In a 1982 interview with The San Francisco Examiner, as reported by Closer Weekly, Fairchild discussed the typical role she often found herself cast in, describing it as "a ruthless sex symbol who's going to claw her way to the top no matter what." A 1981 People magazine story questioned whether Fairchild's alluring image might limit her success on the small screen, but the star refused to be confined to the idea of what the role of a cunning woman in daytime soap operas should be.
Rather than letting these preconceived notions hinder her career, Fairchild chose to leverage them to her advantage. In a 1996 conversation with Texas Monthly, she explained, "I never view the characters I play as mere bi***es. I view them as, well, complicated." Fairchild shared that the late Hollywood producer Charles Fries helped shift her perspective when she lost the role of the good sister in "The Initiation of Sarah" and was cast as Jennifer Lawrence, the main antagonist. Fries reassured her, saying, "I can get an ingenue anywhere. But a good b***h is hard to find."
Embracing her captivating appearance as more suited to roles outside the realm of traditional good girls, Fairchild committed herself to portraying mean girl characters with authenticity. Eventually, she had the opportunity to showcase her comedic timing in iconic sitcoms like "Friends" and "Murphy Brown," with the latter earning her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 1990.
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