In daytime television, few moments strike as suddenly as this one. On April 30, 2025, Allison Lanier stunned fans by announcing on social media: “This Friday, May 2nd, will be my last episode on Y&R! I’ve loved the journey and learned so much but it’s time to grow in a different direction…” Just like that, her three-year run as Summer Newman was over—leaving both the cast and fans in shock.

But what led to this decision? And what does her departure mean for Genoa City’s future? Let’s unpack the story behind the goodbye.

The Journey of Summer Newman: From Recast to Recognition

Allison Lanier stepped into the role of Summer Newman in 2022, taking over from Hunter King, who had portrayed the character for nearly a decade. Summer is a legacy character—the daughter of Nick Newman and Phyllis Summers—and one of the central figures in