GENERAL Hospital star Tabyana Ali, 22, opened up about the toll online bullying and hate has taken on her mental health.
Tabyana, who plays Trina Robinson on the daytime soap, revealed that she received “racially charged and life-threatening comments” from trolls on social media, adding that they were “incredibly hurtful and hurtful.”
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In a new guest column for DeadlineThe young soap star said she first auditioned for the role of Trina when she was 16, but initially lost out to Sydney Mikayla.
She booked the fan-favorite role three years later, describing the “cool and surreal” moment Tabyana discovered she would be stepping into Trina’s shoes.
She made her General Hospital debut on March 25, 2022.
Describing her relationship with social media, Tabyana wrote that “it certainly seems like there is an unspoken feeling [industry-wide] expectation of maintaining a presence”, explaining that platforms like Instagram “help build your brand”.
Read more about General Hospital
“I found out about the trolls from another cast member,” she continued. “Eventually, I got a taste of it.”
Tabyana said that although she tried not to pay attention to the negative and derogatory comments, “eventually I started having self-esteem issues that caused me to question my self-worth.”
She shared how online bullies left messages “suggesting that because I am black, I am not as attractive as my on-screen counterparts and that I should not be in an interracial relationship.
“They said my worth and talent didn’t measure up.”
Tabyana had already taken X/Twitter to stand up to the incessant bullying and racist attacks directed at her, urging trolls to “touch some grass, see the sun, eat a delicious meal, and find something to do.”
“To anyone who hates me. That’s okay. I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but regardless, I’m sending you peace, security and prosperity… I also pray that you touch some grass, see the sunshine, eat a delicious meal and find something to do.
“Peace and love,” she posted on June 9.
Tabyana said she was overwhelmed by the support of the ABC show’s producers, who “fully supported the use of my voice” and told her that “they had my back.”
General Hospital also reminded viewers that “racism has no place in Port Charles [the fictional city where the show is set]” while defending Tabyana with a subsequent Instagram post.
General Hospital Cast
General Hospital has been on the air since the early 1960s.
The cast of the iconic soap opera includes:
- Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos)
- Chad Duell (Michael Corinthos)
- Katelyn MacMullen (Corinthos Willow)
- Robert Gossett (Marshall Ashford)
- Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase)
- Gregory Harrison (Gregory Chase)
- Michael Easton (Hamilton Finn)
- Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones)
- Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri)
- Kelly Monaco (Samantha McCall)
- Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber-Baldwin)
- Cynthia Wattros (Nina Reeves)
- Maura West (Ava Jerome)
Celebrity Appearances:
- Demi Moore (1982-1984)
- Meghan Markle (2002)
- Mark Hamil (1972)
- Kristin Davis (1991)
- Eva Longoria (2000)
- George Takei (1985)
- Elizabeth Taylor (1981)
Finally, the Texas native shared her advice for other actors who may have had similar experiences.
“DO NOT take this personally. DO NOT give them your power by accepting what they say.
“PLEASE feel your feelings because you are human and that is one of the most important parts of overcoming pain, BUT remember you are more than a comment on social media,” she wrote.
Tabyana concluded by referring to her original statement, adding, “I know what social media is. When I’m tired of it, I’ll turn off my phone, touch the grass, watch the sun, eat a delicious meal, and find something to do. Peace in all over the world for generations!”
Party girl Trina Ross was first introduced as Josslyn Jacks’ (played by Eden McCoy) teenage best friend on General Hospital in 2017.
Before the role went to Sydney, Tiana Le was the first actress to play the character in a total of three episodes of the series.
In March 2022, Sydney announced her decision to drop out of the series to focus on her education after being accepted to UCLA.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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