General Hospital
Kirsten Storms Clarifies How Her Extended Break From ‘General Hospital’ Differs from Chad Duell’s Exit
This week, General Hospital fans learned directly from Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones), when she posted a video message on her Instagram, that she had made the move from Los Angeles to Tennessee to be closer to her daughter, Harper with whom she shares with Brandon Barash (ex-GH, DAYS). In doing so, Kirsten is taking an extended hiatus from the ABC daytime drama series most likely till the end of the year.
Storms also shared, she already taped her last episode before her break, and that she has full intent to return to her beloved role as Maxie Jones, and has the full support of the series executive producer, Frank Valentini. In addition, Kirsten hinted at a big storyline to play out for Maxie in the interim.
After her post went live, and she received numerous comments in its threads, Storms made sure to clarify several points that fans were inquiring about. One in particular, about how when Chad Duell decided to step away from the soap in the role of Michael Corinthos, that he related that he was grateful for Frank Valentini, leaving the open for him to return down the line, However, the role of Michael was eventually recast with Rory Gibson.
Photo: ChadDuellIG
The fan had commented that Frank Valentini, “also told Chad he could return when he was ready and we see what happened just a few weeks later. I hope you return because no one else can come close to your performance as Maxie.”
Storms responded, “For the record, Chad *chose* to completely leave the show. No one at ABC gave away ‘his’ job – he told them he didn’t want it anymore when he said he wasn’t going to resign his contract. I’m still under contract and have every intention of returning when the break (I was fortunate enough to be granted) is over.”
Photo: ABC
In addition, Kirsten also shut down commentary on Valentini, expressing, “People assume they know things that have happened on set/with ‘GH’ actors because they read some anonymous blog post. Then, somehow Frank gets blamed for a fictional situation that a random person (not associated with ‘GH’) most likely made up as they were typing it. Frank does not come on social media and start throwing people under the bus to clear up these undeserved – and often incredibly mean – lies. He could absolutely throw shade at actors that made major mistakes or caused problems. Instead he works to make sure ‘General Hospital’ continues to air.”
On Monday, Storms in a very happy space explained in her message, “I’m very excited to be making Tennessee my home! I can’t wait to return to ‘GH,’ once Harper and I are settled in our new town. I plan on documenting as much of this new journey on my social media as I can. It’s always been a dream of mine to move to a place like this; it’s hard to believe it’s really happening.”
So, do you truly think there is concern that GH would not allow Kirsten to return when she has things settled in Tennessee with her personal life? When she clearly had full support from Frank Valentini and the soap? Do you think GH is about to serve up a storyline where there will be an interim Maxie, or do you suspect something else will go down that takes or keeps Maxie from interacting on the canvas? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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This is why I hate social media: people feel the need to keyboard warrior for someone they don’t even know and spew more hatred/negativity into this world.
What Scott (ATWT fan) said.
I am happy to hear these accommodations are possible at GH. I love Ms..Storms as Maxie, yes, but I can accept another actor in the role for an interim period. That is part of daytime drama. A cross-country move is a big deal. Wishing her best of luck.
If only they’d make the same accommodation for Evan Hofer( Dex). He is irreplaceable and shouldn’t be recast but he needs to come back.
Evan Hofer was fine with them killing off Dex so it’s time to sing a different tune.
That was a completely missed opportunity. Dex should have been AJ’s son and that was his reason for agreeing to take Sonny down. That would have tied him to the major family on the show and give him a purpose other than boffing Josslyn three times a week.
In retrospect, I am glad it did not play out that way. All we would have had was yet another dead Quartermaine and there have been more than enough of those in the last 20 years.
DeX came as an unknown young grifter and left the same way.
I do not have social media or want it. I can’t wait for Kristen’s return, but do not need updates, just hope she just enjoys her time away and gets everything done that she is hoping to do.
There are too many people who have this belief that they NEED to be contrary despite the fact that they know nothing and want to blame people they’ve never met. Until I saw this article, I did not equate the 2 situations (KS & CD) at all. KS made it obvious why and kudos for her for being kind enough to respond. I wish people would figure things out instead of just going to the worst case scenario
Let’s face it. A lot of soap fans can be annoying. I can only think that it’s due to the fact that they’ve watched their soaps and the characters who inhabit that soapy and dramatic terrain with its peaks and valleys, for over a decade 5 days a week. After awhile they think of them as family and not only do they become overly protective of the actors who play these characters, they feel some kind of ownership.
A decade? There are 6 decade GH fans, who have watched 5 days a week for more than 58 yrs. That would be just about 13500 episodes.
Case in point. Thank you.
Oh Harry ! It’s all pretty funny.
Whatever makes her happy and healthy I think I’ve heard enough sadness concerning daytime actors.
I hope thats accurate. Lets hear from other actors let go to hear their stories and get confirmation from Chad that this is accurate. Hope she got that in writing. I read every 12 wks they can let actors go. Is this true?
Chad made it crystal clear that he was leaving. Not taking a break. LEAVING. A simple online search will confirm that for you. Not everything is a conspiracy theory.
Newer performers are on 13-week cycles when their option may not be picked up. Someone of Storms seniority may be on a 26-week cycle (although I have no insights into contract lengths).
We don’t need Duell’s confirmation. His contract was up and he chose not to renew. Michael is the most important legacy character on the show (Q, Spencer & Corinthos). The show had to recast.
Storms is still under contract (although it’s obvious her episode guarantee has gone down). She’s taken breaks before, and always comes back with front burner storylines. This time should be nothing different.
Maxie was around before Michael! (Just sayin!) I’ve been watching since 1978.
Not sure what you’re implying. BTW, My 9-year old self began watching (with my mom) in 1977.
That overly emotive Kristin Storms fan was wrong when she whined that it was only a few weeks after Frank promised Chad he’d keep his job waiting before the Michael recast. It was more like 4 months, at least.
She’s acting as if she’s the Meryl Streep of daytime. She barely has a story, so why not let her take time off? It’ll be 3 months before anybody notices that she’s gone.
I notice, and No she doesn’t! Please be kind!
You really are a hag.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.
Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
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DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
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