Played by Lena Cardwell (1999), Chrystee Pharris (2001),
and Cathy Jenéen Doe (2004).
Currently: in love with Chad.
| Full Name | Simone Michelle Russell |
| Born | Jun. 29, 1984, Harmony |
| Parents | T.C. Russell; Eve Russell |
| Sister | Whitney Russell |
| Played by | Lena Cardwell; Chrystee Pharris; Cathy Jenéen Doe |
| Status | In love with Chad Harris. Chad loves Whitney. |
| Significance | First African-American lesbian character in daytime television |
Russell Family · Youngest Daughter
Simone Russell
Youngest daughter of T.C. and Eve Russell. Currently in love with Chad Harris, who told her he loved her while injured and medicated and was in fact thinking of Whitney. Simone does not know this yet. The Gazette does not look forward to when she does.
Active · HarmonyPresent Situation
Simone Russell is, at press time, in love with Chad Harris and believes he loves her in return. Chad told her he loved her while injured and under medication, believing she was Whitney. Simone has accepted this declaration at face value. Whitney knows the truth and has not yet told her. The Gazette is tracking the moment when this situation resolves, and does not expect the resolution to be comfortable for anyone.
She is, in the show's early seasons, often characterised as living in Whitney's shadow: Whitney has the tennis, the focus, the friendship with Theresa. Simone has Chad, who is not actually hers. The Gazette notes that Simone's early arc is defined by wanting something that belongs to someone else in her own family, which is a position the show has some experience with.
Background
Simone Russell is the younger daughter of T.C. and Eve Russell, and her childhood has been spent in the considerable shadow cast by Whitney's tennis career and the family's investment in it. T.C.'s attention went to Whitney. Simone found her own path, which at present runs directly into the Chad situation.
She was involved in Kay Bennett's schemes to win Miguel from Charity, serving as Kay's accomplice in several of Kay's plans. The Gazette notes that Simone's early willingness to assist Kay reflects a person who wanted something badly enough to make poor decisions on someone else's behalf, which is a dynamic Simone will eventually recognise in herself.
Chad
Simone's love for Chad Harris is the central fact of her current existence in Harmony. It is not returned, though she does not know this. Chad was injured, medicated, and told Simone he loved her while genuinely believing she was Whitney. The declaration was real; the recipient was wrong. Simone has built considerable hope on this foundation.
Whitney's decision to protect Simone from the truth rather than tell her immediately is understandable and will not hold. The Gazette expects the discovery scene to be significant.
Character
Simone is, in the Gazette's assessment, one of the characters most consistently defined by what she is not given: not T.C.'s attention, not the clarity her sister has about what she wants, not the truth about the man she loves. Her early characterisation as reactive and at times combative is the behaviour of a person who keeps finding themselves behind.
The show eventually gives Simone a story that is entirely her own, and the Gazette considers that story the more interesting part of her arc.