General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Favorite Kirsten Storms Breaks Silence with New Update on Her Life While Maxie Remains MIA
Longtime General Hospital star, Kirsten Storms, provided her first update on Sunday in over a month via Instagram. Storms took a moment to talk about the shifting and refocusing of her priorities, looking back on how she started her acting career at a very young age, and sharing the she is having an ongoing situation and disagreement with her ex-husband Brandon Barash, but she is looking forward to eventually resolving it. In addition, Kirsten showed off her brand new hair do and hair color.
It was back in June 2o26, when Storms explained, that given everything that has been happening in her personal life, plus the ongoing issues she says she has experienced with her apartment break-in and having her home computer network hacked, that she was not comfortable returning to Los Angeles and back to work at General Hospital. As previously reported in April, Brandon Barash had filed a restraining order against Storms.
Now on July 19, Storm explained the latest in her life. She began, “Despite everything that’s been going on in my life right now (…and I will be honest, it’s more than upsetting) – I still feel that the move to Tennessee was the best choice for me. I might not be at the *best part* of this choice yet, but LA never felt like my real home.”
Photo: JPI
FROM CHILD STAR TO THE ROLE OF MAXIE JONES
As a child actress, Storms started working and booked commercials and eventually primetime roles which eventually led to her leading role in 1998 on Disney Channel’s Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century and more, Eventually Storms started her soap career onDays of Our Lives as Belle Black before coming to GH as Maxie. She expressed in her new post, how since working as a child performer, acting was all she had known for most of her life.
“I’m grateful and really f*ing proud of the accomplishments I’ve achieved during my acting career, however my career started before I was out of elementary school. I spent years working nonstop and feeling envious of anyone who lived in “the real world”. **I DO NOT MEAN FOR THAT TO BE OFFENSIVE** My life in California (and work there) was chosen for me at a young age. Have I been lucky to maintain employment in this industry, since my parents relocated us from Florida – with the sole intention that I become an actor? Hell yes. I’m proud of myself for handling the majority of that on my own…but that life became the ONLY thing I knew how to do. Or thought I was capable of.”
MOTHERHOOD AND HEALTH
Kirsten then wrote on how becoming a mother to her daughter, Harper, in 2014 has changed her perspective in life. “Then I had Harper, and how I viewed every single thing in life shifted,” continued Storms. “I swear I’m not going to continue to bring up my medical situation (I’ll make jokes and it will be awkward), but until I began to understand how precious time is and how what we prioritize becomes ALL we have, there was never a thought that my life would ever change. Definitely not in the way I’ve always wanted it to.”
Photo: KStormsIG
ASKING TO KEEP COMMENTS SUPPORTIVE
As to her ongoing issues over daughter, Harper with her ex-husband, Brandon Barash, Storms mentioned, “I will briefly acknowledge that there is an ongoing situation with Brandon that will be getting sorted out (soon hopefully). I would appreciate (and encourage) for people on here not to worry about me, or think there is something larger going on, other than 2 ex-spouses dealing with a “disagreement”, that WILL be resolved. I’m not the type of person to come on here and discuss the details of something this personal (or offensive to who I am), however before you guys starting commenting on this, please remember that we are people who are divorced and have a child. I appreciate the supportive comments, but now that my daughter is of the age where she will Google her name while riding the bus to school, I’m asking that the speculation on this issue please stop. ”
She concluded her post noting her hair color and do shown in the selfie accompanying the post, “Also, yes I have black hair and bangs. I’m kinda dig.”
Photo: ABC
MAXIE’S BRIEF RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
Kirsten last returned on-screen on February 12, 2026 episode of General Hospital, after Maxie woke up from a coma at a longterm coma care facility in Boston. The coma story gave Storms her hiatus from the soap opera to move to Tennessee from Los Angeles, and allowed her to come back.
When Maxie woke up, not only was she faced with being away from her children for so long, but that her presumed dead husband, Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) was alive and well (even though he turned out to be his twin Cassius Faison.) As those story beats played out, Maxie chose to stay with Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) and “Nathan” began seeing Maxie’s bestie, Lulu (Alexa Havins). Kirsten only made appearances on the soap for a month before exiting again on the March 13, 2026 episode.
You can view Kirsten’s full post and message below.
So, are you happy to hear from Kirsten and how she is refocusing her life right now, and for her daughter, Harper? It would appear Storms will not be on General Hospital anytime in the near future from this post, but we continue to wish nothing but the best for Kirsten. Let us know you thoughts in the comment section.
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I wish her all the best but they needed to recast her months ago. Her absence has been a detriment to the storytelling. It’s so bad that Cody had to tell James that his uncle was impersonating his father. I’m old enough to remember when Maxie gave her mother the what for at Georgie’s funeral due to her being an absentee mother. Now Maxie is doing the same without rhyme or reason.
With faux Nathan being unmasked, the trauma that caused James and the Deception troubles from being associated with Sidwell, Maxie and Spinelli are desperately needed in Port Charles. TPTB should hire a temporary fill in until Kristen is ready to return to work. I wish Kristen great success in resolving her life issues.
Just recast Maxie with a more competent and confident actor. No shade but if you recast a Drew then a Maxie shouldn’t be an issue.
Recasting Drew probably isn’t the best example. The original Drew was himself a character made up on the spot to salvage a recast which probably shouldn’t have happened. And when Billy Miller left the show in an attempt to find a prime time career, that should have been the end of Drew.
He wasn’t really missed that much. And that’s before the character became a complete asshat.
As far as a Maxie recast goes? Yeah. As long as they can find the right one. As in the third Molly recast, not the two horrible attempts they made before that. They got lucky with the new Mikey right out of the gate. So it’s not impossible.
I enjoy Kirsten as Maxie. I never knew she’s been on TV since childhood. Keeping her and her loved ones in my prayers. Wishing a great outcome for all and wishing them all the best.
Please. So tired of the continuous updates! Everyone wishes her well but they should have recasted Maxie a few years ago. They gave her a coma to buy her some time, and when she finally comes back, she leaves again. It’s nice that TPTB are being extra considerate, however, this special treatment is hurting storylines and eroding character development. In fact, I would say that all the storylines related to Maxie are idiotic at best. This is an example of absurdly bad management. Recast now!
Aren’t you just a ray of sunshine
More like a gloomy cloud.
Some people don’t know the meaning of it. It’s just a soap opera. She doubled down on this rant, which makes it even worse.
As Kirsten appears ready to move on, so should we, the viewers, do as well.
Bring in someone for a few weeks to play Maxie. During that time, have Maxie sell her shares in Deception. Maxie also is shown dealing with the Cassius aftermath. The character can then live on off screen or move out of PC with Spinelli landing an outstanding new job.
Kirsten- live the rest of your life in peace and out of the spotlight. Thank you for your decades of entertaining us. We are now all moving on.
I think Frank Valentini likes to accommodate his actors and that’s a fine thing. But, eventually you have to look at the big picture. How does this affect the show? She paints the picture that there’s a great possibility she isn’t coming back. The character is important to the canvas, so replacing her is valid option.
He does not accommodate he enables he knows who they are and the issues they are having. Bill Bell knew the trouble JC was in he told her sober up or your gone she talked about it in her book and it worked she went on to continue a great character etc.
I love Kirsten ever she played Belle on DAYS but this is dragging on. This isnt like recasting Sonny to where it would just be impossible, we wish her well but there are many talented actresses who could olay Maxie!
My life doesn’t revolve around what happens with fictional characters so I will wish her well.
Baby, bye, bye, bye!!!
God forbid someone shows empathy on here.
with her current situation, either get someone to fill in till she comes back or just have the character move and help james deal with the Cassious fall out, her being away on vaca w/ spinelli and georgi and having poor cody have to break the news to james was not convincing especially since Felicia and Mac were able to come back from France no less while maxie was just somewhere in the U.S. GH is gonna have to do something soon plain and simple.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Tina; Alley Mills Weighs-In on Her Comeback
The Friday, October 30 episode of General Hospital came to a conclusion with a one-two cliffhanger. The first, as Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) finished rehearsing their song at the Cats Eye Lounge, a woman’s feet where seen entering the club.
When the camera panned up it revealed a well-dressed Heather Webber (Alley Mills) applauding and yelling “bravo!” at the two young performers, but with Trina absolutely shocked to see her!
While General Hospital fans knew two-time Daytime Emmy winner was rejoining the show as the supposed reformed “Hook” killer (after cobalt poisoning due to her hip surgery played with her mind), what is Heather’s ‘state of mind’ now?
Courtesy/ABC
For months, GH has been teeing up the mystery of who is stalking Trina, with someone adding clippings of Trina to their “obsession” board.
Many viewers have felt that it will wind up being Heather who is seeking revenge on Trina, since Heather’s daughter Esme Prince (Avery Pohl) went overboard a boat and into the Siene in France, and is believed to be dead, after Spencer (last played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez) saved Trina from her.
Speaking with TV Insider about her GH return this fall, Alley Mills shared on her first scenes back: “That was so fun because I love working with Tab, but I’ve never worked with the other kids before. I’ve seen them on TV, but I have never met them before, and they’re really talented, and they definitely got in Heather’s face. And the blessed Shawn Reeves, the wonderful costumer, put me in this fabulous outfit.”
Photo: ABC
With Heather soon to mix-up with the residents of Port Charles, Mills added that Heather now has some wealth to boot! “It’s been an uphill battle, and she just hopes that people will understand and forgive her,” explains Mills. “But with the wonderful voice of Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte (co-head writers, GH and this year’s Daytime Emmy winners for Outstanding Writing in a Daytime Drama), she just has so much spunk.”
Mills added, “I love the way they write her (Heather). She doesn’t really have a ton of boundaries and social awareness and softness. But she just won’t let people get her down. She’s like one of those dolls outside the gas station. You throw them down, and they pop back up. I feel like Heather is kind of like that now, but in Gucci.”
So, were you stunned to see Heather Webber dressed quite elegantly and showing up at the Cat’s Eye Lounge? Do you think that now more than ever Heather is Trina’s stalker? Let us know via the comment section. But first, you can check out when Heather makes her presence now below.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards have just concluded on Friday night, October 30, and it was ABC’s General Hospital who took home the top prize for Outstanding Drama Series for the sixth time in row. Executive Producer, Frank Valentini accepted the award on behalf of the show.
Beyond the Gates scored its first two acting honors in the young history of the show. Veteran actress, Tamara Tunie won her first ever Emmy for Lead Actress a Daytime Drama Series for her performances as Anita Dupree, while Ambyr Michelle took home the gold in the Emerging Talent category.
Scott Clifton won his fourth Daytime Emmy overall, and second Lead Actor Emmy for his heart-tugging performance as Liam Spencer, who believed he was battling an inoperable brain tumor, only for it to turn out to be medical ruse to bilk Liam’s father out of $1 million dollars.
Courtesy/NATASYouTube
DECADES BETWEEN BETH MAITLAND AND ROGER HOWARTH LAST EMMY WIN
In the Supporting Actor and Actress categories, Daytime Emmy history was made with Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, The Young and the Restless) winning her second Emmy 41 years since she won her first won, and Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, The Young and the Restless) following suit for the men with his coming 32 years after he won in 1994 for One Life to Live.
Courtesy/NATASYouTube
Jeff Kober picked up his second Daytime Emmy win for his role as Cyrus Renault on General Hospital in the Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series category. He previously won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role in 2022, following a nomination in the same category in 2021.
The Kelly Clarkson Show, meanwhile, won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series it its final year, while Sherri Shepherd won for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host after finding out her talker had been canceled after four seasons.
Photo: NATAS/YouTube
THINK OF LAURA
General Hospital star Genie Francis (Laura) received the Lifetime Achievement Award and shared from the stage, “I know 50 years sounds like an awfully long time, but it doesn’t feel like that to me,” she said. “As they say, if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”
Overall, General Hospital, Beyond the Gates and The Kelly Clarkson Show received the most gold statuettes for the night with four wins apiece.
Here’s a look at the honor roll for tonight’s big winners below:
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
General Hospital
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree, Beyond the Gates)
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer, The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, The Young and the Restless)
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, The Young and the Restless)
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas, Beyond the Gates)
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
General Hospital
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jeff Kober (Cyrus Renault, General Hospital)
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing in a Daytime Drama Series
Days of our Lives
Outstanding Talk Series
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Outstanding Talk Series Host
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Costume Design/Styling for a Daytime Program
The Young and the Restless (Episode 13273)
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, The Kelly Clarkson Show
So, who were you happy to see win a Daytime Emmy on tonight’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Do you think the right show and actors took home the gold? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section. In case you missed it, you can watch the replay of tonight’s livestream of the Daytime Emmy ceremony below.
Beyond the Gates
Who Should Win Outstanding Daytime Drama at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
Tonight at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, the top prize is Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. This year four soaps are in the running, will the best show take home the gold? Now it’s your turn to let us know your pick!
Going into the night’s festivities, The Young and the Restless leads all nominations this year with 18. Meanwhile, the upstart Beyond the Gates, in its first Daytime Emmy appearance in its history received a record 15 nominations for a first time entry into the Emmy competition.
Then, there is General Hospital who could win its sixth Daytime Emmy in a row for Outstanding Daytime Drama series and its 19th overall. Will they continue the streak?
Meanwhile, Days of our Lives looks to prove just because they are on Peacock and not on network television that they continue to be relevant, especially in a year where we learned Ryan Gosling and John Oliver where big fans of the show.
To watch the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards live, you can catch it on the NATAS/Emmy official You Tube channel here beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
Now it’s your turn! Take the Michael Fairman TV poll below and then let us know in the comment section, which show you are rooting for tonight to take home the gold statuette?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Tina; Alley Mills Weighs-In on Her Comeback
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
Who Should Win Outstanding Daytime Drama at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
Who Should Win Outstanding Lead Actress at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
‘General Hospital’s Wil Traval Revealed to Be Jude Jacks; the Son of the Nefarious Jerry Jacks
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
Who Should Win Outstanding Lead Actor at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Tina; Alley Mills Weighs-In on Her Comeback
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
‘General Hospital’s Wil Traval Revealed to Be Jude Jacks; the Son of the Nefarious Jerry Jacks
‘General Hospital’s’ Nancy Lee Grahn Hosts Daytime Emmy Lead Actress Dinner Keeping the Tradition With a Twist!
Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Preview: Genie Francis Talks Historic Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Laura and Longtime Co-Star Tony Geary
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