Things You Might Not Know About Kirsten Storms
Published on April 7, 2016. Updated April 1, 2020Kirsten Storms has been in the entertainment industry for quite some time and has had success as a teen star and an adult, thanks in large part to her starring role on the hit soap operas Days of Our Lives and General Hospital. Even though she is a Disney turned Soap Opera star, and has been in the public eye for so long, she is still a very private person! Check out these things you might not know about Kirsten Storms:
9. Childhood
Kirsten Renee Storms was born in Orlando, Florida, to her parents, Karen Storms and sportscaster Mike Storms. Her dad’s job inspired an early love for acting for Kirsten and at only five she was discovered by a talent scout. Kirsten got her big break when at 13 she landed a recurring role on the WB’s family series 7th Heaven which led to her leading role in the Disney original film Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century.
Source: Disney8. Voice Acting
Although she is best known for successfully transitioning from a Disney teen star into a major Soap Opera star, Storms has also had a notable voice acting role. From 2002-2007, Storms provided the voice of Bonnie Rockwaller for Disney’s hit animated series, Kim Possible.
Photo By: Emiley Schweich/Everett Collection7. Personal Life
Through all of the drama on-screen, Storms ended up finding real love with her General Hospital co-star Brandon Barash who portrays Johnny Zachhara. In August 2013, the pair confirmed they had secretly wed two months earlier and in early January 2014 they welcomed a baby girl Harper Rose Barash. Unfortunately, after almost three years of marriage, the two revealed to Soap Opera Digest that they were separating, citing irreconcilable differences.
Broadimage/REX6. Engagement
Kirsten Storms and Brandon Barash’s whirlwind romance shocked many after the two confirmed they were dating in early 2013 and then secretly wed only a few months later, but after the news was out Storms revealed details of their engagement. Barash proposed to her with a blue-raspberry Ring Pop while at a gas station in Wrightwood, California. The two were then married at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Getty Images5. Illness
In fall 2011, Storms had to temporarily leave her role on General Hospital as Maxie Jones due to medical reasons which were later diagnosed as endometriosis. After being replaced on the show by Jen Lilley while dealing with her medical issues, Storms finally returned to the series on September 5, 2012. In May 2016, she announced that she was taking a break from General Hospital again, this time because of skin issues caused by stress, and she returned to the show in August 2017.
Photo By: Dee Cercone/Everett Collection4. Awards
After so many years as a star, it is surprising that Storms hasn’t been the recipient of more awards. She has never won a Daytime Emmy, although she was nominated in 2009, but in 2001 she did win the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Child Actor for her role on Days of Our Lives and in 2002 won the Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Leading Young Actress award at the Young Artists Awards.
Amanda Parks/ABACA3. Arrest
In September 2007, Storms got in some legal trouble when she was pulled over by California Highway Patrol for throwing a lit cigarette out of her car window. When they pulled her over, they suspected she was under the influence. After Storms failed several sobriety tests, she was arrested for a DUI. After pleading no contest to the charges she was ordered to attend twelve AA meetings and a 90-day alcohol program. The arrest also resulted in a $1,600 fine, six-month license suspension, and three years probation.
Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com2. Family Ties
Along with being the daughter of CBS sportscaster Mike Storms, Kirsten is also the older sister of actress Gretchen Storms and is the cousin of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Photo by Joe Toth/BPI/REX Shutterstock1. Illness Controversy
In 2013, long after Storms DUI arrest and after she had been diagnosed with endometriosis, rumors began flying that the actress was lying about her medical issues. Sources came forward saying Storms claimed she had to take time off because of her endometriosis so that she could actually attend rehab. After she became pregnant with her daughter, Harper, the rumors became more frequent because women with endometriosis often have fertility struggles, but there is seemingly no truth to these rumors that surrounded Storms at the time.
Photo by Broadimage/REX