Two weeks after issuing a statement regarding her exit from General Hospital, Emmy winner Lexi Ainsworth (Kristina Corinthos-Davis) is sharing more details about her departure from the ABC soap.
Ainsworth, who has played Kristina off and on since 2009, called her GH exit a "mutually beneficial decision" that would allow her to focus her talents elsewhere. Now, the actress has opened up to Soap Opera Digest and given more of a look into how she is truly feeling.
"It's definitely bittersweet and hard to say good-bye to this chapter in my life because it was such a significant part of my life," Ainsworth told Digest. "I was 16 when I started and my family on the show is like my second family because I basically grew up on the show. It will be sad not to have the opportunity to work with them on the show anymore, but I know that I will continue to have relationships with those people, and hopefully we can work together down the line."
Several of those second family members took to social media upon learning that Ainsworth had left the show.
"I have no words....I love you soo much. You deserve the world and so much more. Forever my Daytime sister and REAL-time friend and family," Kelly Monaco (Sam McCall) wrote. Ainsworth's on-screen mom, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), offered, "That's my girl!" Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos) added, "I can't wait to see your journey unfold!!"
Ainsworth also dropped a bombshell during her exit interview -- she recently auditioned for a role on The Young and the Restless.
"I actually did audition for Y&R last year when they were recasting Summer," she shared. "But that was for more of, like, a blonde bombshell, which I am not [laughs]. But a lot of people who I loved to work with on GH are on other soaps, like on Y&R, there's Brytni [Sarpy; ex-Valerie Spencer] and Jason [Thompson, Billy; ex-Patrick Drake, GH] and Elizabeth Hendrickson [ex-Margaux Dawson], who I would love to work with again."
For now, Ainsworth is focused on work behind the camera. She started her own production company last year and wants to have the ability to tell stories.
Ainsworth commented that she was "overwhelmed in the best way" by the outpouring of support she's received since her departure was announced. "It's been really special to develop these relationships and that rapport with my fans."
Emmy-winning Days of our Lives alum Kate Mansi takes over the role of Kristina this week. For more on that, continue reading here.
How do you feel about Lexi Ainsworth's exit from General Hospital? Would you tune in if she joined another soap? We want to hear from you -- and there are many ways you can share your thoughts.
