‘General Hospital’ Shocker! Jacqueline Grace Lopez Exits as Blaze: ‘I Didn’t See It Coming’
The Doctor Is In
For exclusive news and updates, subscribe to our General Hospital Newsletter:
Jacqueline Grace Lopez has confirmed that she’s leaving General Hospital. The actor, who plays Blaze (aka Allie) on the ABC soap opera, revealed her departure on Instagram on Wednesday, August 14, noting that she “didn’t see it coming.” Lopez has been part of the General Hospital cast since 2022.
Lopez’s exit comes just one day after Blaze was dumped by Kristina Corinthos-Davis (Kate Mansi) in the Tuesday, August 13 episode. Blaze, a singer, was encouraged to go on tour with Miguel Morez (Ricky Martin) following the breakup and she ultimately decided to go. This now seems to have been the character’s official exit from the series.
“Not gonna lie, this goodbye hurts,” Lopez wrote in her lengthy Instagram caption on August 14. “I think because I didn’t see it coming. That and when you spend almost two years with this group, you start to feel like part of the fabric.” She went on to thank members of the General Hospital team.
“I’m so grateful to Frank [Valentini, executive producer] for asking me back,” she continued. “I am grateful to everyone I got to tell stories with, both in front and behind the camera. This cast and crew work so hard and have taught me so much. Jobs come and go, but it’s the people you miss. I’m definitely going to miss this bunch. I’ve mentioned that as a brown girl, it’s so hard to see ourselves in media, period. To have writers introduce Latiné story elements because of my character? Even adding a Latiné last name to my character’s name? Getting onscreen family and backstory as a non-contract actor? Being a part of the opening titles?! Turning a 10 episode part into almost two years??? Babyyy, she done did that! Sometimes we have to be the change we don’t see.”
View this post on Instagram
Lopez then sent a big thank you to the soap’s loyal fans.
“GH FANS!!! My heart is so full. Especially fans that embraced Blaze’s journey as a gay woman and formed community around each other as a result: Y’all got me through some moments,” Lopez said. “I poured myself into this story because I knew it was going to matter. I just didn’t know how much. You have humbled me, reminding me the need for feeling seen onscreen is absolutely universal to all marginalized communities. I learned that through Allie. Through you. Thank you for sharing your stories, your words of encouragement, and for the generous gifts! Know I carry all of that with me always. I hope I did right by you. That’s all I wanted to do.”
While Lopez admits that her departure “feels so sudden,” she’s grateful for her time on the show. “Ultimately, my joy in this work is to help people feel seen,” the caption concluded. “And for that reason alone, this chapter of Blaze was an absolute gift. It feels so sudden, but I have to trust in timing. Heading out of Port Charles with nothing but gratitude. Thank you.”
This is the latest of a string of surprising General Hospital casting developments in recent weeks. Emme Rylan’s Lulu was recently recast, Bryan Craig is coming back as the late Morgan Corinthos, and Jonathan Jackson and Rick Hearst are both returning.
General Hospital, Weekdays, Check Local Listings, ABC
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services