The Shocking Final Chapter Of Jordan Howard: How Colleen Zenk’s Villain Arc Ended On The Young And The Restless

The dramatic, high-stakes saga of Jordan Howard on *The Young and the Restless* has finally reached its explosive conclusion, leaving a trail of chaos, betrayal, and a permanent scar on the Newman family. As of December 13, 2025, fans are still reeling from the events of early 2025, which saw the show’s most recent arch-villain, portrayed by the legendary soap opera actress Colleen Zenk, meet a definitive—though not entirely undisputed—end. This deep dive explores the character's origins, the actress's storied career, and the chilling final moments that cemented Jordan Howard as one of Genoa City’s most memorable antagonists.

Jordan Howard’s arrival in Genoa City was a masterclass in slow-burn menace, quickly establishing her as a formidable and calculating foe to the powerful Newman dynasty. Her storyline, which culminated in a desperate and violent standoff, provided some of the most compelling and fresh drama the show has seen in years, leveraging the actress's four decades of soap opera experience to deliver a truly unforgettable performance.

Colleen Zenk: A Full Biography and Soap Opera Icon

The intensity and depth of the character Jordan Howard were largely due to the formidable talent of the actress who played her, Colleen Zenk. Zenk is a veteran of daytime television, celebrated for a career that spans over four decades. Her tenure on *The Young and the Restless* was a highly anticipated return to the genre, following her iconic run on another major CBS soap.

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• Full Name: Colleen Zenk
• Born: January 20, 1953
• Place of Birth: Park Ridge, Illinois, U.S.
• Career Start: Began working professionally at the age of nine.
• Iconic Role: Barbara Ryan on *As the World Turns* (ATWT).
• Duration on ATWT: 1978 to 2010 (32 years).
• Daytime Emmy Nominations: Three-time Lead Actress Daytime Emmy nominee for her role as Barbara Ryan.
• Broadway Work: Starred on Broadway in "Bring Back Birdie" during her time on *As the World Turns*.
• Y&R Role: Jordan Howard (also known as Aunt Jordan).
• Y&R Tenure: Recurring role beginning in 2023, departing in early 2025.
• Advocacy: Zenk is also a prominent advocate for the Oral Cancer Foundation, having publicly shared her own battle with the disease.

Zenk’s casting as Jordan was a significant event for soap fans, marking her return to daytime TV with a character who had "scores to settle." Her experience in playing complex characters, transitioning from a heroine to a vixen as Barbara Ryan, perfectly set the stage for the calculated villainy she would bring to *Y&R*.

The Sinister Plot: Jordan Howard’s Vengeance Against the Newman Dynasty

Jordan Howard’s entire existence in Genoa City was fueled by a deep-seated, decades-old grudge against Victor Newman and the Newman family. The character was introduced in November 2023 as the sister of Eve Howard, who was Victor’s ex-wife and the mother of Cole Howard. Eve had died years prior, and Jordan held the Newman patriarch—Victor—directly responsible for her sister’s tragic fate.

Jordan’s initial plan was a slow, psychological torture campaign, masterminded alongside her niece, Claire Grace. Claire, who was revealed to be the biological daughter of Cole and Victoria Newman, was manipulated by Jordan into seeking revenge on her parents and the Newmans.

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The villainous arc saw Jordan orchestrate a series of horrifying events, which included:

• The Kidnapping of Claire: Jordan kept Claire isolated and psychologically tormented for years, raising her to hate the Newman family.
• Targeting the Newman Women: Her focus was intensely personal, aiming to destroy the lives of Nikki Newman, Victoria Newman, and Sharon Newman.
• The Return of Ian Ward: In a shocking twist, Jordan was revealed to be working with another notorious Genoa City villain, Ian Ward, to amplify their shared thirst for vengeance.
• The Kidnapping of Sharon: The plot reached a terrifying peak on New Year's Eve, when Jordan successfully kidnapped Sharon Newman, a fan-favorite character, plunging her into a horrific situation that brought back Mariah's past trauma.

This storyline was praised by viewers for its heightened tension and for giving Victor Newman a worthy adversary who was not only intelligent but also deeply connected to his past. Jordan's ability to manipulate and deceive, even faking her own death at one point to evade capture, demonstrated her status as an arch-villain.

The Dramatic 2025 Exit: Jordan’s Final Confrontation and Cursed Legacy

The curtains closed on Jordan Howard’s reign of terror in January 2025, in a series of episodes that provided a definitive, yet still debated, resolution to the storyline. The climax involved a dramatic showdown where the Newman clan—including Victor, Nikki, Nick, and the recently redeemed Claire—finally cornered the fugitive villain.

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The final confrontation was a violent and desperate affair. Spoilers for the week of January 20-24, 2025, indicated a family feud that turned violent, with the truce between Claire Newman and her Aunt Jordan dissolving into chaos.

The Fate of the Arch-Villain

Multiple reports from January 2025 confirmed that Jordan Howard died on *The Young and the Restless*, marking Colleen Zenk’s exit from the show. The circumstances of her death were highly dramatic, with one speculation suggesting she chose suicide rather than face a lifetime in prison. However, the most chilling aspect of her demise was the "dying curse" she delivered to the Newman family in her final moments.

The ambiguity surrounding her final moments, coupled with the nature of soap opera storytelling, has led to fan speculation that Jordan might not be truly dead, or that her dark legacy will continue to haunt Genoa City. The character's exit was a major event, forcing the Newman family to confront the long-term consequences of Victor’s past actions.

The Legacy of Jordan Howard

Jordan Howard’s short but impactful run on *Y&R* delivered on its promise of high-stakes drama and topical authority, successfully integrating a classic soap veteran into the current fabric of Genoa City. Her character served several key narrative purposes:

• Testing the Newman Unity: Jordan’s plot forced Victor, Nikki, and their children to unite against a common, existential threat, reinforcing their family bonds.
• Claire Grace’s Redemption: Her manipulation of Claire was the catalyst for Claire’s path to redemption, allowing the character to finally join her biological family.
• A Modern Soap Villain: Unlike past villains, Jordan’s motives were purely rooted in revenge for a perceived injustice, making her a more relatable, albeit terrifying, antagonist.

Though Colleen Zenk has officially departed the role, the reverberations of Jordan Howard’s actions—the trauma inflicted on Sharon Newman, the psychological scars on Claire, and the renewed tension within the Newman clan—will continue to influence storylines throughout 2025 and beyond. The character may be gone, but her curse on the Newman family is likely to be a recurring theme for years to come.