in an interview with "soap opera digest", ward further explained that it was challenging portraying kate, who is "that person who is strong and flawed and one can be critical of", because she had to maintain "the qualities of connie, the girl sonny fell in love with. she's still completely in there." additionally, the actress mentioned: "i have to play the projection of kate howard, but it's all covering the connie falconeri underneath. creatively, i've had to constantly balance being forceful and dominating in situations, but still let you see the true girl doesn't mean to be that forceful and dominating."