Best In Show
In honor of Kirsten Storms’s 15th anniversary in Port Charles, she shares her favorite Maxie memories.
Best Thing About Playing Maxie: “The little moments that they give me, like, the subtleties of her responses. The fans don’t see it but they’ll write something in the [script] for a reaction or whatever. Sometimes when I read it, I’ll be like, ‘Huh. This seems odd to have this here.’ But then I get upstairs and run my lines with that actor and the note that the writers put in makes so much sense, or that note gives me an idea of how to expand that idea. It’s a constant challenge and I like challenging myself.”
Best Thing About Working With Kristina Wagner (Felicia) And John J. York (Mac): “They’re both such nice people. I feel close to them. Kristina is like a ray of light. She’s just always so happy and considerate and asks how I’m doing and gives me a hug if she feels like I need one. And John is great, too; he’s fun and jokes around. He’s just like a dad. It’s really just a pleasure to work with both of them.” Favorite “Spixie” Moment: “Spinelli/ Maxie is my favorite Maxie relationship, and my favorite ‘Spixie’ moment was getting stuck in the sewers. That was just so much fun! In all my scenes with Bradford, I have such a different energy, something that I’m not able to replicate with anyone else, and that’s all due to his talent and what he brings to the table. And can I just say, the trio of Spinelli, Jason and Maxie, that needs to be revisited. There is so much stuff that could be going on with the three of them, especially during the times they’re trying to figure out what’s going on with Peter.” Favorite Maxie Rival: “I’ll say Elizabeth, but I didn’t love bickering with Becky [Herbst, Elizabeth]! It made me feel so bad ’cause she’s so nice and I love her so much.”
Favorite Memory Of Working With Julie Marie Berman (ex-lulu): “When I think back to those years, I just remember the storylines they gave us about disliking each other. I think about the episode where they put tape down the center of their apartment to separate the apartment. We had so much fun bickering because we got along so well. Working with Julie was great. She’s such a talent. It was so sad when she left.”
Favorite “Naxie” Moment: “When we were handcuffed together. I always enjoy the beginnings of relationships the most because there’s that love/hate thing happening and that’s so much fun to play, the anticipation. So yeah, when they were handcuffed together — and when Maxie would randomly see him shirtless and get all flustered.”
Favorite Storyline: “Selfishly, Nathan’s death, because I feel like that challenged me the most as an actor. I had to cry for weeks. I don’t like crying in a scene unless I feel like I can really make it believable, and some days, it’s so difficult to get to that place. But I felt like the story and the writing of Nathan’s death impacted me so much that it was ... I don’t want to say easier, but I could connect with what I was doing more because it was written just so beautifully.”
Favorite Set: “I’m super-attached to Maxie’s apartment. I love that they’ve not have her move. When [Executive Producer] Frank [Valentini] joined the show, he had it redecorated, and I just love it. It feels like my house.”
Best Thing About Maxie Fans: “I’m beyond appreciative and very aware of the support that the fans give my character. I might not respond to every direct message I get on Instagram, but I read them. I feel that they get what I try to do when I’m doing my scenes. The fact that they love and support Maxie and the choices I have made to play her gives me more confidence to continue making those choices. That’s priceless. I mean, I wouldn’t have created Maxie the way I have without them
because I wouldn’t have felt comfortable to do those things. Maxie is who she is because the fans are so great.”
Best Thing About Hitting The 15-Year Mark: “It absolutely doesn’t feel like 15 years. It’s such a good work environment that the last 15 years have gone by so quickly. I truly appreciate the people that I get to work for. Frank Valentini, for example, is like everything to me. He’s been the best boss I’ve ever had. It really feels like a family environment. When I think about going to work, I think about seeing Emme and Kelly Monaco and Becky Herbst — I’ve just known them all for so long. It’s fun to go there. It feels like such a blessing to work someplace that you love.”