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Jacqueline Grace Lopez Confirms GH Exit: “This Goodbye Hurts. I Think Because I Didn’t See it Coming.”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

As previously posted, Jacqueline Grace Lopez made her exit on ABC’s General Hospital when during the Tuesday, August 13th episode, Blaze and Kristina (Kate Mansi) broke up, and then Blaze, for all intent and purposes, broke up with her mother, Natalia (E, who is also her music manager, Natalia (Eva LaRue). That set the stage for the character to leave Port Charles to embark on a world tour performing as the opening act for Miquel Morez (aka Ricky Martin).

On Wednesday, August 14th, Lopez confirmed her exit from the soap opera, taking to Instagram to share her parting words, which included she was surprised that GH wrote Blaze off the canvas.

Jacqueline began, “Not gonna lie, this goodbye hurts. I think because I didn’t see it coming. That and when you spend almost two years with this group, you start to feel like part of the fabric.”

Photo: ABC

However, she remained so thankful to the GH creatives for the opportunity to be a part of the iconic show. “I’m so grateful to Frank (Valentini, EP, GH) for asking me back. I am grateful to everyone I got to tell stories with, both in front and behind the camera,” she related. “This cast and crew work so hard and have taught me so much. Jobs come and go, but it’s the people you miss. I’m definitely going to miss this bunch.”

Speaking to inclusivity on television, Jacqueline added, “I’ve mentioned that as a brown girl, it’s so hard to see ourselves in media, period. To have writers introduce Latiné story elements because of my character? Even adding a Latiné last name to my character’s name? Getting onscreen family and backstory as a non-contract actor? Being a part of the opening titles?! Turning a 10 episode part into almost two years??? Babyyy, she done did that! Sometimes we have to be the change we don’t see.✨”

Photo: ABC

Finally, Lopez gave major kudos to the audience at home, saying, “GH FANS!!! My heart is so full. Especially fans that embraced Blaze’s journey as a gay woman and formed community around each other as a result: Y’all got me through some moments. I poured myself into this story because I knew it was going to matter. I just didn’t know how much. You have humbled me, reminding me the need for feeling seen onscreen is absolutely universal to all marginalized communities. I learned that through Allie. Through you. Thank you for sharing your stories, your words of encouragement, and for the generous gifts! Know I carry all of that with me always. I hope I did right by you. That’s all I wanted to do.”

“Ultimately, my joy in this work is to help people feel seen. And for that reason alone, this chapter of Blaze was an absolute gift,” Jacqueline concluded. “It feels so sudden, but I have to trust in timing. Heading out of Port Charles with nothing but gratitude. Thank you General Hospital.”

Jacqueline first played Blaze back in 2022. Following that, she came to the soap a few times before her last run which took her through to this summer.

What do you think about Jacqueline’s parting thoughts? Will you miss her as Blaze? Was her departure part of a show reset from the latest co-head writing regime? Comment below.

 

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Yeah, I wish she could have stayed in some capacity. Even if she isn’t with Kristina, there was good mother/daughter drama between her and Eva La Rue. And her character was friends with Brook Lynn and the Deception gang.

A very thoughtful goodbye from JGL. Hope she finds further success in the near future.

The writers are clearing space for the eventual returns of Lucky, Holly, Lulu and ????

I agree though at least they didn’t kill her off. Hopefully it will allow for those storylines to evolve with legacy characters, and Blaze/Ali will be able to return after her world wide tour, especially if Natalia is still in PC. I really like Jacqueline, and she gave it her all in that last scene with Kristina. Her smile lights up the entire screen.

It’s a shame that she is off the show. It was so amazing to see a Latina represented on GH. And the storyline of Blaze/Ali and Kristina was so great. Both very talented actresses. Perhaps GH powers that be will bring her back at some point.

I thought she was fabulous as Blaze and I look forward to seeing what she does next!

I gonna miss her but I’m hoping its just the show trying to reset and get more focus with lucky and Lulu being brought back, I guess this is one of those cases were I have to agree with most GH fans that say GH cast is to big, still I do hope she comes back after all it looks like they’re keeping Natalia around so I’m staying positive on her likely coming back.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!

In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?

Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!

Courtesy/ABC

FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS

The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!

Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?

Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.

MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.

Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric

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With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).

On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..

In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”

GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW

So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!

FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD

As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and  and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”

Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.

So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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A post shared by Maurice Benard (@mauricebenard)

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‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’

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In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.

The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.

Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”

Photo: CDuellIG

SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.

The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.

In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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