The Daytime TV Surprise You Didn’t See Coming
In the world of daytime television, few relationships have captivated audiences like that of John Black and his daughter Belle on Days of Our Lives. Behind the scenes, the bond between actors Drake Hogestyn and Kirsten Storms was equally compelling. Recently, Storms opened up about her deep connection to Hogestyn, shedding light on their personal and professional relationship, and the profound impact of his passing.
When Kirsten Met Drake: A Teenage Star’s Soap Opera Baptism
In 1999, at just 14 years old, Kirsten Storms joined Days of Our Lives as Belle Black, the daughter of the show’s iconic couple, John Black (Drake Hogestyn) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall). Transitioning from Disney projects like Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, Storms found herself immersed in the fast-paced world of soap operas.
Working alongside seasoned actors, she quickly adapted, crediting Hogestyn and Hall for their guidance and support during her formative years on the show.
“Deidre Hall would not take any excuses, and I loved that,” Storms recalled. “I wanted to show her I was capable of [doing the work]. It was one of the best learning experiences I could have had at 14”.
From Co-Stars to Family Dinners: Inside the Storms-Hogestyn Bond
Storms’ relationship with Hogestyn extended beyond their on-screen roles. She dated Hogestyn’s son, Ben, for a period, which allowed her to spend considerable time with the Hogestyn family. This personal connection deepened her appreciation for Drake, whom she described as always being in a good mood and fully committed to his work.
“He just was my favorite person there and a legend.
So happy and always in a good mood. And prepared. He did his 100 percent best job always,” Storms shared.
“It Doesn’t Feel Real”: Storms’ Raw Reaction to Hogestyn’s Death
Drake Hogestyn passed away on September 28, 2024, just one day shy of his 71st birthday, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Storms expressed that his death still feels surreal, noting that she hadn’t seen him in a while, which makes it hard to accept that he’s gone.
