General Hospital
Kirsten Storms Posts Statement As To The Reason Behind Her Temporary Departure From GH

Courtesy/ABC
All of us adore the one and only Kirsten Storms, who has made General Hospital’s Maxie Jones such a beloved and memorable character. When the news broke late last week that Storms was taking a temporary leave from the ABC daytime drama series, and being replaced in the short term by former DAYS star Molly Burnett, of course, her loyal and passionate fans were concerned as to the reason.
Now over Memorial Day weekend, Storms addressed her fans on Twitter, with a very heartfelt message letting them in on what has been going on. Here are the sentiments shared in Kirsten’s tweet: “Tweeters, First, thank you for the outpouring of love & support. I appreciate the positive messages I have received. Second, yes, I’m taking a little break from work due to some skin issues I’ve been having. The dr’s say my breakouts are due to stress, but shouldn’t take too long to get under control. (I can say that I’m on the better end of it now) However, it was becoming too difficult for GH to coverup. And we all know in this biz appearance is important. In the meantime I look forward to seeing Molly (Burnett) on screen as I take the next few weeks to heal. Again – thanks for the love and you will see me again in no time!”
On-Air On-Soaps looks forward to Storms return as Molly Burnett keeps Maxie’s story running in her absence.
What did you think of Kirsten’s message to her fans? Glad she shared her situation with you? Comment below.
It’s sad after 3 years it’s over…Due to that God has a plain for you..Hang in there…This too shall pass
Kirsten Storms isn’t leaving GH for good! She’s only taking a few weeks off from playing Maxie (while Molly Burnett is her temporary recast) to recover from her skin condition!
I think tskyent was referring to her marriage, not GH
I think it’s sweet she shares so much. We probably don’t need to know so much. I’m glad she just needs a break a bit …. not something GH is forcing upon her (I hope!). Get well soon — take care of yourself and come back!!!
STILL don’t think they should have brought Claudette into the fold yet; not until KS is ready to goto battle with her.
STILL don’t think Molly Burnett is a suitable replacement either!
Molly Burnett is a terrific actress, she will do fine as Maxie.
If she’s terrific, then I’d like to know what horrible is. I seen her “terrific” stuff on Days. OY!
Lol true Ces. yikes!
I agree with you Victor. Molly is a wonderful actress. In my opinion Kirsten, is a nice lady, but her acting is average. Not good but not horrible. Get well Kirsten. Molly Burnett you will do a great job as Maxie, I am looking forward to see you on GH.
I agree…Claudette should not appear until KS appears…like i said before its not a story im interseted in and could be an epic fail with someone else playing Maxie !!!
agreed Jim!!
I am not familiar with Molly Burnett’s work but I still maintain it’s ridiculous to recast for such a short duration. They can easily write Maxie off for a few months and hold off on the Claudette story.
So happy for you Jim, you finally married your boyfriend. Congrats.
You said it, Ces. Bad enough we have to endure another love triangle (or quadrangle if Maxie keeps flirting with Griffin) but with yet ANOTHER new face? Can we at least dump Valerie, Jordan, Andre, Nurse Amy (who seems to be just a Rebel Wilson wannabe), Rachel……Shall I go on!?
Agreed Soaphound!
With as many cast members at GH has, you’d think they would have been able to fill seats at the Nurses Ball!
Gosh, you’re right, Soaphound. It was killing me not grasping who this Amy reminded me of….Rebel. Oh, WOW!!!!
I agree with all the characters you want gone. Andre is just too smooth, for my taste. But, I do love Curtis. He’s got that bad-boy thing going on. And, Jordan? I am still on the fence about her…..the character is too big for her culottes. I can take her or leave her. Valerie is irrelevant, at this point.
However, I doubt Jordan and Andre are going anywhere. The sidelong , hungry glances between Anna and Andre are awash with breathless promises. Another triangle is knocking at PC’s portals.
I know that life is a stressful thing. I imagine living your life under the public eye is equally difficult. May the issues that Kirsten is going through heal quickly and bring her back to the fold. I love her character. I won’t be mean and say what my honest thoughts are on her temporary replacement but I will say that the choice GH made is shameful. That is all I will say. My sentiments will get my response eliminated i am sure. I just hope the change is extremely short. Get well Kirsten
Mateo I used to think my responses were targeted but they weren’t.. Like with anything in business entertainment or otherwise it’s a lot of responses to a lot of different topics to filter and no doubt every now and then I’ve been bugged by not seeing my post.. Of course my high minded attitude and response has to do with some of them lol but it’s taught me to be a better poster and mull over what I have to say before sending it out there.. MichaelFairmanonAironSoaps is in my opinion the best daytime/primetime site for all passionate fans.. No one is left out here or put through a thousand paces just to say what’s on their mind and I love it.
Awwww, Mateo. Your responses are tame and respectful, I assure you.
ohh my gorsh..
All the ”gossip theories” I read about why she had left, and they were a great many from divorce and a breakdown and on and on the gossip went, and it is do to a rash..LOL
It isn’t gossip that she’s getting a divorce. That’s fact. They released a statement about that a few months ago. Divorce is usually stressful to a family that has a young child. Hence the related health issues – because of stress.
I know that.. her divorcing is not the reason she took a leave of absence.
Kansas is saying that divorce is very stressful and that stress is creating the skin condition. If we are to take Kirsten at her word… divorce equals stress equals rash.
REALLY Mz.Storms.. who allowed her to post that.. If that isn’t a load of bs I don’t know what is.. Good luck with your contract negotiations.. Just like Tyler.. You know that’s what this break is all about.. It ain’t about no huge talking pimple.. GURL..BYE FELICIA!
I’ll tell you what is a load of BS, your post.
Understand where I’m coming from and it’s truly not a place of offense or rudeness
RUDE
Dave is not rude or full of BS and I frankly appreciate anyone who points out that there might be an elephant sitting in the middle of the living room.
There were some far more nefarious comments posted on the other blog pertaining to KS’s temporary departure (which have subsequently removed).
Dave is not personally blasting KS but intimating that has more to do with contract negotiations than it does a rash.
Written like someone who has ZERO understanding of what stress can do. Stress doesn’t just cause pimples. It can also cause widespread rashes & hives all over the body; not just the face. Storms doesn’t specify what she’s had. But, anyone who has had hives knows how unbearable they can be, and they often cannot be covered up. In fact, covering them up with clothing or makeup irritates the skin more & will make it worse.
I have suffered hives once as a reaction to a chemical used by a company in my home.. I have also suffered some frightful stress at varying points… She’s sitting there trying to say no one wants to see a rash or pimples or whatever she said and I don’t buy it… Her publicist put those words in her mouth. I firmly believe as a result of becoming a mother Kirsten stepped up and long ago conquered her demons.. It’s contract negotiations and she and Tyler are holding out and that’s that.. Furthermore.. Someone gets a cast.. A crutch.. Written in.. You get a rash.. A pimple.. Write that into the story with Maxie taking Nathan to task for causing it and leaning on Nina for support who makes a few funny inappropriate remarks to lighten her nerves and the situation.. No one minds seeing those things.. So stop coming for me y’all lol
Ha! Dave, you are hilarious and probably right.
I mean the name of the show is General Hospital so use that to educate people on this type of stress complication instead of sitting back like it’s the worst.. It isn’t..
Maxie could have had a mental breakdown because of her pimple brought on by the news of Claudettes arrival in PC and Mac and Felicia take her to group counseling for people with similar devastating disfigurements but is it a pimple or is Finn secretly turning Maxie into a lizard-lol
Bah ha ha! Jim, you are so damn funny.
She made her statement, telling why– that is that.
I say, OK.
I have no need to to put my nose or my 2cents in her personal business and life, not my place to be.
The woman has a rash, she will return.
Wondering if anyone really cares why she is off the screen leave it alone you really don’t want to know what is going on! Let’s all move on
It’s called nose candy and we have been thru this before move on
Leave it alone !
As we look at other posts where your nose was ALL in this lol bye Felecia.. Su0000 lol don’t even try it
By the way I liove sarcasm Dave so bring it on! Everybody who watches the show knows the gossip last time she left she was gone over a year! Personally much ado about nothing the character has never meant zip to me, I don’t care why she is off the canvas I just don’t see the need for a recast for her or Tyler sloppy writing! However the word on the street is the writers are on their way out! I wish her no ill will and hope all goes well. This is Hollywood and if they snap a nail everybody goes into hysterics!
Hey Jim–If the bearded lizard who plays Roxie gets sick, do you think they will they find a temporary replacement?
Oh, Jimmy, please stop!!!! Cracking up here!!!! You’re the best. An episode on pimples, no less….that should be good….MAXIE turning into a lizard. Oh, God!!
K/Kay…if by nose candy you mean cocaine that is NOT why Kirsten was on medical leave for a year; she had endometriosis. And, soaps are not part of Hollywood (which refers to the film industry) although GH is filmed IN Hollywood (unless that’s what you meant).
I am glad it is something treatable. I am glad she is honest and open with her fans. That is very commendable of her.
I am glad she shared that with us. I send her positive healing thoughts and prayers. I know she will be better in no time. Take good care of yourself. We Love you.
Get well soon, you will be missed and!!
So she’s leaving because of acne? Really?
Might not be an acne breakout. Might be stress hives. I know someone who gets them when she’s stressed. My guess is it is not just limited to Kirsten’s face. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s also happening on the arms and neck, etc. Putting make up on it often just makes it worse.
Very true. I should have been more charitable with my comment.
And I feel doubly bad after having seen today’s GH (Thursday, June 2). Kirsten looked like she was wearing heavy amounts of make-up today. She looked good but it was clearly more foundation than usual and her complexion looked really different. I wish her a speedy recovery.
I saw that too Melissa. She seemed to have a lot of pancake makeup on. Her complexion is usually so bright, dewy, peaches and cream. I also noticed she had her hair covering a lot of her face.
Not acne, Melissa. This is an honest-to-goodness real malady. Anyone who has had hives, a rash of any kind, knows what it entails. The itching can drive anyone batty….the constant scratching and scratch marks painfully annoying. No, not acne where one can just put Clearasil on it.
so happy she let us know thank you rest and get better love and miss u can’t wait till u come back JoAnne
I hope it’s not her costar making her skin crawl.
The only way Ryan Paevy would make someone’s skin crawl would be in the best possible way…tingles, chills….
I am okay with her posting that. Glad to know of a reason why she is no filming. As a fan of the show we like to hear at least something. At this time I will choose to believe her….
Bless her heart. June 2nd’s episode her face looked heavily covered with an opaque mixture. The studio lights caused it to look very white and it didn’t match her neck. Best wishes for her to have this behind her and returning to work soon.
there is a reason why Bree is debuting in July instead of debuting earlier. We will see the Claudette and Maxie battle from the beginning with THE RIGHT PLAYERS! Remember, Kristen informed us this is just “a couple weeks”
I don’t know why they could have just written her out for a bit so now viewers will be watching three newbies telling a story that no one cares about. If she felt she need to tweet about her absence fine but frankly none of our business. Let’s hope their is a show to come back to.
Maybe a negotiating tactic on ABC’s part for both Kirsten and Tyler. Maybe it’s ABC’s way of saying, “Hey if we can replace you temporarily we can also do it permanently.”
Hi Kristen,
Thank for telling the reason you will not be on GH for awhile.
Will miss you and looking forward to your return.
I guess they couldn’t write it into the storyline. Hope she gets better.
Health comes first. Take care.
Love you on G.H. come back soon.
Ina
glad she did . however the show is General hospital and i think it would have been wise to include her skin problems in the storyline . it ‘s a missed opportunity to tell an interesting story and educate the audience especially in regards of health issues . GH would have been the perfect platform .
Hi kirsten, I hope you are doing much better. It is a bit hard seeing ur character played by someone else. You are one of a kind. Hope to see you back soon. Try vitamin E cream. How’s Harper? I’m sure that she loves having you home.. see you again soon. :* ♡ ♡
I knew Maxie was taking a leave but wondered why she was still on as of today. Maybe it was recorded a few weeks ago. Don’t know.
Celebrities are not immune from life’s traumas. Unfortunately our reactions manifests in our bodies in various forms. Enjoy your break Kirsten! Get some rest and enjoy your family.
I kind of had a feeling it was due to stress. She used to post a lot on instagram and tweet a lot until the news of her divorce came out. Then everything pretty much stopped. I am glad she came forward with this and GH is behind her. However, don’t know why Tyler has not come out with anything yet. Im thinking his really is contact negotiations because he has not addressed anything.
On the other hand I have seen Molly on Days and I agree she is awful:(. Kirsten hurry back!
Kirsten, and anyone else suffering from acne: go and buy a bottle of Colloidal Silver at a Health Food store. If the acne is severe, put some in a mister/mini-sprayer and then let air dry – as well as soaking a cotton round in it and placing over the worst areas for 20 mins, while relaxing. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how fast it works!!
Gee, thank you Katzie.
I knew Maxie had skin issues so thought that awful hair covering part of her face was needed. But what about Elizabeth’s hair today. What a mess. Hopefully this isn’t the start of a new hairstyle trend. I don’t really care about the latest long styles of today. They all look the same. Time for a change.
General Hospital
Chris McKenna Reportedly Out as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan

As ABC’s General Hospital continues to make casting additions in front of the camera; a new report indicates that Chris McKenna is the next contract player to be written out of the show as his storyline as Port Charles WSB bureau chief, Jack Brennan, is coming to end this fall.
According to sources close to the situation, who informed Soap Opera Network, McKenna will exit the long-running soap opera when Jack is killed-off the canvas. The outlet shares, Brennan’s death will come about as the soap, “leans heavily into storylines surrounding the World Security Bureau (WSB).”
McKenna, who previously appeared on the soaps when he was 12 as a young Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live from 1990-1993, then as an adult as Mark Harding on The Young and the Restless from 2014-2015, and next on The Bold and the Beautiful in the short term role of Dr. Hayden, began his run as GH’s Brennan back in February of 2025, replacing Charles Mesure in the role.

Photo: ABC
JACK’S ROCKY ROAD TO ROMANCE
In fact, McKenna won the part over Daniel Goddard and Daniel Cosgrove, who eventually were cast in other roles on General Hospital, that of Henry Dalton and Ezra Boyle, respectively. Chris informed his fans via X, back in August of 2025, that he was put on contract at the daytime drama and thanked them for helping make it happen.
Chris told Michael Fairman TV how it was to step into the role previously played by Charles Mesure, “I knew the challenge it was going to be and I had a like 0nly five days to get my head around it, so I was ready for it. Sure, it was challenging, but I was up for it. I was a recast before on The Young and the Restless.”
On-screen, Jack became romantically involved with Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), but that went bust when Carly learned Jack was not up front with her and had secretly enlisted her daughter, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) to join the WSB. Over months, Carly plotted to get revenge on Jack, and suddenly, Valentin Casssadine (James Patrick Stuart), Jack’s mortal enemy, came into the picture and he had fallen for Carly and she for him.
Now, Jack has started up a relationship with Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) and has found himself in situations stooping to lows to help Nina and her criminal daughter, Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) out of jams, especially where Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) is concerned.

Photo: ABC
REUNITING WITH ERIKA SLEZAK
Last fall, Chris got a thrill of a lifetime when his OG on-screen mother from One Life to Live, the iconic Erika Slezak (ex-Viki) took on a guest role on General Hospital as Ronnie Bard, the secret sister of Monica Quartermaine (the late Leslie Charleson). While the two did not have a storyline together, Chris did share some tender moments reconnecting with Erika on the set,
McKenna has a laundry list of primetime credits including: State of Affairs, Good Trouble, Lucifer and Castle, where in an ironic twist he appeared alongside another Joey Buchanan none other than Nathan Fillion.
So, how do you feel if the report holds true and GH is killing off Brennan and Chris McKenna would exit the show? How do you think Brennan will die on GH? Will he be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and someone will take him out? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
Ryan Paevey Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ to ‘Stir the Pot if Cassius Could be a Good Agent of Chaos’

On General Hospital, Ryan Paevey wrapped his comeback to General Hospital on the July 6 episode, when it was revealed that Cassius Faison was not dead, but being held by the WSB thanks to Z (John Oliver).
It was Z who gave Cassius an ultimatum: a one-way ticket to prison or a death sentence, or to become an agent himself! We never got the answer on-screen, but suffice to say, Cassius is still out there somewhere, but we can assume he is working for the WSB.
GH fans were thrilled to see Paevey back on the ABC daytime drama series where he initially played the very popular Detective Nathan West from 2013-2018. It had been over 7 years until Ryan made a return to his former soap stomping grounds when on-screen in September of 2025, he arrived in Port Charles as a very much alive Nathan, who was actually Cassius impersonating his late twin brother.

Photo: ABC
Over this past weekend, Paevey appeared at the annual GH Fan Club Weekend in Burbank, California, where according to a report from Soap Central who was on the scene; when a fan asked Ryan if he would make another visit to the soap opera in the future, he explained, “That’s a ‘Frank Chat,’ referencing a discussion would need to be had with Frank Valentini, GH’s executive producer.
A CASSIUS FAISON SIGHTING ANYTIME SOON?
Ryan also added, “I’m a bit of a drifter. So, I’m not sure that I want to go back and sign forever. Doing so took a lot of things out of my life, stuff that is valuable to me.” Paevey also explained while he was away from GH he was caretaker to his parents and working on his Fortunate Wanderer jewelry business and more.
However, Paevey concluded his thoughts on the matter with, “But, yeah, I would come back and stir the pot if Cassius could be a good agent of chaos… a conversation might be had with Frank about exactly what ‘not dead’ means.”
All this to say, would you like to see Ryan make another comeback to General Hospital? This time as WSB agent Cassius Faison? Do you think he would help out his sister, Britt and his mutter, and even Josslyn, if they got into serious future trouble? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Christian Howard Makes One Final Return as Ethan Lovett, as Hudson Learns Damning Intel

The Tuesday, August 4 episode of General Hospital brought with it another appearance by Christian Howard in the role of Ethan Lovett. As previously reported, Howard was brought into wrap up Ethan’s storyline as Nathan Dean’s four-month run with the show came to its conclusion.
Now, it has been 100% officially confirmed that today was the last episode of Howard as the recast Ethan. In story, Ethan was now seen in Oslo, Norway after hightailing it out of Port Charles after Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) had showed up looking for him at the Metro Court pool in Port Charles.
On the July 31st episode, Ethan made a beeline to Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) grabbed his bags and headed out of the country without saying goodbye to Ava (Maura West), who he just had spent the night with.

Courtesy/ABC
However, on Tuesday’s GH, it was also the day where Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) finalized baby Phoebe’s adoption for Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard). This was juxtaposed with the action in Oslo where Hudson showed up at Ethan’s hotel room door. He demanded immediate answers about Delilah and the baby. Ethan told him that both Delilah and the baby she carried died.
ETHAN’S LIES CATCH UP TO HIM
Hudson is livid. The two get into multiple altercations with Hudson getting the upper hand claiming that Ethan is a thief, who had “stolen from the wrong man.” At that point, Hudson delivered a beatdown on Ethan. Next, he threatened Ethan that he will go after his entire family if he finds out he was lying to him.
Back in Port Charles at the Metro Court pool, Ava is lamenting about Ethan’s sudden disappearance to Trina (Tabyana Ali). Later alone, she gets a call from Ethan telling her to never reveal that he’s not Phoebe’s biological father. Cut to: Hudson out in the hotel hallway listening in on the call through a bug he planted in Ethan’s hotel room. Hudson then takes off. The final moment of Ethan’s is him sprawled out bloody on top of the hotel bed.
A GH rep told Soap Opera Digest that “the door is open for Ethan to return to Port Charles” in the future. And as previously reported by TV Insider, when Nathan Dean signed on for his four month return, it was due in part to that he and his wife announced back in March they were expecting a baby.
So, now that Christian Howard has officially exited the series marking the end of the story for now of Ethan Lovett, what are your thoughts? Obviously, we will look for Hudson to return to Port Charles and infiltrate the Quartermaines lives especially Brook Lynn and Chase to get close to Phoebe, and then there is Ava, who may be in terrible danger, or is she? Share your thoughts and theories.
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