E! Online reported today that Alex Steele (Tori) will not be returning to Degrassi in Season 13. Click here to read the full article: http://www.eonline.com/news/400527/degrassi-shocker-alex-steele-not-returning-for-season-13
Since she was the one who decided to leave the show to pursue other projects (and the season 12 finale will revolve around the seniors), it’s going to be interesting to see how/if the show comes up with an explanation for Tori’s sudden disappearance. I know some fans like to complain that some characters don’t get a “proper sendoff,” but this is a case where that’s highly unlikely.
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As far as the rumor mill concerning others in Season 13…
*The most common question asked over the past couple of months is whether or not Jordan Todosey has left the show. My honest answer is that I have no idea. Like everyone else there’s the lingering feeling that something’s going on behind the scenes, and if her Degrassi days are done I can guarantee you that neither Jordy nor Epitome will go into detail about it.
*Luke randomly tweeted yesterday that he was at his first readthrough for Season 13. It was really weird because he was the only person who mentioned anything about it (normally multiple cast members and The Stohn tweet things before/during/after the readthrough). But at the same time it wouldn’t be surprising if readthrough’s and filming of Season 13 were kept a little quiet since there’s still a couple of Season 12 episodes left.
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Kary's Degrassi Blog 
Sucks to see Alex leave, cause we didn’t get to know too much about her character, but it’s her choice and I wish her well.
As for Luke being the only one who tweeting about the read through, Stefan Brogren tweeted “Exciting day at Epitome!!!! #isthatenoughteaseforya” so that was obviously about the read through!
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I keep forgetting that Alex is Cassie’s sister. They don’t remind me of each other unless I’m consciously thinking about it.
Anyway, I’m not that sad to see Tori go. Maybe if she goes, Zaya will happen, which would be pretty cool. I just hope Jordy doesn’t leave the show, but it kinda seems like it based off of her tumblr. Her hair has been getting longer, I think, and she would have to cut it again for Adam.
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It sucks to see Alex go because we don’t even know her character very well. I guess it makes sense that she wants to do more though. I hope to see her doing other things.
And about Jordan, if she leaves I’m gonna be really sad. I hope it’s just a rumor, but of course if it is true there is nothing I can do about it.
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As long as it was on her terms then i’m okay with it. now if she was let go because the exhausted the character to her full potential I’d be screaming bull shit. It’s going to be a really different feel next year with all the seniors gone + Tori and maybe Adam. I just HOPE it doesn’t become the Clare, Drew, and Zaya hour cause I think it will get old fast
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I was hoping they’d give her more to do in season 13 so I’m sad to see her go. She has only had one or two C plots so far so I can understand why she’d pursue other things.
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I was wondering why she wasn’t in the last episode. She totally wouldve gone with tristan and maya to the party… oh well. Lame.
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I hope Alex the best but if she returns anytime i hope it’s not a new character because I was kinda pissed when i saw her and she was not Angie Jeremiah
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Kary,
I don’t know if you have the time to make it a full article post or anything, but if you have the time, could you talk about your thoughts on the post Andrea Lewis made about experiencing racism behind the scenes while she was on the show? I’d really like to know your thoughts on the subject.
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I read the article and I’m pretty skeptical of what she wrote, but I’d also love to hear Kary’s opinion on things
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Well if Alex wants to pursue other projects then it’s her choice to leave Degrassi.
Kary, I thought you should have this: http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms34.html
Cristine, Olivia, and Lyle are nominated for Young Artist Awards.
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Dylan is too, but for a non-Degrassi role. Disney Channel’s “Frenemies.”
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Oh I forgot to see that. I’m surprised that he didn’t get a second nomination for his work on Degrassi…his acting was solid.
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I’m not a huge Tori fan, but I was looking forward to see the Tori-Maya friendship evolve, especially in light of Cam’s suicide bringing the two closer together.
I wonder if the writers will find a “Tori v. 2.0.” for Maya to befriend, or if they’ll change up the typical 2 girls/2 guys friend group and make them a 1 girl/2 guys trio?
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This is surprising, but then again, it’s not like they were giving her a central role. Why stick around as a sidekick?
Also, I’d really like to know what’s going on with Adam/Jordan too. You’d think they’d work at keeping her around if they want to keep that diversity~~ rep. Especially with that Andrea Lewis thing floating around (which I don’t doubt a word of, though I think Degrassi’s dynamic with characters of color is fueled by $$$. Idk why people have no problem believing that showrunners will pimp a popular “ship” for ratings, but not that they’d push aside black characters for the same reason because they don’t have the same easy pull with fangirls. And the claim that she wasn’t a good enough actress for roles is ridic, we can all name a few people that kept getting plots despite their lack of talent.)
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Mind linking me to those Andrea Lewis comments? Never heard of that before today
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Here you go! http://missandrealewis.com/2013/03/28/new-post-a-real-conversation-about-degrassi-tbt/
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Too bad she’s leaving, but good luck to her. She did a good job as a supporting actor, but it would have been interesting to see her “step out of the shadow” so to speak and take on more main roles. Oh well, but the whole Adam/Jordan absence is really curious considering the amount of time that Degrassi put into her character. Hopefully we will get to see Adam next season to finish out high school with big brother Drew.
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But what going to happen to the Tori-Tristian friendship!? Some of the funniest scenes were between them too :(
Tristian’s only going to have Maya and their not even funny together :(
#Sucks
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What Andrea Lewis said was a load of crap. Degrassi having a problem with her race which is why she was a “sidekick”? Yeah right..okay…explain to me why Jimmy was one of the most popular characters in Degrassi history? Get over it Andrea, your acting just wasn’t good enough to carry a major role. What are you starring in now? That’s right, nothing.
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I just want a decent write out, and something not completely far fetched. I also want tristan to actually say something about tori leaving..
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she also played angie. joey jeramaiahs daughter/craigs half sister in degrassi the next generation.she’s one of the prettiest on the show. wonder why shes leaving
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