Eva LaRue joined her former General Hospital (GH) co-star Maurice Benard on State of Mind recently. They talked about anxiety, grief, and dealing with difficult emotions. Read on for more details.
Who is Eva?
ABC soap fans know Eva LaRue joined General Hospital in February 2024 as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez. She played Natalia, the mom of Blaze, portrayed by Jacqueline Grace Lopez.
What was supposed to be a short guest run turned into a longer stay. Her chemistry with the cast worked well, especially during a romantic storyline with Benard’s character, Sonny Corinthos.
However, her time on the show ended in June 2025. Her character’s final scenes aired in early July. Natalia died from an apparent overdose after Sonny rejected her.
LaRue later acknowledged how much viewers disliked Natalia, rather like the reaction to Cameron Mathison’s character, Drew Cain.
Discussing Anxiety
During the interview, the duo talked about how social anxiety affects everyday life. Maurice Benard spoke about his ongoing battle with intense anxiety.
He explained that he gets worried about coming across as rude when he needs to step away from crowds. He stays put even when his body tells him to run, noting that in those moments, “you literally feel like you’re drowning.”
Eva Noticed
Eva LaRue watched him deal with those moments on the General Hospital set and noticed the toll it took on him. She was impressed that Maurice managed to power through it, calling him a “freaking champion.”
She wanted to understand him, but she also felt that sometimes when she spoke up, Maurice would think she was being too intrusive: “I remember asking you…”
At the time, Benard was struggling with anxiety because his wife, Paula, was going overseas. Eva noticed how much energy Maurice put into appearing normal and wanted to understand what he was experiencing.
Talking about a wedding scene, Eva LaRue also noted that they were busy with no time to take a break. She said, “It ended up being the most incredible education about an emotional spiral because you were really spiraling.”
Maurice said, “you know…the reality is not too many people aside from close family have seen me [at] what you saw.” And Eva said that her heart felt broken for him.
Dealing With Grief
The conversation also went into family dynamics and grief. LaRue opened up about her daughter’s grief and her own fears as a mother.
You might recall that Kaya’s dad, John Callahan, passed away from a stroke in March 2020 at age 66. Just 18 at the time, Kaya was hit hard and struggled with depression.
Her grief was compounded by the trauma of being stalked by James David Rogers..
Extensive therapy helped them work through the pain, and these days they are closer than ever. But back then, it wasn’t easy.
She wanted to support her daughter, but Kaya Callahan struggled to explain her feelings and LaRue admitted she worried about pushing too hard.
Eva worried that her daughter might become dependent on medication, but they eventually found a more natural supplement that helped.
Levels of Stress
Talking about levels of anxiety, Maurice said that level six is a red flag for him, and he feels that on occasion you really do need professional help. And when he’s spiraling at level six or seven, nothing else helps.
They discussed how medication can help manage severe anxiety, and Maurice said lithium helps him. However, Maurice wasn’t taking medication when Eva witnessed his anxiety on set.
A Close Bond
They also talked about their time on daytime television. Both actors admitted they once thought a soap opera career was something they would eventually outgrow.
Over time, they learned to value the work and the connections they built. Benard mentioned his bond with co-star Steve Burton, who plays Jason Morgan.
He shared that performing scenes with Burton can bring him to tears because their real-life friendship runs deep. LaRue pointed out that having a friend you can call during tough times isn’t something to take for granted.
Viewers React
GH fans took to the comments section, and one of them said, “Love Eva! These interviews just keep getting better and better. When Maurice said you literally feel like you’re ‘drowning’-that is spot on. Only those who know, know.”
Here are a few other responses from the discussion:
- “Love how ya’ll talk about different subjects… I am a recovering alcoholic for some years now… and I relate.”
- “I am grateful for the awareness… Sometimes I find it too much to talk about for myself. But unbeatable the therapeutic values for others.”
- “Thank you for the honesty in sharing the things that you have gone through!”
What do you think of Eva LaRue’s chat with Maurice Benard on State of Mind? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and then check back for more General Hospital cast news and updates.