Five leading ladies of daytime drama are getting ready to go for the gold on Friday night, October 30 at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Will it be one of two women securing their first-ever Daytime Emmy nominations from the newest soap on the block, Beyond the Gates? Will Heather Tom become the winningest actress ever in Daytime Emmy history if she wins what would be her 7th gold statuette?

Could Michelle Stafford become a four-time Daytime Emmy winner? And, will Stacy Haiduk, win for Lead after previously being nominated in twice in the Supporting Actress category? Stay tuned.

In case you didn’t know, and to get you up to speed, the 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera, Days of our Lives), Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree, Beyond the Gates), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers, The Young and the Restless), Heather Tom (Katie Logan, The Bold and the Beautiful), and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree, Beyond the Gates).

Photo: CBS

HEATHER TOM POISED TO BREAK TIE WITH ERIKA SLEZAK FOR WINNINGEST ACTRESS IN SOAPS

Heather Tom spoke with Variety on the potential of breaking the daytime actress tie for most wins with One Life to Live’s veteran Erika Slezak. The B&B actress, writer and director explained she is not in rivalry with Slezak.

“I don’t think I could be in a rivalry with Erika Slezak because she’s just iconic. It kind of floors me to think that I’m kind of in the same conversation as her, because I was such a huge fan. I had the honor working with her and I just loved every single second,” shared Heather. “She always just brought it. There was never a day where she phoned it in. I certainly cannot feel like I’m in the rivalry with her because I would just have to say that she’s already won.”

As previously reported, ahead of the big day, the annual Lead Actress Ladies Luncheon was turned into a dinner and a house party by last year’s Lead Actress winner, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis, General Hospital).

Make sure to tune-in to the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards streamed live on the NATAS/Emmys You Tube Channel beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT emanating from the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California tomorrow night!

Now below, vote in Michael Fairman TV’s poll and let us know which Lead Actress should win the Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy, and then let us know in the comment section who you 

Two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Eileen Davidson (Ashley, The Young and the Restless) and Days of our Lives alum, Lisa Rinna (ex-Billie Reed) are set to star Off-Broadway in a ‘Real Housewives’ reimagined version of the classic Neil Simon play Rumors.

The play is also stars other women from the Bravo ‘Real Housewives’ franchise including, Phaedra Parks and Carole Radziwill. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the revival will start this winter with two rotating casts at the Newman Mills Theater at The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space.

Tony Award winner Zhailon Levingston (CATS: The Jellicle Ball) will direct the production, which will play a limited 14-week engagement starting January. 9, 2027, ahead its January 25 opening.

Photo: JPI

WHO JOINS DAVIDSON AND RINNA IN THE CASTS?

Rinna leads cast one along in the role of Chris, Phaedra Parks plays Claire, Stacey Rusch will take on Cookie, and Dolores Catania will play  Cassie from January 9 through February 28.

They will be followed by the cast led by Davidson as Claire, Cynthia Bailey as Chris, Carole Radziwill as Cookie, and Candiace Dillard-Bassett as Cassie from March 2 through April 21. The production will mark the New York stage debut for all except Lisa Rinna, who made her debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago in 2007.

In story, the Neil Simon play which originally bowed on Broadway in 1988, focused on four couples gathering for a party in a wealthy New York Suburb, where instead of fun “they find their host in an alarming state, his wife missing, and the police on their way.

The original production featured the likes of: Christine Baranski, Jessica Walter and Joyce Van Patten, with Baranski winning a Tony Award for her performance as Chris.

In a statement, Zhalion Levingston expressed, “What excites me about reimagining Rumors through the lens of ‘The Real Housewives’ is how naturally these two worlds collide. Without changing a single word of Simon’s brilliant text, we can reveal something new in the piece: The delicious chaos that unfolds when private lives become public spectacle. At a time when we are so deeply divided, I can think of few things more necessary than gathering in a theater to laugh together.”

So, what do you think about Eileen Davidson and Lisa Rinna each taking on the role of Chris, originally played by Christine Baranski, in Neil Simon’s Rumors coming to Off-Broadway early next year? Do you like the concept of the two ‘Real Housewives’ casts playing the roles? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.

This week on all-new episodes of Days of our Lives streaming October 26-30 on Peacock; after Xander (Paul Telfer) has been shot by George (Michael Rose), and retaliates by firing a bullet his way, Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) is on the scene!

In a key moment, Dr. Horton does everything she can to stabilize Xander in order to rush him to the hospital, which finds the two former loves rekindling many of the feels that brought them together in the first place.

The official Days of our Lives promo for the week also teases how Mason (Brandon Butler) and Holly (Ashley Puzemis) get a very unexpected caller which is Sophia (Rachel Boyd)!

Photo: Corday Productions

Meanwhile, Steve (Stephen Nichols) is heard saying, “Never give EJ DiMera the benefit of the doubt. You might learn to regret it!” Next, we see Cat (AnnaLynne McCord) appear to be hanging onto Steve’s every word.

Meanwhile, Lani (Sal Stowers) celebrates her return to the Salem PD, while many Salem residents get ready for Halloween.

Chad (Conner Floyd) and his son Thomas (Cole Gersmeyer) are ready for Fright Night, as is Kirsten (Stacy Haiduk)! But as things go in Salem, masks, hidden identities, and more make for mystery and mayhem! The conclusion of the promo shows an upset EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) throwing a book at the portrait of his father, Stefano DiMera.  What has him so unglued?

Photo: Corday Productions

SPOILERS

Here’s a look at additional Days of our Lives spoilers for this week.

Monday, October 26

Brady gets devastating news.
Leo and Javi share an emotional moment.

Tuesday, October 27

Marlena hesitates to reach out to Dominic.
Kristen makes a confession to Lani.

Wednesday, October 28

Johnny faces down his father – and his future.
Stephanie gets surprising news from Alex.

Thursday, October 29

Johnny and Chanel receive wonderful news.
Brady and Sarah have a heart-to-heart conversation.

Friday, October 30

Sarah and Xander share an emotional reunion.
Julie breaks up with Foster.
Kristen ties up some loose ends.
Chad refuses to be intimidated by EJ.

Now below, check out this week’s DAYS promo entitled, “Spooky Salem.”

Then weigh-in: are you rooting for Sarah and Xander to get back together? What is EJ so upset about? Is it about his half-brother, Dominic Marino? What skullduggery might go down on Halloween night in Salem? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.