When first introduced, Sharon was a young girl from the poor side of town; her early storylines included being raped by Matt Clark and the revelation that she had given up a child for adoption.

Since 2009, former showrunner Maria Arena Bell and subsequent head writers that followed have significantly changed the character's direction, receiving negative backlash from critics and audiences.

[1][2] In 2012, Sharon controversially marries her former father-in-law Victor Newman twice, gains control of his company and burns down his ranch — a sequence of events which resulted in her being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Despite her crimes and faults, Sharon is described as an "ever-suffering heroine" by Canyon News, and has been called soap opera's "hottest mess" by Daytime Confidential.

Having been abandoned by her father, she lived with her mother, Doris Collins (Karen Hensel), who was confined to a wheelchair after chasing a rebellious Sharon years earlier.

She gives birth to a baby girl, Faith, who is stolen by Adam Newman (Nick's brother) and given to Jack's sister Ashley (Eileen Davidson) after he caused her miscarriage and hysterical pregnancy.

In 2015, Sharon is framed and arrested for the murders of Austin Travers (Matthew Atkinson) and Noah's fiancée Courtney Sloane (Kelli Goss), but acquitted due to lack of evidence.

[11] Nekeeta Borden of the website Daytime Confidential described the character as being a kindhearted "shero" during her early years on the show, noting that she wanted to start her own trends rather than follow other members of the Newman family.

[27] The character often sees visions of her deceased daughter Cassie (Camryn Grimes), with Case stating that Sharon believes "she is connected to the spiritual world".

[49] A scene where Sharon and Nick's mother Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) were searching the sewers for what they believed was Cameron's dead body became popular with fans of the show.

[56] According to Case, Sharon loses her identity after her divorce from Nick, which leads to her beginning a romance with Phyllis's ex-husband Jack Abbott, played by Peter Bergman.

[66] After marrying Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan), Adam helps Sharon through an emotional breakdown (which drove her to burn down Victor's home) and covers her tracks so she is not arrested.

[82] While there she seduces Sam Gibson (Sean Patrick Flanery), who lets her stay at his farm; she bonds with the barn animals and a young local girl named Piper.

analyzed the storyline in anticipation of Sharon's homecoming, hoping that Nick, Adam and Noah would not forgive her because of all the "unforgivable things" she has done (especially her devious move of letting them believe she was dead).

[86] While she believed Sharon's "craziness" made sense, Case also welcomed the challenge in deciding how functional the character appears to viewers, and got into debates with directors.

[91] New head writer Josh Griffith told TV Guide that the character would reach a "total mental breakdown", which would take her to the edge and beyond before being rebuilt.

[95] After seeing a doctor, Sharon is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and begins treatment; however, she is alarmed after discovering she must take prescribed medication, possibly for the rest of her life.

[97] Case was happy with the outcome of the storyline, as were viewers of the show, with the actress stating: "Playing someone who is bipolar is very exhausting but it worked out perfectly and explained all of Sharon’s past behavior.

[98] In a February 2014 "super-secret plot twist", it was revealed that Victor had hired a Cassie doppelganger to haunt Sharon, who has been known to see visions of her deceased daughter while she was off her bipolar medication.

[31] While in Fairview, Sharon encounters psychiatrist Dr. Anderson (Elizabeth Bogush), who in actuality is Sandra Allen, a woman seeking revenge on Nick for a diving accident during their high school years which left her paralyzed.

[23] Tommy Garrett of Canyon News describes Sharon as an "ever-suffering heroine, who can't find a break in life", stating that she has "faced it all".

[79] During Maria Arena Bell's tenure as executive producer and head writer, the character's storyline underwent a change in creative direction, inciting unfavorable reviews.

[107] Michael Logan of TV Guide noted that the character turned from heroine to a "psycho slut-nut" when she's "not channeling Joan Crawford in the Pepsi board room.

[111] Sara Bibel of Xfinity slammed Josh Griffith's writing, stating that he "undid all his great work rehabilitating the character of Sharon" in a "character-destroying" storyline.

[2] In December 2014, Daytime Confidential described Sharon as one of the most "drastically damaged" characters in the history of the soap opera genre, and wrote, "You name it, one head writer or another has had her do it.

"[113] Giddens criticized Charles Pratt Jr. in 2015 for enjoying writing Sharon as "crazy", "despite legions of fans demanding the bipolar character be given back her dignity".

"[121] Several cast members expressed negative opinions about the relationship,[76][69][75][77] and Daytime Confidential placed Sharon and Victor atop its "Worst Soap Opera Couples" list for that year.

From Nick's sweet and slightly shy girlfriend to young wife and mother, from business-savvy executive to bipolar tart with a penchant for bad choices, we've seen many sides to the beauty.

"[123] Case has received a number of honors for her portrayal of Sharon, including Daytime Emmy Award nominations in 1996 and 1997 for Outstanding Younger Actress.

[126] Dan J. Kroll of Soap Central noted that it had "widely been expected" that Morrow and Case would receive nominations for Outstanding Leading Actress and Actor at the 33rd Daytime Emmy Awards, calling these "surprising oversights".