ARTICLE: Kelly Monaco Talks “Dismantling” Of Her ‘General Hospital’ Character, States “The Truth Will Set You Free”

[Errol]

For the first time since revealing that she “took the cut,” following unsubstantiated rumors that she was let go from “General Hospital” due to not complying with the show’s request by talent to take a cut in either salary or episode guarantee, actress Kelly Monaco is sharing more details about her ouster from the ABC daytime drama series as Sam McCall.

In a comment posted to the Soap Hub Instagram page, wherein the outlet highlighted Monaco’s former “General Hospital” co-star, Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer; Eric Brady, “Days of our Lives”) showing his support of Monaco, the actress responded to disparaging comments by posters who claimed she had “no primary roles,” and that “she wasn’t fired she didn’t take the pay cut so she had to leave.”

“‘No primary role’.. do your homework,” said Monaco in response, adding, “When Billy Miller was fired, Sam’s storyline stopped. Stripping Sam of every characteristic she had. Something I worked for decades to build… Slowly dismantling her, into a character that I did not recognize, let alone the audience.”

“Call it what you will… retaliation at it [sic] finest,” continued Monaco, who closed out her post, saying, “I will give a proper statement. The truth will set you free.”

Instagram

“Duces [sic] ‘I’ve got your back and you always had mine,'” read the caption of a since-deleted Instagram post by Monaco published on the first anniversary of the late Billy Miller‘s death. On “General Hospital,” Miller first portrayed a recast Jason Morgan starting in 2014, but by 2017, it was revealed that the character was not Jason, but his twin brother, Drew Cain. Miller was let go from the show in July 2019.

“I will tell our story soon enough…. I love and miss you… and beyond,” stated Monaco, closing out the post.

Since Soap Opera Network first broke the news of Monaco being let go from “General Hospital” in late August, the actress’ fans have rallied to support her being rehired by the show. An online petition has since received more than 16,000 signatures, and a mobile billboard has been driven around the show’s studio at Prospect Studios in Hollywood and Disney’s headquarters in Burbank. In fact, on Friday, September 20, a billboard in New York’s Time Square could be spotted throughout the day.

While efforts to rehire Monaco continue, Monaco’s mother, Carmina, announced on Friday, September 27 that her daughter cleaned out her dressing for the last time. In her post, she said, “This moment is a difficult one, but knowing that she has had such an incredible, devoted fan base has given her strength. You’ve stood by her through every twist and turn, celebrating her achievements and providing comfort in the hard times. Your love and dedication have meant more than words can express, not only to Kelly but to all of us who care so deeply for her.”

ABC has not issued a formal statement on Monaco’s exit, despite other outlets reporting “storyline dictated” as the reason. Separately, while Monaco’s airdate has not been announced, based on the show’s current tape-to-air schedule, fans can expect to see the last of the actress as Sam McCall sometime in October when the character goes out with a bang.

Note: The post Kelly Monaco Talks “Dismantling” Of Her ‘General Hospital’ Character, States “The Truth Will Set You Free” appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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[Liberty City]

People really be talking shït without knowing facts... keyboard warriors are nasty, nasty people!

[dragonflies]

Valentini is pushing this to cancellation. Retaliating against an actress?? I thought Ron was petty, Frank takes it to a whole nother level

[jasonminer1974]

What dismantling?

[carolineg]

I have to agree with you.  Sam wasn't much of a character outside being Jason's ride or die.  Once that ended you ended up with what Sam began with.  A whole lotta nothing.  She really never had a distinctive personality (outside her brief villainess run).  Sam just ended up being cast aside like Courtney but lived much, much longer.

[Liberty City]

Probably giving her children.

[jasonminer1974]

She wanted to work with a BF and he got fired or not renewed i'm not sure the facts? She didn't want to work with Steve. Unless she was being abused in someway i don't get her beef? 20 years on a soap is pretty good.

[BetterForgotten]

Even if the lawsuit is found to be baseless, I do hope KM sues for retaliation and the press is so bad that ABC is forced to fire Valentini. It's time and he needs to go. 

That's me and my crusade to get Valentini fired at any cost...

Edited October 1, 2024 by BetterForgotten

[VelekaCarruthers]

I'm kind of over her whining.  She had a job for longer than most in the acting biz, particularly on a show that's been tanking for decades.  She's a capable performer; in my view she was always Brenda-lite and her scenes through the years bored me. Go out and get another role without trashing the show unless you have an employment claim; then hire an attorney.  GH survived countless departures by more critical players (Genie Francis, Tony Geary and many others over the years as has every soap.  This is a tempest in a teapot.  She should learn from other performers who laced their departures with these dramatics. Many never got another daytime soap job. 

[Taoboi]

Oooo is that the gloves coming off...?

 

If it leads to FV being fired...I am down.

[AMCOLTLLover]

No offense… BUT she always looked like she never wanted to be there anyway and was phoning in her scenes since like Billy miller left. The last 5-6 years she had no big storylines that were memorable or even interesting. I loved Kelly since the Port Charles days as Livvie but her character has been dead weight for years. She has no chemistry with Dante and her scenes with her family seemed like she was bored and zoned out. 
I was more upset about Stuart Damon’s axing or genie Francis.. hell I was even more upset when they let go of Steve and Kayla at the end of the 00‘s from Days 

OFC it’s upsetting to lose a job after 2 decades BUT was it really a blindside? She could’ve taken the paycut and still be a part of this show.. it’s not the 00‘s or 80‘s where soaps have big budgets anymore. 

Edited October 2, 2024 by AMCOLTLLover

[Planet Soap]

 

Exactly.

Is Monaco not cognizant that she has been phoning in her scenes for the last few years. She always sounds disinterested and bored. 

And I agree that Sam rarely had an identity outside of Jason/Sonny's woman. How popular was Sam when she first came and was messing with Jax?

I get it. After 20 years on a job, salary cuts are offensive. But ratings/soap budgets are declining and she hasn't acted well in years. My question is, was Kelly the only person asked to take a salary cut?

Edited October 6, 2024 by Planet Soap

[janea4old]

She recently specifically stated that she was willing to take the paycut but they let her go anyhow.

[titan1978]

She wasn’t just willing to take a paycut, she actually accepted the paycut when everyone else did.

[Diane]

My question is why was Billy Miller fired. Why was Kelly upset about it . Was is legit or did something happen...these questions need to be answered before we can tell if her retaliation is called for..  if there is one ..we see characters come+ go + come back, was it personal,his contract ,behavior, or just fired..