Editor's Note: This is the latest in a series of Deadline reports examining the impact of the current media and entertainment industry upheaval on mental health. Here, General Hospital actress Tabyana Ali, who has played Trina Robinson on the ABC soap since 2022, speaks out for the first time about the online trolling she endured this year. The racist comments became so outrageous that they prompted the daytime series to recently declare, "General Hospital does not tolerate hate or bigotry of any kind. Racism has no place in Port Charles."
Johnny wactor, the podcast of actor Steve and Brad
When I first booked General Hospital, I was so grateful and thankful. It felt like the world was so perfectly aligned. I auditioned for Trina when I was 16 years old. I made it to the producer’s session with Sydney Mikayla and two other girls and Sydney booked the part. She did an amazing job and made Trina such a beloved fan favorite.
Three years later, I auditioned for General Hospital again. I thought they were going to add someone to Trina’s circle, like a family member or a new friend, but after getting called back, going to the screen test, and booking the show, I found out in the script that the role I had booked was for Trina. It was cool and surreal. When I was younger, I wanted to show that I could do more than just comedy, and General Hospital gave me that opportunity.
RELATED: 'General Hospital' Responds to Trolls Attacking Star Tabyana Ali Online: 'Racism Has No Place in Port Charles'
