General Hospital star Genie Francis used to defend the date rape scene that she portrayed at age 17. But this week, the legendary General Hospital star took a stand. And Genie declared that she will no longer support how that scene played out for her character Laura.
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Find out what Francis shared about how General Hospital executive producers tried to frame the scene as a seduction. And learn how the actress now views that scene. Get all the details below.
Genie Francis – Slams General Hospital Date Rape: ‘Inappropriate’!
At 17, General Hospital star Genie Francis obeyed whatever directions she received on set. And so when her character of Laura faced a date rape scenario involving her love interest Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary), the teenage actress portrayed the scene as directed. But as Francis reflects on that scene today, she will no longer stay silent. And Genie addressed the topic of that scene via Fox News.
The 1979 General Hospital episode in question showed Laura and Luke dancing at a disco. But it went beyond a consensual date as Laura screamed “No!” And Genie’s character also shouted, “Luke, let me go!” repeatedly during what became a controversial daytime TV scene. However, the two characters then famously wed in 1981, with the wedding episode winning over 30 million viewers.
And though Geary, 75, exited General Hospital in 2015, his co-star Genie now slams that scene. As for the executive producer who framed the date rape as a “rape seduction,” Francis views that as “inappropriate.” And she feels it became a “burden” to remain silent on the topic.
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Genie Francis – Will No Longer ‘Condone’ GH Rape Scene
As a result of her age at the time, the General Hospital star didn’t fully understand the scene, she says now. But at 60, Francis will no longer accept it, she declared. And Genie added, “As a young kid at 17, I was told to play rape, and I played it, and I didn’t know what it was.”
However, the General Hospital star shared during the ABC Television Critics Association Winter Press Conference that she can no longer “condone” the past. And “at 60, I don’t feel the need to defend that anymore. The story was inappropriate,” added Francis. “And I don’t condone it.”
Because she stayed so silent so long, the General Hospital star feels she carried “a burden… to try to justify that story. And so I’m not doing that anymore. When a woman says no, she should be listened to. If you play that scene, you don’t just have her saying no, you have her screaming ‘no,'” added Genie. And the General Hospital star pointed out, “The term now would be date rape.”
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Recalling the scene precisely, Francis described how Luke persuaded Laura to “dance with him. And the dance became very seductive. He took her down to the floor and that is the rape.” But after feeling the need to “justify” the scene for so long, Francis broke her silence. “And I have to say, it feels good to sit here and say I won’t justify it. It’s awful. They shouldn’t have done it.”
Tell us what you think. How do you feel about Genie Francis’ comments on the date rape scene on GH? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more General Hospital news.