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.
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
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General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
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‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
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Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
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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