After her graduation, she went to New York and found employment there as a model. in 1987 she also appeared as Jessie in Christmas Comes to Willow Creek. The role, originally meant to be a four-episode limited appearance, became a regular job when her character’s relationship with Detective Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) became a hit with viewers. in this role, she won her first Emmy Award, as Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, and was also nominated two other times.
