General Hospital spoilers reveal that Kelly Thiebaud, who portrays Dr. Britt Westbourne, recently opened up about why she decided to leave the ABC soap in 2022. Read on for more details.
Kelly Thiebaud Opens Up to Maurice Benard
Thiebaud appeared as a guest this week on Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) State of Mind podcast. During the conversation, they covered a wide range of topics — from how to correctly pronounce her last name, to strict high school rules about dating, to her modeling and acting career — and of course, her departure from General Hospital in 2022.
The actress explained that several factors contributed to her decision to exit the show. “I was lonely,” she admitted. She also shared that when Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) left during COVID, it deeply affected her. Thiebaud had just signed a three-year contract because their characters’ storyline was gaining momentum.
“I had just signed a three-year contract because our characters were taking off, and I was like, I want to be here for this. This is amazing what we’re doing,” she said.
However, after Burton’s departure, she suddenly found herself without her on-screen leading man. That shift left her feeling unsettled both professionally and personally.
Feeling the Pressure of Time
Thiebaud also revealed that she met someone during that period. As she approached 40, she began feeling a strong desire to start a family.
“I was like, I have to have a baby. I’m turning 40, and I have to have a baby now,” she explained.
She tried convincing her boyfriend to relocate to Los Angeles, but when that didn’t work out, she chose to move to be with him instead. Looking back, she now wishes she had requested a leave of absence rather than fully exiting the soap.
Thiebaud shared that she left Los Angeles for London to pursue the relationship, but things ultimately didn’t unfold the way she had hoped. She sold her house and her car before eventually returning to L.A. to begin again from scratch.
“To experience what I experienced at 40 — blowing my life up, losing everything, and having to start all over — I didn’t think that I would,” she admitted.
She confessed that the situation made her feel like “an absolute failure,” and climbing out of that emotional space was incredibly challenging. However, she says she now feels lighter and less burdened by it.
“Now I’m starting all over, and it’s beautiful and difficult and lonely and so many other things,” she reflected.
Ultimately, Thiebaud says she’s focusing on rebuilding and reconnecting with herself.
“I’m just telling myself that this is my period to just get back on my feet, love myself again, find myself again, and have a relationship with me.”
Are you happy to see The Britch back in Port Charles?
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