News
Soap Stars Share Reaction And Devastation Over The Death Of Pop Icon George Michael

Photo: Reuters
Christmas Day 2016 will be remembered for yet another huge loss in pop culture and the music industry, in a year that has seen so many beloved public figures lives cut too short.
Late Sunday afternoon, the world learned of the death of pop icon, George Michael at the age of 53. The British singer, songwriter, musician, died of what at this point is said to be “heart failure”.
“It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period,” read a statement sent to USA TODAY by Michael’s London-based publicist, Connie Filippello.
The statement went on to say: “The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.” Michael died in Goring, England. His U.S. publicist, Cindi Berger told the Associated Press he had not been ill. The singer was a fierce champion of LGBT rights and came out in a now famous interview in 1998 on CNN.
The Grammy-winning star sold more than 100 million albums globally. George leaves behind an incredible body of work from his start with Wham to his solo career from: Father Figure to Freedom, to Careless Whisper to Everything She Wants, to Last Christmas to Faith, to Fast Love to One More Try, to Praying For Time and the incredible body of work in the albums: Listen to without Prejudice Pt 1, Older, and Faith, and those are just a small sampling of the songs and works of this artist’s legacy.
Several soap stars, upon learning of the death of George Michael, shared their shock and love for the artist via social media. Below are just a few examples:
Y&R’s Daniel Goddard: “George Michael has passed! Can all the horrible news from 2016 please just stop! #RIPGeorgeMichael #Legend” Then on an Instagram posted, Goddard shared: “Grew up with his music. Loved his lyrics. Was in awe of his voice. What a colossal loss. #RiPgeorgemichael”
DAYS Eric Martsolf: “Ahh dammit”.
Ex-GL, AMC and B&B star Ricky Paull Goldin: “Sad to hear about George Michael’s death. I actually wore out my FAITH album back in the day. He was a Big part of my youth. #RIPGeorge”
GH’s Rebecca Budig: “So sad. A part of my youth…RIP”
Other soap stars such as GH’s Finola Hughes and Laura Wright shared their grief over the loss by simply and effectively posting photos of Michael on Instagram. For Hughes, their was another connnection to George’s career. Her husbandm Russell Young, was the photographer of Michael’s Grammy-winning album cover and massive mainstream hit, Faith.
Let us know your reaction to the passing of George Michael, and your favorite song of his in the comment section below.
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
General Hospital
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
News
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
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I first seen Wham on MTV-when MTV was all about music and was great-that channel sure went downhill…so many celebs passing away…On Dec.19th Dick Latessa passed away-he played Noel Douglas No.2 on Edge Of Night in the mid 1970s and was involved with the Whytney Family!!!
Too many songs to ban as my favorites. If I have to choose one, it would be “Cowboys and Angels”. I attended every one of his concerts in the tri-state area, the last being in 2008 when after surgery and in pain I attended his 25th Anniversary concert in what turned out to be the best concert ever! He was my favorite singer/performer and he will be missed. May he rest peacefully.
Sorry, that should read “name”, not “ban”.
George Michael was more than a pop icon. He had the voice, talent and skill to prove it on stage. So many people identify George as a “part of their youth” or a member of Wham but this man was a songwriter, could sing anything and was probably one of the most underrated talents that came from the 80’s pop world. George Michael was just fantastic. He will be sorely missed. RIP sweet man.
Beautiful so true
I agree with you Mateo. I loved him since I first saw him in Wham. The beginning of the ” boy bands “. I played his Faith album so many times, I still remember the order of the songs, and I can probably sing every one of them in my sleep. If you haven’t already, look up the song Somebody to Love by Queen on YouTube. George is singing lead with the original Queen band backing him, and not surprisingly he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Excellent performance in my opinion. Another wonderful talent gone way to soon. Take care and thanks for listening.
Beautifully said, Mateo and you too, Soapie. George Michael is possibly the only one who could do that song justice as no one could hit the notes the way Frerddy Mercury could.
I saw George in an interview and he said that while rehearsing this song that he had to start over and over because he kept breaking down in tears while singing the first line,”Each morning I get up and die a little.”
We know how you feel, George.
I just watched George Michael, 20/20
“Wham” : definition;
used to express the sound of a forcible impact.
“the bombs landed—wham!—right on target”
“solo acts” branch out to own… first thing that came to mind
from 20 he was a superstar
@26 he’s done with it
after his first solo album… “Faith” to his last… videos featuring female persuasion
he quit with honor… dang it took me this long… he quit and steadfasted for us
to the last.. “don’t let the sun… go down on me”
what a salute
I like this guy so much
@Addison
upon hearing… I went to Youtbe
knowing in my mindset, i’d recognize as soon as I saw it… “kissing a fool”
OMG
classic sophisticate
sophisticated baby
upon real
THANK YOU
i just don’t have any works right now – i am devastated right now……….
*words
Complete shock and disbelief when I saw that on the news feed last night.
Great voice ,great talent ….too young 🙁
Please say hello to Michael and Whitney for us, George. RIP
That was another shocker of a famous death this year. I really liked George Michael and Wham growing up. I had many of his albums and singles, in fact I just recently got spotify to have a large amount of music to listen to at work and I added a lot of George Michael and Wham to it the other day. RIP George.
Loved his music
Too much loss, what a miserable year. Especially for those of us who grew up in the 80’s, it feels like 2016 has been an all out assault on our youth. George Michael was a beautiful artist… I’ll never hear ”Last Christmas” the same way again. 🙁
I feel like I have been double sucker punched. I never expected the eternally boyish George Michael to die so young and I never expected it to hit me so hard.
He won my respect with “Kissing a Fool” which played on the television (which was always tunned onto MTV while I hit the books) in my studio apartment in SF back when I was a young undergraduate. I was not a fan of Wham at all so when I heard the throaty alto of the bass strum in conjunction with George Michael’s pitch perfect voice ,coupled with the visual of him filmed in black and white with a jazz quartet, I was like–who IS that?
That’s when he won me over and trust me, I am a really tough music critic.
“You are far, when I could have been your star.”
How can this be? And thank you for posting this, Mr Fairman.
Check the liner notes of your ‘Faith’ album. Finola posted the cover of the ‘Faith’ album, because her husband, photographer Russell Young, shot the cover for it. It wasn’t merely just her posting a pic of him in tribute, shock or love. It meant more than that. She was asked about her husband’s connection to him on twitter and, she typed, ‘Gutted,’ with the same cover.
I love all of George’s music, but what I found myself listening to after hearing the news was his duets: ‘As’ with Mary J Blige, ‘Learn to Say No’ with Jody Watley, ‘I Knew You Were Waiting for Me’ with Aretha Franklin, ‘How do You Keep the Music Playing’ with Tony Bennett, ‘Heal the Pain’ with Paul McCartney, ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ with Elton John, ‘Wrap Her Up’ with Elton John, and ‘This is Not Real Love’ with Mutya.
And British soap star, Martin Kemp, from EastEnders (and rock star bassist with Spandau Ballet) was good friends with George because he introduced him to his future wife, Shirlie, who was George’s backup singer in Wham!
‘I was completely obsessed with Shirlie. I’d seen her on Top of the Pops doing, I think it was Wham! Rap, wearing this white dress with a big slit up the side and I was in love with her,’ Martin remembered.
I was in shock and disbelief when my mother told me.
I loved Wham! and George. I am so glad I saw him in concert when he came to the U.S. a few years ago.
George was a very talented songwriter. His lyrics amazed me with his creativity.
Very sad, but his music will live on. RIP
Me too! I was expecting it’d be the last time he toured the US because he comes here so infrequently so was glad I nabbed a seat although I never thought he wouldn’t come back due to an early death. He truly is one of the top 5 standout artists that began their careers in the 80s for me and I will miss the occasional news, videos. and singles overseas from him
I cannot believe that George Michael has passed away. Beyond sad. Rest In Peace, George.
Amen.
I had always wished George would do a follow-up to “Faith” or him and Andrew would reunite and tour. So sad.
“part of my youth”
George’s music is still a part of my life. Yes, I listened to him in my youth, but still do today and it is still FANTASTIC!
Agreed! And I caught that reference to the first Wham! album.
🙂
He had an amazingly good voice, loved his ballad singing, we lost some one really special.
One of my friends told me that her sons and nieces and nephews (who are all adults) don’t know who George Michael is. I find that to be really sad. Just because you’re not alive when maybe a musician is in their heyday doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be aware of them or introduced to them. Granted, I guess pop/R&B isn’t their type of music.
Looking forward to the documentary on his life that he finished up before his death and the reissue of Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1. It’s almost as if both he and Bowie knew they were going to die and had forthcoming projects as a gift to us post-life on Earth.
Master male vocalist, superb songwriter, pop idol, sex symbol….
George Michael showcased such a full spectrum of maleness. One might say he would be treated with similar regard and respect as
The King Of Pop and Prince
Had he suffered through his angsty uneasy feelings about fame and celebrity and calculations of image instead of removing himself too early from
His Popstar aspirations. I Love him so much and im very grateful to the universe for his presence un rgis world . Just like a muse too me