It’s been quite the banner year for Sydney Mikayla (Ex-Trina Robinson, GH) thus far, and she topped it off with her second Daytime Emmy nomination, when a few weeks ago she landed in the Younger Performer in a Drama Series category. That means, Mikayla will be vying for the gold statuette, but also against some of her dear friends and former co-stars from General Hospital.
Back in March, Mikayla revealed she was leaving the ABC daytime drama series to focus on college full-time where she is a freshman at UCLA. With Sydney’s departure came recasting the role of Trina and the part went in to the capable hands of Tabyana Ali, who is currently appearing on the soap and carrying on the Trina Robinson torch.
As the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are just around the corner (they air live next month on June 24th on CBS), Michael Fairman TV caught up with the very busy Mikayla, to get her take on all things Emmy including: the scenes she chose for her nominated reel, working alongside with Nicholas Alexander Chavez and creating what would become the popular “Sprina”, the factors that led to her departure and more. Here’s what Sydney shared below.
Your former co-stars and fellow ‘Younger Actor’ nominees, William Lipton (Cameron) and Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Spencer) appeared on my Daytime Emmy Nominations livestream special, and both share how thrilled they were that that you got nominated. I know you’re friends with them, but they just could not have spoken more highly of you.
SYDNEY: That’s so sweet! I’ve loved working with them for so long. It just feels so great to know that they said that.

Photo: ABC
What was on your Emmy reel submission that landed you the nomination?
SYDNEY: I was a little bit nervous this year, more than last year, because last year was the first time that I ever had a storyline. So, for this year, I was definitely like, “I’m not really sure how this is going to go,” because there’s just so many new elements that were happening with everything that was going on, for example: Trina getting a more acclimated relationship with her mom, and then we had Cyrus (Jeff Kober) come in for a little bit. I chose the best moments that really showcased my acting, even though it wasn’t a cohesive storyline from start to finish on my reel. I’m really glad it worked! I was a little more on pins and needles for this one, and ultimately, it turned out great.

Photo: IG
Was Nicholas Alexander Chavez in any of the scenes you submitted?
SYDNEY: He was! I got to show that soft side of Trina, which I really didn’t think we got to see, especially in my first Emmy reel, and her being vulnerable. We never see Trina really make a mistake, so that was really fun. Not that her relationship was a mistake, but more that we never get to see her slip up or say the wrong thing, or just put herself out there, and put her heart on the line. I enjoyed being able to play that and then being able to put it in my reel. Nicholas just made it so easy … what an amazing co-star. He just made me feel so comfortable. It was just really fun to do and to include. I also had scenes with the teen scene …there’s five of us! Of course, I had to include Trina’s standoff with Esme (Avery Pohl). I think, it was actually the last clip I put in on my reel.
Which was a great scene!
SYDNEY: Yes, and Avery is so sweet, but she plays evil so well. So, that was also so incredible to do, just that standoff of: ‘Who’s going to win!? Trina? Esme? What’s going to happen? What’s going to go down?’ No one knew, so that was really fun, too.

Photo: JPI
Did you include scenes between you and Eden McCoy (Joss) as bff’s Trina and Joss on your Emmy reel?
SYDNEY: Oh, of course, of course! It was some of those heartfelt bestie moments of her just kind of consoling me, and making sure everything was okay between Trina and Esme. I like those heartfelt moments that Trina had with one of her closest friends on the show, and a great friend in real life, as well.
When you found out you were nominated, who was the first person you called … or was your phone blowing up and you were receiving lots of congrats?
SYDNEY: This year, with being on a college campus and being in person for the first time, it’s really easy to get sick. So, I was not feeling too great. I was sleeping in my dorm when the nominations came out. I still keep in contact with my makeup artist from the show, Ali, and she’s so sweet. We were texting, and she was like, “By the way, congrats”, and kind of kept texting me, and I’m like, “Congrats for what?” I looked, and I was like, “Oh my gosh! I got nominated!” So that was pretty funny, and I screamed through my whole dorm! I posted a video on Instagram because I wanted to keep everyone in the loop, and I really do feel so grateful. I feel all of the support from my friends, and family, and the fans of the show. I always try to make a video every year to try to just be grateful, or say ‘thank you’ because I really want to key everyone into this journey. It was a little bit of a shock, but definitely in the midst of not feeling too well, it was the highlight of my day, for sure! Now, I am feeling that heat of finals at school, but I am so excited. The Emmy definitely breaks up the stress a little bit, so I’m very grateful.

Photo: ABC
Was there somebody you called to let them know you were nominated, though?
SYDNEY: I actually called Nicholas and William, first, to say congratulations. William had called me before I had woken up, and then I called him back, and then of course, I called my mom and dad. It was also a surprise to them. I think it was just because I had been so laser-focused on school that looking at the Emmy nominations really wasn’t the priority this year.
Could you believe how popular ‘Sprina’ became so quickly? They weren’t even a bonafide duo yet!
SYDNEY: I could not! I was really shocked, but I was excited to see how much the fans loved it, and how much the fans kind of lived through it. That in turn, gave us more of that ammo to really build that story and build that tension, and to always kind of play those moments in between. Nicholas did a really great job of that, and of challenging me to always have that subtext, under the lines. I was really shocked to see how quickly the popularity of Sprina blew up, but I’m grateful that the fans loved it for as long as they. I hope that they continue to love it with Tabyana Ali playing the part. She is such an incredible actress and powerhouse.

Photo: ABC
You were so popular in the role of Trina, and now Tabyana is bringing her take on the role. Do you check in on GH?
SYDNEY: Don’t cancel me, but no! (Laughs) I don’t have time to watch TV! I’m very serious. I’ve just had so much going on here. I’m also part of clubs, and leadership is also something that’s very important to me. I love planning things, and when you’re planning things, that also takes up your time. So, doing that along with school and just trying to keep my GPA up, I just don’t have the time to check in on it. I think that was kind of part of it for me too. On a spiritual level, I always believe that you can’t receive other things in your life, great things, acting or otherwise, until you are able to let things go, and so for me, I knew when I was leaving, I really would have to leave mentally and physically. As much as I love General Hospital (and I really cannot wait to see everyone in person, I really can’t wait to have that big reunion!), I really don’t feel like any part of me is still clinging on to General Hospital. I’m so grateful that the audience has also received Tabyana so well, because that’s exactly what I’ve always wanted. So, I’m really happy for her, and I’m really happy for both of us. I think we are both in a great place.
Was making the decision to leave GH a difficult one for you?
SYDNEY: Honestly, no. I always kind of knew in the back of my mind that it would have to come at some point because as much as I love General Hospital, I’d really been working for college for all of my life. I wish someone had told me that colleges really don’t look at anything past high school because I was working really hard in elementary and middle school too! But that’s my point, I’ve always had this dream of, “I’m going to go to college. I’m going to get that second education. I’m going to do really well. I need to get my degree, and possibly even get my doctorate.” We’ll see if I even want to go that far, but I know for sure that going to college and getting that bachelor’s was really important for me. So, I knew that took precedence over anything else in my life.

Photo: ABC
What are you studying?
SYDNEY: Right now, I’m studying sociology. That might change. Honestly, as a freshman it’s just been really general classes, still kind of general science, general math. We’ll see as time goes on if I still want to stick with sociology. So, that’s also been really fun, and just meeting people, and experiencing the college life.
You’re in a gender-neutral acting category at the Daytime Emmys … Outstanding Younger Performer. How do you feel about that because you’re actually competing against your former castmates, Nicholas and William, in the same category?
SYDNEY: Coming to college, you meet a lot of people who are non-binary. I’ve always wondered how that would work when we are going to have more actors who identify as non-binary as our generation starts to get older and as we start getting cast in these movies. I actually think we are kind of moving towards the future and in the future, it will all be smooshed together for all of the categories. We are going to eventually do away with the Best Actor and Actress because a lot of people don’t identify as either. I think either way, whoever wins is going to win. I’m just really glad to be nominated, and it works for me!

Courtesy/ABC
If a role came up in a movie or project that interested you, would you do it, or are you just only concentrating on your studies?
SYDNEY: We’ll see kind of where life takes me. It would definitely depend on so many things, of course, but if an opportunity were to present itself, it would definitely just be by a case-by-case basis. Of course, I’m definitely open to doing things in summer too. During the school year, like I mentioned, it’s really important for me to get this degree.

Photo: SMikaylaIG/ABC
Is there any favorite moment you had from your time on General Hospital as Trina that you wish you could have included in your Emmy reel, but didn’t?
SYDNEY: There were so many good moments! If I could include any moment, I would include one of the blood scenes. I had never worked with fake blood, and it was sticky, but ultimately a good experience. I was acting, but there wasn’t much of me talking. It was more everyone being concerned for me, like, “Why is she covered in blood? What’s going on?” So, I don’t think I included that as much, but if they just wanted me to include amazing makeup, then I could have put it in there! So, it’ll always be in my heart. It’ll always be in my personal reel, and I hope that counts for something!

Photo: TimSchaeffer
I’m assuming you like picking out a dress, and then walking the red carpet?
SYDNEY: I do! It’s actually funny because I don’t usually enjoy hair and makeup on a day-to-day basis, but I do think I enjoy the creativity of doing my own look for the Emmys. I get to be somewhat a little different, like a super awesome version of myself. I wonder, for celebrities who have to go to red carpets every week if they really like it, but for me to do it a few times a year, I really love it. I love choosing the aesthetic that I’m going for. This year, I’m definitely trying to do something classy and stylish. I’m super excited for you guys to see because I’m beaming even as I talk about it now!
The Daytime Emmys are back to being in-person, after two years of being virtual. Didn’t you have to tape an acceptance speech last year when you were nominated, in case your name was called?
SYDNEY: Yes! It was so funny, one of our producers, Nneka Garland, called me, and she was like, “Oh, it’s going to be in person,” and it just like, snapped for me: “Oh, this is going to be live!” I’m looking forward to that this year. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone, giving everyone real, in-person hugs! I can’t wait!
So, are you rooting for Sydney to take home the gold in the Outstanding Younger Performer category at this year’s Daytime Emmys? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I don’t care who went home as long as Kelly is Safe. Keep VOING for TEAM VALLY!!!!
I agree…no more JaSam now ValKel lol….But I love jason & sam & GH but Val & Kelly so much more.
Kelly and Val deserve to be there until the end and win!!! No other couple has as much passion and presentation as they do. Their chemistry together is as if they have been dancing together since childhood. It doens’t take a judge who has a degree in dance or just has dance professionally to see just that and if they don’t see that, well then what a shame. They share one great passion together and that is the word called, DANCE!!! They have technique, grace, showmanship, presentation and passion! They feel from the heart down to their feet each others… Read more »
I was voting for Kelly the whole season until now. I think the way Val oggles her is disrespectful. He is very creepy. Love Kelly on GH but I think her partner is being very obvious and should really show some more respect and restraint for a lady and she should be expecting that behavior.
Good morning. I got post message in regards of my post a few weeks ago and here it is. Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps: Your comment on the post DWTS All-Stars Results: GH’s Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy are SAFE! Bristol Palin Is Finally Sent Packing! has a new reply Here is your original comment: Kelly and Val deserve to be there until the end and win!!! No other couple has as much passion and presentation as they do. Their chemistry together is as if they have been dancing together since childhood. It doens’t take a judge who has a degree… Read more »
lorilai445, Kelly nor Val are vulgar (nasty) dancers. They are true blue dancers. I’m 50 years old and went to college for dance. I didn’t graduate (one of my biggest mistakes in life); however, I know a dancer when I see one and she is one. She performs with grace, passion and captures the audiences there and on the t.v., as if they are the one dancing the part. She dances with pure heart and soul. Val just brings it out in her. Don’t judge her for then you need to judge the other dancers and even the judges for… Read more »
Am I the only one wondering….Are Kelly & Val a little more than Dance partners….Love the chemistry.
I’m definitely wondering the same thing! That passion before, during and after the dance looked very, very real :))
It’s all part of the act people. Kelly’s boyfriend is sitting in the audience.
he was in the audience but he was not smiling at all…………..ijs
I read that Kelly still has a bf and she and Val are just dance partners. They care for each, but apparently that’s it.
It does seem like more, but I guess things get intense when you spend that much time together.
My husband commented on Val’s affectionate behavior toward Kelly the first night of the show. Now he is convinced that there is more between them after this week and the after show interview we saw online. I can’t begin to comment on Kelly’s relationship with Heath, but there is an obvious mutual attraction between her and Val. It is too intense not to be real. They are making DWTS much more interesting to watch.
they brought that question up on my local news after DWTS was on… one gal said she thinks they’re acting on a cue from the Hunger Games… like they’ll get more votes if it looks like they’re a real couple.
I don’t know, but he seemed to behaving a little creepy close to her on the first couple of shows – almost like she was being polite but kinda like ‘hey, you’re a little too close to me,move’
I am glad hat Kelly and Val are safe, and that Bristol has left
Glad Bristol went home. She should have gone home the first week – she’s no match for the talent that is out there. Sorry but Kirstie & Maks s/b next.
oh i agree – most with the Bristol deal. I don’t think she should have been on at all – she was not a champion dancer by any means, even if she got to stay on (too long) on the first competition.. I can think of so many other people that have been on and would have loved to see Brandy have a 2nd chance at the mirror ball… She was so much better than Bristol and it was terrible-the look on her face – when she heard that she was getting booted off and Bristol got to stay! that… Read more »
You’re right, she shouldn’t have been on there in the 1st place. It is Dancing with the “Stars” so I think they should stick to that. Bristol is barely even a reality “star” oh well, she’s gone. They should have had Lisa Rinna back again; hey, she did good after all. Anyone but Bristol! At least it’s a competition now 🙂
To use (tongue in cheek) the misused term : Why all the “haters” so concerned about Bristol Palin?Root for the one you want and leave Bristol Palin alone.There is one daytime actress (who was in the audience last night)you makes the most vulgar,rude,crude,vitriolic comments about Bristol Palin and her mother.Why the bitterness and rudeness?Why not just root for and vote for Kelly and keep a civil attitude toward others.It is most unattractive otherwise
should read above in line 3 “who makes the most…”
I just want to say how much I agree with you! Don’t get personal with Bristol. Just like we’re not getting personal with Kelly. We’re rooting for Kelly because a) she’s from the soap community; and b) we like her dancing. And if you happen to be a fan from GH too, all the better. So why make it anything more for Bristol? It’s a dancing competition, not a personality competition. And with regards to the “daytime actress” you speak of, amazing how she tweets disgusting, hateful and rude comments all the time about republicans and those who vote for… Read more »
Not judging, not a hater, but I think out of all dances she was the worst and was almost sorry to watch at times. Fan base is great, but let the dances win not a popularity contest.
Yes you are .No she wasn’t and yes it is.
Thank god you’re not a PROFESSIONAL judge like the rest of them.
I agree (with Chris). Dancing with the stars, is to be judged on your dancing skills. I think they’re putting to much credit to being able to stay on by viewer votes, which you can vote by each phone number, and each email account you have. I think the judges rating should be what they go by and if they have a tie, then use viewer votes and maybe we only get 1 vote. It’s just crazy when someone who doesn’t do well gets to stay and the really good dancers (participants) don’t get to stay. It’s not the “stay… Read more »
I couldn’t agree more. That “actress who shall not be named” (NLG) is pretty disgusting at times with her comments.
I just happen to be a Republican and I believe everyone has a right to choose their beliefs. I don’t force my opinion on anyone…I don’t need some “actress” telling me everything that is wrong with Republicans or putting down everyone who is a Republican.
You are correct.
Excited they finally got rid of Palin – yes, she should of gone home Week #1. Val & Kelly have their work cut out for them, they should be in top 4! The top 4 are all pretty even!
I don’t know Pamela Anderson’s dancing was rather sad for an All Star season, so I think it was fitting she went home first. But if we are talking about skill level, then yes,Palin should have gone home second, not Joey and Kristie Alley should have gone home before Drew or Helio.
It is painful to watch Kirstie Alley
Way past her time to go!
oh, i bet it must be a left-wing conspiracy ordained by those pesky left-wingers so jealous of bristol’s beautiful, competent, intelligent mum.
Well,you think it’s a right wing plot that kept her on the show for 4 weeks.Right?
i wouldn’t call it a plot as such. it’s another word i’m thinking of, there, but decency forbids me from saying it 🙂
it wasn’t just these 4 weeks, but also the season she was on for many weeks…. too many for many people wanting the best Dancers to stay on as long as they could.
One of the very worst contestants in the history of the show was kept on by audience votes by idiots who watched and,inexplicably liked,her totally phony,totally repulsive reality show.
Kate Gosselin that is.
What is w/ all the hatred that still exists from the left leaning mainstream media against the Palins? That family has to be mocked by liberals that run the mainstream media. Many horrid dancers on DWTS have lasted longer than they should have but the media obsesses against Bristol’s dancing. Heck hollywood has to even mock Trigg’s special needs! A child w/ special needs has to be BULLIED all bec his family is republican and conservative and therefore hated by lefty loons. Does the viper’s nest of liberalism that is hollywood find nothing sacred? the Palins are from Alaska and… Read more »
ditto bc
Amen great post! Sarah Palin is not the reason this country is going downhill so fast I do not think she had a thing to do with the 5.1 trillion debt in the last 3 years? Did she? Nice to know dg their are still a few people out here that are not brain dead to what is going on. I have family that I sure did not intend for them not to have the some advantages I have had in life. Thanks again!
The same advantages not some. Sorry need to proofread. Lol!
16 trillion dollars national debt. Millions unemployed. Millions living under the poverty line. Millions on food stamps. Millions on U6 unemployment meaning people who have stopped looking for work. An Obama administration not operating w/ a budget. Green energy boondoggles going under while a war on coal and mining is waged. But what does the corrupt mainstream media like anderson cooper of CNN and MSNBC’s rachel MADdow and Tingles McLegthrill Chris Matthews continue to do? Why they keep bashing conservatives and republicans and they keep shilling for the democrats. Romney and the republicans have to battle the democrats and the… Read more »
Thank you Jules.Well said.
By the way the obnoxious,potty-mouthed,vile,vulgar,vicious,graceless actress I referred to above is Nancy Lee Grahn.
nancy grahn is the WORST! she’s soap’s answer to ellen barkin. Didn’t nancy mock Clint Eastwood’s RNC speech? The bashing against iconic Clint from lunatic liberals were that he’s senile and old and should shut up and is like someone’s drunk uncle and other more vile tweets. Yet Clint’s empty chair routine was fantastic and resonant. He clearly was vindicated bec obama was an empty chair at the denver presidential debate. president teleprompter loves bashing the 1% yet hobnobs w/ hollywood elite who are part of the 1%! but hollywood is that stupid. they’re being bashed to their faces and… Read more »
dwts is supposed to be dancing with the “stars” – now my question is what is bristol a star of? bristol should never have been on the first time because she does not come from any category of stardom………….
it’s a shame mark had to endure all the whining & crying – she even had the nerve to try to throw mark under the bus by saying he never supported her or tried to help her…….mark did the best he could with what little talent bristol came to the table with……………………
am i glad she’s gone – absolutely!
Oh, the poor Palins being bullied by everyone else. If they can’t handle it maybe they should try to stay out of the limelight. When did telling the truth turn into bullying ? Bristol is not a good dancer! I watch Dwts to be entertained and someone unable to Dance is not entertaing no matter WHO they are related to. But since you bring it up since quitting as Governor of Alaska Ms Palin is not above using any means possible including her daughter to remain relevant in mainstream media/political arena. If you quit a job you don’t hang around… Read more »
It’s bad enough you are ignorant (if not stupid) but you harm your argument by adding vulgarity to it. You couldn’t possibly believe that Sarah Palin’s relevance and influence in the political arena are in any way enhanced by the fact that her daughter is on a light entertainment television program .Could you? As a matter of fact I would venture to guess that Sarah Palin would be happier if her daughter had not appeared on the show the second time around.The producers of the show obviously thought Bristol’s inclusion in the cast would be good for buzz and for… Read more »
I hope when Kirstie is eliminated you use the same headline, just sub “Kirstie Alley” for “Bristol Palin”.