Since learning that his girlfriend had a fling with the big man on campus, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS' Raul has been a changed man – and not necessarily changed for the better. But that's just fine with his portrayer, David Lago. "It's about time we see a darker side of Raul," he says. "It was two and a half years of playing nice. I like playing the bad boy. As any actor will tell you, it's more challenging. It's so far from who I am."
Going To Extremes Raul isn't ready to turn completely to the dark side, however. "You have to empathize with him," Lago says. "He's been diagnosed with this life-threatening disease. He really feels that he could die... young. He's in a place where he's asking himself, 'Why me? Why do I deserve this? I was always a good guy.'" Indeed, being the perfect student and perfect friend, all the while dealing with his diabetes, was too much for Raul. "He doesn't really know how to react," Lago contends. "Maybe he's not doing it right – pushing everyone out of his life seems extreme – but he's just dealing with it all the best he can. He's decided that that means getting his priorities in order [and] taking care of himself." Even if that means dumping poor Rianna? Yep. "You gotta give Raul some slack."
Real-Life Love Ironically, Lago's off-screen squeeze is Alexis Thorpe, the actress who plays Rianna. "I can honestly say that I see us spending our lives together," he admits. "There isn't a doubt in my mind that I won't end up with this girl." The relationship has had its ups and downs, but at its core, Lago and Thorpe are best friends. "I need to see her every day," he says. "I tell Alexis everything. "She's not passive," he adds. "She has strong opinions, but she's nice. We're both stubborn, which can cause headaches. But we've worked hard to get over every obstacle." Now if only Raul and Rianna could follow suit!
David Lago
