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GH’s Giovanni Mazza Talks on Taping The Moment That Changed Everything: Gio Smashes His Violin at the Nurses’ Ball

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

In the turning point in the story of General Hospital’s Gio Palmieri and the actor and violinist who portrays him, Giovanni Mazza, viewers will never forget this gut-wrenching moment. After overhearing Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Lois (Rena Sofer) arguing, and learning he is the son of Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), Gio took to the Nurses’ Ball stage to accompany Anna (Finola Hughes) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) tango.

Only as he stood there with violin in hand and began to play, he stops as all of the betrayal, hurt and anger reaches a boiling point when he smashes his beloved violin and storms out of the ball. Getting the moment right was of utmost importance to the show and for Mazza, as this would be the defining moment that would set the tone for his first major storyline on the iconic ABC soap opera.

Speaking with Soap Opera Digest, Mazza shared that he actually did the moment in a few takes, and replie believed he had it in him to reach that boiling point on-screen. “I think I’ve been working very hard with this moment in mind. I didn’t know that I had it in me, but I’ve never experienced something like this before. I used the mix of my imagination and my own personal life and (thinking about), ‘If I was in a very specific, similar situation, what would I go through?’ And I sort of connected to that feeling of vulnerability, of the rug being pulled out from under me, and I built up all the momentum and then I just let it go, and whatever happened happened.”

Photo: ABC

However, Giovanni noted, “I pretty much built up all the momentum to go into it and then when I did it, I just completely let it go. This was one of the rare times that we got more than one take. So I talked to Frank (Valentini, executive producer) and he gave me some great adjustments on set and I sort of just took it, I built the momentum up again, and let it go again.”

Explaining how Valentini’s ‘adjustments’ informed the take that viewers saw that made it to air, Mazza added, “The first take, it was pretty much all just rage. I interpreted (Gio’s motivation) as, ‘I am going to make you feel my pain. I want everyone here to feel the pain that I’m feeling.’ And I just let it out in a very rageful, angry state, and after I smashed my violin — this is something that you didn’t see (on-air) — I let out this yell, like a (primal) scream. Frank and I talked about it, and he told me to come from more of a place of vulnerability, of the feeling that I wasn’t wanted: ‘They didn’t want me. They gave me away.’ I think the way I was playing it, it would have just been a moment. But the way that Frank guided me, with coming from that place of vulnerability and the feeling of not being wanted, that generates the story to come.”

Photo: ABC

On the day the episode aired, Mazza took to his Instagram and shared a clip from GH and stated, “Just moments after I found out who my real parents are… being lied to my whole life, missing out from my real family, the pain of my character’s past…. There’s a lot to look forward to on General Hospital. Of all days, this special episode aired on my birthday (yesterday)! My birthday wish is that everyone watches the Nurses’ Ball episodes on Hulu this weekend! Throw a watch party! Everyone in the cast&crew put so much time and energy and effort into this event! Enjoy!”

So, what did you think of the moment when Gio smashed the violin and the performance of Giovanni Mazza? Has the changed your perspective on the young actor and are you now excited to see where Gio’s story goes from here? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but first, in case you need a refresher, here’s the moment below.

 

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What bothered me the most… we never saw Anna dance the tango. Fiona Hughes is trained in classical ballet and her dance was what I was looking forward to the most during the Nurse’s ball.

Well, that might have actually been a “blessing” in disguise. (and a Devil doesn’t use that word often). Because there’s no way in the fires of Hell that Anna dancing a tango with Chase could have measured up to the classic tango with Duke Lavery back in the day.

I do agree with that 100%. And, I appreciate your use of “forbidden” words.

After a few weeks, I still think about this episode as a time where we can say “A Star Is Born.” Giovanni’s performance is one GH fans will not soon forget. I also think Gio and Emma are GH’s next supercouple. I don;t think this performance will be available to submit to Emmy voters this year, but it was something we are still talking about. Also, BLQ is knocking it out of the park. Amanda Sutton is a great actress.

Well it’s officially summer now in Port Charles so Gio’s back at the pool, as expected. But at least he’s making good use of his time there, knocking that smug piece of dragonshit Ezra into the water.

Laura’s comment to Sonny: “I like this new grandson of yours” . Yeah, he’s starting to grow on me, i’ll admit it.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom

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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.

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General Hospital

Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric

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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’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’

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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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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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