In a recent interview, Kate Mansi, who portrays Kristina on the long-running soap opera General Hospital, expressed her excitement about the evolving dynamics between her character and Ava Jerome, played by Maura West. Mansi’s enthusiasm stems from her admiration for West, both as a person and as an actress. Their on-screen interactions have become a focal point of the show, particularly as their characters navigate a complex relationship filled with tension and unexpected moments.

Mansi reflected on her time on Days of Our Lives, where she first encountered West’s work. “I would watch the Emmy submissions every year and think, ‘Finola Hughes is the most talented and beautiful woman in the world,’ but I felt the same about Maura. She brings a hauntingly eerie quality to her characters, making it feel like they could either support you or turn against you in an instant,” Mansi shared.

The unpredictable nature of West’s portrayal of Ava has added depth to the relationship between Kristina and Ava. Mansi pointed to a pivotal scene where Kristina, at the beginning of Ava’s move-in with Sonny, reaches out to Ava, asking her to look after her father. This moment exemplified Kristina’s willingness to extend trust despite Ava’s complicated reputation. “It was a sweet moment because Kristina was saying, ‘I, too, am a black sheep of my family. I don’t care what others think of you; I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt,’” Mansi explained.

However, the goodwill between the two women quickly deteriorated, particularly after Ava leaked a damaging recording that invaded the privacy of Kristina and Blaze. The tension escalated dramatically in the August 1 episode when Kristina, overwhelmed by the circumstances, crashed through the window of Ava’s hotel room at the Metro Court.

Mansi detailed her experience filming the climactic scenes, highlighting West’s dedication to her character. “Maura is incredibly protective of Ava. She insisted that our confrontation had more nuance than just a typical fight. It was about arguing points, and while the tension escalated, it felt organic rather than forced. That approach was really smart and effective,” Mansi noted.

As the storyline progresses, fans are eagerly anticipating how the conflict between Kristina and Ava will unfold, especially with the upcoming court battle over custody of Avery. Mansi’s insights into her character’s motivations and her respect for West’s craft provide a compelling backdrop for the drama that is set to ensue.

The intricate storytelling and character development in General Hospital continue to captivate audiences, with the evolving relationship between Kristina and Ava serving as a prime example of the show’s commitment to depth and realism in its narratives. As viewers tune in, they can expect more thrilling twists and emotional confrontations that keep them on the edge of their seats.