General Hospital star Kate Mansi, known to fans as Kristina Corinthos, recently stepped behind the camera to direct the November 18 episode. While the milestone excited her, Mansi admitted she had one big worry: directing Laura Wright.

Kate Mansi on why she didn’t want to direct Laura Wright on General Hospital

In a TV Insider exclusive, Kate Mansi said she became interested in directing after watching Alison Sweeney on DOOL. After joining General Hospital, she shared her passion with executive producer Frank Valentini, who let her “shadow in the booth” for a year.

Then, on her birthday in September, Frank gave her the chance to direct her first episode of General Hospital. However, Mansi said she was excited but scared and immediately told him, “And I was scared sh**less, but I said to him, ‘OK, I think I’m ready, too, but please, the only person I don’t want to direct is Laura Wright.”

Even though she loves Laura as a friend, she felt intimidated by directing such a veteran and respected actress. Her nerves got even stronger when she learned she would also be directing Genie Francis, Maurice Benard, and Steve Burton.

Still, she pulled herself together and focused on preparing. “I took a minute to sort of freak out, and then I just got right to work,” Mansi says. She said her coworkers were supportive from the start. Genie Francis encouraged her and said she was proud to see another woman directing.

Mansi’s on-screen sister, Kristen Vaganos, secretly took photos and videos throughout the day to cheer her on, even though Mansi asked her not to watch because it would make her too nervous.

When it was time to direct Laura Wright’s scenes, which included emotional and romantic scenes, Mansi felt anxious. She hesitated giving directions, but Laura immediately reassured her. Laura told her to be bold and said, “She said, ‘I don’t want to tell you what to do, but I think we should just, like, go at it.’” That gave Mansi the confidence she needed.

After shooting, Laura told Mansi that in her 34-year career, she had never played a scene quite like that and praised her creative approach. She said she would love to direct again and is grateful to Frank Valentini for trusting her.

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