Mom's the Word

by Michelle Ann Moro Soaps In Depth 2003 Judi Evans Luciano has been extremely busy in the three years since her role as Paulina on ANOTHER WORLD ended with the soap's cancellation. But the project keeping the alumna of DAYS OF OUR LIVES (as Adrienne) and GUIDING LIGHT (as Beth) the busiest isn't anything you can see on a television screen. "I've spent an incredible amount of time just hanging with my boy," says Luciano of 6-year-old Austin, who, as an infant, played her son on AW. "After the show folded, I auditioned here and there, but I had really missed spending time with him. Even though Austin worked with me, I didn't see him every day. I'd leave, he'd be asleep. I'd come home, he'd be asleep!" Now that Austin is in school, Luciano has again been auditioning for roles. "Family--being a wife and a mom--is the first priority for me, and career is a very close second," she confesses. "With nighttime and film, you have more time to spend with your family. In daytime, you work all the time, all year long, and you're not home a lot." Although still recognized for her soap roles, Luciano is unsure if a return to daytime lies in her future. "I don't know if my going back to work would be such a good idea. I think it would be so traumatic for Austin," she says. "He's just used to me always being around. I don't know whom it would affect more. I might be more traumatized than Austin!" At the same time, concludes Luciano with a laugh, "I'd probably take a contract role, too, so don't listen to me!" # Return to Press Index