Kiki Jerome is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. The role was originated by Kristen Alderson in 2013 when Kiki was introduced as the troublesome girlfriend of Morgan Corinthos (Bryan Craig) having gotten him involved in a dangerous gambling ring. Alderson had previously appeared in the series as Starr Manning, a role she originated on One Life to Live. Kiki was written into the series as the illegitimate daughter of Franco (originally James Franco) in 2009. Upon her introduction, Kiki's mother Ava Jerome (Maura West) reveals that she is the biological daughter of Dr. Silas Clay (Michael Easton). In 2015, Alderson vacated the role and was replaced by Hayley Erin, who exited the role in late 2018. Erin returned for a one-episode guest appearance in 2019.
The character of Kiki has been quite polarizing for viewers and critics specifically because of the character's lack of development. Many believed Kiki, who initially comes off as a scheming bad girl, had become too much like Starr Manning. Some viewed the recast as a chance to reset the character while others questioned if the character was needed at all. The recast has led to viewers and critics alike re-evaluating the role with many still divided about the need for the character. However, TV Source Magazine specifically praised the writing for Kiki's downward spiral after her father's murder and her mother's recent betrayal with Morgan.
Alderson was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series in 2015. Erin's portrayal later received a nomination in the category in 2018, before garnering the award in 2019.
Development
Creation and casting
The role was originated by Kristen Alderson in 2013. Alderson had previously appeared in the role of Starr Manning—a role she originated on One Life to Live. Alderson along with several of her One Life co-stars would continue playing their roles on General Hospital when One Life was cancelled. When One Life to Live was relaunched online, Alderson was forced to vacate the role of Starr. The producers then created a new role for Alderson. Alderson said of her new character, "I really wanted to be someone completely new" but also wanted to incorporate some Starr's qualities into Kiki. Alderson wanted to play the "bad girl" but also admitted that it took some getting used to. In January 2015, it was announced that Alderson would vacate the role of Kiki. While Alderson did not immediately comment on her departure, her then boyfriend and co-star Chad Duell revealed that it was her decision. Soap Central reported that Alderson refused to take a "substantial" pay cut and instead decided not to renew her contract. While there were rumblings of a recast, nothing was solidified. Alderson filmed her final scenes on January 15, 2015, and made her final appearance during February Sweeps. Alderson later discussed the reason for her departure in a YouTube video and described her decision to vacate the role as "spur of the moment." At the time of Alderson's announcement, it was not known whether the character would be written out or recast.
Several days later, it was reported that Hayley Erin—who previously appeared as Abby Newman on The Young and the Restless had been hired to recast the role of Kiki Jerome. The network released a statement to wish Alderson well on her career and to confirm Hayley Erin's casting. Alderson herself also congratulated Erin on her casting on Twitter. Erin received a callback after her initial audition to read opposite head writer Ron Carlivati. "It was between me and one other girl" though she was unaware that it was for a recast. After the audition, Erin left the studio and was quickly contacted by her agent and manager instructing her to return to the studio for a wardrobe fitting. "I started crying a little bit" she revealed. Up until a few days before her audition, Erin revealed that a return to daytime after five years was the last thing on her mind. Erin had just expressed her interest in appearing on another soap and she booked the role of Kiki later that week. In the summer of 2015, rumors circulated that Erin would be replaced by a returning Kristen Alderson. Network executive Nathan Varni denied the rumors and said "I have a lot of faith in the role of Kiki moving forward. Varni also praised the actress and said "I think Hayley [Erin] is doing a fantastic, admirable job as Kiki."
In March 2018, when Erin was revealed to have joined the cast of the Pretty Little Liars spin-off Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists as a series regular; questions arose whether she'd be leaving the soap as Kiki. Eight months later, Erin's exit was announced; she made her last appearance on November 28, 2018. On August 20, 2019, it was announced that Erin would briefly reprise the role of Kiki.
Characterization According to Alderson, Lauren is very different from Starr, though the two still had some similarities. Alderson had been posting several pictures via social media but intentionally hiding her hair, leading to speculation that her appearance would be very different. A SOAPnet promo confirmed Alderson's change in appearance in early May. Alderson revealed to Soap Opera Digest that Kiki is reminiscent of a younger Starr who is quite the trouble maker. Alderson said she "channeled the sassy, spunky bad girl that Starr used to be before she matured." She continued, "Kiki's also a little more seductive." Alderson described Kiki as being "darker and edgier" then her former alter ego. Kiki is "risqué" when compared to Starr who is a "one man kind of girl."
When Erin started the audition process, the producers told her, "Yeah she's a bad girl. We're gonna make her edgier." While those were the intentions for the character, during Alderson's tenure, the writing strayed from that path. Hayley Erin found it easy to get a handle on the character describing Kiki as being "so relatable." She continued and compared Kiki to her former role as Abby Newman on The Young and the Restless: "Abby was very one-dimensional... . Kiki's got layers" Erin said. The actress described the character as "kind of tough" yet "sensitive." Of the writings bringing back the character's edge, Erin said "Now, it's fun" and "they made a character that a little foggy seem clearer."
Paternity and lineage When actor James Franco started his guest star arc as a crazed artist turned serial killer, Robert "Franco" Frank, character of Kiki, originally known as Lauren was first written into the series in December 2009. The girl was apparently kept from Franco by her "bitch" of a mother. In April 2012, viewers are falsely led to believe that Franco is the fraternal twin brother of Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), making him, and Lauren by extension, members of the Quartermaine family. It is later revealed that Kiki is the biological daughter of Dr. Silas Clay (Michael Easton) who had an affair with her mother that destroyed his marriage. Kiki's mother is the mysterious Ava Jerome (Maura West) -- an art dealer from New York City. However, Kiki later learns that Ava is a member of the infamous 80s crime family, the Jerome family—the illegitimate daughter of deceased mobster Victor Jerome and Delia Ryan (Ilene Kristen), a character from the cancelled ABC Daytime soap opera, Ryan's Hope. Having become accustomed to her mother's lies, Kiki isn't too shocked to learn of her connection to the Jeromes—however, this is another lie that "rocks her world" Alderson stated. This is unfamiliar territory for Kiki because Ava has always shielded her from the crime world.
After her mother's presumed death, Kiki starts building a relationship with Silas. Actress Hayley Erin said "They have a little relationship, and it's sweet" but Silas cannot replace Ava. Kiki really tries to establish that connection with Silas and they do but "She just wishes he were around more." In "losing" Ava, Kiki "lost herself" and resorts to questionable actions such as drugging Michael in an attempt to make sure he loses custody of their sister. Kiki descends further into turmoil when she finds Silas stabbed to death and believing Franco is guilty she feels "sheer hatred" for him. What makes it most difficult is that she has trusted Franco so much. Kiki is very relieved when Franco is proven to be innocent of her father's murder and Ava, who has been passing herself off as Ava's twin is revealed to be alive. Hayley Erin was quite upset by the decision to kill off Silas. "I took it personally" she said. The actress later continued, "But it made for a great storyline and there was a lot of great material for all of us." Instead of focusing on whether Kiki was aware that Ava was truly alive in her portrayal, Erin went with the most basic off all the emotions with Kiki only being happy to have her mother back. Kiki's glee at having Ava back is ruined when she learns about Ava and Morgan's secret affair. Erin noted the irony of Kiki having Ava for a mother as "the worst thing that could have happened to anyone" while the actress said getting to work opposite Maura West is the "greatest thing that could ever happen to anyone." She continued, "I love it, because she makes me step up my game."
Alcoholism and rebuilding After discovering Morgan and Ava's affair and losing her father, Kiki spirals out of control and turns to alcohol. Kiki finally hits "rock bottom" on Halloween she gets behind the wheel drunk—and causes a car accident. The actress relished in her portrayal of Kiki during the alcohol story. "Drunk Kiki was great" Erin enthused. Erin also credited the storyline with helping to sway viewer opinion about her character. She later said "I was doing something a bit out of the norm for me. It was actual acting." Head writer Jean Passanante described Kiki as someone "who is still growing up and struggling to figure out who she is, even as she moves forward." Passanante continued, "You can't go through what she went through [...] and not change." In addition to Franco, his girlfriend and her former stepmother Nina Clay (Michelle Stafford) and Morgan rallying around her, Kiki holds down a steady job for the first time since her introduction. Kiki also works toward rebuilding a relationship with her mother. "In a strange way, right now, Kiki has more support than she's had for quite a while."
Relationships
Upon introduction, Kiki is in a relationship with Morgan Corinthos (Bryan Craig). Of the romance Alderson said her character is "having a great time with Morgan" and her feelings for him are "genuine." However, Morgan's loved ones don't approve of the relationship because of the trouble Kiki causes. A Soapnet promo indicated that Alderson's Kiki could potentially drive a wedge between Morgan and his brother, Michael (Chad Duell) who immediately clashes with Kiki. Alderson later explained that Kiki views Michael as a "challenge" because of his apparent disdain for her. She is accustomed to having men fall at her feet so she pushes Michael's buttons to get under his skin and his obvious annoyance intrigues her more. The actress continued, "Kiki kind of loves it when someone loves/hates her!" Michael and Kiki later share a kiss only to learn they are cousins the Quartermaines. Despite the obvious attraction, Michael and Kiki decide to keep their distance from one another and keep quiet about the kiss. Whether intentional or not, Kiki's actions and feelings pit one brother against the other.