A Legacy Character Off-Screen

Summer Newman is Young and the Restless royalty. As the daughter of Nick Newman and Phyllis Summers, her presence carries weight in Genoa City. Yet for months, she has been missing from the screen. Instead, her life has continued off-camera in Italy, where she is running Marchetti.

Fans have been left wondering why such a central character would vanish without a dramatic exit. While the reasons tie back to contract changes and storyline shifts, the door remains wide open for Summer’s return.

The Tumultuous Love Life of Summer Newman

Love has never come easy for Summer. Her relationship with Kyle Abbott, the heir to the Abbott empire, has defined much of her adult story. The couple has married and divorced twice, their connection constantly tested by outside forces.

Drama escalated when Tara Locke arrived with her son Harrison, later revealed to be Kyle’s child. The revelation nearly tore the couple apart. Manipulation from Tara and Sally Spectra briefly drove Summer away, but she and Kyle reunited in Italy and even remarried. Together, they raised Harrison, and Summer legally adopted him, cementing her role as his mother.

But happiness never lasts long in Genoa City. Diane Jenkins’ shocking return from the dead rattled Phyllis and pulled Summer into a family war. When Phyllis staged her own death to frame Diane, the fallout devastated Summer. The lies and mistrust placed a strain on her marriage. Kyle’s unwavering loyalty to Diane — and his fling with Audra Charles — eventually destroyed the relationship.

Rivalries, Heartbreak, and Moving On

After her marriage imploded, Summer clashed with her cousin Claire over Claire’s growing bond with Harrison. She felt Kyle was too quick to let Claire in, heightening her insecurities.

Seeking a fresh start, Summer explored a romance with Chance Chancellor. However, tragedy struck when her brother Daniel’s wife, Heather, was murdered. The grief and chaos ended her brief relationship with Chance before it had a chance to fully develop.

By the time 2025 arrived, Summer’s personal life was in shambles. The only stability she found came from her bond with Harrison and her work at Marchetti.

Why Summer Left Genoa City

In May 2025, actress Allison Lanier’s contract expired after three years. Her exit was not marked by a grand send-off or shocking twist. Instead, Summer quietly returned to Italy to manage Marchetti after corporate shakeups rocked the company. With Sally and Chelsea moving on to new ventures, Summer chose to step back overseas and refocus her energy there.

Most recently, Harrison spent the summer with her while Kyle was in France. Meanwhile, Kyle found himself tangled up with Audra Charles at Aristotle Dumas’ notorious coming-out party — a storyline far removed from Summer’s world in Milan.

Will Summer Newman Return?

Summer’s departure left fans disappointed. Many expected a bigger exit for such a pivotal character. Yet, her storyline feels unfinished. The show has intentionally kept the door open for her to return.

The biggest question is whether Allison Lanier will reprise the role or if a recast will take her place. Recasts are nothing new in the soap world, especially for characters as central as Summer. Either way, her reappearance would shake up the canvas — particularly if she crosses paths with Kyle, Claire, and Harrison again.

Final Thoughts

Summer Newman’s absence has been felt across Genoa City. From her star-crossed romance with Kyle to her endless battles with Phyllis and Diane, she remains deeply tied to the show’s core families. For now, she’s running Marchetti in Italy, but history suggests it won’t be long before Summer returns to the chaos of Genoa City.

When she does, fans can expect drama, heartbreak, and plenty of fireworks — because no Newman ever stays gone for long.