Eva LaRue’s time on General Hospital ended with Natalia’s emotional downfall, leaving behind regret, revelations, and real-life gratitude. Though her storyline was met with resistance, the actress is parting ways with Port Charles with a heartfelt message for the fans and cast alike.
What started as a short guest stint for Eva LaRue turned into an extended arc. However, the decision to make Natalia an unlikable, disapproving mother led to a rocky reception from fans. As LaRue shared in interviews, the character never fully recovered from the initial backlash, making redemption difficult.
General Hospital: LaRue Opens Up About the Role
Eva LaRue recently shared her thoughts on her General Hospital exit and reflected on the challenges she faced. She admitted the role wasn’t meant to be long-term, but she stayed longer than expected due to her solid performance and chemistry with the cast. While that thrilled her, the transformation from beloved Maria Santos on All My Children to hated Natalia was tough.
The actress noted how difficult it was to play a character so disliked, especially after being used to fan-favorite status. Despite the effort to soften Natalia’s image, the damage was already done. “People just weren’t buying it,” LaRue confessed. “They hated my character so much.”
LaRue revealed she sensed her time on the show was ending back in January. After Sonny cut ties with Natalia over her lies about her ex-husband, she realized the character’s last connection in Port Charles had snapped. Without support from Sonny or the viewers, Natalia’s days were numbered.
Still, LaRue praised the writing team for trying to make it work. She even hoped the writers might pivot toward pairing Natalia with Jenz Sidwell, played by Carlo Rota. That villainous dynamic, she felt, could’ve added fire and drama. Unfortunately, that route never came to fruition.
A Heartfelt Goodbye From General Hospital
Despite the bumps, LaRue says her time on General Hospital was filled with joy behind the scenes. She loved working with Maurice Benard and called him a “rock star.” She cherished the reunion with soap legends like Finola Hughes, Laura Wright, Cameron Mathison, and Nancy Lee Grahn. To her, being around the “All My Children” family again made each day special.
LaRue also praised the show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, calling him a longtime friend and “lovely to work for.” Valentini returned the admiration, calling LaRue’s extended run “a more satisfying arc” and thanking her for her impactful presence.
Though she received online backlash, LaRue appreciates that many General Hospital fans could separate her from her role. She noted that most viewers respected the show’s storytelling, even if they disliked her character. “They see the big picture,” she said. “They know it all serves the story.”
As she closes this chapter, LaRue leaves with gratitude and pride. “I had a blast,” she said. “I loved being there.” Eva LaRue’s departure from General Hospital marks the end of a complex chapter. Though Natalia’s fate remains uncertain, her exit leaves a ripple effect across Port Charles.
