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Michelle Stafford's Heartfelt Message On Her Final Day Of Taping At Y&R!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

One of the most most sensational actresses ever to appear on daytime is finishing up her run today after 16 years on The Young and the Restless!  Daytime Emmy winner Michelle Stafford, who recently made the decision to depart the number one CBS soap after portraying one of the best female characters on daytime, Phyllis Summers Newman, is moving on to new career adventures.

In a statement just a short time ago on her facebook page, Stafford related to her colleagues and friends: “Today i finish my 15 year gig at my job… Wow!! I’m excited and sad.I   so LOVE the people I work with! I suppose if I was a person who didn’t believe in future I would think that this was it for me…but i don’t feel that way.  There is SOOOO much out there. I am very excited to live a new life.  I am so grateful that these guys employed me for so many years. Honored and humbled that Bill Bell hand picked me to play this crazy,funny,damaged woman by saying in the meeting “I want the one in the red dress” I suppose i should thank Calvin Klein as well…It’s been a wild ride that has finally come to a stop.I feel nothing but love man. Nothing but love…”

In addition, Michelle also took her Twitter page to relate to her fans:  “Getting ready to do my last day at work!! I will be posting pics for you so y’all can be a part of it! Have LOVED this job SO much! I will air on the show through July into the beginning of Aug! There is much more to see!! VERY fun story with many twists!! Trust me.”

So soap fans, what would you like to say here to Michelle for 16 years of playing the heck out of Phyllis with each storyline and each scene she has had? Share your thoughts!

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I am really going to miss Michelle portraying Phyllis, the character will never be the same. Good Luck on your future endeavors. Hope to see you soon on our TV screens.

Michelle’s acting is superb. Why is she leaving Y&R? It will leave a big hole on the show and would be hard to replace her.

Y&R just killed the “Golden Goose”

You have lost the show! No one can take Michelle’s place the show is declining. With all baby daddy drama! Now crazy Sharon get’s away with this. Now we won’t have Michelle I love her as a actress ! First, Jeanne Cooper’s death then,Michelle leaving who’s next? Michelle I so enjoyed you as Phyllis.I wish you and your daughter the best,thank you for 16 years!

I’m going to miss Michelle/Phyllis too…she’s such a spirited and great actress! Good luck to whatever she wants to do in the future. It’s going to be weird not seeing her again!

phyllis/michelle will be back…one day soon i hope

I HAVE LIVED THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS OF PHYLLIS ROMALOTTI,NEWMAN,ABBOTT. SORRY TO SEE HER LEAVE AS HER DEPARTURE WILL IMPACT THE SHOW IN NUMEROUS WAYS. NO ONE PLAYS PHYLLIS LIKE MICHELLE. BUT IN LIFE, WE MUST CHOOSE DIVERSE PATHS THAT ALLOW US TO GROW. WITH EACH STAGE OF LIFE ITS A LEARNED EXPERIENCE. I WISH MICHELLE ALL THE BEST AS SHE TRAVELS TO NEW HORIZONS. YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED.

Best of luck in all your future endeavors – you will be sorely missed.

This is going to be a MAJOR loss for Y&R (not to mention us fans).
Her scenes with Josh Morrow on the June 12 show how incredibly powerful she can be.

ITA- those scenes on June 12th were powerful and both her and JM did a great job with it. I am glad that she was around for this reveal and some of the fallout, because I can’t imagine a recast doing the job she could do with it. I wish her well, but I have seen enough soap stars come and go over the years to know that a loss of any one actor rarely affects the show. She left the show before and came back, so if the show continues fingers crossed here’s hoping MS will return some day.

I say good luck on GH because that’s exactly where she’s headed.

Benny I hope you are wrong but I have heard rumblings to!

MS DISAGREES! But, I guess everyone needs a dream.

i hope so .she`s great

as long as she is on the small screen or big screen, I will be happy.

I took her as Phyllis for granted and now I am really going to miss seeing her sassy, spunky character. I am glad Michael Graziadei agreed to come back to escort her off.

so did I – take it for granted… that she’d forever remain with.

it’s touching that her son… Michael Graziadei is coming home to see her off in to the stars… as it were.

I wish her ALL the best… personally and professionally.

She”ll be back home in Geneo City again.

Talk about sexy, sultry, and men charmed by…. That’s a lot of Woman.

GH is making the same mistake that MAB did on Y and R. If Stafford is going there, and I’d wish her well, these types of moves continue to alienate longtime viewers who have to make room for yet another “big name” on their show.

That cast is larger than Y and R, and the fans are rumbling about it.

We should only be so lucky……..from your lips to Gods ears! Fingers crossed…..

Pat I totally agree I see Jason now owning a coffee shop in Genoa City and Carly from Oakdale wandering around in the Q’s mansion. It completely turns me off !There is no room for her over there go do other projects please!

As much as most people probably hated Phyllis’s character for the horrible things she has done to some people, she was a great actress and will definitely be missed.

as a Y & R fan I am sadden at the loss of Ms Chancler now Phyllis ,!!! Thank you Michelle for 15 years of work and blessings on your new adventures

I will miss her every day she’s not on. She is a wonderful actress and made me love her role in it, even if I didn’t always agree with the character, I always loved the performance. It’s a sad day for us but I know she will be amazing in whatever she does. Go Michelle!

wow, Im so not in the loop been watching Y&R for over 30 yrs, and I did not know Phylllis was leaving (Michelle) sad to see her go, what will happen to her character? will she be replaced? good luck trying to find someone to fill that role, Michelle did an excellent job doing it. Good luck in your future travels

She is a fabulous actress and will be missed.

I so agree, Daisy! No matter how bad Phyllis could be… Michelle always made her performances “must see” TV.

I wish MS the best, but will miss her so much on Y&R.

I am so saddened to see you go. I have ALWAYS loved Phyllis. I can’t imagine Y&R without you. You are an amazing actress and I’m sure you’re future will be bright. It is definitely OUR loss. Good luck in all your ventures..;-)

I have watched the Y&R since it’s inception day, and will definitely feel the loss of Michelle (as well as Jeanne Cooper). But, in order to grow sometimes we must move on so best of luck in all your future endeavors and just know there will never be another crazy Phyllis Summers R A N. Thank you Michelle!!

Michelle… I have 2 facebook groups of you because I LOVED YOU as Phyllis. Or “Red” as Jack affectionately called her. One group is “Phack 4ever friends” for Jack and Phyllis. The other is “Ryl Phonan” for Ronan and Phyllis. Just telling you so you’d know! Michelle I HATED that Phyllis broke up Danny and Cricket. BUT it didn’t take long for me to LOVE you more than I loved those 2! Y&R WON’T be the same without you. And Jack certainly won’t, either! Good luck… Hope to see you on the silver screen again if not in prime time. Last… get on Criminal Minds & Say Hi to Shemar Moore!!!!!

I will really miss you!! You were one of my favorite people on the show. I never knew what was coming next with you; so unpredictable but always well done, no matter what the scene called for. I wish you all the best in whatever you endeavor to do in your future!!. I’m certain you will always shine brightly! Much love, hugs and prayers for you Michelle!!

One of the best actresses on the show – just got addicted to the Young and Restless about 2 years ago – but Phyllis has always been my favorite character – enjoy your next adventure

She was always riveting on the screen. I wish her well and am sorry to see her go but know she will go on to other great adventures.

I love Phyllis I love Michelle. I am going to miss her so much and I really hope they dont rrecast. It didnt work last time they tried. Thank you for 15 years of laughs and tears. You and Josh are great patners. I wish all of the best that life has to offer.

In spite of the fact that Phyllis Summers Newman is a crazy, funny, damaged character, Michelle has portrayed her BRILLIANTLY! Phyllis has been my favorite female character on Y&R ever since the day she came to GC. She’s passionate, driven, funny & feisty. I had the honor & pleasure of meeting Michelle at a charity event once. She is truly one of THE nicest, warmest, most fan friendly actresses I’ve ever met. I thank her for 15 years of Phyllis & wish her ALL the best! I can’t wait to see her in her next role, whatever & wherever it may be!

Bet she’ll show up at General Hospital in no time !

So nice to have known you,and so sad that you are leaving the show. thanks for being with us this long.. good Luck to you…

I am so sorry that you are leaving the show. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you on the show. Michelle you made it so interesting we never knew what would happen and you made it so interesting. I sincerely hope to see you on the tube whether in a movie, TV show, or back on Y & R. Please take care of yourself.

I am so sorry Michelle is leaving. She will be really missed. However I wish her all the luck in her future.

I wish her all the best, but I sincerely hope she does not go to GH. That show has a plethora of awesome females that are not being used…Finola Hughes, Genie Francis, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, etc.

You will be so missed. With all the changes going on (most not for the best), I can understand your reasons for leaving. Please consider coming back someday. Without you & Mrs. C, Y&R just isn’t worth watching anymore. Much Luck in the future, & God Bless…..

LI hope she gets a prime time role.

First Jeanne, now you, we were either loving or hateing you, now we are going to miss you a lot. good luck on your new adventures:)

She’s one of those actresses that could do it all.

Often criticized for some of her choices on screen…I was always spellbound and thoroughly enjoyed every second she was on.

A lot of people had trouble separating her acting from her character, and that to me is also a true sign of talent.

I don’t want a recast. I’d like them to write her off, and if she ever decides to come back, I know she’ll be welcome.

Such a loss!

I think that the role should definitely be recast. Phyllis has too much of an impact on this show to not have the character on this show. Secondly, I think the role should be filled by an unknown. Any other well known actress will come with stigmas from their former roles. Thirdly, I will miss Michelle so very very much! Wish her the best in life.

I will def miss seeing u on YnR! U r a great actress! Looking forward to seeing you in future tv! 🙂 best of luck to u!

She will be missed and no one can replace her. Maybe she’ll change her mind and come back soon. Gosh Brian if she goes to General Hospital gonna have to start watching that show since so many of Y&R people has gone there.

Good now we can forget Phick ever happened, Sharonand Nick can reunite, Jack can start building a relationship with Summer, Avery can alao move on now to Michael or Dylan!!! Bue Bye Phyliss!!! Now can somebody kill off Carmine ( maybe Lauren so she can go to jail and ve saved by Paul) …Finaly, with Michelle finaly leaving, Victoria Rowell can come back ( new girl’s mama?;Neil’s child?) … This show could be so good…

I enjoyed the character you played and the way in which you portrayed the many different faces of Phyllis Summer Newman. You made the character soooooooooo
interesting although there were times when I thought “Phyllis, how could you?” but the many aspects of the roles you were given to portray, I must say, you did each and everyone of them justice. I will certainly be one of the millions of people who have followed you on the “Y & R” who will miss you. I do wish you all the best for your future endeavours whatever they maybe.

I cannot imagine Y&R without you. You have been Phyllis since forever and we all appreciate your talent and dedication to this soap opera. Wishing you the very best and I know we will be seeing a lot of you in the future. God bless you and your family……

Michelle-thank you for being the BEST BAD GIRL in all of Soap World for the past 15+ years! Y&R is on daily at my house-sometimes I watch it twice if it is a really special episode ! My family and I will continue to watch, although it just won’t be the same without you! Best of luck in your future endeavors !!

Michelle, I have watched from the very beginning and you are truly an astonishing actress, one of kind, good luck in whatever you do. Will miss you!

Haven’t always liked Phyllis, but Michelle is great. Loved her on that Spelling show, Pacific Palisades I think it was.

People have to move on……..So sorry and very sad to see you go Michelle!

michelle, you will be sadly missed. have so much enjoyed watching you for the last 15-16 years. you are a wonderful actor. loved you whether you were sweet or that firey side of you. good luck to you and never forget I Love You. best of luck in your new adventures & hope you come back to y&r someday. 🙂

My whole life a character on television named Phyllis was either someone’s dull mother inlaw or a goofy misfit. MS brought glamour and delicious deviousness to that name. Since that is also my given name, I would like to thank her. Maybe more characters will have that name and they won’t always wear a matronly two piece suit and pearls.

Michelle sure do hate to see you go..I think beside Jeanne Cooper you made this show..I have been a fan of Y&R for so many years And have seen so many good ones leave..Good Luck in whatever you do and maybe someday you will come back to see us own Y&R,,May God walk with you in your new path along the way…God Bless…..Hazel a fan ..

So sad to hear you r leaving the show I don’t think they will find another to fill your shoes. You are a great actress and the show won’t be the same now two great actresses r no longer on the show that made a great impact on this soap. Best of luck in your next endeavor!! I will miss seeing you everyday!!

Well Bill Bell made the right call with you Michelle..BKA Phyliss. You are one of the reasons I watch the show. I have rooted for you in EVERY situation. NO ONE can play this part like you. Congratulations on a job well done and blessings on every new venture you choose. You are a great actress and will be missed.

I so appreciate all the work Michelle has done on Y&R their loss. She is a great actress. I wish her and her daughter well. Will miss her. Noone can fill her shoes as Phyllis. I look forward to seeing her in other ventures, maybe GH?

Hands down the BEST actress on TV in general (not just daytime ) I just hope you ,Michelle pop up soon another show , any show SOON!!!

I started watching Y&R about 10 yrs ago because my wife always had me tape it for her daily for past 30 yrs, and when I ended up watching it some days by myself, I tended to fast forward through the DVR to only those scenes that included Victor, more recently Adam and always Phillis, so many others are boring or poor storylines, Phyllis definitely will be missed, such a sexy redhead to boot, but a very believeable actress too.

As much as I hate to see Michelle leave Y&R I also understand that she wants to explore her options. She is a phenomenal actress that has a lot to offer. I honestly do not believe no one can take her place as Phyllis but a good replacement for her is needed. I heard she was heading to GH, which I have watched for 30 plus years. I hope Y&R does not kill her off.

I absolutely love all the personalities and how Michelle has played them. Having met this lovely lady in Windsor I think she is more beautiful in person. Even though she will be terribly missed I totally understand her saying ‘there is soooo much out there’. Break a leg with your new venture Michelle (that’s theatre lingo for good luck)

oh boy! will miss “RED”i love Phyllis and i will miss her,but no one can play phyllis and i mean no love.All the best to her in whatever she does.

Congratulations Michelle!!! You are venturing out to explore new opportunities and I hope you have many!!!! You are an extremely talented and beautiful lady and anyone will be ecstatic to work with you!!! You will be missed… but I am excited and happy for you and wish you all good things!!! Thank you so much for 15-16 years of fabulous performances!!! Come back sometime!!!

Michelle and her character onY&R show what a truly great actress she is. She stands High above any other acttress on TV. Anyone who can make you swear at your TV over some scene that realy moves you and makes you angry and is volatile, is the personification of the word ..actress. I believe we will be seeing Michelle again and again and again. Wherever she goes I, like muriad of others will be watching. Best of wishes ….luck,you won’t need.

Michael, judging by her tweet to you, I don’t think Michelle was too happy about you posting this from her personal facebook account. I don’t blame her. That being said, I will miss her on Y & R.

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Photo: JPI

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On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

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For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

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Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

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Courtesy/ABC

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