'The Young and the Restless; fans react to the news about Michael Mealor and Hunter King

Soap fans are reacting to the news that Michael Mealor and Hunter King are leaving THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS due to failed contract negotiations. Celeb Dirty Laundry broke the story on Thursday night and now other spoilers are echoing the sentiment. SOAPS.COM and SOAP OPERA SPY reveal that they got the news from SOAP OPERA DIGEST. Skyle fans are in shock as they believed that Kyle Abbott and Summer Newmanwere going to be the next power couple like Victor and Nikki or stay the course like Bo and Hope on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Michael Mealor took over the role of Kyle in 2018 and immediately speaks flew between his character and Hunter King's Summer. At first, Summer played hard to get and teased Kyle at every turn. She even made a dare with him that she would be able to get his uncle Billy in bed and she did. Kyle became fed up and then was smitten by young virgin Lola Rosales. Once Summer realized that he had moved on she did everything in her power to break up Kola.

In the meantime, Ms. Newman began a friends with benefits relationship with Theo Vanderway who had been Kyle's party buddy in New York and later turned out to be his cousin. Kyle and Lola broke up and he immediately went to Summer's hotel room and slept with her. Later Theo and Lola joked up but nothing came of the relationship. Thanks to COVID, Skyle fans were not able to watch Mealor and King heat up the screen. Even when restrictions were lifted the duo remained at arm's length as other couples were embracing.

Some Y&R viewers wondered if either King or Mealor no longer wanted love scenes with the other because the distance went on for so long. Next came Tara Locke, showing up at the engagement party and things began quickly going downhill. Theo had run into Tara who admitted that an affair with Kyle produced her son and that Ashland was not the boy's father. Everyone was curious as to why Summer was allowing Sally Spectra and Tara to run her out of town without a fight.

Now it seems that Hunter King was the actress mentioned in the blind item who was leaving a soap role. Those who speculated that Mealor might follow her were obviously onto something. Skyle fans are saying they cannot believe this is the way the true love story is going to end. Even if the couple reunites offscreen, faithful viewers will be cheated out of seeing the happily ever after or as long as THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS allowed.

Kyle has matured during the 3 years that Michael Mealor has had the role. He and Summer seemed to be growing up together right before the eyes of the viewers. Many of those who watch THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESSa stunned at this turn of events and cannot believe that both actors are leaving. There is always a possibility of recasts or perhaps King and Mealor will return someday. Hunter has left the ABC soap several times in the past and always came back to her role as Summer. Nothing official has come from the Y&R execs to confirm this distressing news.

Kyle looked devastated when Summer dropped his ring in his hand but spoilers say he will soon follow her to Europe. This seems to suggest that the truth about Tara and Sally will come to light but without Summer in the picture, it's not clear how this will unfold. Spoilers for next week indicate that Kyle will be beside himself and Tara will try to comfort him. Spoilers also say that Nick will be saying farewell to someone the first week in July and that could be the final scene for King as he is taking her to Europe on the Newman jet.

No timeline has been given for Michael Mealor but it's implied that Kyle will soon follow Summer. Hunter King's contract was not up until the fall so there is always a possibility that she could be seen a few more times. Some Skyle fans are hoping contract negotiations can be worked out and both actors will remain in Genoa City so be on the lookout for updates about Kyle and Summer as they become available. This is indeed a dark day for those who were cheering for Kyle and Summer to overcome all while in Genoa City.