One Life to Live's Erika Slezak on Ellen Holly's Claims of Racial Slurs: "That Never Happened"

Legendary One Life to Live actress Erika Slezak is firing back against allegations she used racial epithets against former co-star Ellen Holly.  In Jeff Giles’ book, Love in the Afternoon- The Oral History of One Life to Live, Holly claims Slezak used racist remarks towards her and was the cause of being fired from the sudser.

 According to Holly (ex-Carla/Clara), the actress who played Viki Lord, used derogatory remarks during OLTL’s 15 th anniversary party. Through her fan club president, Slezak released a statement on her official web site:

Let me begin by saying that never happened. I have never, in my entire life, used such language, nor would I have ever said that; especially about two ladies who I greatly admired and respected. I have no idea why Ellen has chosen to blame me for her being let go from One Life to Live. Not only is that an absolute fabrication on her part; it was never in the power of ANY actor or actress to make such a decision and anyone who has worked on One Life to Live would know that. We were owned and run by ABC; this was their decision alone. Furthermore, I would like to add that Ellen Holly was a wonderful actress, a beautiful woman and an essential and vital character on One Life to Live and there was nothing to be gained by her leaving the show. In fact I felt that her absence was detrimental to the show. Agnes Nixon had put together an amazing, multi-racial cast, which was groundbreaking at the time, and by losing two very important black actors, ABC was robbing the show of its diversity. I am very sorry that she has deluded herself into believing that I was in any way instrumental in her being fired, but more than that, I am appalled that she would accuse me of using racial slurs.