Kristen DeAnn Alderson (born May 29, 1991)[1] is an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing the role of Starr Manning on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live (1998 to 2012) and the ABC soap opera General Hospital (2012 to 2013). She also originated the role of Kiki Jerome on General Hospital (2013 to 2015). She won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress for her role as Starr on General Hospital in 2013. She received nominations in the same category in 2014 and 2015.

Kristen Alderson
Alderson as Britney Spears in Newsical, 2022.
Born
Kristen DeAnn Alderson

(1991-05-29) May 29, 1991 (age 33)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1997–present
Known forOne Life to Live/General Hospital as Starr Manning, General Hospital as Kiki Jerome
Children1
RelativesEddie Alderson (brother)

Early life

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Alderson was born in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. She is the older sister of actor Eddie Alderson, who played Matthew Buchanan on One Life to Live (2001 to 2012).[2] She began acting at the age of five, after being inspired by a film about the making of Annie.[1]

She attended Catholic school in Pennsylvania through seventh grade, but decided to receive tutoring on the set of One Life to Live for eighth grade. Alderson was a cheerleader in junior high school. She and her brother attended a performing arts high school in New York.[3][4]

Career

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When she was four years old, Alderson's dance class appeared on a locally televised talent show, Al Alberts Showcase. Alderson was then individually chosen to perform on the series each week. An agent saw one of her performances and suggested that she audition for the Broadway production of Annie.[5] Alderson was cast as Molly, replacing Christiana Anbri. She also played the role in a national tour of the musical.[6][7]

Alderson auditioned for the role of Starr Manning on One Life to Live in February 1998 and won the part, replacing Meghan Rayder. She was six years old at the time. Her first airdate was March 20, 1998. The role was initially recurring, but Alderson was put on contract in April 2001.[8][9] She won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Teen in 2005 for her work on One Life to Live.[10]

In 2006, Alderson performed the song "Valentine" on One Life: Many Voices for Hurricane Relief, an album of songs by One Life to Live actors to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina.[11] She sang Sleigh Ride on A Holiday Affair, an album of classic holiday songs performed by actors from ABC soap operas. She also performed with the ensemble on the closing track, We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The album was promoted with a special on Soapnet, A Very Soapy Christmas.[12] Alderson performed in musical episodes of One Life to Live, such as "Babes Behind Bars", "Prom Night: The Musical," and "Starr X'd Lovers."[13] She also appeared in television commercials for JC Penney, Citgo and Soap Network.[citation needed]

On April 14, 2011, ABC announced the cancellations of both All My Children and One Life to Live, leaving General Hospital as the last remaining soap opera airing on the network after January 13, 2012.[14] After One Life to Live finished filming on November 18, 2011, Alderson and her brother, who was also a OLTL cast member, turned down offers to reprise their roles in an online revival. They decided instead to relocate to Los Angeles.[15]

On January 11, 2012, it was announced that Alderson and her former One Life to Live co-stars Kassie DePaiva, Michael Easton, and Roger Howarth, would reprise their roles on General Hospital. Alderson's first airdate was February 24, 2012.[16] In March 2013, a legal conflict developed between ABC and Prospect Park, the company producing the online revival of OLTL. Prospect Park owned the rights to all OLTL characters at that time, preventing General Hospital from continuing to use them. TV Guide reported that the former One Life to Live actors would have to portray "characters that in no way resemble the current ones" in order to stay on General Hospital.[17] Alderson's final airdate as Starr Manning on General Hospital was March 20, 2013. She debuted as a new character, Kiki Jerome, on May 13, 2013.[1] In 2013, she received a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for her work as Starr on General Hospital.[18]

On September 24, 2013, Alderson was honored as "The Star of Tomorrow" by the ZEPHRA Magazine Recognition Awards and the city of West Hollywood issued a proclamation for the actress.[citation needed] In 2014, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress for her role as Kiki on General Hospital.[19] On October 26, 2014, Alderson performed The Star-Spangled Banner at the University of Phoenix Stadium where the visiting Philadelphia Eagles faced the Arizona Cardinals.[20]

On January 10, 2015, Soap Opera Digest reported that Alderson had decided to depart General Hospital, opting to not renew her contract.[21] Her last airdate was February 16, 2015. The role of Kiki was recast with Hayley Erin.[22] Alderson was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress for the role of Kiki on General Hospital in 2015.[23]

Alderson starred as Cindy Lou in the Off-Broadway play, The Marvelous Wonderettes, in April 2018 at New York's Theatre Row.[24] In June 2018, Alderson said that she would be open to returning to General Hospital as Starr Manning, because Prospect Park no longer owns the rights to One Life to Live characters.[25] In 2019, she was cast in the title role in the film The Glorious Resurrection of Claire Owens.[26] In 2020, she appeared in the pilot episode of Mélange, an LGBT-focused series set in the 1980s.[27]

In April 2022, Alderson starred on stage in Newsical at the Majestic Repertory Theatre in Las Vegas. Her partner, Taylor Crousore, co-starred with her in the production. The show also played at the V Theater in November 2022.[28][29] In September 2022, they brought Newsical to the Garner Galleria Theatre in Denver.[30] In March 2023, they performed Off-Broadway in Newsical at the AMT Theater in New York.[31] In 2023, Alderson and Crousore launched a podcast about preparing for the birth of their first child, Expecting You.[32] Alderson starred as Ashley Burke in the Lifetime film The Man in the Guest House, airing in February 2024.[33]

Personal life

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Alderson became engaged to actor and comedian Taylor Crousore in July 2023. He proposed at Pier 84 at Hudson River Park, the location of their first meeting almost exactly two years earlier.[34] In September 2023, Alderson announced that she was expecting her first child with Crousore.[35] They announced the birth of their daughter in January 2024.[36]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1998–
2012
One Life to Live Starr Manning Recurring role; Contract role (after April 2001): March 20, 1998, to January 13, 2012
2005 The Tyra Banks Show Actress (Herself) Episode: "Episode #4.133"
2012–
2015
General Hospital Starr Manning;
Kiki Jerome
Contract role: February 24, 2012, to March 20, 2013;
Contract role: May 13, 2013, to February 16, 2015
2020 Mélange Abigail Collins Episode: "Pilot"
2020 Swiped! Finding Mr. Right Herself Episode: "Pilot"
2024 The Man in the Guest House Ashley Burke Television film

Stage

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Year Title Role Venue Dates Ref.
1997 Annie Molly (Replacement) Martin Beck Theatre July 28, 1997 – October 19, 1997 [37][38]
2018 The Marvelous Wonderettes Cindy Lou Theatre Row April 28, 2016 – November 18, 2018 [24][39]
2022 Newsical Performer Majestic Repertory Theatre April 2022 [28]
Newsical Performer Garner Galleria Theatre September 2022 [30]
Newsical Performer V Theater November 2022 [29]
2023 Newsical Performer AMT Theater March 2023 [31]

Awards and nominations

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List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2003 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Young Actress Age Ten or Younger One Life to Live Nominated [40]
2005 Soap Opera Digest Award Favorite Teen One Life to Live Won [10]
2008 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV series - Recurring Young Actress One Life to Live Nominated [41]
2009 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress One Life to Live Nominated [42]
2009 Young Artist Award Outstanding Young Ensemble in a TV Series
(shared with Eddie Alderson, Camila Banus, Carmen LoPorto and Austin Williams)
One Life to Live Nominated [42]
2013 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Won [18]
2014 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated [43]
2015 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated [44]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "About the Actors: Kristen Alderson". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Waldo, Garren (May 29, 2023). "Soap Opera Veteran Kristen Alderson Celebrates Her Birthday". Soap Hub. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "The 411: Kristen Alderson". Soap Opera Digest. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "Kristen Alderson: Big Girl in the Big City". Soap Opera Digest. August 10, 2006. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "Actor: Kristen Alderson". Soaps.com. June 11, 2015. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Viagas, Robert (July 21, 1997). "Broadway Annie Closing in October to Tour". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Nichols, Natalie (January 15, 1998). ""Annie' wins hearts at opening". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Soaps SheKnows. "Kristen Alderson profile". Soaps.com. United States: SheKnows Media. Archived from the original on January 3, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
  9. ^ "Who's Who in Port Charles: Starr Manning | General Hospital on Soap Central". soapcentral.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "The Soap Opera Digest Awards: 2005". Soap Opera Digest. soapoperadigest.com. April 2005. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  11. ^ "One Life: Many Voices". soaps.sheknows.com. October 2, 2006. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Gans, Andrew (November 2, 2006). "Brier, Goldsberry and Lucci Featured on ABC Daytime CD "A Holiday Affair"; TV Special, Too". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  13. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (May 11, 2010). "One Life to Live tackles huge musical production with Starr X'd Lovers". Soap Central. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 14, 2011). "ABC Daytime Shakeup: Network Cancels Both 'All My Children' & 'One Life To Live,' Replaces Them With Lifestyle Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
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  20. ^ Fairman, Michael (October 27, 2014). "Watch: GH's Kristen Alderson Sing National Anthem At Cardinals Vs. Eagles Game!". Michael Fairman TV. United States: The Michael Fairman Company. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  21. ^ "GH's Kristen Alderson Out!". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. January 10, 2015. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  22. ^ "Who's Who in Port Charles: Lauren Katherine "Kiki" Jerome". Soap Central. Archived from the original on September 24, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  23. ^ "Daytime Emmy Winners: Full List". Variety. April 26, 2015. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Clement, Olivia (April 12, 2018). "Emmy Winner Kristen Alderson to Join Marvelous WonderettesOff-Broadway". Playbill. New York City: TotalTheater. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  25. ^ Eades, Chris (June 14, 2018). "Kristen Alderson Would Love to Return to General Hospital — as Starr! (Exclusive)". ABC Soaps In Depth. United States: Bauer Media Group. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  26. ^ Clifford, Kambra (December 2, 2019). "General Hospital, One Life to Live star Kristen Alderson lands major role in new film". Soap Central. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  27. ^ Clement, Olivia (May 22, 2020). "Watch the Full Pilot Episode for Mélange With Morgan Fairchild, Alex Newell, and More". Playbill. Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Clifford, Kambra (February 16, 2022). "General Hospital, One Life to Live alum Kristen Alderson to headline Las Vegas production of Newsical the Musical". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Putnam, Leah (November 17, 2022). "NEWSical The Musical Begins Las Vegas Run at V Theatre November 17". Playbill. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Clutters, Robin (August 20, 2022). "Get all the news that's fit to spoof at 'Newsical the Musical'". CBS News. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  31. ^ a b Culwell-Block, Logan (March 2, 2023). "NEWSical the Musical to Return Off-Broadway in Support of Entertainment Community Fund". Playbill. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  32. ^ Parkerton, Michelle (February 6, 2024). "Kristen Alderson Opens Up About Her New Baby Girl". Soaps in Depth. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  33. ^ Levinsky, Mara (February 16, 2024). "Exclusive: Soap Alum Kristen Alderson On Her Lifetime Movie Debut!". Soap Opera Digest. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  34. ^ Huamani, Kaitlyn. "'One Life to Live' Alum Kristen Alderson Is Engaged: 'I've Never Cried So Many Happy Tears'". People.com. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  35. ^ Beckley, Bryan (September 29, 2023). "Kristen Alderson Announces Pregnancy". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  36. ^ Sacks, Hannah (January 30, 2024). "One Life to Live Alum Kristen Alderson Welcomes First Baby with Fiancé Taylor Crousore: 'Madly in Love'". People. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  37. ^ "Kristen Alderson". Internet Broadway Database. United States: The Broadway League. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  38. ^ "Annie". Playbill. New York City: TotalTheater. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  39. ^ BWW News Desk (May 8, 2018). "Photo Flash: Emmy Winner Kristen Alderson Joins The Cast Of Off-Broadway's The Marvelous Wonderettes!". Broadway World. United States: Wisdom Digital Media. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  40. ^ "24th Annual Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  41. ^ "29th Annual Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  42. ^ a b "30th Annual Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  43. ^ "The 41st Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. May 1, 2014. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  44. ^ "The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 31, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
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