General Hospital (GH) spoilers note that Kristen Storms (Maxie Jones) recently broke her silence about her absence from the ABC soap, as well as her custody agreement with Days of Our Lives (DOOL) and GH alum, Brandon Barash (ex-Jake DiMera/Stefan DiMera and ex-Johnny Zacchara).
Storms jumped on Instagram on the evening of Sunday, July 19, posting a selfie with a long caption offering an update.
The actress also showed off a new look, with her normally blonde hair dyed black, and she now has bangs!
The actress’s IG caption started with, “Despite everything that’s been going on in my life right now (…and I will be honest, it’s more than upsetting) – I still feel that the move to Tennessee was the best choice for me.”
She added, “I might not be at the *best part* of this choice yet, but LA never felt like my real home.”
Storms went on to say how grateful and proud she is of what she accomplished and achieved as Maxie Jones during her acting career.
She was quick to note that she began it all before she was out of elementary school.
She stated, “I spent years working nonstop and feeling envious of anyone who lived in “the real world”. **I DO NOT MEAN FOR THAT TO BE OFFENSIVE**”
Storms’ IG caption also stated that her choices to work and live in California were made for her at a young age.
She goes on to reveal that she was lucky to have and keep employment in her acting career since her parents decided to move their family from Florida to California, so she could become an actress.
With that said, Storms’ Instagram caption also notes, “I’m proud of myself for handling the majority of that on my own…but that life became the ONLY thing I knew how to do. Or thought I was capable of.”
Still, she reveals that after she had her daughter Harper, everything in her life changed.
Kirsten Storms then stated, “I swear I’m not going to continue to bring up my medical situation (I’ll make jokes and it will be awkward), but until I began to understand how precious time is and how what we prioritize becomes ALL we have, there was never a thought that my life would ever change.”
Storms also addresses Brandan Barash, revealing that the ongoing situation with her ex-husband will be, hopefully, sorted out soon.
The actress also stated, “I would appreciate (and encourage) for people on here not to worry about me, or think there is something larger going on, other than 2 ex-spouses dealing with a “disagreement”, that WILL be resolved.”
Storms also said in the caption that she’s not someone who jumps on Instagram to discuss personal details of something.
However, she says, “… before you guys start commenting on this, please remember that we are people who are divorced and have a child.”
Storms wrapped things up with, “I appreciate the supportive comments, but now that my daughter is of the age where she will Google her name while riding the bus to school, I’m asking that the speculation on this issue please stop.”
Fans may recall that the actress went on a temporary hiatus from General Hospital in August 2025.
She needed time to make the move from L.A. to Tennessee and had some health issues to contend with.
Storyline-wise, Maxie was sent to a long-term care facility in Boston after she fell into a coma, thanks to Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota).
She awakened from her coma in February 2026, but was only on canvas for about a month.
Fast forward to June 2026, Storms posted on IG to inform GH that she wasn’t heading back to the ABC soap anytime soon stating, “I can’t say I will feel comfortable heading back to Los Angeles and returning to work.”
General Hospital spoilers note that both Maxie Jones and Kirsten Storms are missed in storylines, but family and well-being are always the top priority. On behalf of everyone here at CDL, we extend our support to Storms on her journey.
Visit CDL often for all the best soap opera news, spoilers, and updates.
