UPDATE 7:49 PM, ET: “As many of you know, Kristen Alderson has decided to leave ‘General Hospital’ and start a new professional journey. As a member of our ABC family since she was six years old, we will miss Kristen and wish her only the best in her new ventures. As a result, the role of Kiki Jerome will be recast with Hayley Erin. Hayley will start appearing as Kiki in late February. Please join us in welcoming Hayley to our cast,” reads ABC’s statement on the recasting of the character on “GH.”
PREVIOUS 4:27 PM, ET: Although a rep for “General Hospital” has yet to respond to a request for comment, Daytime Confidential is reporting that the daytime drama series has cast “The Young and the Restless” alum Hayley Erin (ex-Abby Newman) in the contract role of Kiki Jerome, currently portrayed by Kristen Alderson.
After Alderson decided to vacate the role of Kiki at the conclusion of her three year contract with the soap earlier this month, fans immediately began to wonder what the series planned to do with the character. With Kiki in the midst of taking care of her little sister now that their mother, Ava Jerome (Maura West), is in prison at the moment, and with the character recently reconnecting with Morgan Corinthos (Bryan Craig) now that his brother, Michael (Chad Duell), has distanced himself from everyone he loves after learning Sonny (Maurice Benard) was the one that killed his father, the soap clearly has long-term plans for the character.
“Y&R” fans might recall Erin’s turn as Abby Newman on the soap from 2008-2010. Erin was later replaced by Emme Rylan (now Lulu Spencer on “GH”), who at the time was just coming off a successful turn as Lizzie Spaulding on “Guiding Light.”
In addition to her turn on “Y&R,” Erin most recently appeared in episodes of Disney Channel’s “Austin & Ally” and ABC Family’s “Melissa & Joey.”
Alderson is expected to last air as Kiki in early February with Erin taking over soon after.