Connect with us

News

5

Hunter Tylo Reflects on Son Mickey’s Tragic Death, and Refusing to Play Trauma Surrounding Phoebe’s Death on B&B; “My Pain is Not for Sale”

By Michael Fairman

Published

1 year ago

on

Photo: JPI

The original Taylor Hayes of The Bold and the Beautiful, Hunter Tylo, recently made two surprise livestream appearances. It is the first time in several years that anyone had heard publicly from Tylo herself. As previously reported, she showed up as a guest on the Unexpected Cosmology You Tube Channel.

One of the more emotional and heated moments came when Hunter was asked about getting a start in show business as an actor. In her response, and to make a point, she recalled some of the harrowing moments that led to her beloved then 19-year old son, Mickey Tylo, falling into the family pool after having an epileptic seizure and dying back in October of 2007. Meanwhile, on-screen, Taylor’s daughter, Phoebe Forrester (MacKenzie Mauzy) died in a car crash on an episode that aired in December of 2008.

In the story, Phoebe came back to town and she was mortified to find Rick (then, Kyle Lowder) in bed with her mother! Later in 2008, Phoebe learned Rick kissed her fraternal twin-sister Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) against her will. When Phoebe confronted Rick at his office about it, he tried to get away. She followed him to his car and got in with him. As he drove, she became physical, hitting him. Rick lost control of the vehicle and then crashed. While Rick survived, Phoebe died in her father, Ridge’s (then Ronn Moss) arms.

Photo: JPI

While Hunter seemed a bit off on her dates; as to when her son passed away and then having to play the reaction to Phoebe’s death as Taylor on The Bold and the Beautiful; she explained how being an actor on a soap, or in film or primetime, can be difficult, and how she has gotten a “reputation” over the years for standing up for herself.

Hunter explained, “I don’t think people understand what they’re getting into by wanting to be an actor or an actress. I have, in the past, temperamentally walked off off of a set. I have refused to say things or do things because either they didn’t jive with what I believe in, or I could just see how flat out wrong it was.” Next, Tylo began to illustrate how sometimes soap writers may use actors real-life experiences and write it to their storylines.

MICKEY TYLO’S DEATH 

Hunter added,“They (the writers) will start taking your real life and then they’ll write it into the story. So, you get to live it twice. In real life, my 19-year-old son, used to go to all these concerts. He wanted to be a DJ.  We were living near Vegas. I used to commute to L.A, because I hated L.A. He would go to all these concerts. He was hanging out with “Panic at the Disco, and all these guys who were just getting started in Vegas. They were making him their promoter. Mickey was getting overstimulated by all of the flashing lights and probably the grinding crazy music that also scrambles your brain with death tone frequencies. He ended up getting epilepsy from it, and by time he was 19 1/2, it killed him, because he went outside to get phone reception at our house in Vegas and he had a seizure at that moment. He fell in the pool and no one was there. Unfortunately, his brother had to find him.”

Photo: JPI

REFUSING TO PLAY SCENES FOLLOWING PHOEBE’S DEATH ON THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

“The next thing I know in the script, one of my daughters dies. She gets hit and killed in a car wreck,” recounted Hunter. “I’m like, ‘What? I can’t do that. I can’t do this!’ This only happened like three weeks ago or two or whatever, however long it was. I don’t know. Each day (I was supposed to show up for work) I noticed I was getting later and later coming to the set. My body was saying, ‘Don’t do this. Do not relive this because you’re going to have to use real life to get the tears to flow. You’re going have a meltdown or something.’ There were a lot of people talking who were bad mouthing me (saying), “Look at her. She’s late to the set all the time. Look at her. She’s just acting like a drama queen.”

Photo: JPI

Hunter recalled the time she refused to perform a key moment in the story: “They wrote a scene where I’m supposed to go to the morgue to identify my daughter, which everybody knows what a parent would really have to do. I did have to go through that, and they wanted me to reenact it, live it, and do this whole thing of grieving and holding her body and her toes and her hands, and kissing their head like you do. I wasn’t going to do that. I said, ‘I don’t care. Fire me. Goodbye. This ain’t happening. I mean, it’s not for sale. My pain is not for sale, okay?”‘

UNDERSTANDING THE STRESS OF BEING AN ACTOR

As she finished her recollections, Tylo ended with, “So, that’s why I say to anybody who wants to be an actor know what you’re getting into. You don’t understand the stress. It’s not all roses. It’s not all flashy cars and limos and gowns and red carpets and lights are flashing and everybody loves you. It’s not. Sometimes people hate your guts and sometimes you’re doing stuff that is extremely traumatizing to yourself. So that’s my two- cents.”

You can check out the moment during her livestream conversation where Hunter brings up her son’s tragic death and Phoebe’s on-screen death on The Bold and the Beautiful below.

Now, let us know, what are your thoughts on an actor having to relive something close to a real-life tragedy that impacted them significantly? Do you remember Phoebe’s death on B&B? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Related Topics:
5 Comments

5 Comments
oldest
newest

I admire Hunter for refusing to do a storyline while she was grieving the loss of her son. Brad bell was wrong to even write a storyline so personal.

Reply

Hunter Tylo always seemed to be the class of B&B even dealing with such stupid stories. Just reread the recap of the lead-up to Phoebe’s death, for example. Ridge’s step/half brother and/or stepson Rick (depending on who is married to whom when) — son of his dad (Eric, who raised him) and his true love Brooke — was in bed with Taylor, his step/half brother and/or stepfather’s on-again/off-again wife, and mother of his children, twins Phoebe and Steffy, at times Rick’s stepsisters, or first cousins once removed. And Rick romanced both of them and their mother, his step sister-in-law.

Reply

Well, that’s an actor’s job. It was a year later. I do agree having to do the morgue scene would be tough. Hopefully she could talk to the writers, etc. and explain.

I don’t think epilepsy is brought on by being around flashing lights.

Reply

Agreed on both points. Perhaps the writers could have been a lot more sensitive Tylo’s emotions in writing elements of that story, given the loss of her son the prior year. That said, she returned to her *job* as an actress *on a soap opera* and surely had to expect that she would be asked to portray sadness and grief again eventually. Grief does weird things, so I won’t judge her for it *feeling like* it was weeks after her son passed away — that truly would have been unspeakably cruel — but it really wasn’t.

On your latter point, yes and no — while flashing lights/sensory overload can absolutely set off epileptic seizure episodes for those who already have the condition, you are correct: you can’t actually acquire the condition itself that way. While they don’t know the exact cause for people to get the condition itself, it’s usually related to genetics or a brain/head trauma issue. There’s no valid research to suggest that someone can get it by being around things that trigger episodes in people who already have it. Doesn’t mean he didn’t have epilepsy or that it didn’t contribute to his death, but it’s odd that she’d blame it on him being around the music scene.

Reply

Still don’t know why Brad brought her back one year later just to destroy her character. She was on Larry King after her son died I believe she did sue the doctor for malpractice but nothing came of it she has had a tragic life ups and downs but to me she was the only Taylor. Hope she comes to peace and moves on Brad destroyed the character so I’m happy for her not to come back .

Reply

All My Children

Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?

Published

7 hours ago

on

October 2, 2026

By

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

On the Friday, October 2 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the morning talk show marked the 56th birthday of Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos, All My Children).

During the opening segment, Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo Santos, All My Children) humorously comparing his wife to both Gandhi and Groucho Marx, reflecting on both her comedic ability and peaceful ways.

Later, they went on to discuss the origins of her name and the most popular picks to name babies back in the year she was born, 1970. They were Kimberly, Lisa, and Jennifer for girls and Michael, David, and James for the boys.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Ripa recalled that she learned she was almost named Kim. However, their neighbors at the time had two daughters Kelly and Kim, which is what her parents wanted to call them, but they settled on Kelly and and her younger sister, Linda.

At the conclusion of the episode, Mark rolled out a huge cake for his wife. It was, “Happy birthday from all of us here at Live and at home.” Next, he cut the cake, and Ripa grabbed his face and gave him a “thank you” kiss.

Mark and Kelly

Photo: JPI

KELLY AND MARK TRIED TO KEEP THEIR VEGAS WEDDING ON THE DOWN LOW

All of this brings back memories of how Kelly and Mark’s Las Vegas wedding ceremony went public in 1996 while the two were still on All My Children playing Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan. In essence, they were outed by then radio host Wendy Williams! They discussed it on the talk show back in 2024.

In fact, the duo hid their marriage from their All My Children castmates for months, until they found out Williams got wind of the nuptials and spread the intel on the airwaves.

The two recalled their secret wedding on a 2024 episode of Live! “We’d eloped. It’d been a few months at that point. We’d been married for three months, nobody at All My Children knew we were even dating, much less married to each other. We’re brushing our teeth and we’ve got Wendy Williams’ radio show on. We’re listening, and she’s like, ‘I’ve got celebrity dish!”

EYEWITNESS

Next Ripa continued,  “The celebrities,’ I guess they had a broad use of the term back then, was the fact that ‘two soap stars from All My Children, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas.’ There was this eyewitness that worked in the Clark County courthouse that said we eloped, and the news broke, and we had to tell everybody we were married.”

Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for times in your area.

Share your birthday wishes for Kelly in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts on how Wendy Williams broadcast the news, unbeknownst to the All My Children newlyweds, that they tied the knot in Vegas?  Check out Mark and the ‘Live’ studio audience singing ‘happy birthday’ to Kelly in the post below.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life

Published

17 hours ago

on

October 2, 2026

By

Beyond the Gates Cast

As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.

The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.

The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!

Beyond the Gates

Photo: CBS

BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS

Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.

“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”

EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE

The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.

That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”

So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Days Of Our Lives

‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver

Published

1 day ago

on

October 1, 2026

By

Tajh Bellow

After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.

According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.

In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez).  A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”

Tyler Joseph Andrews and Cherie Jimenez

Photo: JPI

TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER

As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.

The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.

So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

5
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x