One of the most gut-wrenching storylines on "General Hospital" was drawn from reality. In 1998, after the Valentine's Day dance, Elizabeth Webber was attacked and raped, according to Soaps in Depth. "General Hospital" was praised for its handling of how the aftermath heavily impacted her character and for raising awareness on sexual violence, which most likely contributed to their 1998 Shine Award (Sexual Health in Entertainment) win, per Variety.
For this storyline, former "GH" writer, Michele Val Jean, vulnerably channeled her personal experience into the writing, reports Soap Hub. On February 13, Val Jean retweeted a series of stills from the episode. In her accompanying message, she thanked Rebecca Herbst for her care in bringing this to life 24 years ago and opened up about its effect on her, writing, "Hard to believe this was 24 years ago. Still seared on my heart. Thank you [Rebecca Herbst] for your sensitivity and brilliance. You were... you are... a gift."'
Days later, Herbst lovingly replied to the veteran soap writer. In her tweet, she showered Val Jean in praise for trusting her with her story, writing, "You, my beautiful friend [Michele Val Jean] are the gift. Thank you for sharing your soul with the world. Love you always..."
The "Bold and the Beautiful" writer tweeted her joint interview with Herbst for now-defunct magazine Soap Opera Weekly, and detailed how writing this character arc for Elizabeth was therapeutic.
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