General Hospital
Eva LaRue Reflects Back on Her Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Homophobic Natalia Rogers-Ramirez (Exclusive)
The harrowing real-life story of soap vet Eva LaRue (ex-Maria, AMC, ex-Celeste, Y&R and ex-Natalia, GH) and her daughter, Kaya McKenna Callahan is currently streaming on Paramount+ in the two-part documentary, My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story.
It details the 12-years of terror the mother/daughter experienced through letters and threats from an unknown faceless stalker, who went by the name of “Freddy Krueger” until the case was solved with innovative DNA and forensic genealogy and technology.
LaRue was the very special guest on the Monday, December 1st livestream on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, where she not only discussed opening up and telling never-before-known inside details of her stalker experience, and how it has affected her and daughter for life, but she also spoke on her most controversial and most recent soap role of Natalia Rogers-Ramirez on General Hospital.
Photo: ABC
In a run that started back in February of 2024, Eva was introduced on the ABC daytime drama series as the disapproving and homophobic mother to her daughter, Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez), who at that time was in a relationship with Kristina Corinthos-Davis (Kate Mansi). As the months went on, LaRue’s Natalia Rogers-Ramirez ended up with no redeeming qualities, especially after we later learned she also had a gay son, Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) with her ex-husband, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota)!
However, by the end of June of 2025, it was bye, bye, Natalia where after a flatlined potential romance with Sonny (Maurice Benard), and him sending her packing out of the country, she overdoses on pills and booze and dies. Thus, ending the run to one of GH’s most unpopular characters.
Eva opened up about how much she knew of Natalia’s backstory when taking on the role and when she first learned that her character was homophobic and bigoted. “I had no idea when I took the role, to be honest,” shared LaRue. “I will never forget that day when I got that script. I will never forget begging on set, ‘Please don’t make me say it as written. I cannot even say these words.” Every part of my body is like I’m being stabbed to death, having to say these horrifying, hateful words. I did not know going in that my character was going to be such a horrible homophobe and that they double and tripled down on it.”
Photo: ABC
The actress who was so beloved as Dr. Maria Santos on All My Children and as CSI: Miami’s Natalia Boa Vista, knew the viewers were not happy with GH’s Natalia. “Everybody hated my character. It was tough, because I was coming from playing Maria Santos, who was a pretty beloved character, and then went to The Young and the Restless, and even though my character was a pain, a Latina busy body mom, I don’t think she was vilified, but this character on GH was vilified,” remarked LaRue. “This was the first time that there was just no redeeming moral compass (for a character I’ve played). She was just morally and ethically bankrupt.”
Looking back several months later, LaRue took stock of how the character of Natalia just tanked with the fans. “I was only supposed to be there (at GH) for three months, but I think what happened was we had a changeover in writers. When the new writers came on and I think they thought, “Since we have her, maybe we can redeem her. We’ll keep her on a little longer. There is some chemistry with her and Maurice Benard (Sonny), so let’s see what we can do with that.” But, they never saved the character. I think maybe they were leaning into that Sonny’s not a good guy necessarily and Natalia is not a good girl necessarily. Maybe it’s a perfect fit, but then when that didn’t work, and the audience was definitely not for us being together, then they cut bait. It was time to go.”
However, LaRue loved working with her GH TV family and especially had high praise when Adrian Anchondo as Marco came upon his dead mother in the hospital. “Oh, I loved working with Adrian. He was awesome. He really was. He was so good and Jacqueline Grace Lopez, she was a little angel. She was such a sweetheart. I loved my kids on the show, and I loved working with Natalia’s ex-husband, Carlo Rota. His character was horrible and fantastic. Carlo is such a great guy to work opposite, and at one point I thought, “If I’m going to be a ‘bad guy’ anyway, have me hook up with my ex-husband and be like this horrible duo!”
Photo: Paramount+
Eva remembered the moment she found out it was curtain for Natalia, who from all accounts as of now, took an accidental overdose of booze and pills which ultimately ended her life. “I knew it was going to be winding down. I could see it for a few months leading up to it. I said, ‘Just give me a little warning.’ But, I actually ended up opening a script and seeing it. However, they wrote some really great, juicy, tender and delicious final scenes for me. So, I was very happy about that an actress, and very thankful for the material.”
Since exiting GH, and over the last few months, LaRue has been extremely busy promoting her riveting two-part documentary in which she was also one of its executive producers. During the livestream, Eva teased that she will be continuing to work behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera, “I’m creating a scripted version of ‘My Nightmare Stalker’ that I am co-executive producing. So, it’s a nice new chapter, a new way of being creative. And of course, I don’t want to give up the acting, because I love that.”
Check out the Michael Fairman Channels enlightening full livestream chat with Eva LaRue below.
Now let us know, do you feel there would have been anyway for GH to come back from making Natalia homophobic, given the things she said, the kind of mother she was to her children, and then her ultimate drug and booze induced downfall? Would you like to see Eva back on the soaps, perhaps on Beyond the Gates, Days of our Lives or The Bold and the Beautiful in a new role? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I love seeing Eva LaRue on my television screen. She belongs on daytime. I always thought her (all too brief) turn on Y&R would save the Rosales family story but alas, that was not meant to be. I would welcome her back as another character in a heartbeat.
I love Eva and would like to see her in another soap or TV series. She is talented, pretty and seems very nice.
I was not one of those fans that hated the character, and actually thought she was redeemable but I guess I’m in the minority there. I actually hope she does come back to. GH maybe as Maria, I was a AMC fan but if we keep waiting for amc to be revived then we are all gonna be waiting forever, plus ABC owns the rights to the show/character, just bring her on, Maria is a Doctor after all.
Let’s get some GH legacy characters storylines before we bring over characters from defunct soaps.
Yeah. Not sure why Eva La Rue is getting so much publicity. She’s an okay actress but not good enough to rise above the bad writing afforded to Natalia.
I had no problem with Natalia. I couldn’t understand all the hate especially as she softened toward the end. She represents a viewpoint of many in the audience I’m sure.
Just how did she soften? She didn’t really accept her son. Judging by public acceptance of marriage equality, I would use caution saying “many” in the audience.
GH writers should turn Natalie into a verb. Definition: making a character so one-dimensional and unlikable that the viewers are rooting for their death. (characters, not actors). Used in a sentence: We’ve Natalied Drew Cain.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!
In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?
Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!
Courtesy/ABC
FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS
The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!
Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?
Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.
Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’
In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.
The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.
Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”
Photo: CDuellIG
SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL
Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.
The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.
In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”
So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
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Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
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Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
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