Actress in James Van Der Beek's Nostalgic 'What's a Soulmate' Dawson's Creek Scene Speaks Out After His Death (Exclusive)
- - Actress in James Van Der Beek's Nostalgic 'What's a Soulmate' Dawson's Creek Scene Speaks Out After His Death (Exclusive)
Angela AndaloroFebruary 14, 2026 at 3:00 AM
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James Van Der Beek (left), Kristen Solt shares a photo from the "Dawson's Creek" set
JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty; Kristen Solt/TikTok
Kristen Solt was 7 years old when she was cast as Lilly Leery for the final episodes of Dawson's Creek
Solt tells PEOPLE about her experiences on set and the lasting impact of working with James Van Der Beek
The actor, who played Dawson Leery from 1998 through 2003, died at age 48 on Feb. 11, after a journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer
James Van Der Beek left a lasting impact on the actress who played his little sister.
Kristen Solt has shared glimpses of her role as Lilly Leery in the final episodes of Dawson's Creek on TikTok over the last five years. They took on a whole new meaning to her this week when the actor, who portrayed her doting big brother, died at age 48 after a journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
"When I learned of James’s diagnosis, I was deeply saddened, and hearing of his passing this week was truly heartbreaking. My mom, sister and I shed real tears," Solt tells PEOPLE.
"So many friends reached out to me saying, 'You were the first person I thought of when I heard the news,' which was really touching. It’s funny — being on the show has always been my favorite fun fact — but moments like this remind me that it was also something much bigger than that," she continued.
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"It meant something to so many people. More than anything, my heart goes out to his family, his loved ones and to the fans who grew up with him. He was part of so many people’s coming-of-age stories, and that kind of impact lasts a lifetime."
Solt got the opportunity to play Lilly as a young, working model and actress living in Charlotte, N.C.
"I was signed with a talent agency at the time, and they let us know that Dawson’s Creek was holding a casting call in Wilmington for 7-year-old girls to play Dawson’s little sister in the two-part series finale," she shares.
"I remember that audition process so clearly. My mom, my older sister and I all drove to Wilmington, and my sister and I both auditioned. I ended up getting a callback, so we stayed longer so I could go back in. My mom loves to remind me that during the audition, I told the producers how much I loved to sing... and apparently I sang my solo from my school spring concert right then and there!"
It was just a day later that Solt's mom got the call that she'd been cast in the role.
"I was absolutely over the moon... we all were! The very next day, my mom and I packed up and headed to Wilmington, where we spent roughly three weeks filming the final two episodes."
Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Lilly (Kristen Solt) in the two-part series finale of "Dawson's Creek"
Netflix
On screen, Lilly is a sweet little girl interested in her older brother's love of film. Working so much with Van Der Beek during those three weeks was "such a special experience and one I’ll always be grateful for."
"For three weeks in 2003, I had a big brother," she shares, "James was simply the best TV big brother I could have ever asked for."
The first scene the pair worked on together was the opening scene in the penultimate episode, where Lilly runs down the Leery house's stairs and gives Dawson a hug, telling him, "I just got Annie Hall on DVD!" and inviting him to watch it.
"We filmed that one scene probably upwards of 20 times. That meant I got to run down the stairs and hug James upwards of 20 times! When that scene wrapped filming, and we were walking around on set later that day, I saw James from a distance and ran up to him and gave him another great, big hug."
Kristen Solt and James Van Der Beek as Lilly and Dawson on "Dawson's Creek"
Netflix
Van Der Beek took time to get to know his young co-star. Holt recalls, "In between takes during our few scenes together, he would ask me questions and chat with me. He made me feel comfortable and at ease during those long filming days."
One of the pair's most beloved scenes is a deleted scene, where Dawson and Lilly watch Harold & Maude together and Lilly asks Dawson, "What's a soulmate?"
"Well, it's like a best friend, but more. It's the one person in the world that knows you better than anyone else. It's someone who makes you a better person. Actually, they don't make you a better person, you do that yourself because they inspire you. A soul mate is someone who you carry with you forever. It's the one person who knew you and accepted you and believed in you before anyone else did or when no one else would. And no matter what happens, you'll always love her. Nothing can ever change that. Make sense?" he replies.
The scene has gone viral many times over the years, paired with videos of proposals, weddings and other sentimental moments. Seeing it pop up has meant a lot to Solt.
"I am honestly not surprised in the slightest that our audio continues to go viral. I think it is one of the most beautiful quotes from any television show as it perfectly captures that deep, once-in-a-lifetime kind of connection. A soulmate isn’t someone who fixes you — they awaken something in you that was already there," she shares.
"I have seen people use that audio over proposal videos, wedding videos, videos of people with their pets, best friends, you name it. It means so much to so many people, and it means the world to me still to this day, years later. I remember filming that scene with James like it was yesterday."
In fact, the scene was a catalyst for reconnecting the two when Solt used "the power of social media" to get Van Der Beek's attention during one of the times the sound was going viral.
"James saw a few of the videos I made in 2021 when I said I was 'trying to get his attention.' He commented on one of my videos, saying, 'OMG...I thought people on TV just stayed that age forever! How are you? You grew up!' " she recalls.
"The conversations were brief, as it all happened over TikTok videos and in the comment section. He commented back on another video I made where I shared our 'What’s a soulmate' scene saying, 'I’m surprised you got any popcorn with me around... I would have eaten it all too.' I wish we could have chatted more, but those summer days via TikTok were the last times we connected."
Solt continued acting throughout high school and college, pursuing a career in corporate event planning in the years since. She still treasures those three weeks in Wilmington as one of the most special periods in her life so far.
James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery in series finale of "Dawson's Creek"
Sony Pictures Television
"Even though my time on the show was brief and many years ago, it’s impossible not to feel connected to something and someone who was part of such a special chapter in your life. Our 'What’s a soulmate' scene will always exist, but it’s the feeling behind it and the comfort it gave people that I’ll carry with me," Solt says.
"Being part of a show that holds such a special place in people’s hearts is incredibly humbling. Even though my role was small, I got to contribute to something that became meaningful to so many people. It’s special to know that something you were part of helped shape memories, offered comfort and made people feel understood."
She concludes, "James was part of moments that made people feel seen, understood and less alone. What I’ll hold onto is the kindness and sincerity he brought to his work and how that translated onto the screen."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
