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: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!
Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).
GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Courtesy/ABC
A VISIT WITH DAD
Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.
Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!
Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.
Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!” The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Courtesy/ABC
MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR
While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).
Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.
An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process. As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”
CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER
At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.
Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.
So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section, but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.
General Hospital
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof

Two soap opera alums very familiar to fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless are paired together in a new short-form digital series from none other than Issa Rae’s production entity HOORAE Digital.
Look for Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, GH)) and Loren Lott (ex-Ana Hamilton, Y&R) as part of the cast of The Compatibility Experiment, premiering on October 14, 2026, exclusively on TikTok and its companion microdrama platform, PineDrama.
In the video teaser, it appears that Bellow and Lott play a couple, Kelvin and Camila, set in a Love Island reality show-esque environment trying to win the one million dollar cash prize, only what could go wrong?

Photo: HOORAE
The Compatibility Experiment loglines share that it brings a fast-paced, relationship-focused reality check—much like Love Island with a twist. The show takes a participant’s current relationship, introduces them to a potentially more compatible partner, and forces them to navigate the differences with life-changing money on the line.
The new series is part of a groundbreaking content deal between HOORAE Digital and TikTok to develop premium short-form storytelling. The ensemble cast also features; Ayona, Reggie Luck, JaNa Craig, Tosin Morohunfola, Jessica Jacoby, Georgia Warner, and Nick Cassidy.
General Hospital fans know Tajh Bellow for his performances as TJ Ashford, and who earned two Daytime Emmy nominations along the way during his run. Bellow took over the role in 2018 and last appeared on the ABC daytime drama series in December of 2024.
Loren Lott first appeared as Devon’s (Bryton James) sister Ana Hamilton on The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019; making a brief return in 2024. She has continued to perform on the stage and screen with recent credits including: Bel-Air, Cherish the Day, and All American: Homecoming.
Check out the trailer for The Compatibility Experiment below and let us know what you think of its concept and if you are glad to see Tajh and Loren again? Hoping they might return to daytime in their GH and Y&R roles at some point in the future? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).
In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.
Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Courtesy/ABC
BOATHOUSE BRAWL
In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.
Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.
However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Courtesy/ABC
Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.
WILL SCOUT WISE UP?
At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.
Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.
So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.
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