The Unexpected Path to Stardom

It’s a story that sounds like Hollywood fiction, but every word is true. Charles Divins, the Dallas-born kid with a working-class upbringing, went from local malls to international runways, then straight into America’s living rooms as one of the most memorable faces on daytime television. But what happened after the cameras stopped rolling? Why did he leave the spotlight at the height of his fame—and what secret drives him today?

This is the untold journey of a man who transformed himself not once, but many times, always chasing purpose over popularity, and truth over fiction.

From Latchkey Kid to Runway Royalty

Born January 29, 1976, in Dallas, Texas, Charles Divins grew up in a neighborhood where opportunity was something you made for yourself. His parents worked hard, and young “Chucky” learned independence early, often coming home to an empty house and making his own way. But somewhere between technical theater classes and high school football games, something shifted.

At 18, working a retail job in a Dallas mall, Charles was approached by a stranger with a proposition that sounded too good to be true: “Want to be a model?” Within days, he was earning more than his monthly paycheck, and by 1994, he was traveling the world. From Tommy Hilfiger campaigns to the glossy pages of GQ, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan, Charles became an international sensation.

Europe became his playground. South Africa stole his heart—especially Cape Town, which he later described as “amazing.” Australia, the United States—everywhere he went, cameras followed. But the thrill of modeling wasn’t enough. Charles wanted to tell stories, not just pose for them.

Leaps of Faith: From Modeling to Acting

“I was traveling the world modeling, and I decided I wanted to be an actor one day,” Charles later revealed. With no training, no backup plan, and nothing but raw ambition, he took his first leap of faith and auditioned for “The Young and the Restless.” He was told he was too young. But fate had other plans.

His second audition was for a new NBC soap opera called “Passions.” In 2002, Charles Divins became Chad Harris Crane—a role that would change his life forever. No acting experience, no rehearsal time, just sixty pages of dialogue to memorize every night and millions of viewers watching his every move. It was a trial by fire, but Charles thrived.

Behind the Scenes: The Real Work of Daytime Drama

“Passions” wasn’t just any soap opera. NBC gambled on a younger, edgier daytime drama, mixing traditional storytelling with supernatural twists. At 11:00 a.m. every morning, America tuned in. Charles found himself working 16 to 20-hour days, shooting eight episodes a week alongside a cast of 200 top-tier professionals.

“It was fun, exciting, scary,” Charles recalled. “But as the years went by, it became a family.” The work was brutal, but the camaraderie was real. Over five years, Charles appeared in 682 episodes, becoming one of the show’s most beloved characters.

His co-star, Rodney Van Johnson (TC), was famously intense during confrontation scenes. “If you’re not ready, he grabs you, rips your shirt off, throws you against the wall,” Charles laughed. But nothing compared to the infamous treadmill incident—Charles, running full speed at the gym, was pulled face-first onto the belt by his Walkman cord and shot off the back in front of everyone. He got up, brushed himself off, and kept going. That determination would define his career.

Expanding Horizons: Comedy, Music, and More

While still on “Passions,” Charles appeared in Kimberly Locke’s “Eighth World Wonder” music video and graced the cover of the LA calendar, celebrating African-American entertainers. In 2005, he landed a recurring role on the WB sitcom “Half & Half,” showing America he could do comedy as well as drama. Six episodes as Lorenzo Lean, Mona’s love interest, proved his versatility.

He was everywhere—on magazine covers, TV screens, and music videos. But even as his star rose, Charles was searching for something more.

The Turning Point: Leaving Hollywood for Real Stories

By 2007, Charles was ready for a new challenge. “For me, acting is storytelling, and at some point, I wanted to be Charles Divins the storyteller, not Chad Harris Crane.” After “Passions” ended, he pivoted to journalism—a leap few actors ever make. The transition was tough. “Obviously, that’s not a normal career path,” he admitted. But Charles had a secret weapon: his understanding of stories and people.

He landed a spot on “The Daily Buzz,” bringing his charisma to morning television. But it was his move to New Orleans in 2014 that truly changed him. As a morning anchor for WDSU News, Charles covered everything from Mardi Gras celebrations to the lingering aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The city, known for jazz and gumbo, became his classroom.

“My six years in New Orleans really changed my whole outlook on everything,” he confessed. He reported on evictions, homelessness, and the brutal disparities between rich and poor. The work was raw, real, and relentless—waking up at 1:30 a.m. to get on air by 4:00 a.m. Gone were the days of huge production teams; this was barebones journalism where every story mattered.

Love, Family, and a New Purpose

In 2015, Charles’s life changed in the most beautiful way. He married fitness instructor Fabiola Soladad Rodriguez in a stunning ceremony in Nicaragua. Three years later, their son Leo Sebastian Divins was born in New Orleans, named in honor of Fabiola’s father. Fatherhood hit Charles like a freight train—in the best possible way.

“Being a father is everything. It is who I am now,” he said, voice thick with emotion. His son became his purpose, his reason for everything.

Charles moved back to Texas, balancing his journalism career with Spectrum News and the demands of fatherhood. He wakes up before dawn, reports the news, and picks up Leo from daycare. There’s no separation between Charles the journalist and Charles the father—it’s all one authentic life.

Staying Grounded: Lessons and Legacy

Despite his Emmy-winning work and years in entertainment, Charles hasn’t forgotten where he came from. Modeling taught him confidence. “Passions” taught him discipline. Comedy gave him range. Journalism taught him empathy. And fatherhood taught him what truly matters.

He’s learning bass guitar (though his neighbors might not appreciate it), can do a Sean Connery impression, and rap 50 Cent lyrics. He has a thing for Mexican food—especially pork. And despite all those intense fight scenes on “Passions,” he’s never been in a fight in his life. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

His advice to aspiring actors and journalists? “Find your why. Find what it is you love about it and why you want to get into it. Surround yourself with people who are on your same mission, your same goal, and who want to shine light on you.”

The Final Secret: What Matters Most

Charles currently works for Spectrum News in Austin, Texas, and shares glimpses of his life on Instagram (@CDLA). His net worth is estimated between $1.5 and $2 million, earned through years of hard work in entertainment and journalism. But money isn’t what drives him anymore—it’s the stories, the real ones, and the family he comes home to every day.

When asked what he values most, his answer is immediate: his mom. “I would not be here if it wasn’t for her,” he says, voice heavy with gratitude. She still watches him on TV every morning, just like she did during his “Passions” days.

Despite all the transformations—from actor to Emmy-winning journalist—Charles is still that kid from Dallas who took leaps of faith, survived being shot off a treadmill, and chose love over Hollywood, family over fame, and truth over fiction.

Right now, as he wakes up at 1:30 a.m. to deliver the news and raise Leo alongside Fabiola, there’s one question nobody’s asked: After everything he’s accomplished, what’s the one role Charles Divins still wants to play? What story is he still waiting to tell?

The answer might surprise you. But if you want to know, you’ll have to ask him yourself.