From TV Guide Online

Alicia Leigh Willis (Courtney) was in for a sibling surprise when she joined the cast of General Hospital just over a year ago. Not only was she related to the town's Mafia magnate, Sonny Corinthos, she would have to win over a legion of fans who hadn't been privy to Sonny having a little sis. Willis eagerly tackled the task at hand by creating a character with an independent spirit, unafraid to follow her passions, and by doing whatever it took to protect her former lover, A.J. Quartermaine.

Willis won over the viewers - now Courtney has to win over her brother, who has just discovered that she's in fallen in love with his right-hand man-in-crime, Jason Morgan. Once again, Willis is up for the challenge. Tapping into her on-screen family's legacy of stubbornness, and with support from her real-life family, she's destined to turn the tides her way a second time. - Delaina Dixon

When you joined GH, did you ever think you'd be related to the show's biggest mobster, married into the town's richest family, and in love with Port Charles's ultimate bad boy?
No. (Chuckles) I didn't think that I'd be Sonny's sister. We don't look much alike, obviously, but I am so glad that I am. If I'm going to be anyone's sister, he's the man.

You were thrust into a front burner storyline rather quickly. What did you do to get up to speed with GH's top veterans?
My dad is an actor, and he helped me a lot. There's a coach here as well, John Homa, and he's been very helpful. But basically I just threw myself into it and did the best I could.

You weren't nervous about jumping in feet first?
You're always nervous when you start a new show, and you're working with people who have worked together for a long time. But I went to a lot of different schools growing up, so I'm use to throwing myself into a new situation and learning to deal with it. It wasn't too hard.

The fans were a little surprised to learn that Sonny had a sister. Do you think they have accepted their connection now?
Most of the fan mail I've gotten has been really great. The fans who have supported me have been so nice. It's amazing to read their letters, and they are so into it.

Jason and Courtney are primed to be GH's new supercouple. What's does Courtney see in Jason?
She's had to take care of people all her life. She took care of her mom because her dad [Mike Corbin] left. She took care of A.J. when they were together. Now she's finally got someone taking care and looking after her, and it's nice. I don't think she's ever felt that with anyone before.

Is Courtney caught up in the danger of the romance?
It's probably a little exciting, but I think what they have is real. Her feelings for Jason are so raw - she loves him for who he is and not what he does.

Why was Courtney afraid to reveal her relationship with Jason to Sonny?
It's not really that she wanted to keep it a secret from Sonny; it was her father who never really liked Jason. Since they were keeping it from him, they decided to keep it under wraps from everyone. And when [Jason and Brenda's] trial was going on, there was never a right time to tell everyone. If Jason had had his way, he would have told Sonny right away. He doesn't keep secrets from him.

Why is Sonny so against them being together?
He doesn't want Courtney to be affected by the dark side of his life. He wants her to live a normal life and to be safe. Jason's a part of Sonny's dangerous lifestyle, and Sonny wants to protect her from that. But the way Courtney sees it, he's trying to run her life, and she doesn't like people telling her what to do. They are definitely going to butt heads.

Will he ever be able to accept the relationship?
You know how bull-headed Sonny is. I believe it'll be a long time before he would even think about being okay with it.

Courtney had quite the confrontation when Elizabeth, Jason's ex-girlfriend, learned he was now with her.
It's hard. I don't think that Courtney is a bad person, and the last thing she wanted to do was to hurt Elizabeth. But she couldn't deny that she's in love with Jason; she can't fight that. And Elizabeth gave Courtney her blessing. For Courtney, it was, "You pushed Jason away so many times, and you gave me your blessing, and now, all of sudden, I'm this horrible person? It's just not fair."

With all these conflicts, do you think Jason and Courtney's love will last?
They are so in love with each other. Hopefully, they'll find a way.

Did Courtney have these feelings for Jason, even when she was still with A.J.?
Jason did rescue her, and she was attracted to him, but she never would have cheated on A.J. if he hadn't betrayed her. I think towards the end, when things started to unravel, she started seeing A.J. for the person he was.

Will Courtney ever forgive A.J. for stalking her?
It is a soap opera, so you never really know what's going to happen, but it's a pretty unforgivable thing that he did. I, Alicia, would never forgive him.

Some viewers would love to see Courtney back with A.J. Do you think they'll get their wish?
Honestly, I don't think so. There's been just too much damage to the relationship for it to be restored. I don't see how it could happen, because I don't know how you recover from something like that. Courtney's a pretty strong girl, she's been naïve at times, but I don't think she would put up with anything like that. But it is a soap opera, so you never know.

Before Jason rescued her, Courtney was blackmailed into being a stripper. When you got the script that said you'd be shaking your bons bons in a strip joint, what was your initial reaction?
Originally they told me they were only going to show me when I first stepped on stage. Then they said, "You're going to be swinging around a pole next week." I started working out everyday. I was surrounded by 20 extras who were throwing money at me, and if I hadn't been wearing all that makeup, I would have been bright red. I dreaded doing that, and my poor grandmother had to watch!

Did you work with a coach on the dance sequences?
They gave me a great dance instructor, and she worked with me. I've never been a dancer; I'm an athlete. I'm not very graceful, so being in 4-inch heels, swinging around a pole and dancing, it wasn't easy.

You made it look effortless. What type of activities do you do to stay in great shape?
Thanks. I never lift weights. I stay as far away from them as possible because my arms bulk up. It's genetic, I guess. I love running and doing yoga, and I take spinning classes. Occasionally I snowboard and surf; the surfing is the only thing I do for my arms.

You were a child actress, and you took a little time off. What brought you back to the business?
I booked a commercial because I was a volleyball player in school. It was random, I just went for it. I really enjoyed working and being in front of the camera, and it reminded me how much I missed it. That's when I got my theatrical agent.

Coming from a family of actors, is that a nurturing or competitive environment?
It's been completely nurturing. Anytime I have an audition, my dad works with me and supports me. Anytime I have a big day at GH, he'll come in and work with me, and he's not easy on me. He'll criticize me - he can be tough - but it's good when I need a little coaching.

Have you ever worked with your dad on a project?
I was on 7th Heaven several times, and once they brought my mom and dad on to play my parents.

Courtney's working as a waitress now, but do you have higher aspirations for her?
Personally, I think she should go to school so she can better herself and make a better life for herself. She should become a psychiatrist and try to figure out what's wrong with everyone in Port Charles. That would take a lifetime.