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Katherine Jerome
General Hospital character
Portrayed by	Kristen Alderson (2013) Cody Horn (2013—)
Duration	2013—
First appearance	May 10, 2013
Classification	Present; regular
Created by	Ron Carlivati
Introduced by	Frank Valentini
In-universe information Other names Lauren Frank Lauren Quartermaine Occupation Student at Vassar College Family Jerome Parents Silas Clay Ava Jerome Spouse Morgan Corinthos (2013) Jackson Soleito (2013–15) Lorenzo Alcazar (2015) Johnny Zacchara (2017) Grandparents Victor Jerome Aunts and uncles Stephen Clay Julian Jerome Olivia St. John Evan Jerome Dino Antoinelli First cousins Sam Morgan Lucas Jones Evan Jerome Jr. Rafe Kovich Jr.

Lauren Katherine Jerome (formerly Corinthos, Soleito, Alcazar, and Zacchara) is a fictional character from the original ABC Daytime drama General Hospital. The role was originated by Kristen Alderson in the spring of 2013, and has been portrayed by model Cody Horn since November of that year.

Casting and creation

In November 2009, actor James Franco began appearing on General Hospital as a guest star as the crazed artist turned serial killer, Robert "Franco" Frank. The character of Lauren was first written into the series on December 21, 2009 as Franco, the character's daughter. Lauren was apparently taken away by her "bitch" of a mother. In April 2012, Franco is revealed to be the fraternal twin brother of Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) making him, and Lauren by extension members of the iconic Quartermaine family. It is not until the May 20, 2013, that viewers learn that Alderson is actually Lauren. Alderson had previously appeared on the series as a One Life to Live character, Starr Manning. Upon the serial's cancellation, Alderson and several co-stars appeared on General Hospital as their One Life to Live characters for more than a year. When One Life was re-launched as a web series, the production company, Prospect Park reacquired the rights to the characters. It was initially believed that Alderson would briefly exit as Starr, and return later; however, ABC instead opted out of negotiations and chose to create a brand new character for Alderson. Alderson made her first appearance on May 13, 2013 on a contractual basis as Lauren "Kiki" Jerome.

According to Alderson, Lauren is very different from Starr, but said the two still had some similarities. Alderson had been posting several pictures via social media but intentionally hiding her hair leading to speculation that her appearance would be very different. A Soapnet promo confirmed Alderon's change in appearance in early May. Alderson revealed to Soap Opera Digest that Kiki is reminiscent of a younger Starr who is quite the trouble maker.

Storylines

Michael Corinthos (Chad Duell) comes looking for his younger brother Morgan (Bryan Craig) at the apartment of Ava Jerome (Maura West) and finds Ava's daughter, Lauren "Kiki" Jerome. Kiki convinces Morgan to play another game with a few friends to win back the money he's lost despite Michael's disapproval. Their plan goes awry when Kiki and Morgan are accused of cheating and Morgan's father Sonny (Maurice Benard) saves them from the debt collectors and forces Morgan to leave with him and Michael. However, Kiki follows Morgan to Port Charles and moves in with him and Michael. Kiki and Morgan move out of Michael's apartment and into the Quartermaine mansion when it is revealed that Kiki is a Quartermaine. Kiki comes back to Michael's apartment upset, where Kiki and Michael share a kiss, but stop. It is later revealed they are cousins. Kiki and Michael are attracted to each other and decide to stay away from each other. When Danny Morgan needs a bone marrow transplant, Kiki and Michael run into each other and share another kiss, only to be caught by Brad Cooper, who threatens to tell the news about their kiss if Michael does not spend one night with him. Fortunately, Michael finds out Brad and Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud)'s secret and forces Brad to back off. On July 18 Michael tells Morgan about their kiss and Morgan punches him and storms off to the hospital to find Kiki. Morgan stumbles upon a conversation between Ava and Silas Clay (Michael Easton) and it is revealed that Kiki is Clay's daughter not Franco's.

Kiki laters decides to break up with Morgan, for unexplained reasons, and mysteriously leaves town. She returns the next week, revealing she is done with both Michael and Morgan, and that she has decided to go by the name Katherine. Tracy later offers her a job at ELQ, as a Youth Consultant. She initially enjoys working at ELQ, but is soon made uncomfortable by working closely with Michael, and by certain remarks made by AJ. Katherine moves into her own apartment, and soon finds herself in need of more money. Aj continues to make unwelcome remarks, and after an office party, Kiki claims to have been raped by AJ. The criminal case against AJ was thrown out on a technicality, but she sues him for 5 million dollars, citing sexual harassment and emotional distress. She wins the case, after Katherine reveals to AJ that she knows he accidentally murdered a stripper the night she claims to have been raped. With her winnings, Katherine decides to buy the Zacchara family's territory in Port Charles. She convinces Johnny Zacchara to use the territory as leverage to merge his family's business, with the Soleito's business. Three of Gino Soleito's children (Jackson, Gina, and Gino, Jr.) move to Port Charles. Jackson agrees to marry Katherine and consolidate their territory. Although it started out as a business arrangement, she develops real feelings for Jackson. Katherine later figures put that Jackson is having an affair with Carly, although she doesn't let Jackson know she knows. They wage a war against Sonny and his empire, although Gina and GJ are eventually killed, and Jackson is put into a coma. When he wakes up, Katherine confesses her love for him, and he leaves her for Carly. She is outraged and attempts to kill the lovers, but is talked down by her mother.

Reception

The decision to re-introduce all three actors in new roles simultaneously was met with skepticism. "[It] will either be a trainwreck or brilliant," said Sara Bibel.