Kelly Monaco is sharing her thoughts on her departure from General Hospital following the announcement of her exit from the series.
“Last scene with the Davis girls. 😘🥲🙏🏻,” Monaco, 48, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, October 6. “Still doesn’t make any sense to me.”
In her post, Monaco included a photo of herself sitting on a couch with her co-stars Kate Mansi, Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kristen Vaganos. In the comments, Grahn, 68, shared some encouraging words for Monaco.
“‘In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.’ — Albert Einstein,” Grahn wrote. “I love you. All will be well. There are some things a TV mother just knows. ❤️😥❤️💫.”
Monaco has portrayed Sam McCall on the soap opera since 2003, totaling over 2,000 episodes. In August, a source revealed to Us Weekly that she would be leaving General Hospital, with Soap Opera Network being the first to report the news.
Fans quickly voiced their disappointment over the decision. One user on X exclaimed, “No no no no NO!! Reverse course immediately! Kelly plays one of the most deeply connected, significant characters on the canvas. Sam has had one of the most beautiful evolutions on #GH, and there is no storyline that should keep her away from her home!”
In response, some fans launched a campaign to prevent her departure, using social media hashtags like #SaveKelly, #SaveSamMcCall, and #IStandWithKelly.
In September, Monaco seemingly addressed her exit in a since-deleted comment on Instagram. A Soap Hub post featured Monaco with her costar Greg Vaughan, accompanied by the text, “Greg Vaughan shares memories with Kelly Monaco after her GH firing.”
In the comments, one person claimed that Monaco refused to take a pay cut, which she publicly denied. “‘No primary role’.. do your homework,” Monaco replied. “When Billy Miller was fired, Sam’s storyline stopped. Stripping Sam of every characteristic she had,” she explained. “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. I will give a proper statement. The truth will set you free.”
Monaco’s mother, Carmina, also addressed her daughter’s departure on Instagram. “This moment is a difficult one, but knowing that she has had such an incredible, devoted fan base has given her strength,” she wrote. “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.”
