After 21 years of portraying the unforgettable Sam McCall on General Hospital, Kelly Monaco made headlines in 2024 when her exit from the beloved soap opera left fans in shock. What followed was a swirl of cryptic comments, emotional statements from her family, and speculation tying her departure to a former co-star's controversial exit.
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With fans hungry for answers, Monaco is now turning the page—and turning on the mic—with a new podcast promising unfiltered talk and possibly some long-awaited tea. As more details emerge, many are still asking: What really happened behind the scenes at GH?
Why Kelly Monaco was let go from General Hospital?
In August 2024, Kelly Monaco’s departure from General Hospital was confirmed after more than two decades on the show. The announcement surprised fans who had grown attached to her long-standing role as Sam McCall. Monaco’s own reaction added fuel to the fire when she posted—and then deleted—a revealing Instagram comment.
‘No primary role’.. do your homework. 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. I will give a proper statement. The truth will set you free.
ABC declined to comment on Monaco’s claims, but the silence did little to calm fans’ confusion. Monaco’s mother, Carmina, later addressed her daughter’s departure publicly. In a heartfelt Instagram post on 28 September 2024, she wrote:
I want to take this moment to reach out to Kelly’s incredible fans and express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering love, loyalty, and support you’ve shown her throughout her time on General Hospital.
She added:
On this final day, just four days shy of the anniversary of her first episode on October 1, 2003, Kelly will close the door of her dressing room for the last time.
Billy Miller’s exit and its ripple effect
Monaco’s cryptic remarks about her character being dismantled seemed to point back to an earlier turning point: the controversial exit of actor Billy Miller. Known for playing Jason Morgan and later Drew Cain, Miller joined General Hospital in 2014 after a celebrated run on The Young and the Restless.
Initially embraced by fans and producers alike, Miller’s journey took a turn when original Jason actor Steve Burton returned in 2017. To accommodate Burton’s comeback, Miller’s character was rewritten as Jason’s twin, Drew Cain—a move that disrupted both the storyline and Miller’s status on the show.
His eventual departure in 2019 raised eyebrows, especially as there was no clear explanation. At the time, Miller issued a poetic but vague farewell:
With a slight air of sadness, it is time to ponder what 'goodbye' means.
Maybe our goodbye is really a remembrance of love felt, an appreciation for lives shared, and the lifelong reminisces that come from embraces and received. Maybe our goodbye is an earnest hope for the brightest path forward for us all.
Monaco, who shared the screen with Miller, addressed the situation in a since-deleted tweet:
I feel like I have to address this situation. [Billy Miller's] untimely departure from ['GH']. Honestly, I can not come up with the words to describe how I feel about this decision... a decision that may not be what our audience thinks to be true. I'm heartbroken... more to come.
The ripple effects of Miller’s exit appear to have directly influenced the trajectory of Monaco’s character. Her own statement on Instagram highlighted that when Miller left, Sam’s storyline came to a halt—something she described as 'retaliation at its finest.'
Sadly, in September 2023, Billy Miller passed away at age 43. As reported by Variety, the actor had struggled with bipolar depression for years.
What is Kelly Monaco doing now?
Though her chapter at General Hospital has ended, Monaco isn’t stepping away from the spotlight. In March 2025, she took to Instagram to announce her next big venture: a podcast titled Bad Bunnies, co-hosted with fellow celebrity Shanna Moakler. Monaco posted:
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Buckle up, Bunnies… Kelly Monaco & @shannamoakler are teaming up for a brand-new podcast, BAD BUNNIES! Unfiltered. Untamed. Unapologetic.
She promised Hollywood secrets, wild stories, pop culture tea, and real talk—’nothing is off-limits!’ She added:
But before we drop our first episode, we want to hear from YOU! What topics do you want us to spill on?Reality TV chaos? Dating disasters? Hollywood drama? Let us know in the comments! Tag your besties & get ready — BAD BUNNIES is coming SOON! #BadBunniesPodcast #HollywoodUnfiltered #BunnyTales
Fans were immediately intrigued, flooding the comments with one key request: to finally address what happened on GH. One user wrote:
First I want to know what the hell happened with GH? And why haven’t you talked about it. I’m sure you have reasons, I just want to know. I stopped watching since you left lol. We need that tea first and then anything else you want to talk about I’ll be there to listen
Another fan added:
GH and what happened with your leaving plus from a Texan details on Billy Miller and why happened there too PLEASE!!! Miss him and his acting he was amazing
Despite confirming her exit on social media in October 2024—writing:
Last scene with the Davis girls. Still doesn’t make any sense to me
Monaco has yet to go into full detail. But her fans are hopeful that Bad Bunnies might finally offer some clarity.
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Sources used:
People: Kelly Monaco Blasts Her Exit from General Hospital After 21 Years as 'Retaliation,' Then Deletes Her Comment
Nicki Swift: The Story Behind Billy Miller Leaving General Hospital
Yahoo!: Kelly Monaco Lands New Gig After ‘General Hospital’ Exit: What’s the Actress Doing Now?
Variety: Billy Miller, ‘The Young and the Restless’ and ‘General Hospital’ Actor, Dies at 43
