When Michael Mealor’s future with The Young and the Restless (Y&R) was thrown in doubt, the outside world only knew about “protracted negotiations”. Behind the scenes, however, Mealor’s contract talks had all of the mixed emotions that he’s used to navigating via his character, Kyle Abbott.
“I was kinda going through the process of it all,” he explained to Soap Opera Digest. And although “the process” of contract negotiations is typically kept very quiet, he admits that “a couple of weeks into it” he had to let someone else in on the stress he was feeling. That someone, it turns out, was none other than Hunter King, his on-screen love.
“I have to talk to you about some business stuff,” Mealor claims he blurted out to King before taping a scene. “It kinda turned out I spilled my guts to her.”
Little did he know at the time that King was also involved in difficult contract negotiations, and both of them would soon be the subject of widespread speculation about their futures with the CBS soap.
“It’s difficult because you love the show, and you’re so dedicated to it,” he continued. “It’s such a piece of your life, and everyone there is… they’re family.”
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After seeking out the counsel of his respected colleague, Mealor knew the decision was his alone. And as sad #Skyle fans know, that decision was to leave. “This chapter for Kyle, at least seeing him every single day on TV, is coming to a close.”
“You just weigh all the options,” he said. “We were just trying to come to a middle ground, and… we ended up just not seeing eye to eye on certain aspects of it.”
However, much like Michelle Stafford said when she gave a social media tribute to her departing co-stars, Mealor didn’t dismiss the idea of returning to Genoa City.
“We may see Kyle again in the future. Who knows what happens?” Mealor admitted. “With the fan support, maybe Kyle will be back sooner than we think.”
Such a scenario is not far-fetched in the world of daytime drama. Let’s remember that back in 2018, Mishael Morgan left Y&R over failed contract discussions and they even killed off her character, Hilary. By the spring of 2019, she had returned as Hilary’s twin. Given Mealor’s popularity (especially with King), daytime drama fans have good reason to believe they’ll see Skyle back in action!
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Ryan Pratt
Ryan is an avid runner, reader, hiker and music collector. When he isn't writing and editing for Fame10 Soaps, he's relishing in the fine company of his two cats, Penny and Gus.