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GH's Kirsten Storms and Brandon Barash Decide To End Their Marriage

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

The real life marriage of General Hospital’s Kirsten Storms (Maxie) and Brandon Barash (Johnny) has come to an end.  The duo have decided to divorce.   According to Soap Opera Digest, the couple who said their, “I do’s” back in 2013 and share a daughter Harper Rose Barash  (age 2) have revealed they have tried to make their union work, but know that is now best to split.

Barash told SOD: “We are splitting due to the cliché irreconcilable differences, but we’re splitting amicably. We have every intention of remaining a family through this and successfully co-parenting our kid and retaining a friendship in the efforts of raising her in a healthy environment.”

Storms added:  “We went to therapy for a long time, trying to figure out how to communicate better with each other. It’s not anything that we dislike about each other…”  Barash added: “But we’ve decided that raising our daughter in two separate homes would be a healthier choice for all of us.”    The actor also summed it up by saying: “People are going to speculate because they always want to, and they always want to place blame, but it was a joint decision that we thought everyone in our family would benefit from.”

So, are you sad to hear that Kirsten and Brandon are calling it quits?  We wish the very best for Kirsten and Brandon and their daughter, Harper.   Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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oh so sad

Yes, sad to hear.

“Greenhouse” affect might apply here–don’t know, but I do think that it must be hard to sustain a marriage if it is contained narrowly; can’t seem to thrive or survive “outside” is the big, complicated, real, sometimes threatening world.

I always thought they looked like a loving happy couple. Their daughter Harper is a cutie. Is goes to show us that we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors.

Their daughter is adorable, I love when she is on the show as “Georgie.”

I think it is very sad how these marriages turn and in only 3 years. I recall how cute it was when I was at a port chuck event and Brandon was face timing Kirsten while he was performing so that she could see it. It makes me wonder if divorces happen when the new spark goes out and everyone is just left with the everyday life of juggling dual careers and family. As someone who married her best friend 25 years ago I recognize the spark changes and by each person embracing how the other changes it creates a different spark but each party has to be willing to wait it out, it is not overnight.

I’m not surprised, have met them both. She is super sweet, I didn’t feel that with him so much.

Lmao Guess it’s not just me. YOU know we usually feel the same about the same people, but didn’t see this coming at all!

I remember Brandon being engaged or either married before he met KS. I think it was Colby from AMC.

You are so right Joanne. The feelings felt in the beginning do not last, and sadly many people (especially celebs it seems) are always in search of those exciting feelings. Real love isn’t like that. Just sad for their child, but they really only married because she was pregnant so that’s hardly a good reason anyway.

I am sad to hear this but happy to hear they intend to continue to put family first and it is all amicable. Sadly sometimes it just doesn’t work to be married and they may all be happier and healthier as friends. It sounds like they really tried to make it work. I wish them all the best.

Very sad. Thought they fit so.well together.

Im sorry things didnt work out for your family. The most inportant thing is that beautiful little girl of yours knows how much the both of you love her, and i think you guys remaining friends will be the best for her. Good luck who knows you might realize while your apart what made you fall in love to begin with best of luck!!

how sad, wish them the best and if being apart means that then god bless.

Oh wow, super surprised. They always seemed so happy.

“So, are you sad to hear that Kirsten and Brandon are calling it quits?” Michael!! I would hope everyone would be sad to see a marriage end or at least certainly not be happy about it. I am surprised to hear this as they seemed pretty happy… but we never know what life is like when the camera’s are off. Hope they are able to maintain a good friendship for their daughter.

Dang…i was going to speculate-lol…sorry it didnt work out but thats life!!!

I am as heartbroken as if it were me! I never met them, but you feel like you know people especially via social media now. This is heartbreaking, but if they both are fine with it, then it is for the best. Good Luck to you both, and God Bless you all.

I’m so sad to hear this news, but it seems that both Kirsten and Brandon are being responsible, loving parents, wanting the best environment for their daughter. I give them lots of credit for doing the hard work, trying to resolve what ailed them before immediately jumping to divorce. Harper has two strong loving parents that still respect each other and only want the best for their daughter because of it.

I’ve very sad to hear this too. But you’re right with everything you said. People in social media are jumping to conclusions without reading the article, but it sounds like they went to counseling & really tried to save their marriage. They really are being mature about this for their daughter & that’s commendable. Still sad for them.

So sad I wish them the best!

This is why I always tell my friends, Never date your co stars. I mean, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are no longer together, Robert Paterson and Kristen Stewart are no longer together. And neither is Chad Duell and Kristen Alderson are no longer together.

Not co-stars but both work for CBS: Robert Adamson and Linsey Godfrey.

I don’t have co-stars so I don’t have to worry about not dating them! 🙂

Well at least David Fumero and Melissa are still going strong. 🙂

Noooooo!!!! This is so sad. They put on such a happy front. Bummer!

While I enjoy commenting on the soaps themselves, I don’t feel comfortable nor justified in commenting on the private lives of the actors. I wish them all peace and happiness.

Well said.

right on bro- sad and private time for them to work out themselves and wish them best and their kid too. God Bless. Free Johnny Z.

I met them right before Kirsten got pregnant they were so down to earth lovely funny both great people. Im so sad wow

Yeah ,her and Ryan Peavy looked too comfortable in those park scenes! I wonder if that means the end of Johnny Z!

Wow Timmm, I’m surprised Michael ok-ed your post. I made a similar post about another couple and he edited my comment, lol. I think Kirsten is a good actress, though, & can pull off that kind of chemistry w/ just about anyone in scenes.

She has IT! I didnt like her years ago because she was always turning things upside down in OTHER peoples lives on GH but she has matured and she clicks with EVERYONE!

Same here, Hayjay,
I commented by saying that it’s a double-edged sword….sort of. Sometimes staying together because of the children can be more detrimental than separating. Arguing and fighting is not a healthy environment for a child.

Oh, Timmmy….I hope this split is not over a third person?! It would be do senseless, futile and hurtful for all concerned.

I dont think either of them cheated. Maybe it was over their careers OR they want to see other people. I dont get it, they have a child, shouldnt that part be over? BUT, sadly, everyday couples divorce with children and who suffers the most? Either way, Maxie and Nathan’s bedroom scenes are about to EXPLODE!

While it is none of my business I can’t help but find it sad when a couple chooses to end a marriage after so short a time. I know there have been times in the past 28 years when either my husband or myself would have cheerfully cut the other loose, but promises were made and promises should be kept. Love changes over time and so do people.

They were a beautiful couple in print. If they can’t make things work between them in their everyday lives I feel they are doing right for their daughter. I wish them all happiness !!!

Marriage is not easy. I wish them both much future happiness and a successful co parenting experience because regardless of marital status the child will always have one mom and one dad. Good luck to all involved.

I agree with Joanne! Just celebrated our 29 th anniversary and if we hadn’t grown together, we would have grown apart. But as a mother who watched one of her sons go through a divorce, I also know some things cannot be overcome. Good luck to both of them and hopefully Harper will be a well adjusted happy young lady!

You have good times you have bad times marriage is work you don’t just one minute decide well I can’t do the homework I love my husband some days want to kick his behind others its called work please for all is holy it’s not better that you raise that child alone get you stuff together

Celebrities and TV stars seem to divorce without giving things a real try. I guess it’s because it’s very easy for them to move on to someone else and the grass is always greener. Once the initial spark is gone, it’s hard for them to stick it out.

Storms added: “We went to therapy for a long time, trying to figure out how to communicate better with each other.

that ^^^ is a ”real try” …

” We have every intention of remaining a family through this and successfully co-parenting our kid and retaining a friendship in the efforts of raising her in a healthy environment.”

that ^^^ is ”sticking it out”

🙂

Did you read the article? It said they went to therapy for a long time. They’ve been trying.

So sad to hear this….

He deserves better than her.

Hi Michael…they were supposed to be doing an east coast event this coming weekend. Are they cancelling or will both be there?

In the SID article, Brandon specifically mentions the event, specifically says that they will both be there and are looking forward to it – and since now this is in the open, there will be no awkwardness. If you are going, please give them hugs for us!

i just read about brandon and kristen how sad they always seemed to be the best couple in soap land i am glad they are going to put harper rose first it is as it should be maybe someday they will find their way back to each other if it is meANT to be

I feel awful for them. My husband and I just celebrated our 35th anniversary two days ago. If we have stopped trying when things got “irreconcilable” we wouldn’t have made it 5 years. It’s a full time job.

True!

I do too. Congratulations on 35 years though, that is wonderful.

Thank you!

im sorry to hear , they are separating. . i hope they can work things out . i have been married to my husband for 25 years. we work at it. notthing is easy.

Brandon is so cute. Hope to see him back on GH!

Me to. I hope they put their differences aside like Jack and Kristina Wagner. Johnny Z is a must! I would like to see Nicholas hire him as his bodyguard.

This is very sad news to hear …. the breakup of a loving family. Barash’s statement sounds like he may be a little immature?

Hi Abruzzfan…I didn’t think Barash sounded immature. He came off to me as not wanting to reveal anything too personal, yet at the same time he emphasized what would be better in the long run for their daughter. Conversely, I felt Kristen gave too much info…neither one owes the viewers any explanation and their communication problems, therapy etc isn’t something we need to know. It’s interesting to know, but I feel like it’s an invasion of their privacy…even though she offered the details. It must be so strange to have to explain your life to so many people.

Either way, their split really took me by surprise!

Rebecca,

I agree with your insightful post. We as fans don’t get to judge their lives & actions. Actually as people, we shouldn’t ever judge others, but it seems like it’s human nature to do so.

I can’t imagine living in the fish bowl that is celebrity, but I think they’re doing the right thing with how much they’re saying, and more importantly, what they’re doing for their daughter.

Sooo sad to hear this!! 🙁 Truly just so sad and heartbroken. Love them both so much. I will be praying for them both…

I feel sad for them–I met Ms Storm a couple of months ago and she is sweet—and their baby is a cutie—but we all don’t know what happened and really its not our business–if they just can be nice to each other for the sake of their child then BRAVO to them–I hope the gossip hounds and the fans will give them their space

This is my opinion but I am open for miracles BUT is it possible for ANY girl to change a guy? NO! Ladies, what you see from day one is what you see when those ashes turn to dust! Same with guys, you meet a girl, something you dont like, MOVE ON!

Here is my advice. When you meet that someone special, we all fall for their looks and maybe what they do for a living or the car they drive or where they live BUT, look for their quirks, focus on what bothers you or seems odd, ask yourself, is this a deal breaker, can I deal with this every morning, noon and night? Is it cute now but will eventually drive me crazy? Look past the abs and the mega smile, is this the right person for me 24-7-365? If you have ANY doubt, RUN! Dont ruin TWO lives and possibly any kids lives to!

Well said, Timmm!!!!!

What you said is so true. Although the initial attraction may be powerful, it does wear off, and cracks show, like you said. You have to be mature enough to look for them & be honest as to whether or not you can live with them.

The other important “life lesson” here is to not jump into marriage so fast. Get to know them well before taking that step. Let the honeymoon phase change into a different kind of enduring love. The immature will think that they’ve fallen out of love. The mature ones know that love will last a lifetime.

Its used to be taboo to live together before marriage but why now? Whether a couple lives together or not they are going to end up doing the same things together “Romantically!” Move in, see how your lover looks in the morning, acts and what he or she does with their dirty laundry! Make sure you KNOW the person you want to spend the rest of your life with!

Wow…I’m sad for their little girl but sometimes things just don’t work out.

Hi Hazel. You’re so right about human nature. Not one of our collective better qualities.

It’s interesting how some in the public eye manage to keep their privacy intact. I think because soap actors are so much in the viewer’s everyday life they’re under more pressure to offer a tidbit…

Thank you for your reply. By the way…Hazel’s a cute not-too-often heard name!

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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