Why Hunter King Rocks As Genoa City’s New Bad Girl

It’s “Summer Time” on The Young and the Restless, and Hunter King has been rocking it as Genoa City’s new bad girl.

Since returning to the soap in June, King has taken her daytime alter ego’s about face by the reins and run with it.

It’s a move that totally suits the spirited actress, who for far too long was wasted as Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Phyllis’ (Gina Tognoni) put upon daughter. She deserved bigger, bolder challenges, and since King started getting them, she’s been delivering flawlessly.

Damsel Be Gone
For the bulk of her time on Y&R, Summer has been a damsel in distress in constant torment.

She dealt with major daddy drama, when Sharon (Sharon Case) led her to believe Nick wasn’t her father. Then, her first lover and husband Austin ended up murdered, but not before cheating on her with her aunt Abby (Melissa Ordway).

Things were constantly happening to Summer, who was always picking up the pieces and trying to cope with one misfortune after the next. Now she’s the one stirring the pot, the leading lady driving the action. And she’s excelling at it.

Life Mother, Like Daughter
The turnaround is totally fitting, when you consider who Summer’s mother is. Remember Phyllis was the one who broke up Danny (Michael Damian) and Christine’s (Lauralee Bell) marriage by convincing them that Daniel was Danny’s son.

She used her feminine wiles to scheme, manipulate, and get what she wants. Summer’s the perfect chip off the old block, having learned from the best, and she’s quickly proven she’s every bit as alluring as her mother.

Men About Town
Since resurfacing in Genoa City, Summer has been flirting with just about every man who crosses her path, from Arturo (Jason Canela) to Kyle (Michael Mealor) to her own mama Phyllis’ boyfriend, Billy (Jason Thompson).

King’s playing the little vamp to the hilt, and, in the process has made Summer a character you simply can’t take your eyes off.

Newman Heir
As Summer has evolved into the soap’s new bad girl, King has also gotten to show off her Newman side – as in grandfather Victor (Eric Braeden), that is.

He’s long been the force to be reckoned with in town; a man who gets what he wants at any cost. Having Summer inherit that trait has been intriguing. King’s risen to the task of playing it somewhere between subtly and strongly and making it all totally believable.

The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.