Kelly Thiebaud, known for her role as Dr. Britt Westbourne on the long-running soap opera General Hospital, has shared insights into her departure from the show and her eventual return. During a recent appearance on the podcast State Of Mind with Maurice Benard, she discussed the personal and professional challenges that led her to leave in 2022 and what it has been like to come back.
In her candid remarks, Thiebaud explained that her decision to exit was driven by feelings of restlessness in both her personal life and career. After ending a serious relationship, she moved to the United Kingdom with aspirations of starting a family. “I wanted to have kids at one point. And that was kind of the driving force for everything that happened in my last relationship,” she stated.
Reflecting on her journey, Thiebaud expressed that her plans did not unfold as she had hoped. Upon returning three years later, she found herself single and without the family she once envisioned. “Now I’m literally back in the same situation, three years older, not with a kid, not with a partner, and it’s a mindf—, and it’s crazy,” she shared. The actress described the overwhelming feeling of having to rebuild her life at the age of 40, stating, “Blowing my life up and losing everything and having to start all over — I didn’t think that I would. It makes you feel like an absolute failure, you know?”
To navigate these challenges, Thiebaud turned to therapy, which she credits with aiding her healing process. Her return to General Hospital has also played a significant role in her recovery. Executive producer Frank Valentini welcomed her back, while her co-star Steve Burton, who portrays Jason Morgan, encouraged her to rejoin the cast. Thiebaud recalled their conversation, noting, “Steve and I talked about it. He asked me to come back, and I was like, ‘Wow, this is a big deal,’ because he was back on the show.”
Now back on set, she feels a renewed sense of connection with her colleagues and is enjoying her work in ways she had not before. The experience has allowed Thiebaud to focus on building a new life and becoming a stronger version of herself.
In conclusion, Kelly Thiebaud’s journey from leaving General Hospital to returning illustrates the complexities of personal growth and professional reinvention. As she embraces this new chapter, her story resonates with many who have faced similar crossroads in their lives.
