Jacqueline Grace Lopez exits General Hospital
Jacquline Grace Lopez, who began playing singer Allison "Blaze" Rogers-Ramirez in 2022, is officially out at General Hospital.
The actress' status with the show seemed up in the air when Blaze and Kristina suddenly broke up on the August 12, 2024, episode. Blaze quickly left town to tour with former GH musical character Miguel Morez (played by rocker Ricky Martin). Now, Lopez has confirmed her exit with a social media post expressing her gratitude for her time in Port Charles.
"Not gonna lie, this goodbye hurts. I think because I didn’t see it coming. That and when you spend almost two years with this group, you start to feel like part of the fabric," Lopez wrote on Instagram alongside a series of backstage photos and videos with crew and co-stars.
"I’m so grateful to Frank for asking me back," Lopez continued, referencing returning to the soap in a more prominent role after a break in the spring of 2023. "I am grateful to everyone I got to tell stories with, both in front and behind the camera. This cast and crew work so hard and have taught me so much. Jobs come and go, but it’s the people you miss. I’m definitely going to miss this bunch."
Why Blaze was so important to Lopez
Lopez then explained how much being a part of the GH family meant to her as a Latina woman.
"I’ve mentioned that as a brown girl, it’s so hard to see ourselves in media, period. To have writers introduce Latiné story elements because of my character?" Lopez marveled. "Even adding a Latiné last name to my character’s name? Getting onscreen family and backstory as a non-contract actor? Being a part of the opening titles?! Turning a 10-episode part into almost two years??? Baby, she done did that! Sometimes we have to be the change we don’t see."
When Lopez's photo first appeared in the GH credits, she shared a video of her family watching the moment on TV. She also explained how much it meant to her as a Filipino performer.
Ultimately, Lopez is thankful for the fans who supported her through her time on GH and fell in love with her character's journey of self-discovery.
"GH FANS!!! My heart is so full. Especially fans that embraced Blaze’s journey as a gay woman and formed community around each other as a result: Y’all got me through some moments," Lopez wrote. "I poured myself into this story because I knew it was going to matter. I just didn’t know how much. You have humbled me, reminding me the need for feeling seen onscreen is absolutely universal to all marginalized communities. I learned that through Allie. Through you. Thank you for sharing your stories, your words of encouragement, and for the generous gifts! Know I carry all of that with me always. I hope I did right by you. That’s all I wanted to do.
"Ultimately, my joy in this work is to help people feel seen," she concluded. "And for that reason alone, this chapter of Blaze was an absolute gift. It feels so sudden, but I have to trust in timing. Heading out of Port Charles with nothing but gratitude. Thank you @generalhospitalabc."
Blaze was first introduced to the soap as an up-and-coming songstress managed by Brook Lynn's predatory former manager, Linc. While Blaze is no longer a part of the Port Charles scene, her mother, Natalia, played by soap vet Eva LaRue, will remain in town.
Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu.
