Soap Opera Central Recaps: Behind the Scenes with Beth Ditto on Monarch

In a recent interview, Beth Ditto joked that working on the country-music soap opera Monarch was 'your bang for your buck right here.' And indeed, it seems that she's found her perfect fit as Gigi Roman, the outcast sister in a family of country musicians and moguls. But what might not be immediately apparent is that Ditto's journey to this role was anything but straightforward.

When the pandemic hit, Ditto found herself unable to tour and faced the prospect of not returning to Showtime's underappreciated black comedy On Becoming a God in Central Florida, where she had shone as Bets, the unassuming wife of a man sucked into a pyramid scheme. The show's cancellation due to COVID was devastating, but Ditto saw Monarch as an opportunity to start anew.

As it turns out, Ditto and her character Gigi share more than just their southern roots and country music connections. Both are queer, fat, and proud of who they are. 'I had the best time because I was in my element,' Ditto says, reflecting on her experience working on Monarch. And it's easy to see why - as a singer-songwriter with Gossip in the late aughts, Ditto made a name for herself with her ferociously brazen performances.

But when the characters of Monarch hit the stage, the tables were turned. As an actor, Ditto was no longer performing on her own terms, but rather as part of a larger ensemble cast. And it's clear that she relished this new challenge. She often sought out advice from her co-stars, eager to learn and grow with each new scene.

In Monarch, Ditto has found not only a new creative outlet, but also a sense of belonging and community. And as the show continues to unfold, fans can't help but be drawn in by her infectious energy and authenticity. As she jokes, it's definitely 'your bang for your buck right here.

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