Chloe Mitchell

Chloe Abbott
The Young and the Restless character
File:LizHendricksonChloe.jpg Elizabeth Hendrickson as Chloe Abbott (2008).
Portrayed by	Darla and Sandra Greer (1990-1991) Danielle Ryah (1994) (As: Kate Valentine) Elizabeth Hendrickson (2008-present)
Duration	1990-1991, 1994, 2008-present
First appearance	October 18, 1990
Created by	William J. Bell Josh Griffith Maria Arena Bell
In-universe information Occupation Restless Style Fashion Editor Former Fashion coordinator for Jabot Cosmetics's Fresh Faces Campaign Parents "Tiny" Esther Valentine Spouse Cane Ashby (annulled) [2008 - 2009] Billy Abbott (married/separated) [2009 - ] Children Cordelia Abbott Other relatives Katherine Chancellor (godmother)

Chloe Abbott (born Katherine Tina Valentine, changed to Mitchell, formerly Ashby) is a fictional character on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless. She was first portrayed by a set of twins, Darla and Sandra Greer, from 1990 to 1991, and briefly by Danielle Ryah in 1994. Since February 6, 2008, the role has been portrayed by American actress Elizabeth Hendrickson. Within the story, Chloe is not revealed as Kate, Esther Valentine's daughter, until August 29, 2008. A recurring character upon her return in 2008, the character was upgraded to contract status and thrust into a frontburner storyline with Lily Winters and Cane Ashby. Described as "a force to be reckoned with" by TV Guide, the character is said to have rejuvenated the "dying breed" of classic soap opera vixens.

Background

Casting and introduction

The Young and the Restless called Hendrickson for a meet-and-greet audition. "Chloe wasn’t even on the page when I came in for a chemistry audition," said Hendrickson. Impressed with her acting abilities, The Young and the Restless cast her in a recurring role as stylista Chloe. When the character was introduced, she was only intended to be integrated into the storyline for ten episodes. Hendrickson’s interpretation of the character "grabbed the attention" of co-head writers Maria Arena Bell and Hogan Sheffer. They offered her a contract and created a story for her to be revealed as a member of one of the show's core families; Esther Valentine as her mother, and Katherine Chancellor as her godmother. In addition, she was given "a killer wardrobe" and love interests Cane Ashby and Billy Abbott.

Characterization and portrayal

In an August 2008 interview with Soaps in Depth, before the reveal of Chloe's complete family background, Hendrickson talked about the transformation of Chloe from a day player to a "compelling, integral" part of The Young and the Restless canvas. She said, "In the back of my mind, when I first came [to The Young and the Restless] knowing it was only a show-by-show basis, I was going to give it my all and hope they'd fall in love with me and ask me to stay, I will not deny that was my plan." When asked about her transition from her good-girl demeanor as Maggie Stone on All My Children to now portraying Chloe, she said, "It's so nice to step out of that. When I started on All My Children, I played Frankie, and she was a little troublemaker, and I had so much fun with it!" Of Chloe, Hendrickson said, "When I found out that she was going to be this little fashionista, I said, 'Sign me up right away!' Fashion is probably my second most favorite thing in the world."

Chloe's personality called for her to be portrayed with a ruthless ambition and abrasive personality, but Hendrickson was humored by certain scenes. "You don't really find soaps with a lot of humor, but I think the Y&R writers have done a brilliant job with Chloe. Some of the lines I get, I just laugh out loud at home," she said. "I hope the humor is coming through." Hendrickson felt Chloe "always has an agenda" but is also "just really lonely and needs attention". When asked about Chloe's past, Hendrickson stated, "I don't think she was necessarily born a vixen. She's masking a lot. I think she's like this little wounded bird trying to put on this big front, but deep down she's a softie."

On November 16, 2008, TV Guide asked Hendrickson if she "ever [thought she would] be starring on daytime’s biggest and best soap in a breakout role so soon after leaving All My Children". Hendrickson replied, "No, this has been a lovely surprise. I used to always watch Y&R when I was on AMC. I always liked the look and feel of the show, so I’ve always been a big fan." Hendrickson said, "To see how the role evolved from those initial scenes has been astonishing. My top soap choices were Y&R first, and General Hospital, second. So I’m very happy. Life is good." Asked about working with Daniel Goddard (Cane), she said, "[Goddard’s] the hardest-working person I have come across. He carries a week’s worth of scripts with him at all times. He’s always studying his lines, talking about the motivation of his character, and his method." TV Guide credited Hendrickson with having chemistry with everyone on the show, and especially Michael Graziadei (Daniel). "I love working with Graz. He’s so much fun to work with," she stated. "What a talented kid! Whenever you’re in a scene with Graz, you never feel like you’re working off the page. We met a few years ago through friends of friends." Regarding Billy Miller (Billy), she said, "[Miller's] my new favorite boy to work with. I can’t believe how much fun we’re having together. I think we have a lot of chemistry."

Hendrickson said she did not know Chloe was Esther’s long-lost daughter, Kate, and that Chloe was having Billy’s baby, not Cane’s, from the beginning. "They didn’t tell me anything until I had to know. I’ve dealt with that for years on AMC; that’s how soaps work," she stated. She said as a new addition to the series she was not going impose on certain storylines. "I just told Y&R, give me what you want, and I’ll act it out to the best of my ability," said Hendrickson. "As an actor, I created an initial backstory for Chloe, so I could explain her behavior at first. When they finally told me her real backstory, I was so happy because I could finally make Chloe three-dimensional."

Chloe's initial relationship with her mother, Esther (Kate Linder), was detailed as hostile. "Chloe is so mean to Esther," said Hendrickson. "You should see [Linder’s] face when we tape our scenes, because she takes it so personally! I have to remind [Linder] that I love her." Despite the character's hostility in this regard, Hendrickson felt it was realistic. "Chloe and Esther remind me of a lot of mother-and-daughter relationships. It actually makes a lot of sense. Chloe is very young and immature — as well, hurt and ashamed about her upbringing. She’s not going to let her mother forget it easily, either," said Hendrickson.

Hendrickson said she infuses her real-life personality into Chloe. "Our writers come up with the best zingers and lines, so it’s easy to be inspired on Y&R. In fact, this is the only comedy I’ve been blessed to do on daytime that is actually working!" she stated. "Comedy and soaps don’t necessarily go hand in hand as you know. I try not to ad lib. I get scared — I want to keep my job." Hendrickson added, "I have writer friends in soaps who say, 'when I see my lines changed, I cringe!' Sometimes if the line doesn’t work, then you have to collaborate and make it resonate, but on this show that’s a rarely a problem."

On January 8, 2009, Hendrickson did an interview with Soap Opera Digest. She said she was excited when she found out Chloe was going to have family ties. "I knew it would give me, as an actor, a chance to finally explain to viewers why Chloe is the way she is," she said. Hendrickson said Chloe is "not just this bitch who likes to destroy people's lives" and that the character's turn in story "gives [her] the opportunity to show people that Chloe is damaged goods". "She was missing a mother and a family, and the love that every child needs and deserves. She wasn't raised by her [parents]. She never had anyone tell her wrong from right," said Hendrickson. Digest asked if Hendrickson had anything to do with Chloe's development. "I was the one who wanted to make her edgy and funny. Most of the people I know who are in the fashion business are a little bitchy," she said. "I wanted to make Chloe interesting, instead of just playing her like some girl who was putting on fancy clothes. There was no conflict there," Hendrickson continued. She added, "The writers definitely gave me that in the writing, and I tweaked it a little. They seemed to enjoy it. Each day, Chloe kept getting funnier and bitchier."

Storylines

Kate is the the only daughter of Esther Valentine and Tiny, a plumber. She is named for her godmother and Esther's employer Katherine Chancellor. As a child she is rarely seen on screen and attends boarding school courtesy of her godmother. At some point during her absence she officially changed her name to Chloe Mitchell without telling her mother.

Chloe is hired by Jabot Cosmetics in 2008 to help coach the winning model of the Fresh Face of Jabot contest which throws her into the orbit of Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) and her boyfriend Cane Ashby (Daniel Goddard). After she wins the competition, Chloe begins working with Lily. Chloe began to push Lily to the best of her ability, in which began an antagonistic relationship between them. At one point Lily begins quits, but then Chloe pressures her into staying in. Despite everything, Lily lets Chloe move in with her and Devon (Bryton) when she needs a place to stay.

Upon learning that she is pregnant, Chloe begins an elaborate scheme to trick Cane into thinking he is the father. At Indigo, she succeeds in getting him drunk, and offers to take him home, only to have taken both their clothes off, and making Cane believe they had sex. This ultimately damages Cane and Lily's plans to wed. Lily tells Cane to marry Chloe for the baby's sake, and he eventually does, seeking a stable home for the child be believes to be his. After she causes trouble for Lily, Jill fires Chloe as the Fresh Face coordinator. Seeking new employment, she visits Restless Style where Phyllis Newman (Michelle Stafford) and Nicholas Newman (Joshua Morrow) hire her to be the fashion editor. She also meets Amber Moore (Adrienne Frantz), who befriends her. In late August 2008 it is revealed that Chloe is actually the long-absent daughter of Esther Valentine (Kate Linder). It is also revealed that Chloe had affair with Cane's half-brother Billy Abbott (Billy Miller). Chloe and Billy agree to pretend they do not know each other. He begins to question whether there is a chance he could be the father of her baby. His suspicions are confirmed after he finds out the baby's due date is earlier than Chloe claimed.

Chloe is jealous as she watches Lily move on from Cane to Billy. She becomes dissatisfied with her loveless marriage to Cane and longs for a life with Billy. When she learns that Billy is going up to the Abbott cabin with Lily for Valentine's day she follows them up and overhears him confessing that he is the father of Chloe's baby to Lily. Chloe gives birth in the cabin with Billy and Lily's help.

Cane names the baby Cordelia Katherine Valentine Ashby. When Chloe tells him the baby's real father is Billy, Cane reunites with Lily and decides to pursue custody of Cordelia, believing he would make a better parent. To retain custody of his daughter, Billy reluctantly enters into a loveless marriage with Chloe. Right after the ceremony, the real love of Billy's life, Mackenzie Browning (Clementine Ford), shows up. Billy tries to reunite with Mac, but she continually rejects him. Chloe tries to change Billy and hopes they can have a real family together, but then she finds out that he has been having sex with Sharon Newman, both before and after they married. When Chloe discovers this, she moves out. After he and Chloe separated, Billy begins to purse a relationship with Mac. Chloe and Billy are both stunned when it is revealed that Cane is not the biological son of Jill, and that Phillip Chancellor III (Thom Bierdz) is actually alive. This also proves that Cane knew the whole time that he was not the father of Cordelia. He tells Chloe, Billy and Lily that the didn't want to have two DNA samples on file, so he thought the only choice could be Billy, and that he would step up and be a father. While a still married Billy pursues a relationship with Mac, Billy's nephew Chance Chancellor (Phillip Chancellor IV) reemerged on the scene, all grown up and now a young army veteran. Chance became smitten with Chloe, blushing in her presence, and admitted to her he is a virgin with little experience with women. They shared an impromptu kiss in a playful moment. Chloe, still in love with Billy, tried to set obvious good-guy Chance up with do-gooder Mackenzie. The pair realized they were being set-up, and Chance alluded to his crush on Chloe when he cryptically told Mac he is already interested in someone else. Chance took Jill's side (which Chloe likewise did) when Billy railed against her. He later showed distaste over how his uncle treats his wife and child, to which Chloe admitted Billy continously breaks her heart. Chance caressed Chloe's face, and moved in as if to kiss her, just to reveal he'd found an eyelash. Chloe makde a wish, but coyly refused to share it. Chance is shown grinning after her as she exists, and is caught in his happiness by grandmother Jill, who realized something was obviously up with him.

Reception

Chloe's introduction as a vixen, as well as a core character, was generally well-received by critics and viewers. Hendrickson was praised for her "adventurous and comedic performance" as the character, which has been credited as being "reminiscent of the divas of yesteryear, like As the World Turns’ Lisa Miller, and Another World’s Rachel Cory". In 2008, TV Guide named her one of soap opera's best new characters. In 2009, Soap Opera Digest said of the character, "What started as a 10-episode arc as a bitchy stylist transformed into a meaty contract character and an even meatier storyline."