Days Of Our Lives
Judge Grants Victoria Rowell The Right To Pursue Her Amended 'Retaliation' Complaint In Lawsuit!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Former Y&R actress, Victoria Rowell (Ex-Drucilla) came out with an important win, and to advance to the next step in her amended lawsuit against her former employer, Sony.
According to The Hollywood Reporter: On Friday morning, a California federal judge gave Rowell the go-ahead to move forward to the next stage of a lawsuit that accuses Sony Pictures Television of retaliation against her. Back in February 2015, in a lawsuit filed against Sony, CBS and Bell Dramatic Serial Company, Rowell claimed that producers were trying to getting even with her by refusing to hire her since she left Y&R back in 2007, and then tried to get hired on The Bold and the Beautiful.
In November of 2015, U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt threw our her claims with the conclusion that she needed to do more than assert some form of constructively open job for which she wasn’t being hired. But at that time, the judge did allow Rowell to amend her complaint. And in that complaint, Victoria added a retaliation claim that she also pursued a smaller part on another Sony daytime drama, Days of Our Lives, before being taken off an audition short list of actresses being considered. In addition, and most importantly for future lawsuits, the judge once again refused to stop Rowell from proceeding on First Amendment grounds.
In regards to the amended complaint the judge noted: “That the retaliation arose from disagreements with Plaintiff and her positions about hiring more African Americans, not ones about the appropriate racial diversity for characters on the programs.”
So, what do you think about Rowell’s retaliation claims against Sony, and the this stage of her lawsuit against her former employers? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
I couldn’t possibly guess what the outcome will be from all this but i do know that I do miss her on daytime television and most specifically as Drucilla on Y&R. We do need closure on what happened when the character went over the cliff just as much as I want closure as to Sheila really being alive. I never bought that face changing story.
I agree James..no telling where this is heading but you gotta give it to her she is quite persistent lol
….nor do I buy Kelly/Cady (Y&R) being dead, James R. I think she is now, as she was always, Victor’s lackey.
I loved Victoria as Dru. And, I refuse to believe she does not have a legitimate reason. It bothers me to no end when people are, generally, vilified without knowing the circumstances. None, of us, was there.
Go Victoria!!!!
Obviously they have something against her. She is a very good actress and would be a great addition to any soap.
OH, GIMME A BREAK ALREADY!!!!! ANYTHING FOR THAT WOMAN TO KEEP HERSELF IN THE PUBLIC EYE!!!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!
100% AGREE…..MOST PEOPLE HAD ENOUGH OF HER YEARS AGO!!!!
There is no God given right or civil right to be hired for any job, especially if the candidate had previously sued the company.
Another nuisance lawsuit.
yawn….
I will preface my answer with the comment that I am a lawyer.
I just read the judge’s order. It addressed, among other things, the defendant’s motions to dismiss. Analysis of a motion to dismiss is NOT a ruling that Rowell has proven (or even introduced evidence) her claims. Rather the focus is simply on the allegations in the complaint — Did Rowell’s allegations, if analyzed as true, state a viable claim. If a motion to dismiss is denied, it does NOT mean that Rowell wins. Rather it just means the case proceeds to discovery (gathering of admissible factual evidence — interrogatories, document production, and depositions). The fact gathering may result in there are no facts to support the claims either. The defendants could then move for summary judgment. In short, a motion to dismiss is a VERY early analysis of claims. A favorable ruling on such a motion does not mean there will be a trial on the claims. There is a LOT to do before that point.
The order actually is NOT very favorable to Rowell. The amended complaint named 5 defendants and contained six separate counts (not all counts being against each defendant; there are combinations of some counts against some but not others). The order denies the motion to dismiss as to ONE count —- a federal law (28 usc 1981) retaliation claim by Rowell against Sony and Corday Productions for refusing to hire her on Days of Our Lives. ALL of the other five claims and ALL of the other defendants (including Bell Serial Productions, Bell-Philip Television Productions, and CBS) are dismissed. In sum, ALL of the claims that Rowell raised concerning the failed efforts to be rehired by Y&R as Drucilla and the failed efforts to be hired as Drucilla or another character on B&B were dismissed. Rowell’s complaint failed to state a viable cause of action as to four defendants and five claims. In short, the order allows Rowell’s suit to proceed only on one count against two defendants.
I don’t have an opinion of Rowell one way or the other. I just thought that, as a lawyer, I would give my two-cents on the order. The actual ruling is not as big of a victory for Rowell as this article suggests.
This is terrific. I so enjoyed your professional explanation. Thank you for taking the time with this. I surmise you’re a fan of Y and R, so I have a pressing question regarding all the visitation Victor receives while in prison. Is this typical? I find it absurd… and wouldn’t visitors have to sign in somewhere in some official capacity? My point is, would there be a paper trail of visitor names anyone could review?
I don’t know anything about procedures in prison. However, I’d guess that your comments probably are correct.
There are a LOT of legal “errors” with soap scenes and plots. I’ll give a few examples from Y&R: Sharon faced a criminal case in Wisconsin for murdering Skye in Hawaii (that inane volcano death). From a legal standpoint, this was CRAZY. A Wisconsin court would have absolutely no jurisdiction to handle the prosecution of a crime in another state. In the real world, Sharon couldn’t even be indicted in Wisconsin as a basic element of any criminal case is that you have to prove the crime occurred in the jurisdiction.
I also vividly remember a scene where the lawyer (Mitchell Sherman’s son) took a “deposition” of someone in Paul’s office. The “deposition” was Sherman turning on a tape recorder as he questioned the individual. Completely ridiculous for several reasons. One, there was NO pending civil action (you typically don’t take a deposition in a criminal case) so there really was no “deposition” (fact discovery of litigation). Secondly, a deposition involves questioning by a lawyer while a certified court reporter transcribes the questions and answers. It is very formal — for possible use at trial. A lawyer sitting down with someone and questioning them with a tape recorder would be worthless from an evidentiary standpoint unless these formalities had occurred. Sherman may have been “interviewing” the person but it damn sure was not a “deposition.” The writers didn’t seem to have a clue as the dialogue kept talking about the “deposition.”
I could go on and on but you get my point. For years, Y&R had a legal consultant (i believe he was a former or currently practicing lawyer). I’m guessing that, with budget cuts, this consultant was dropped. It certainly shows from the ham-handed efforts of writers to craft plots and scenes involving legal points.
One more comment about Rowell’s suit — I’m confused about the “retaliation” claim that remains. I’m guessing that Rowell must be saying that Sony and Corday refused to hire her on Days in retaliation for her efforts to have more minorities on Y&R.
All of it seems like a stretch to me from a legal point of view. (1) The alleged retaliation concerns her actions and comments about another show, involving other corporate entities? The only possible link that I could see is that the common presence of Sony and Corday having a link to both shows. Under this theory, Rowell could see sue Sony if it refused to allow her to appear on another show it oversaw —- “Shark Tank” or “Dr. Oz Show.” I’m not saying this couldn’t occur (the order thought there was some possibility it could) but it seems unlikely to me.
(2) There could be serious evidentiary proof issues for the retaliation claim. Unless there is some “smoking gun” evidence (ex: a Corday or Sony email saying “Rowell would be perfect to play Jane. But we’re not going to hire her to punish her for her comments about Y&R”), how in the world will she prove that retaliation is THE reason that she wasn’t hired?? The casting people may not have liked her look. The casting people may have viewed “Jane” as being 35 years old and thought Rowell looked too old. Maybe “Jane” was to be an obese character that Marlena was going to help and svelte Rowell was too thin for the role. I would think a LOT goes into deciding casting — mostly based on looks and screen presence. Nothing wrong with that but it definitely would show that retaliation was not the reason for deciding to cast the role with someone else.
Clearly, we don’t know all of the facts and what occurred. Discovery should flesh that out. However, looking at the claim from a purely legal standpoint, it seems to me that Rowell will have a very, very hard time proving this claim.
Lol, Ron….I simply love your comment….HILARIOUS.
There is so much I could say about Barbara’s explanation, which! Sadly, will go over most people’s heads….well, you know….legal terms and all. HaHa!!
Oh Lord! You crack me up!!!!
What about prison doctors having sex with really oooold inmates? Do said inmates have to be rich? “Is this typical”?
Even more disturbing now is that a hacker can penetrate the prison computer system and view surveillance tapes! What next? Hackers breaking down the automated locking system? Poor Wisconsin!
As a fan of DAYS and all for equal rights, I say more power to VR, but the problem I have with the situation is that Sony may lose on behalf of DAYS, but Y&R who made things horrible for VR is in the clear.
DAYS actors didn’t spit in her face. DAYS actors didn’t mock how she and/or African Americans dance. DAYS actors did not make fun of her hair. That’s all on Y&R!!!
If Sony/CBS/Y&R would’ve did the right thing by not allowing all the injustices thrown her way while at Y&R and admitted the wrongdoing, then VR wouldn’t be bothering DAYS.
Y&R created a beast and now the beast has been unleashed on DAYS. That blows!
Hi, Barbara.
Thank you for that. Both my parents are attorneys (NYC). My mom and I talk about ‘stuff’……but, I will only give my two-cents worth, peripherally. We are outsiders looking in. We are neither judge nor jury. It should just be left alone.
I hope your explanation will quash speculations.
You are do right, Barbara…..the “errors” on soaps are not just legal. The writers take many outrageous liberties with religion(s), as well. That just fires me up!!
Sony is blocking her whether the lawyer states that the lawsuit is in her favor or not. I’m a true believer in God ; be not deceived ,God is not mocked; whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Big business, small business or no business , God takes care of it all!
What?
Exactly, Belle: in layman’s terms….what goes around comes around.
“We reap what we sew”. And, if man does escape punishment by law; he cannot escape God’s wrath/law.
Without getting philosophical, LOL…. We should all follow that mantra.
I’m tired of hearing about her ridiculous lawsuit, she quit and that’s it. Filled with regret she is grasping at straws. Y&R has a large African-American cast and it’s about to get bigger. They have a wonderful writer named Susan Dansby. VR needs to grow up and except the consequences of her temper tantrums which lead to her quitting/ She’s a JOKE!
SHE QUIT!!!
The only good thing is if it ever went to court more drama then the actual show. I would love to be a fly on the wall you know casrtmates would have to give their side of the story. Sad situation KSJ hasn’t had a decent lady since she went over the cliff.
victorial rowell is not missed you cannnot make someone hire you she quit get over your self
How many times did Rowell quit YR, get over yourself lady, find other work. Some of the actors don’t want her back.Can you imagine the stress of trying to do your job and having to put up with her issues. Just take your drama elsewhere…
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.

Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!

Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
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.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
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