General Hospital
Kirsten Storms Takes Extended Break from ‘General Hospital,’ Moves To Tennessee, Addresses When She Might Return as Maxie
There had been plenty of online speculation, but now Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones, GH) has opened up on the next leg of her life on-screen and off. On Monday, Storms took to her Instagram to formally announce via a video message, that she has moved to Tennessee and out of Los Angeles for the foreseeable future, and is taking an extended break from General Hospital in her soap-famous role of Maxie Jones.
Accompanying her video, Storms shared, “I’m very excited to be making Tennessee my home! I can’t wait to return to GH, once Harper (her daughter with Brandon Barash) 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.”
In the video, Storms, who has played GH’s Maxie since 2025, revealed that her extended leave of absence has been in the works. Kirsten shared, “I meant to post this video a few weeks ago, and time just got away from me. But in March, I asked Frank Valentini, our amazing executive producer … I had a conversation with him about my reasons for wanting to move, and my desire to not leave the show. Now, when you approach a job like this, they can always be like, ‘Forget it. I will let you out of your contract if you’re going to leave the state.’ GH did not do that, which was kind of amazing because I also asked for some time off.”

Photo: ABC
Next, Kirsten revealed she is done taping all of her episodes for 2005, “The week before last week, I had my final taping day for the year.” She then noted, “It’s possible I will be back in December, maybe November.”
GH fans should be on high alert because Storms says the storyline involving Maxie is going to make viewers “freak out,” in her absence. The fan favorite in her own words explained, “I promise you the storyline they have going on until my return to Port Charles is kind of incredible — you guys are gonna freak out, actually. Can’t wait to see the comments online about that!”

Photo: ABC
Sharing just how grateful she is for the opportunity to step away for a lengthy amount of time and still return, Storms added, “I really want to thank GH, the ABC network executives, the writers for agreeing to let me take this time. I know Frank and the producers there know my reasons and I am so grateful that they understand and are supportive.”
In closing, Kirsten shut down any further speculations by saying, “Really quick about the online rumors, and I’ll get into some of this stuff at a later date. This is just me very long-windedly explaining that I’m taking a break and moving to Tennessee. If you don’t read about it or watch a video on it from my page, take it with a grain of salt. People like to say a whole bunch of stuff.”
So, what do you think about Kirsten’s extended leave from General Hospital? What do you think is the big storyline that will involve Maxie? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
After devoting 20 years to the show, Kirsten deserves time with her daughter.
As for Tennessee, John York does that commute and Steve Burton used to years ago.
Hopefully Maxie gets a front burner storyline when Kirsten returns. In the meantime, let’s get something for Felicia to do other than be a talk to.
I’m very happy for Kirsten and I wish her the best. I’ll miss seeing her on the show as Maxie though. I have grown to really like the Maxie character and I have enjoyed her character working at Deception. I like how she referees for Tracy and Lucy and lately how she referees for Brook Lynne and Lulu. I appreciate her light, quirky humor.
Good Luck in your move your family comes first you will be missed but I understand why you need this time. Your right people will believe the worse instead of finding out the truth. You look beautiful and you daughter is just as beautiful. You take care for now till you come back on the show. Have a wonderful and safe summer and move.
Well, I am definitely going to miss seeing Maxie the rest of the year. I was wanting to see Maxie and Spinelli in a major storyline but I guess I’ll have to wait till she returns. I’m looking forward to what the writers have planned for Maxie.
It’s her choice, and it’s clear it’s a choice that she feels is best for her. As for Maxie, I wouldn’t be opposed to the character being rested for a bit. It’s overdue for Maxie to be rested, honestly. Although, if TPTB are keen on keeping Nicole Paggi in the role until Kirsten Storms can return, I would not object to that, either.
Only thing that concerns me is the reason Jonathan Jackson ultimately left after a few months was he couldn’t handle the commute from TN to CA for taping. I hope she has a support system there to help with Harper while she flys to LA for taping. I can’t imagine another actress in the roll of Maxie long term. She should be involved in this whole storyline with Rocco finding out about Britt.
The commute for Jackson was just an excuse. Lucky had little storyline and was hardly used. Jackson also has his music career to focus on. John York commutes from
TN. Steve Burton did for a few years until he moved back to LA full time.
Im happy she gets time off but I certainly hope they do not replace her. After 20 yrs she deserves an extended break like the others get. The story that’s going to have us freaking out….Sounds like to me…..Ryan Pavey is returning
I am very happy she gets time off and happy for her next phase of her life in Tennessee. I hope it goes great for her. I am concerned that she will get replaced if she’s gone long-term. Because Chad was replaced. After 20 years, she deserves an extended break like the other actresses get. The story line that will have us freaking out. Does anyone think Ryan Pavey is coming back and it will involve Nathan?
I wish I could leave New Jersey for Tennessee. Taxes are too high and too many regulations.
Best of luck to Kirsten.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali on a Potential Kai/Trina/Gio/Emma Quadrangle, ‘I Don’t Think That’s Impossible, But That Would Be Messy’

On recent episodes of General Hospital, music executive Simon Craft (Grady Eldridge) has been pushing and demanding that Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) play up a faux relationship when they are onstage, or in front of the camera, to add to their allure as new recording artists to his label.
Simon knows full well that Gio is dating Emma (Braedyn Bruner), and Trina is with Kai (Jens Austin Astrup). It was apparent from the start, that Kai seemed a bit more comfortable with the “arrangement” understanding this was for business, and not pleasure, while Emma initially didn’t like the idea.
Now with Trina’s stalker story in full gear, and as fans eventually find out who is completely obsessed with the budding young singer, while initially seeming to be Simon that would seem to be too easy of a choice. But is GH toying with the idea that somehow Gio and Trina get stuck in a situation and one thing leads to another and they develop feelings one another, too?

Photo: ABC
SIMON’S MANUEVERS
In addition, after Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) beatdown at Pentonville, where everyone is accusing Sonny (Maurice Benard) of ordering the deed, will this find Gio and Trina on the same side, believing it’s Sonny, or will Gio end up sticking by his grandfather when by week’s end he was also questioning if he was telling the truth?
During a new conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel, Tabyana Ali shared her thoughts that if Gio and Trina were pushed closer together, what that would mean for their relationships with Emma and Kai, respectively.

Photo: ABC
MUSICAL CHAIRS?
Pondering the soap staple, Tabyana exclaimed, “Oh, my goodness. Who knows? I mean, quite honestly, I don’t think it’s it’s impossible, but, oh, wow! That would be messy!” Ali added that its something that could be quite intriguing to play. “There’s a part of me that wants it to happen just to see, how does it play out? Right? Then, there’s another part of me that’s like, “You can’t do that to Emma and Kai.” That’s so wrong,” believed Ali.
However, Tabyana did admit a complicated love story wasn’t far from her mind. “Originally, I wanted something like a quadrangle. I really wanted that to happen. And if this is a moment where it could happen, I think that would be fun too.”
When asked to tease what’s coming up for Trina in the next several weeks, she offered up three words. Things for her will “(get) Suspicious, (be ) spontaneous, (and) very dangerous.”
So, do you think the GH writing team is teeing up a situation where Trina and Gio become more than friends and musical artists together? Would you be down for it, or be against it? do you like Emma with Gio and Kai with Trina? Share your thoughts via the comment section, nd in case you missed it, check our chat with Tabyana below.
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.
View this post on Instagram
-

Days Of Our Lives4 days agoREPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
-

Beyond the Gates3 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
-

Beyond the Gates2 days agoTUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
-
News1 week agoJudith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
-

Beyond the Gates1 week ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
News6 days agoY&R Alum Thad Luckinbill Cast in New Thriller ‘Copperhead’
-
News1 week agoMatthew Atkinson Reveals New Project ‘Into the Wilderness’
-

General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Tanisha Harper on the Future of a Jordan Ashford and Michael Corinthos Pairing












