General Hospital Star Kirsten Storms Exits the Show After Health Battles and Custody Drama

Kirsten Storms, known to millions as Maxie Jones on General Hospital, has left the soap opera for good. The actress had been on the show since 2005, but after a series of serious health issues and a difficult custody battle with her ex-husband Brandon Barash, she decided to step away. Storms underwent brain surgery for a cyst in 2021 and aneurysm surgery in 2025. She also dealt with endometriosis and depression. She made the move to Nashville with her daughter Harper in 2025, hoping for a quieter life.

The custody battle came to a head in December 2025 when Barash filed for custody and obtained a restraining order. Storms told US Magazine that given everything going on, she doesn’t feel comfortable heading back to Los Angeles to work. She made it clear that her daughter remains her top priority. It’s a tough spot for anyone, but especially for someone who has spent decades in the public eye.

For fans of General Hospital or those who remember her from Disney’s Zenon movies, this news might hit close to home. It’s a reminder that even celebrities face the same kinds of struggles we all do health scares, family drama, and hard choices. What would you do if you had to choose between a career you love and your family’s well-being? Let us know in the comments.