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BOMBSHELL REPORT: Michelle Stafford Leaving The Young and the Restless!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Breaking news and report today from E! Online has that a source close to The Young and the Restless has revealed that after 16 years, two-time Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite Michelle Stafford is exiting the series as Phyllis!

In the news item it stated, “Stafford’s exit follows the recent passing of beloved Young and the Restless star Jeanne Cooper, whom the show will pay tribute to with a special on Tuesday, May 28.”

Stafford began playing fan favorite Phyllis Summers on The Young and the Restless when she joined the show in 1994. She left in 1997 before returning in 2000. (Her role was taken over by Sandra Nelson.)

On-Air On-Soaps just posted our recent interview with Michelle Stafford last night on her 10th Daytime Emmy nomination, where this year she is one of the four actresses in the running for the Outstanding Lead Actress category.

We will have more on the story as developments warrants!  What do you think of the shocking news that Michelle Stafford is leaving Genoa City and Y&R? Weigh-in!

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It’s horrible!! She belongs with y&r! I’m really crying over this. She’s such an amazing actress and totally doesn’t deserve this. Hopefully she will get another acting job real soon. She’s way to good to not act. Wish het all the best ❤

Crying, really?

I happen to like Michelle very much, so it makes me sad that she might be leaving. I’m not ashamed to admit it.

HORAYYYYY

Phyllis will die after falling down the steps after Sharon grabs the cell phone from her hand. Daniel will come back for the funeral…. this new director is really messing with the show – turning into one of the “sucky” ones. Let’s be honest day time drama is what it is…at least Y&R has been consistent with earning awards. JFP is bad for Y&R. MS portrayal of Phyllis’ gave one more bang for the daytime buck…too bad. Good Luck

JFP

yup

I agree… she ruins every show she works on…

This is exactly why true GH fans were breathing so when she got the boot. She talks a good game but the saying is actions speak louder than words. If she does indeed leave, a huge hole will forever be in the halls of YR.

Guys, we DON’T KNOW if it’s JFP that’s behind this. MS probably decided to leave on her own terms!

Sad she is leaving. The loss of Jeanne Cooper was devastating. I hope the show can survive but I am having my doubts. 🙁

This is just rumor……She hasn’t said that she is leaving yet

Really? Is Y&R just two characters to you?

Please let this be a bad rumor. I love Phyllis.

I’m so sad to see Michelle Stafford depart Y&R, especially after the re-pairing with her and Jack. Horrible loss to the series. I’ll miss her deeply!

The new “Allen Quartmaine”……….JFP.

I don’t like all the changes they are doing with the people and now she is leaving. Hope the show can survive!

I am ticked off…..Michelle is Phylllis in all her glory. She is such a layered character and Michelle plays every beat of Phyllis’s personality to perfection. I don’t want to see them recast and I don’t want to see her go. Unless, she winds up on GH going toe to toe with Finola, Nancy and Laura!! That’d be awesome!! Best of Luck Michelle, I miss you already!

she’s a big chunk of why Y&R has endured. what with Jeanne Cooper… these two powerhouses…. heck, can even through in Jill…. is she MIA?

this is a lot of Woman missing from the Canvas.

SO HOPE THIS IS JUST A RUMOR!!

Is this why Summer’s paternity is suddenly being questioned?

If this is the storyline for Phyllis’s exit? Michelle Stafford will kill it in the potential story line coming up.

Michelle Stafford is an awesome actress, even though I can’t stand Phyllis. About time someone gets the best of Phyllis.

Good luck with future projects. Michelle..

Don’t want her to leave! Will her character be replaced or killed off? Will miss her, she is a great actress!! 🙁

Rumor around town is the she and JFP didn’t get along. Hope some of the other actors don’t follow suit.

shocking right? She is a huge part of Y&R!

JFP want’s all her Hollywood Heights crew on the Y&R. MS won’t be the last . All the vets will follow till they are all gone. Since JFP took over , the newbies are now front and center and it’s ruining our show. Just look at the ratings. Viewers are leaving in droves. As soon as Michelle has her last episode , they’ve lost another viewer in me. I am devastated!

Kelly, you had better hold on, this is just the tip and this is JFP. I do not follow YR as I previously did, once again, JFP, but there are what two ex GH on board, it will be shocking when more appear on Geneo City, She her few favs and look out everyone else.

Its producers like jfp who is killing the soap genre!

I am so sad she is leaving!! She is great on the show. She has a great personality.

Maybe I will miss her when she is gone. But right now I am glad. She is just way to over the top. And always seems to be over acting. Hope this isn’t a ploy to get more money or screen time.. Maybe now they can bring back Drucilla.

Agree. And as much as some viewers feel offended when others call her manly, as Phyllis she chooses to act in that way and this plays up any masculine physical features…it’s a turnoff.

If she leaves I hope the door is left open for her to come back and they don’t replace her. Like or hate Phyllis, Michelle plays her to a tee and no one can fill her shoes.

Well , I’m done then! MS is the best actor on the show , what is wrong with CBS have they lost their minds? More will follow , watch. They are going to get rid of all the vets for Avery , Dylan , and Chelsea. They are tanking the show for these newbies that no on give a rat’s azz about. What a bunch of fools. Sharon Case , Josh Morrow , and others will be following before the year is out. Anyone middle aged or over is toast. I can’t believe CBS is allowing this BS

I hate the character but love the actress…I can’t believe all these actors wanting to leave these soaps….being an actor no matter how good has no guarantees that you’ll find a job right away if at all….Michael why is she leaving?…& with the death of Jeanne Cooper recently ….what a huge void there will be on Y&R…

Very sad news and shocking. has michelle been fired or is she leaving the show. I’m very sad and angry. jill phafpharren phelps must be responsible for this. she is a trouble maker and a witch.

I agree with your comment jeff. Jill pharren phelps needs to be fired. what a witch she is indeed.

What!!!?? Why?? The CBS daytime casting department are out of their minds!!!! Michelle Stafford is an outstanding actress! She is irreplaceable and I for one will be sorry to see her go. So much that I may stop watching the Y&R and I have been a daily viewer for 25 years! I thought the show was called the Young and the Restless…not Hollywood Heights! This casting decision is terrible and if it was a contract issue FIX IT NOW or the Y&R will go into the toilet. Get rid of the newbies…

I guess I’ll have to start going back to the supermarket to get my ham now.

LOL! Exactly! MS is a terrible actor. But I think this is bad news for the show. Lots of folks DID like her, and with all the other changes this won’t help.

The REAL problem with the show is Jill Farret Fathead. SHE should be the one exiting. MAB was bad but she’s worse.

Phyllis could be backburnered – Farrett Fathead should be fired.

Omg, who was behind this? Ugh I don’t care for the new writer JP, she like totally blows. I keep hearing that she’s bringing all these new actors to the show and they are horrible. The new Kyle looks like a child by William Dafoe and I wish they would just let go of Kevin/Chloe and Abby ugh! Michelle Stafford is a gem and following behind her is like following behind Superman! Wherever she goes I will surely follow. wah!

Jill Farren Phelps strikes again!

I wonder if this is in response to the Nick/Avery storyline? I know I wasn’t happy. Yes, Phyllis is a very complicated character but she was basically thrown out Nicks life so fast….and in her place was her sister! The new head writer has gone to the press countless times saying how much he loves Avery…with Nick…they lured Steve Burton to play Avery’s ex. Whole scenes were of Avery cooking…for Nick! Also, didn’t like that Nick pretty much is always on his high horse. I wish her well and whatever show, primetime or daytime, is lucky enough to get Stafford on its roster…I’ll be watching! I agree that JFP is NOT a shows best friend.

I hope this isn’t true! But, the way they have written Phyllis lately, I wouldn’t be surprised. Stafford is a leading lady and not a background player, which she has been for the past few months. I like the changes Y&R has made, but you have to play the vets (I hate that word) and blend them in with the new folks. If JFP doesn’t do everything possible to keep Stafford, then she is a fool! I like Jessica Collins, but she doesn’t make the show. Burton is good on Y&R, but he does not make the show. Play the history of the show and bring it forward.

will miss her

This is sad news. I am a MS fan and it is no surprise that with the stupid Avery & Navery show that this is happening. I am so disappointed in CBS & Sony for allowing JG & JFP to put her on the back burner. And to have brought up Summers paternity as a s/l just proves these writers don’t know sh–. I wish MS good luck she is going to do well in everything that she chooses to do. This is a very sad day

Maybe that Explaines why she was Pissed at people on Twitter lastnight she said Qoute Don’t care what you think or say about me But Don’t put down my Hockey team lolol it goes on but nasty words lolol

I hope it is a rumor! I love her and her character! If she is leaving… I hope it is because seh has a great opportunity!!! Will miss MIchelle!!!

Michelle stafford is a wonderful actress. Rumors i heard is she had enough of jill pharren phelps. i don’t think michelle was fired. but who knows. I’m going to miss her as phyllis. maybe michelle wants more money. give it to her. cbs will regret it. Rumor is they might recast with robin christopher ex skye gh all my children.

Here we go again! Contracts discussed on social media! Gosh people give it a rest! If she leaves what is she leaving the Steve Burton Show. I say go for it MS their are tons of avenues to explore!

Frankly for me JFP killed Y&R.
Bringing on her friends was a mistake.
Burton is dull as dishwater. Too many new characters all at once and the outster of stellar actors made me an ex viewer.

I have no doubt that unless CBS outs JFP and brings back those MS Phelps cast aside. Unless Burton is tossed and the stories of JFP aborted there is no longer a future for this now dying program.

One more note JFP seems to dispise the finer actors. She went after the superb Stephen Nichols twice, Genie Francis, and just about every over 40 female she could get away with tossing.

Im no fan of the current fare which I have now erased from my reprogrammed DVR. The Avery Dylan hour deserves no applause but much disdain.

.I like Michelle and I would hate to see her leave.She is a wonderful actress and I love the role of Phyliss

Nooooooo!!!! I love her and cannot imagine another actress in the role 🙁

Not a Phyllis fan, but Stafford is a good actress and this show just took a massive hit with Jeanne Cooper’s passing. Sounds like all is not well over at CBS Daytime…

WHAT?!?!!!

I don’t think she is going anywhere. If your really watching the show the next step is gonna be coming out where Nic is not Summers dad Jack is.. This will be the next storyline……If ppl remember Nic knows hes not the father and hid it from Phylis.

I hope it turns out to be untrue, I love her and Phyllis, they betetr not recast the part.

Say it ain’t so

Please do not Michelle go,because she is the best. We lost Jeanne Cooper,we don’t want to lose Phyliss.I really enjoy her work. Things really changing on the show and I fell there are mistakes that should not be.

when genie francis was let go i tuned out,,but 2 weeks ago i decided to watch afew eppys…have to say this show is on its way out , there was not one storyline going on that would make me tune in for a second week…r,i,p, jeanne cooper…and for all of you who love this show you better start the petition to keep michelle if these rumors are true…because with her gone,,so will be the soap opera the young and the restless..id give it a year untill cancellation…

Omg, this cant be. this makes me so sad.

So sad!! Only reason why I watch the show. Now we gonna be stuck with Boring Avery !! FML!! I am so sick of watching her bake all day. Boring!! Y&R have lost there mind!!!

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM GOING TO FREAK OUT IF THE STAFFORD IS GONE!! She is one of the main reasons I watch, and am continually entertained. She is a HUGE part of the GC canvas and it would be a tremendous loss, not just to the fans, but to the show itself. PLEASE let this be an ugly, ugly lie!!!!!

Michael is this true Why would Michelle walk out on her Friends Sony is stupid to let her go I heard General Hospital wants her hope she goes Angie and Ken should be a shame on letting her go. I pray CLB DD PB JM go to for Michelle.. what the Hell going to happen to My peter seince Michelle is going..
When she Michelle going to post on Tweet good by

I expect that she is leaving for a new project or a new show. She is such a high calibre actress that it does not surprise me at all that a prime time drama (or the like) would want her to star in their show. I am the first to criticise JFP for cast firings, but this time I expect it is Michelle’s decision to leave & am sure it is for a new adventure.

I expect NOT. MS is too old to break into different aspects of the medium. It’s an ugly truth that older women get tossed aside in this industry, and no matter how we see it, MS now fits that category.

It sucks that the industry is the way it is – but if MS is leaving, it’s NOT for any big opportunities elsewhere, other than maybe a lateral move in daytime. Even that’s unlikely considering the enemies she’s made along the way. And just think of the other actresses from other soaps and other primetime shows in her age group who barely get work now.

JFP TARGETS women over the age of 30, always has. I suspect that’s the real reason she’s leaving.

MS is NOT too old , there are plenty of actresses her age and older who work plenty. And she could easily pass for 40 or younger. She is drop dead gorgeous , and I don’t care what her age is , she can act out the who-zoo ! You have no idea why she is leaving and just speculating , doesn’t make it true. Actor bash much? Grow the hell up.

We all knew JFP would turn Y&R into the Steve Burton show. None of us thought it would happen so fast though. When JFP produced GL, Beverlee McKinsey walked. When JFP produced GH, Sarah Brown walked. I’m sensing a pattern here.

Who didn’t see this coming?

JFP and JG haven’t given Phyllis a storyline since they came on board (watching Jack ‘s 3 episode detox hardly qualifies as a story) and this Summer is Jack’s kid story is only going to further alienate the army of Nick/Phyllis fans (and what a spectacular way to kick that mess off by recasting Kyle right before launching into it — everyone knows fans loving watching strangers play out front-burner stories).

But let’s all look a the bright side: Dylan and Avery’s pet rock can go contract now.

Pet rock!!!! Hahahaha LOL!! Too funny… I totally agree!!!

Look everyone…this smears of Jill Farren big time!!!! I personally saw what this miscreant did to other blockbuster soaps like “Guiding Light”, “Another World”, “One Life to Live” and “General Hospital”. She sank those shows because her executive position goes to her head. If she doesn’t like you she will make life like hell for you on the set! Ask Genie Francis, Robin Strasser, Kim Zimmer and if the great Beverlee McKinsey were here she could tell you more. Michelle Stafford is in the league of these women and I am sure that she and Jill butted heads. Jill cannot stand strong-willed people. And as for the ratings they stink!

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