In an emotional and eye-opening moment, General Hospital icon Genie Francis shared her thoughts on how the perception of soap opera actors has changed over the years, sparking a wave of reflection across the industry as fans, colleagues, and critics alike began to reconsider the stigma that once clung stubbornly to daytime television, because when Genie first entered the world of Port Charles as a teenager, soap actors were often dismissed as lesser performers, their work branded melodramatic or disposable despite the grueling schedules, demanding storylines, and emotional intensity required to deliver episodes five days a week without the luxury of extended rehearsal or multiple takes, yet as she spoke, it became clear that she believes the tide has finally begun to turn, thanks in large part to the persistence, evolution, and undeniable cultural footprint that soaps have carved out over decades, and she recalled moments in her early career when stepping outside the soap world felt like walking through a wall of condescension, with casting directors raising eyebrows or quietly questioning whether a soap actress could handle “real acting,” a memory that still stings despite the fame, the fan devotion, and the groundbreaking moments she helped create, such as the legendary Luke and Laura wedding which remains one of the most-watched daytime events in television history, proving that soap operas not only shaped pop culture but also introduced millions to characters who became generational household names, and Genie explained that the stigma lasted far longer than it should have, with talented performers being overlooked or pigeonholed simply because they chose or happened to build their careers in daytime, but as time passed and the entertainment landscape transformed with streaming platforms, binge-watching, and renewed appreciation for serialized storytelling, audiences and industry professionals began to acknowledge that soaps were pioneers of the very format modern prestige television now celebrates, and she noted how actors from soaps have increasingly moved into primetime, film, and streaming, no longer fighting against the assumption that they lack range or depth, but instead being recognized for their ability to deliver emotional complexity under extreme production pressure, often shooting more pages in one day than an entire prestige drama films in a week, and her voice trembled slightly as she explained that for years she and her co-stars felt they had to defend their craft, even though they were carrying storylines that tackled trauma, identity, love, loss, and moral conflict long before mainstream TV embraced such themes, and that the very heart of soaps—their ability to connect with viewers on a deeply personal level—was something critics dismissed simply because the audience was predominantly women, an ingrained bias she hopes the industry is finally shedding, because as she pointed out, dismissing a genre beloved by millions of women has always been a form of societal prejudice masquerading as artistic critique, and today, Genie sees a shift not only in how the industry views soap actors but in how soap actors view themselves, with younger performers stepping into their roles with pride and veteran stars receiving overdue recognition for decades of emotionally demanding work, while fans who have grown up with General Hospital now openly defend the artistry and resilience of the actors they’ve watched through life’s milestones, and she expressed gratitude for a cultural moment in which even major award shows, talk shows, and entertainment outlets increasingly celebrate daytime achievements instead of treating them as afterthoughts, though she acknowledges there is still progress to be made, especially in ensuring that the media acknowledges the discipline it takes to memorize pages of dialogue daily, to pivot instantly between heartbreak and humor, and to maintain a character’s emotional continuity over decades, something few other actors ever experience, and as she reflected on her journey, from the shy young Laura Spencer to the seasoned, deeply respected performer she is today, Genie emphasized that seeing the stigma fade feels like a validation not just for her but for every actor who has poured their soul into a medium that demands more than the public ever realized, adding that she hopes future generations of soap actors will walk into auditions, interviews, and new opportunities without carrying the burden of outdated stereotypes, because the truth, she said with quiet conviction, is that soap opera performers are some of the hardest-working actors in the business, and they deserve to be spoken of with the same respect afforded to any artist who dedicates their life to telling stories that matter, stories that endure, and stories that touch the hearts of millions day after day, year after year, proving that the legacy of soaps—and the actors who bring them to life—will continue to stand strong as the world catches up to what longtime fans have always known: their work is real, significant, and worthy of honor.