Karen Taylor (The Young and the Restless)
Encyclopedia
Karen Winters is a fictional character
on the U.S.
soap opera
The Young and the Restless
, portrayed by actress Nia Peeples George
from April 18, 2007 to May 13, 2008, when she was presumably dropped to recurring and the character written out, only to be re-added as of June 13, 2008, when the actress herself found out that her new contract cycle began and that she couldn't be fired. She was fired in March 2009 and last aired on May 14.
as Nikki Newman's (Melody Thomas Scott
) campaign manager for Nikki's Wisconsin state senator campaign, after being hired by Nikki's daughter, Victoria
(Amelia Heinle
). Nikki loses the election and Karen loses her job. Karen begins dating recently-widowed Neil Winters
(Kristoff St. John
), after taking a job as Director of Beauty of Nature at Newman Enterprises. The position was left vacant after the death of Neil's wife, Drucilla (Victoria Rowell
). Neil's adult children, Lily
(Christel Khalil
) and Devon
(Bryton
), do not to approve of Neil and Karen's relationship, and are hostile towards Karen. At Neil's urging, Lily and Devon decide to give her another chance and invite her to Thanksgiving dinner.
After dating for a while, Neil and Karen move in together. Lily ends up pregnant by Cane Ashby
(Daniel Goddard) and Neil proposes raising the child with Karen, but Karen is extremely against it. She realizes that it was too soon for them to live together, and she moves out. Karen gives Neil a choice to choose between her and the memory of Dru. Neil realizes he is still in love with Dru. Karen then moves away to New York
.
A month later, following the advice of Devon and Lily (who had, by this time, come to accept Karen), Neil surprises Karen in New York by asking her to marry him, but she rejects him. Shortly afterwards, Karen decides to give Neil a chance by returning to Genoa City and agreeing to take things slow. She starts to show a different side of herself when a woman named Tyra Hamilton
(Eva Marcille
) comes to town and starts spending a lot of time with Neil. She is recognized by Olivia Winters
(Tonya Lee Williams
) in October 2008 when Olivia returns to Genoa City. They agree to keep a secret between them hidden, since Karen was Olivia's patient in the past. Not being able to hide it anymore, Karen confesses to Neil that she had a hysterectomy after learning she could give her child cancer, and she asks him to think about if he wants to stay with her now that he knows she cannot give him a child. Karen is uneasy, even though Neil reassures her that he wants to be with her.
Upon hearing the news of Katherine Chancellor
's (Jeanne Cooper
) death, Neil starts thinking about life and decides to propose to Karen, who happily accepts after a little reluctance. They plan to get married later in 2009, but when Ana Hamilton (Jamia Simone Nash
) is taken away from Tyra's custody, they decide to get married sooner so they can become foster parents for Ana. The couple marries on New Year's Eve.
Karen becomes jealous of Tyra and Neil's relationship. Deciding she wants to create a family with Neil and Ana, Karen suggests they adopt the little girl. Neil is reluctant but does see the benefit of it. Tyra kisses Neil twice. The second time, Karen witnesses the kiss and tries to keep them apart by making it appear as though Neil is attempting to adopt Ana behind Tyra's back. Karen is deeply distraught upon learning that Neil had slept with Tyra on one occasion, but she manages to collect herself and continue battling to become a foster parent for Ana, until Neil testifies on Tyra's behalf. Karen packs her bags and leaves town, telling Neil that she hates him before she goes.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
, portrayed by actress Nia Peeples George
Nia Peeples
Virenia Gwendolyn "Nia" Peeples is an American R&B and dance music singer and actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Nicole Chapman on Fame...
from April 18, 2007 to May 13, 2008, when she was presumably dropped to recurring and the character written out, only to be re-added as of June 13, 2008, when the actress herself found out that her new contract cycle began and that she couldn't be fired. She was fired in March 2009 and last aired on May 14.
Character's background
Karen Taylor arrives in Genoa CityGenoa City (fictional city)
Genoa City, Wisconsin is the fictional setting for the long-running American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The real U.S. village of the same name is otherwise unlike and unrelated to the mid-size city depicted in the series.- Overview :...
as Nikki Newman's (Melody Thomas Scott
Melody Thomas Scott
Melody Thomas Scott is an American actress, best known for playing Nikki Newman on the soap opera The Young and the Restless since 1979.-Early Training:Melody Thomas Scott has been a working actress since the age of three...
) campaign manager for Nikki's Wisconsin state senator campaign, after being hired by Nikki's daughter, Victoria
Victoria Newman
Victoria Nicole Newman is a fictional character from the American soap opera The Young and the Restless...
(Amelia Heinle
Amelia Heinle
Amelia March Heinle Luckinbill is an American actress best known for her roles in American soap operas.-Career:...
). Nikki loses the election and Karen loses her job. Karen begins dating recently-widowed Neil Winters
Neil Winters
Neil Winters is a fictional character in the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, portrayed by actor Kristoff St. John since his first appearance in January 1991...
(Kristoff St. John
Kristoff St. John
Kristoff St. John is an American actor, best known for his role as Neil Winters on the daytime US drama The Young and the Restless.-Career:...
), after taking a job as Director of Beauty of Nature at Newman Enterprises. The position was left vacant after the death of Neil's wife, Drucilla (Victoria Rowell
Victoria Rowell
Victoria "Vicki" Lynn Rowell is an American actress and dancer. She is best known for her portrayal of ballerina-turned-model Drucilla Winters on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless, and medical examiner/pathologist Dr. Amanda Bentley on the CBS drama Diagnosis: Murder...
). Neil's adult children, Lily
Lily Winters
Lily Winters Ashby is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Starting off as a rebellious yet naive teenager, the character became one of the series' popular heroines. Stories centered around Lily included the mystery of her paternity and social issue...
(Christel Khalil
Christel Khalil
Christel Adnana Khalil is an American actress.-Career:Khalil is best known for her role as Lily Ashby on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. She played the role from August 15, 2002 until September 2, 2005. Soon after she left the soap, Khalil was replaced by Davetta Sherwood...
) and Devon
Devon Hamilton
Devon Hamilton is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, played by actor/musician Bryton James since June 1, 2004. James' portrayal of Devon has earned him the 2007 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series, and the 2009 NAACP Image Award...
(Bryton
Bryton
Bryton Eric McClure is an American actor and singer, also credited as Bryton and Bryton James. He is best known for his childhood role as Richie Crawford on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters, and his current role as Devon Hamilton on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless...
), do not to approve of Neil and Karen's relationship, and are hostile towards Karen. At Neil's urging, Lily and Devon decide to give her another chance and invite her to Thanksgiving dinner.
After dating for a while, Neil and Karen move in together. Lily ends up pregnant by Cane Ashby
Cane Ashby
Ethan "Cane" Ashby is a fictional character in the American soap opera The Young and the Restless. Daniel Goddard has portrayed the character since his January 12, 2007 debut...
(Daniel Goddard) and Neil proposes raising the child with Karen, but Karen is extremely against it. She realizes that it was too soon for them to live together, and she moves out. Karen gives Neil a choice to choose between her and the memory of Dru. Neil realizes he is still in love with Dru. Karen then moves away to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
A month later, following the advice of Devon and Lily (who had, by this time, come to accept Karen), Neil surprises Karen in New York by asking her to marry him, but she rejects him. Shortly afterwards, Karen decides to give Neil a chance by returning to Genoa City and agreeing to take things slow. She starts to show a different side of herself when a woman named Tyra Hamilton
Tyra Hamilton
Tyra Hamilton is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, portrayed by an American fashion model and actress Eva Marcille from June 25, 2008 to August 17, 2009.-Character's background:...
(Eva Marcille
Eva Marcille
Eva Marcille is an American actress, TV host and fashion model, who most recently played the role of Tyra Hamilton on the soap opera The Young and the Restless. She started her career by winning the third cycle of America's Next Top Model.She was previously credited by her birth name, Eva Pigford....
) comes to town and starts spending a lot of time with Neil. She is recognized by Olivia Winters
Olivia Winters
Dr. Olivia Winters, M.D. is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Canadian actress Tonya Lee Williams originated the role in June 1990 and departed on September 7, 2005, reappearing as a guest star on April 12 and 13, 2007. The actress returned on October 23, 2008...
(Tonya Lee Williams
Tonya Lee Williams
Tonya Lee Williams is a Canadian actress, best known for her role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on the American soap opera The Young and the Restless, from 1990 to 2005, and for a brief time in 2007. She returned to the series in the fall of 2008.-Early life:Williams was born in London, England to...
) in October 2008 when Olivia returns to Genoa City. They agree to keep a secret between them hidden, since Karen was Olivia's patient in the past. Not being able to hide it anymore, Karen confesses to Neil that she had a hysterectomy after learning she could give her child cancer, and she asks him to think about if he wants to stay with her now that he knows she cannot give him a child. Karen is uneasy, even though Neil reassures her that he wants to be with her.
Upon hearing the news of Katherine Chancellor
Katherine Chancellor
Katherine Chancellor Murphy is a fictional character on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless...
's (Jeanne Cooper
Jeanne Cooper
Wilma Jeanne Cooper , best known as Jeanne Cooper, is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Katherine Chancellor on the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless...
) death, Neil starts thinking about life and decides to propose to Karen, who happily accepts after a little reluctance. They plan to get married later in 2009, but when Ana Hamilton (Jamia Simone Nash
Jamia Simone Nash
Jamia Simone Nash , also known simply as Jamia, is an American child singer and actress.-Private life:Jamia was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia and she is African and West Indian descent. She attended Mason Elementary School, where she participated in a talent show and first discovered her fame...
) is taken away from Tyra's custody, they decide to get married sooner so they can become foster parents for Ana. The couple marries on New Year's Eve.
Karen becomes jealous of Tyra and Neil's relationship. Deciding she wants to create a family with Neil and Ana, Karen suggests they adopt the little girl. Neil is reluctant but does see the benefit of it. Tyra kisses Neil twice. The second time, Karen witnesses the kiss and tries to keep them apart by making it appear as though Neil is attempting to adopt Ana behind Tyra's back. Karen is deeply distraught upon learning that Neil had slept with Tyra on one occasion, but she manages to collect herself and continue battling to become a foster parent for Ana, until Neil testifies on Tyra's behalf. Karen packs her bags and leaves town, telling Neil that she hates him before she goes.