The Bold and the Beautiful's Aaron D. Spears (Justin Barber) has been receiving an outpouring of support from fans following the news that he is no longer on contract at the CBS soap opera.
Eagle-eyed Soap Central readers were the first to notice that the Washington, DC, native's name is no longer listed in the show's contract credits. Spears later confirmed his status change by personally thanking fans on social media who've reached out in concern over his name disappearing from the credit sequence.
"Until I own my own show, I really can't be mad or upset with what someone chooses to do with theirs... unfortunate but it is what it is... appreciate your support," he wrote to one fan, while to another, he made mention of the fact that B&B never really gave him much front-burner material.
"When I first started on the show we addressed my son & I got married to Donna [Jennifer Gareis]," he writes. "Never a full blown storyline but was addressed."
Until I own my own show, I really can't be mad or upset with what someone chooses to do with theirs... unfortunate but it is what it is... appreciate your support https://t.co/qJTVFwV6AY
- Aaron D. Spears (@aaronDspears) December 19, 2019
When I first started on the show we addressed my son & I got married to Donna... never a full blown storyline but was addressed. https://t.co/s02okhUV0q
- Aaron D. Spears (@aaronDspears) December 19, 2019
Spears has been playing Bill Spencer's (Don Diamont) corporate attorney and right-hand man since 2009 and was given contract status in 2017. His other soap credits include the roles of Days of our Lives' Commissioner Raines, General Hospital's Officer Watkins, and Sunset Beach's Officer Washington, while his non-daytime credits include Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, Being Mary Jane, and Half & Half.
For viewers who want to see more of Spears, they can catch his starring performance in the Aspire TV movie London Mitchell's Christmas, set to air on the network Tuesday, December 24, at 6PM, and Wednesday, December 25, at 10:30AM.
Spears' change in status is just the latest casting move that affects B&B's on-screen diversity. Adain Bradley (Xander Avant) was dropped from contract a few months ago, the character of Emma Barber (Nia Sioux) was killed off this summer, and the entire Avant family seems to have quietly closed its chapter on the soap, as well.
What do you think about Aaron D. Spears dropping in status at B&B? What kind of storylines would you have liked to have seen for Justin while Spears was on contract? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
