Created by Robert Guza, Jr. and Charles Pratt, Jr., and introduced by Jill Farren Phelps in 2002, Kristina is the daughter of mob kingpin Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and his former attorney, Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn).

Following Ainsworth's casting in 2009, the character was introduced into a teen abuse dating storyline, where Kristina is repeatedly assaulted by her boyfriend, Kiefer Bauer (Christian Alexander), and further develops a crush on Ethan Lovett (Nathan Parsons).

With Morgan's casting, Kristina returned to Port Charles alongside Trey Mitchell (Erik Valdez) — whom she later marries — producing a reality television series as an act of revenge against her parents.

Ainsworth's return in 2015 welcomed additional storylines, including the exploration of her sexual fluidity and joining a cult disguised as a volunteer group, known as Dawn of Day.

She received a nomination for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series in 2011, later winning for the same category in 2017.

After much speculation and rumor as to whether Ainsworth would return to the role, several sources reported that the show was looking to bring Kristina back to Port Charles.

The producers put Morgan through a chemistry test with her potential on-screen parents, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) and Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), which was something that hadn't been done in years.

[13][14] On July 29, 2015, Soap Opera Digest broke news that Ainsworth would reprise the role of Kristina, her return date aired on September 17, 2015.

[20] In a social media post, Ainsworth called her exit "mutually beneficial", citing her desire to seek other opportunities.

[23] However, several major events in her life, including causing her step-mother, Claudia's (Sarah Brown) car accident and miscarriage facilitate a character transition and Kristina morphs into somewhat of a "good girl".

[23] On and off screen, Kristina's lack of positive male role models in her life is the reason for her choice to stay in an abusive relationship; she doesn't really know how to react to the situation, let alone remove herself from it.

Ainsworth further discusses Kiefer's reason for the abuse, noting "he comes from a family who has instilled a feeling of entitlement in the young man.

"[23] At the time, she is crushing on the older mysterious Ethan Lovett (Nathan Parsons) which only serves as a catalyst for Kiefer's anger.

With the 2012 recast, Kristina returns home with a "vengeance" after discovering the truth about her parents' bribing the admissions office at Yale University to get her accepted.

comparing it to a bad spoof of VH1's hit reality series, Mob Wives and the recast which is initially met with much disapproval is weighed down by the story.

Along with the reality show storyline comes a new love interest for Kristina in Erik Valdez's Trey Mitchell, a grad student from Yale who convinces her to launch the Mob Princess series.

[28][33] Kristina's need for a stable family is reflected in her concern for her sister, Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco) when her marriage begins falling apart.

[28] Morgan admitted to being confused as to why she trusts Trey so much, as opposed to her family, especially when it comes to her older brother, Michael (Chad Duell).

Morgan revealed in an interview Kristina still sees Michael as the overprotective big brother and since leaving college, she's been trying to assert her independence.

After a one-night stand with mob boss, Sonny Corinthos, Alexis learns she is pregnant and tries to pass the child off as Ned's.

One night, Kristina drives home upset and crying, and causes her stepmother, Claudia, to crash and miscarry her child.

Kristina initially lies, and claims that Ethan Lovett attacked her, afraid that Sonny will kill Kiefer.

Trey later tells Kristina to believe the production company will sue him if he doesn't deliver a show and he tricks her into marrying him in Las Vegas on camera.

After being seemingly happy with perfect boyfriend Aaron, Kristina goes to see Parker again but this time to tell her she's moving on.

Parker considered it a mistake, that she needed more time to piece her life back together but Kristina convinces her to give their relationship a try.

Alexis is furious and tries to drive Parker away but Kristina fends her off, claiming she could take care of her own life and that she needs to stop controlling hers.

Kristina, still having feelings for Parker, tries to take her mind off her by going to a "Ladies night" at the Floating Rib with Valerie as her wing woman.

Kristina comes to the decision to put her happiness first and drops out of PCU, since she couldn't focus on her classes and her grades were poor anyway.

[35] Ainsworth earned a Daytime Emmy Nomination for her portrayal of Kristina during the abuse storyline for the Outstanding Young Actress category in 2011.

In 2017, Ainsworth won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Kristina during her bisexuality storyline.