Katherine Kelly Lang, Chrishell Stause, Sasha Calle, Jason Thompson, Paul Telfer, Rebecca Budig, B&B, Days, GH, Y&R
Credit: Image: Jill Johnson, Howard Wise/JPI

Soap opera actors up for a huge honor.

On the heels of the exciting 2020 Daytime Emmy nominations, we took to social media to discover how this year’s nominees first heard the news that they were up for an award and what their reactions were…

Outstanding Lead Actor

While Bold and Beautiful’s Thorsten Kaye (Ridge Forrester) hadn’t posted about his nomination yet, Thaao Penghlis (Tony DiMera, Days of our Lives) reacted by congratulating all the nominees from the NBC soap, while Steve Burton (Jason Morgan, General Hospital) expressed, “This means so much,” and castmate and fellow nominee Jon Lindstrom (Kevin Collins) posted how grateful he was to everyone who had voted and shared a video clip explaining he found out about the nod while recording an audiobook. He sent kudos to everyone on the show who had worked so hard. Young and the Restless’ Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) was on the beach snapping photos of his kids when he got the call from publicist Matt Kane about the “fantastic news.” He shared a message of thanks and enthused that he loves going to work.

Outstanding Lead Actress

Katherine Kelly Lang, who received a nomination for playing Brooke Logan on Bold and Beautiful, shared her excitement in an Instagram story. She was still in a robe and was happy for her Bold and Beautiful family. Heather Tom (Katie Logan), her co-nominee from the soap, hadn’t yet posted, and neither had Days of our Lives actress Arianne Zucker (Nicole Walker). General Hospital’s Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) gushed, “Congratulations to these beautiful ladies in this category. Beyond honored to be included xxxx,” while colleague Maura West (Ava Jerome) expressed love and stated, “Times are tough…I’m grateful for the boost.”

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Days of our Lives had three actors nominated in this category. Wally Kurth (Justin Kiriakis) thanked headwriter Ron Carlivati for giving them “such rich material to work with,” Chandler Massey (Will Horton) teased in his Instagram story, “Days coming for that gold,” and Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) joked, “Xander might be at rock bottom, but not me,” before extending thanks for the kind words and support from fans. James Patrick Stuart (Valentin Cassadine, General Hospital) took time out from barbecuing for his kids to post a clip saying he was “humbled” by the nomination, thanked headwriter Frank Valentini, and congratulated the other supporting actor nominees. Young and Restless’ Mark Grossman (Adam Newman) shared, “Wow! Thank you guys so so much. What an honor it is to be nominated,” while co-star Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) put up an adorable photo from his Family Matters days showing his shocked expression when he heard the news, and congratulated his Young and Restless family.

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Outstanding Supporting Actress

Bold and Beautiful’s Annika Noelle (Hope Logan) remarked, “What an amazing day,” and was grateful for her nomination, while Susan Seaforth Hayes, who got the nod for her portrayal of Days of our Lives Julie Williams, had yet to react. General Hospital’s Tamara Braun (Kim Nero) felt it was an honor to be nominated alongside the other actors, and castmate Rebecca Budig (Hayden Barnes) shared the sentiment and posted a photo of her co-stars, Michael Easton (Hamilton Finn) and Jophielle Love (Violet), sharing credit with them. Last, but not least, Young and Restless’ Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) was “so happy to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy award alongside some amazing, talented people.”

Outstanding Younger Performer

Olivia Rose Keegan, who plays Days of our Lives’ Claire Brady, congratulated her “hard-working and insanely talented” family at the NBC soap, while Thia Megia (Haley Chen) simply shared the nomination with a stunned, “Dude.” General Hospital’s Katelyn MacMullen (Willow Tait) expressed her thanks, and colleague Eden McCoy (Joss Jacks) admitted she’d gone into shock, then added, “My grateful heart might burst.” Young and Restless’ Sasha Calle shared more of her mom’s reaction than her own and said, “Woah. Thank you. My cell is blowing up with love. Mum called & said she’s currently dancing around her office. Thank you! So grateful.”

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Outstanding Guest Performer

Chrishell Stause, who received a nomination in this category for popping into Days of our Lives as Jordan Ridgeway, posted a video clip and extended “endless thank yous.” Michael E. Knight hadn’t yet reacted to his nod for guest-starring as General Hospital’s Martin Gray. Young and Restless’ Elissa Kapneck was “humbled and overjoyed” after being recognized for her role of Sasha, while Eva LaRue enthused, “OMGOMG!!!Thank YOUUUU EMMY Academy!! Sooo excited to be nominated with all of these talented actors!” when reacting to her nomination for playing Celeste Rosales, and Jeffrey Vincent Parise (Simon Black) posted, “Some much needed good news on this roller coaster ride!”

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It totally slipped my mind until I looked down and saw publicist extraordinaire @mattykane1 was calling me. I wasn’t expecting the fantastic news that I was nominated for a @daytimeemmys award. The reason my phone was in my hand was because I had just snapped picture 2 and 3. And in that moment, in a very confusing time, I was over joyed and extremely grateful to be right where I was. With my incredible, supportive wife, my two knucklehead kids and Matt telling me “you did it!” When I say I love going to work, it’s as honest as I can be. I am so fortunate to be a part of the @youngandrestlesscbs team. The amount of people that reached out has made me quite emotional. Look, so many people have been going through some of the hardest times of their life. I feel for them. All of you. But I want to just say, thank you. For your amazing support. For being there for us as we try to be there for you. To team at YR, the cast and crew I miss and can’t wait to get back to. To my fellow YR noms, hats off! To Steve, Jon, Thorsten and Thaao, honored to be right there will you. @cbstv, @sonypictures thank you to you and your team. I know this job. It’s not easy, it’s a lot at times. But I truly feel what we do is important. So thank for your time. And if you’ve read all the way to this final line! You deserve an 🥇! Thank you. Love you all.

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dude #nominated #daytimeemmys

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