Update: Melissa Ordway's contract status change on The Young and the Restless

On The Young and the Restless, Melissa Ordway plays Abby Newman. Her character just had the perfect wedding to the man of her dreams.

Unfortunately, in soapland that means that something is about to veer off-course. Abby and Devon’s (Bryton James) wedding may have been picture-perfect, but the actress revealed that her contract status had changed.

Melissa Ordway’s contract status with The Young and the Restless

While traveling, Melissa Ordway invited her Instagram followers to ask her anything, and one thing people wanted to know was she cut off her long hair.

Ordway had already answered that question in an interview last month, when she had chopped her locks. At the time, Ordway claimed she just wanted something different than the other long-haired blondes on the show.

However, while conversing with fans, Ordway had another answer. “Honestly, it’s been an interesting couple of months. The show decided to take me off contract so I decided to change me look up a bit for auditions. Definitely not something I wanted but I love and respect my YR family and appreciate any time they ask me back.”

Abby Newman on The Young and the Restless

Y&R hit a historic milestone this week by airing its 13,000th episode — and one that focused on Ordway’s character, Abby Newman. Abby and Devon’s long-awaited wedding was multi-day event.

Abby was walked down the aisle by her on-screen dad, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), and mom, Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), with most of the cast (and even some from the past) present as guests.

It was a day to remember as many noted that Abby was marrying her perfect match, and she told those closest to her how much she loved Devon and that he was the man of her dreams.

Just because Ordway’s contract status has changed doesn’t mean she won’t be back. She can be shifted to a recurring status or picked back up in the future. But, given the amount of emphasis on the love that Abby and Devon were professing up to and during their nuptials, it does seem foreboding for the next steps for the couple.

Bryton James’ (Devon Hamilton) status has not changed, which anyone is aware of, and Abby is a member of Genoa City’s most prominent families. Not to mention, we are mid-murder mystery, and viewers will get a new, shocking twist to the storyline tomorrow. Is it related to Ordway’s status change? We’ll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, we can appreciate Ordway’s new ‘do, and continue watching the wedding event of the year.

Update: Melissa Ordway's reaction

Melissa Ordway (Abby) was surprised by the amount of attention her comments made. She was touched that so many people cared about her contract status and sent this message to fans on her Instagram:

Ordway said:

In regard to the latest breaking news…Thank you for all the support. The news is true. Bottom line- I love playing Abby Newman. I love @youngandrestlesscbs and most of all, I love our amazing fans!

Watch full episodes of The Young and the Restless on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.