Christel Khalil Interview

Courtesy of CBS

By: Sindy

Christel Khalil stars on the Young and the Restless, and has also worked alongside Raven-Symone on That's So Raven and as the voice of Cornelia on W.I.T.C.H. Kidzworld sits down to chat with this up-and-coming young soap star!

Sindy: You took a break from playing Lily Winters on The Young and the Restless before returning to the show last November. What made you want to go back?
Christel Khalil: Well, I had a year off to relax and do my thing and be able to do my own thing - to take a break, basically. I was so stressed out before that I couldn't appreciate being on the show. I was so burnt out. So that's why I left, and I had a year off and then they asked me to come back, so I thought, "Yeah, I feel fine now" and I really missed everybody, so I did.

Sindy: What do you think being on a soap opera has taught about acting? Christel Khalil: It's definitely good training because we do a show a day, rather than a show a week like prime-time shows. We only get one chance to rehearse it and then we have to tape it, basically. I've learned to be all-the-way prepared.

Sindy: You've also voiced Cornelia Hale on W.I.T.C.H. What are the challenges of voice acting compared with regular acting?
Christel Khalil: Voice acting is a lot of fun - number one, you don't have to get all dressed up when you go to work. It's basically just all about your voice, so you kinda do different things that you wouldn't normally do because you're basically trying to act in your voice, rather than showing it on your face. I think it's a lot of fun because it's not so stressful and allows you to be creative.

Sindy: How did you get your start in acting?
Christel Khalil: I have three older brothers and they were all in acting, so my mom sort of just put me in it. I liked it and I've being doing it ever since. Ahh... I guess a Diaper Bear commercial and then Sinbad, you know, with that guy...

Related Stories: