seems to cut more brilliance into her acting, more clarity into her vision of how to handle life. Kristian's beauty has flowered from sweetness into perfection -- a face from Paradise. Her father Gino admits, "She has my features, but her mother's elegance. Her greatest virtue is her honesty, and I'm proudest of the way she treats people -- friends, fans, family. She never forgets a birthday, and always asks, 'Dad, how can I help?' Her failing is in not being as good to herself as she should be."
Truly, if Kristian has a fault, it's giving each of life's moments her complete attention. So, she's generally ten minutes late; but when she walks into a room, everything turns out alright.
Bill Hayes plays Doug Williams, her TV papa. "Kristian may be her daddy's girl, but she's mine, too. Though I never changed her diapers, there's nothing I wouldn't do for her. She's part of me. Warmth, inner beauty, talent -- what more could a father ask?"
Alfonso's own description of beauty? "Awareness of others, consideration and heart." Her dressing room at NBC is no temple to self-indulgence. There are pictures of her son, not herself. At home, she gardens, helps with homework, cooks ribs.
She always listens, and her favorite word is "please." In her treasure box, you'll find the moment that her son was born, her parents' passionate love for each other and her sister Lisa's patience. She never takes life too seriously, especially failure.
I'm sure her daddy treated her like a princess -- the girl in the diamond earrings -- just as Doug treats his only daughter Hope. Their young princess has grown into a television queen with a Fancy Face. But do you want to known what her real-life daddy used to call her? "Polla Gina." It means "Little Chicken."