Super Soap Weekend
Super Soap Weekend - a Fan’s recollection
by Vivian Mora-Robaina
Super Soap Weekends, Orlando, Florida 2005-2008
The day always began long before the sun rose — 5 a.m. wake-up calls, blurry eyes, and the anticipation of what awaited us at Super Soap Weekend in Orlando FL. Fans like myself poured into the park with a shared mission: to stand in those endless lines, fueled not by coffee alone, but by the joy of knowing who we were about to see and who had touched our lives through daytime television. Erika Slezak.
Her line was always the longest — and for good reason. Six-time Emmy Award–winning and forever beloved as Viki on *One Life to Live*, Erika wasn’t just an actress to us. She was a constant presence in our living rooms, a woman whose grace, strength, and warmth seemed to transcend the screen. Standing in that line, there was never a complaint, because we knew the wait would be worth every second.
I had been blessed to meet Erika several times before, and each time, she left me in awe of how genuine and loving she was. No matter how many fans surrounded her, she greeted each person as if they were the only one in the world. Her smile was genuine, her embrace warm, her attention unwavering. She had this rare gift — to make you feel seen, special, and valued. It was clear her heart matched the depth of her talent.
As a fan club member, I had two extra meet-and-greet tickets for Erika. I remember scanning the crowd, looking for someone who might cherish the chance as much as I did. That’s when I noticed a mother and daughter, standing together, their eyes hopeful yet uncertain. I approached them, placed the tickets in their hands, and explained they were for Erika. In that instant, their faces lit up with disbelief and joy. Tears welled in their eyes as they tried to findwords, but all they could do was hug me and say “thank you.”
After their meeting with Erika, they came back to me with hearts overflowing. They could hardly speak, saying only that there were no words to describe how touched they were. They said Erika had been as gracious, kind, and genuine as they had ever dreamed — more, even. To them, and to so many of us, she was everything we hoped she’d be. Looking back, those long lines, the early mornings, the tired backs and feet — they were nothing compared to the magic of those encounters. Erika Slezak gave us memories that time cannot dim. She gave us not only her extraordinary talent, but her boundless kindness. She remains, to this day, one of the most gracious, loving people I have ever had the honor to meet.
For all of us who stood in those lines, who waited with eager hearts, who left with unforgettable moments — it was worth every second. Because we weren’t just meeting an actress. We were meeting Erika Slezak.
Collection of pictures taken by fans (click image for larger view)
