About

   Tell us a little about yourself.

    I was born and raised in New Orleans, and I wouldn't live in any
        other place. I produce plays, [Gina founded a theatrical company
        called Souls on Stage or SOS when she was 12 years old and her
        first play titled "St. Ides" was shown on Bravo] participate in
        live slam poetry competitions and was once ranked the best bartender
        in the city by Swizzle magazine. I'm the only girl with three
        brothers – I helped send my little brother to West Point and he
        returned to New Orleans and founded an organization called I.D.E.A.
        which supports the city through programs such as providing school
        supplies and mentoring for kids. I'm somewhat of an activist for
        anyone who is an underdog or who is suffering.

        My mother is still alive and she married my wonderfulstepfather
        after my biological father died. I'm a tomboy and I love music.
        I'm a "for the people" person and my driving force is empathy.

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

    My grandfather came from a family of people who communicate.
        He did a documentary, and lots of people knew him from that.
        He was a special man and even though he suffered from
        Alzheimer's in his late 80's to mid 90's, he always remembered me.
        He was a strong man and he was evacuated to the VA hospital during
        hurricane Katrina. My grandmother was with him but he died because
        he needed to be fed through a tube and wasn't for six or seven days.

        New Orleans is still devastated. It really is called the "Big Easy"
        for a reason so even the rebuilding is slow. But you can't explain
        the mass suffering of people in New Orleans. Everyone knows everyone.
        Families are so rooted here. I wanted to get across the extent of
        the suffering.

        I lost my house three months after remodeling what had been my grandmother's
        house and in which I always wanted to live. I lost about 250 poems – I lost
        my life's work. I lost 30 people from the east, from the 7th Ward. There
        is a school that several people were evacuated to – everyone who sheltered
        there died. Entire families are born, live and marry within your Ward. So
        people evacuated, scattered or died with their families, and we don't yet
        know the full extent of loss.

   What has been the reaction to the commercial?

    Since the commercial came out people have contacted me and told me all
        the steps they took to try to find me. My mother's house was 2 blocks
        from the levee so many people thought I was dead. I had evacuated
        before the storm because my mother begged me to.

   What was it like to let it out in such a unique situation and
        why do you think you felt safe to share in such a public situation?

    I felt free especially because it was by the river. I realized I was
        waiting for the opportunity but I didn't know how – I put out the intention
        in the atmosphere. All I wanted to do from the beginning was to let it out
        but I didn't know how.

   Tell us a little about yourself.

    I currently live in San Francisco and run a clothing company called Shalom
        Cultural Peace Project. I'm also an active skateboarder, artist and designer

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

    I talked about several things… There were several deaths in my
        life - my grandfather, step father and two friends. The section
        that aired was about my stepfather and how much love he had despite
        any pain he felt in his life and how he expressed that love to
        everyone around him.
        He did a documentary, and lots of people knew him from that.

   What was it like to let it out in such a unique situation
        (sitting on a couch in a crowd of people)?

    It was refreshing. I am a very open person and I think that it's
        good to express yourself in emotional ways. I will talk about it
        any time. I liked it and wasn't embarrassed because it is natural
        to be in tune with your emotions and to let it out if need be or
        if it just happens.

   Why did you feel safe sharing in such a public situation?

    Because of the situation, why I was there and what I was doing
        this for – I didn't mind expressing my love for my stepfather.
        The interviewer was gentle, nice and sincere – I was comfortable
        because he was sincere – I might not have felt comfortable with
        someone else.

   What has been the reaction to the commercial?

    It has been great! Because I own my own business and travel a lot
        I know a lot of people and have heard from many of them. I get lots
        of positive text messages and emails. I've heard that people have
        seen the commercial in several different languages and at movie theaters.
        I am getting a little tired though of people everywhere constantly asking
        how the commercial came about – everyone from folks at the grocery store
        to neighbors.

Mark Anene

   Tell us a little about yourself.

   I am 24 years old. I just graduated from Long Island University with a
       bachelor's degree in sports science. In my spare time I like to watch TV
       and play video games. I also like to browse the ‘net. I'm always on
       myspace; if you want to look me up my display name is "The Spark," or
       you could find me on www.myspace.com/56276956. Also, I am an
       outgoing person.

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

   I let out my joy of winning whenever I win an event that I participate in.
       It could be a basketball championship or a boxing match

   What was it like to "let it out" in such a unique situation (on a couch, in
       the middle of a crowd)?

   It felt natural. I felt comfortable doing what I was doing.

   Why do you think you felt safe to share in such a public situation?

   The location was on a one-way street where there were abandoned
       buildings.

   What has the reaction been to the commercial?

   To be honest, I never got a chance to see the commercial. I was
       wondering if I can get a copy of the commercial, or I was wondering if
       the commercial would be on YouTube.

Arvilla Riddick

   Tell us a little about yourself.

   Slightly (ha!) over 60 ex-teacher, former dude ranch manager and horse
       trainer, hardly a "domestic goddess"; would rather be putzing around in
       the yard or reading a myriad of mystery novels. Loves cats and dogs,
       hates phonies and hypocrites.

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

   I confessed that I had my eye on my husband LONG before we actually
       started dating

   What was it like to "let it out" in such a unique situation (on a couch, in
       the middle of a crowd)?

   It was most unusual, but our setting was private — the Mississippi
       River on one side and the park on the other. I found it to be quite
       intimate and relaxing.

   Why do you think you felt safe to share in such a public situation?

   No one intruded on our particular moment. The interviewer was most
       precise in his questions, most reassuring in his demeanor and facial
       expressions, relating well to the interviewees, keeping them safe.

   What has the reaction been to the commercial?

   Very positive. Our "folk" have enjoyed the format. Many have seen it at
       the cinema and were most complimentary.

Charlotte John

   Tell us a little about yourself.

   I was born in Denmark and raised in Israel, where I served in the
       military for five years as a lieutenant. I moved to the U.S. to study
       opera, and now I am married to my wonderful husband, Jason, and am
       the mother of an amazing little girl, Imogen (now 16 months old). I am
       an actress, singer and I teach voice to kids.

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

   The main topic I "let out" about was that the birth of my daughter,
       Imogen, the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me. And that's
       what made the cut. Until her birth, it was my wedding day, so I hoped
       my husband wouldn't take it to heart.

   What was it like to "let it out" in such a unique situation (on a couch, in
       the middle of a crowd)?

   It was strange at first, and it did take me time to "warm up." My
       husband and I almost didn't stick around, actually, because our
       daughter's mealtime was coming up and she was getting more and more
       cranky. I thought we wouldn't last! At the last minute, they said,
       "You're up" and I thought, "Why not?" so we stayed.

   Why do you think you felt safe to share in such a public situation?

   You know what they say: It's always easier to feel safe in a crowd,
       and insecure when there are only two people in a room. That's how I felt on
       that couch; it was a bit cold, the wind was blowing, there were hundreds
       of people around and I thought, "I could tell this guy anything." There
       was sort of a vacuum in which we were talking, and after a while I
       stopped noticing what was around us.

   What has the reaction been to the commercial?

   I've gotten tons of extremely positive responses from friends and
       family. And people I haven't seen or heard from in years will call or
       e-mail, saying, "Did I just see you in a Kleenex® commercial?" And it's
       always, "Wow, how cool!" "The music is so great," "It's so uplifting,"
       and "Thank G-d you're not in that genital herpes one." I also
       get recognized by the most random people, which is strange, considering
       I'm only in the commercial for two seconds. Also, since the spot I'm in
       hasn't been shown and the other spots have, I've been getting
       complaints from my friends, saying, "Tell them yours is much more
       fun; the others are too depressing." That's what they say — you wanted
       honest!

Jeff Riddick

   Tell us a little about yourself.

   A 68-year-old father of four, grandfather of nine, recently retired
       engineering designer of industrial electrical and instrumentation
       systems. Aka "DA BANJO MAN," I entertain at several nursing
       homes and senior citizen facilities each month.

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

   How I met my bride of five years and how I chased her until she
       caught me.

   What was it like to "let it out" in such a unique situation (on a couch, in
       the middle of a crowd)?

   To say the least, it was "unique." Where else would you find a couch
       but in the middle of a street, surrounded by a crowd?

   Why do you think you felt safe to share in such a public situation?

   The interviewer made us feel safe. He didn't make us out to be idiots
       with questions that were too personal.

   What has the reaction been to the commercial?

   Great! Friends and family from all across the U.S.A. have called,
       e-mailed, written, etc. (P.S., we also buy more Kimberly-Clark
       products.)

John D. Fortunato

   Tell us a little about yourself.

   I grew up in the New York area with two siblings. I work in the
       financial industry, and for the last 10 years have had the opportunity to
       travel all over the world, and to live in Europe for a number of those
       years. I am currently engaged and have no children, only the little
       special dog named Olive you see sitting between me and my fiancée
       on the big, blue couch

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

   I talked about the saddest day of my life being the day my mother
       passed away. I spoke of getting a phone call from my father in the
       middle of the night, telling me that my mother had just died suddenly. I
       immediately spoke to my sister, with whom I am close, and during our
       call and our grief, we agreed to meet at our father's house as soon as we
       were able. I remember packing my bag very quickly, and driving the
       long distance, listening to songs that I will never listen to again for the
       rest of my life. You need to know that my mother was the most loved
       person anyone had ever met. Her kindness, her caring and her
       compassion for everyone she touched has never been surpassed. Seeing
       all of her friends and relatives at her memorial service was a confirma-
       tion of that fact, and the outpouring of love and appreciation of her life
       will be in my heart and in her soul forever.

   What was it like to "let it out" in such a unique situation (on a couch, in
       the middle of a crowd)?

   Since my mother's passing, I have not talked much about that night and
       that experience to anyone other than my immediate family. The
       memories of her and our loss were too great to express, but sitting on
       that couch with my fiancée was a needed expression of the sorrow I had
       been feeling, and a remembrance and celebration of her life. Sitting on
       the couch I felt that I was in a safe place to express those feelings, and
       having my fiancée beside me and hearing her words and feeling her
       sorrow showed me the significance of the time my mother was with us.

   Why do you think you felt safe to share in such a public situation?

   I felt safe because the two most important beings in my life, my
       fiancée, Nadette, and my dog, Olive, were beside me as I expressed my
       long-overdue sentiments and memories about my mother. Additionally,
       I felt that the person who greeted us and who spoke to us was incredibly
       empathetic and trustworthy, and it was as though I was in an
       emotionally protected area. Everybody around us during the time on
       the couch was very supportive as they listened intently, and I felt at
       ease while in their presence

   What has the reaction been to the commercial?

   The reaction to the commercial has been overwhelmingly positive.
       During the first week of it airing, I was approached by a stranger on the
       street while walking my dog, and she asked if I was the person on the
       Kleenex® commercial, saying how authentic and touching it was to her.
       Several other people have approached me since and have said how
       much they liked the spot, and asked if the feelings they saw on my face
       and in my fiancée's voice were genuine. I told them that we were very
       sincere, and their reaction was one of support and a wish that they could
       have heard my description of the events of that evening. Since the
       commercial began airing, I have been receiving many phone calls from
       friends, family, and people I haven't seen in many years telling me just
       how much they enjoy it, how it truly touched them, and how accurately
       my honesty was portrayed, seeing it on many different channels, in the
       movie theaters, all over the U.S., and even in Canada

Liz J. Scanlon

   Tell us a little about yourself.

   I'm director of communications for an online digital photo-developing
       service, wife, and mom of a 3-day-old girl name Chiara and a
       31/2-year-old named Sophie.

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

   I was seven months pregnant at the time, so I pretty much let it all out.
       Talked about my experience as a mother and how challenging, amazing
       and rewarding it is.

   What was it like to "let it out" in such a unique situation (on a couch, in
       the middle of a crowd)?

   It felt pretty intimate actually, since the camera was so far away. Also,
       the guy whom I was talking to was very approachable and easy to
       talk to.

   Why do you think you felt safe to share in such a public situation?

   See above

   What has the reaction been to the commercial?

   Friends and family love it. My mom saw it in the movie theater for the
       first time and freaked out.

Nadette Stassa

   Tell us a little about yourself.

   Wow, where do I start? I love life. Live it to the fullest. I adore my
       fiancé and my pug dog, Olive. Sometimes I struggle, because life
       is hard and there are too many wars and too much injustice in the world.
       I love to ride my bike. I love that people take pictures of my bike. I
       LOVE dogs, especially pug dogs! I am active with yoga, karate and
       belly dancing. I recently learned to drive a pedicab. I am a peace
       activist. I love Montreal and going there by train. I love that I posed
       nude for an anti-war photo with 30 other women in the snow in Central
       Park. I love the many things I do to make a living. Little things
       sometimes make cry, like the Little Drummer Boy's sheep being run
       over. I love to travel. I love that I got certified as an EMT; I don't love
       that I haven't done anything with the certification. I'm proud that I was
       arrested for civil disobedience. I love that I speak more than one
       language. I love that I have extraordinary friends.

   What did you "let out" while on the couch?

   My fiancé's mother died some years back and I never met her. John
       clearly loved his mother with all his heart and soul. I let out that it
       makes me sad when he talks about her because I will never get to meet
       her. I will never know the woman who gave birth to the man I love
       SO much.

   What was it like to "let it out" in such a unique situation (on a couch, in
       the middle of a crowd)?

   I almost didn't feel like there was a crowd — it was me, John, Olive and
       the interviewer.

   Why do you think you felt safe to share in such a public situation?

   I don't know; it just felt OK. Simple, easy somehow. Me, John, Olive,
       the interviewer, a couch and a box of Kleenex®. It just felt OK to be
       me, however "me" was in the moment

   What has the reaction been to the commercial?

   OH, WOW! Everyone loves it! People often say how sweet it is. SO
       many people have told me they have seen it, even in the movie theaters.
       The reaction seems great. I think the music is perfect. We like the
       British one too. What can I say? They are really sweet, heartfelt,
       well-done commercials.