General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud Speaks Out On Being Blindsided by Steve Burton’s Exit, ‘I Feel Let Down’
When Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud returned to General Hospital to reprise her role of Dr. Britt Westbourne, it was with the understanding that she would have the opportunity to work with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan), and continue what started as the beginning of a love story between Britt and Jason, before he left the show in 2021 due to the Disney/ABC Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and she exited the series in early 2023, after wanting to pursue other projects.
When they were finally both back at GH at the same time in 2025, the story of Britt’s back-from-the-dead story began to reveal itself and more recently, Britt finally let Jason get closer to her, and thus the romance was on track, although it has to be kept secret to protect both their lives.
Recently, Steve Burton announced his desire to take a break from GH. He wrapped his final scenes before his hiatus on February 6. As it stands now and as previously reported, Steve is planning on returning to the ABC soap opera at some point over the summer.

Photo: ABC
For the first time since Burton dropped the bombshell, Kelly Thiebaud is speaking out about it, on the latest episode of Maurice Benard’s State of Mind You Tube series which drops in full on Sunday, February 22. In a preview clip released on Friday, Thiebaud shares her disappointment on Burton’s hiatus.
Kelly shared, “I was shocked when I found out. I was very shocked.” She went so far as to say that she “confronted’ her co-star about it, but he explained to her the reasons which included time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom who he married less than a year ago in May of 2025.
Understanding time away is important, especially since she made the decision to initially leave GH, due to the grind of soap, Kelly told Benard, “I know what that feels.” However, she added, “But the other side is I feel let down. I thought we had time together. It’s just been really hard.”
But in the end, she added she wants the utmost best for Steve: “He’s gotta go live his life, and I wish him nothing but the best. love Steve and I will miss him terribly, and I am sad. But, again, I understand that you’ve got to go when you feel the need to go.”
Watch Kelly and Maurice talk about Steve Burton’s current exit from General Hospital below.
Then, let us know, where do you think Britt’s story can go from here? Do you think when Steve returns, Jason and Britt will be back together? Share your thoughts on Kelly’s disappointment via the comment section below.
I hope so I am huge Jason and britt pairing
They are the worst
Well, understand how Steve felt when she left the show….
I could be wrong, but he got fired before she left
“Shocked”? “Blindsided”? I realize she’s a soap actress but isn’t that being a tad overly dramatic? I understand she negotiated her return based on a romantic pairing with Jason but she ought to demonstrate a little more resilience and flexibility. Burton will be back and she’s in a front burner storyline. Kelly conveys a sense of entitlement which is a bit unbecoming.
I agree with you @harry. She needs to be more flexible and she is definitely sounding entitled. I was not excited to see her back on screen this time around when she was brought back from the dead. And really if she can’t give her co-star the space and time he clearly desires then what kind of person is she?
it is a bit confusing since he’s leaving temporarily and will be back, GH takes forever to unfold storylines anyways, look how long she’s been back and its taken for her storyline to play out, we’ve had to wait for months to see Maxie and Nathan “reunite ” and Where’s Finola Hughes? is she gone? her name is no longer in the Fridays closing credits, what’s going on there? GH is messy with continuity, its frustrating but it is what it is.
There’s been no official announcement (surprised at the soap press) but Finola was removed from the credits the Friday before – the same day Kirstin returned to the credits.
She’s let her contract expire before (around 2018) and came back a few months later.
It will be SO nice to have a break from the character of Jason. He can take ALL the time off he needs!
He was FIRED! He should be grateful they rehired him! Suck it up for a while! You’re affecting many people, nit just yourself. Entitled actor!
He was not “fired.” He chose to leave rather than take the vaccine, with the understanding he would be welcomed back when the mandate was lifted. He always expressed his desire to return, left on good terms, and was welcomed back.
Uhm, that’s not how it went down. Don’t spread misinformation like this, especially six months after the comment you’re responding to was made.
Yeah… we can always go back to “The Church of Parasite Nina” 5 days a week, every week until he comes back. You know, like they did from November 2021 – March 2024.
Because that was such “compelling television”, right?
Actually it worked out great for us down here in Hell. It was ready made material to torment the damned!
They have t.v. n hell?
Oh, cry me a river! Not everything is about her.
Well, as Olivia Soprano used to tell Tony, “ POOR YOU!”
I know I’m in the minority on this issue. How many times has Burton left GH? And, how many times has Jason been written out as dead or missing and presumed dead? Burton is getting almost as bad as Jackson. Either Burton wants this job or he doesn’t. I realize he has a family. So does everyone else and they somehow manage to have a family life, that’s what vacation is for, and fulfill their employment obligations. I feel that Jason is an important character. If Burton is tired of the grind of playing the character, he should resign and TPTB should recast. I certainly understand feeling like you’ve given everything you have to give to a particular job. Recasting is not the end of the world. Amanda Sutton is an excellent example. She has made Brook Lynn her own.
Burton’s probably going to be offscreen 4 months. That’s no big deal. Geary used to take 4 months off every year. It allowed the show to focus on other characters.
They tried the recast route with Miller and that didn’t turn out too well. Burton came back when his sweetheart deal with Y&R ended. No big name actor would sign on to play Jason knowing Burton could return.
Setton is great, but Brook Lynn was never a leading character and she didn’t replace someone who was on the show going back to the early 90s.
Yeah I immediately thought of Tony Geary also. He’s the one who invented long furloughs in exchange for his private life away from LA. I don’t feel bothered by Steve’s vacation nor by Kelly’s feelings. Both are understandable. I hope Kelly sticks around. She’s a wonderful talent.
It’s not about actors taking long breaks or furloughs that folks are objecting to, it’s Kelly’s whining that is so irritating. Saying you felt “ blindsided” or “let down” by a co worker’s personal decision is just plain silly and kind of makes her look self absorbed.
How many times has Kelly left the show? She has always come and gone. The last time she left she asked the writers to kill her off because she never wanted to return to GH. Maybe she should have stayed away. Kelly should be grateful to Steve for getting her her job back. Kelly said she tried to come back to GH when Steve first returned in 2024, but she claimed the show didn’t want back. Then last year Steve decided to bring Britt back as a love interest for Jason and asked Frank to bring Kelly back and he did. That’s the only reason she is on the show.
There are a lot of rumors floating around. Some fans thought she was mad and leaving GH again. One rumor is the show is not happy with the Jason and Britt reunion so they may pair him with someone else. Another is that Steve is taking a break to renegotiate his contract, which ends this year. Regardless, Kelly Thiebaud should be grateful to Steve Burton that she even has this job. This is why the actors should never pick their love interest or write their own stories.
Totally agree with you she has left like three times right? Shes not the star the show.
Many soap actors take extended breaks on an annual basis. Burton is hardly the first, and is far from the only GHer that does it. Jane Elliott, Finola Hughes, Genie Francis to name just a few. That doesn’t mean that they don’t want the job. It means that a soap actor’s work life is grueling, and an annual extended vacation is the way that they choose to deal with it. It’s inherent on the soap to decide if that performer is worth the inconvenience, and clearly GH believes that it is.
Recasts can work but not with him I don’t know why but it wouldn’t be the same. But he’s been on a long time let him take a break. I’m sure there is more to the story but she is sounding so whiny.
I don’t really care for her with Jason but gee he has the right to take some time off.
Oh brother! The self-pity is obnoxious
I could see if he was pronounced dead again but he is coming back over the summer. That’s just 5-6 months, not 5-6 years. I am sure everything will be fine till then. Soaps can be a lot and everyone needs some time off at some point.
I’m really confused about her speaking out on this issue. I didn’t need to know about them. He has his right just like she did and he said he’d be back in the summer. I like Jason and Britt together. Things will happen. Just chill.
Right. Can you imagine veteran GH actress Rebecca Herbst whining in public about how her character has been given very little airtime while giving Kelly Thieband front burner stories and a romantic pairing with the hot lead actor of her choice? But you never hear a complaint coming from her because she’s a grown up and a professional.
I think Britt & Jason are great together the push & pull chemistry I hope they have a love story when Steve returns -_-all the best & brightest & blessed life to Steve & his new wife
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Jeff Kober Accepts His Daytime Emmy Award After Being Unable to Attend the Ceremony

Last night at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, Jeff Kober’s name was called as the winner of the Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series for his role as murderer and all around misunderstood bad guy, Cyrus Renault on General Hospital.
Kober added a second Daytime Emmy to his collection for playing Laura Collins’ Genie Francis) half-brother. He previously won in the Best Supporting Actor category in 2022. He was also nominated the year prior.
Due to appearing in a “theater gig,” the actor revealed in a videotaped acceptance speech why he couldn’t be at the Hollywood Palladium on October 30 for the livestreamed ceremony.

Photo: ABC
In his acceptance speech, Kober shared, “I want to say thank you to all of the actors who made this happen, and thank you especially to GH and my GH family. What a treat it has been to be with them. Sorry I wasn’t there last night. I had a prior commitment with a theater gig.”
He added, “I’m really sorry I didn’t get to see Genie (Francis) and the recognition by the Emmys she so richly deserves. Love you guys. Oh, also, congratulations to my pal, Roger Howarth (Matt, Y&R, and ex-Franco, GH). Maybe now GH will bring our characters back from the dead. Who knows? I see a storyline. Love to all. Thanks.”‘

Photo: JPI
Last night, Genie Francis received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences for her body of work since she joined GH initially in 1977 as a young teenaged Laura Vining.
Meanwhile, Howarth made history for the longest gap between Emmy wins for actors. It had been 32 years since he won Outstanding Younger Actor for his performance as Todd Manning in One Life to Live back in 1994.
You can check out Jeff Kober’s video acceptance speech below. Then let us know, what you think about the idea of Cyrus Renault returning from the dead, via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners Walk (Photos)

The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards are in the record books, and after the winners names were announced many of your favorite soap stars took their new gold statuette and then posed for photos at the Winners Walk.
For the first time in her career, Tamara Tunie won a Daytime Emmy, and for her leading role as Anita Dupree Williams, the matriarch of the Dupree family on CBS’ Beyond the Gates.
Tunie became the second actress in history to win for the newest soap in the competition, after Ambyr Michelle won earlier in the evening and became the first performer in the series history to win gold. Michelle won in the Outstanding Emerging Talent category.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
EMOTIONS RAN HIGH
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series went to The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton, who won his fourth Emmy overall and second in Lead for his touching performances as Liam Spencer during Liam’s medical crisis storyline for an inoperable brain tumor, which turned out to be a ruse.
During his acceptance speech, Clifton shared, “This means so much to me, not the thing, the attaboy from my peers. I can think of few things that bring me more joy than that.”
Speaking on his fellow nominees which included the likes of Y&R’s Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) and GH’s Steve Burton, (Jason Morgan) Clifton said, “I am in awe of all of you, and you’ve taught me so much. It was a really hard year, and you made me invincible. You are my existential oxygen tank. And I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you, and I am grateful to you.
DECADES BETWEEN
In the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress categories, two longtime names synonymous with daytime drama, Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, Y&R) and Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, Y&R) won their second Emmys in their career. Roger 32 years after his last Emmy playing Todd Manning on One Life to Live in 1994, and Beth Maitland for winning 41 years after becoming Y&R’s first performer to win Emmy gold back in 1985.
General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini and his producing team took home the gold for the sixth year in a row for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series for the ABC soap. He later shared a moment with Scott Clifton, who started his daytime career as Dillon Quartermaine on GH.
During the ceremonies, the iconic Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) was presented with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband actor and director, Jonathan Frakes. After Francis received the award she posed for some snaps for the photographers in attendance.
Take a look at the photos below:

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Beyond the Gates‘ Ambyr Michelle with the well-deserved gold!

Photo: Hutchins Photo
Y&R’s Beth Maitland winning 41 years after her first Supporting Actress victory for the moral center of the Abbott family, Traci Abbott.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Genie Francis proud of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions and performances as Laura on GH.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Mandi Line, the costume designer for The Young and the Restless, took home the gold in the costume category.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini, sharing a backstage moment with former GH star and now four-time Daytime Emmy winner from The Bold and the Beautiful‘s Scott Clifton.
So, who were you thrilled to see win a Daytime Emmy from those who appeared in the Winners Walk after their big wins last night at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Trina; 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.
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