What is happening to The Young and the Restless Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott)? Recently, Nikki who previously had been diagnosed with MS, has been experiencing blinding headaches, but this week be on the lookout as her vision also begins to deteriorate.

Now trying to put the pieces together of what could be happening to Nikki begins a health crisis and mystery. Is she suffering vision issues which can be related to MS, which can be a symptom? A brain tumor? Something else?

While Stephanie Sloane spoke to Melody Thomas Scott in her Soap Steph’s Daytime Dish Newsletter, Michael Fairman TV caught up with Sean Dominic (Nate Hastings) at Monday night, June 8th’s A Toast to Black Excellence event in Los Angeles, featuring cast members of Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless as a precursor to their multi-arc crossover event that starts today. As it turns out, it looks like Dr. Nate Hastings will indeed cross paths with Nikki Newman in this storyline.

Photo: JPI

CAN DR. NATE HASTINGS HELP NIKKI NEWMAN?

Dominic shared, “I do have some scenes coming up with Melody that you will see soon. She reaches out to Nate.” Putting two and two together, Dr. Nate Hastings is a world-renowned surgeon, so will Nikki need surgery for her condition? Stay tuned.

Previously, Melody Thomas Scott explained, “I’ve never played a character with this new diagnosis that Nikki will receive, so I spent more time than usual doing research and prepping. I wanted to make sure my portrayal of Nikki’s experience was as authentic as possible.”

As to why Nikki is having horrendous headaches now, with being on the outs with her husband, Victor Newman, and trying to help her son, Nick battle his drug addiction, (and let’s not forget Nikki has a her own demons with booze), one would think it’s stress related. But think again!

Photo: JPI

VICTOR AND NIKKI: FROM STAR-CROSSED LOVERS TO EMBATTLED SPOUSES

The longtime star of the series expressed, “The timing of Nikki’s headaches lines up with recent stress from her problems with Victor along with Nicholas issues, so it’s easy for Nikki to attribute her headaches to these current events. Nikki a full plate, so she initially brushes them off, thinking they are tension headaches. Unfortunately, Nikki’s condition will soon get progressively worse to the point where she will be forced to get medical attention.”

With Victor and Nikki going through a very rough patch, in part, because Victor is so jealous and unhinged over the mere mention of Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), stemming from the incident almost two years ago where he overdosed while trying to stop Nikki’s bender, and he was her sponsor. Victor believes more happened between Jack and Nikki, but it didn’t.

Melody shared it’s fun to not always be happy on the soaps : “As much as Eric and I enjoy the romantic moments, we also savor the opportunity to play the not-so-happy times in the marriage. Our characters have so much rich history.”

So, what do you think is happening to Nikki? How will Dr. Nate be involved? Give us your thoughts on what will be Nikki’s ultimate diagnosis from her headaches and vion problems via the comment section below.

The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.

Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.

While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100,  A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman

HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM

Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.

There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC

A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN

In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”

Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”

So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.

As had been teased, the Monday, June 8 episode of Beyond the Gates brought with the the identity of The Impaler, the long-talked-about head of the blood plasma ring that involved Grayson Perez (Jordi Vilasuso), Dr. Lia Whitmore (Cecelia Specht), got Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin) killed and had Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) going under cover to nab the criminal.

Only in a major surprise and best kept secret, The Impaler turned out to be Joey’s Armstrong’s (Jon Lindstrom) younger sister, Heather, played by Ashley Jones! As we previously reported in April, Jones had joined the newest CBS daytime drama but we never knew what part she was playing until now.

This marks the first time in her veteran soap opera career she has played a nefarious evildoer. Previously, Ashley has been recurring as The Bold and the Beautiful as Dr. Bridget Forrester, portrayed Professor Parker Forsyth on General Hospital, plus got her soap start as Megan Dennison on The Young and the Restless. 

Courtesy/CBS

SIBLING RIVALRY

If you caught today’s Beyond the Gates, in story, as Joey was awaiting coming face-to-face with The Impaler, he instead gets paid a visit from a woman in a cloak that initially concealed her face. When she revealed herself, Joey knew exactly who it was … his sister.  Joey wondered how she is involved with The Impaler.

Apparently, it’s been a long while since the siblings had seen each other. Heather informed Joey she lived in London, and as Joey was trying to figure out the connection between her and The Impaler, she dropped the bombshell, “Oh, my dear brother. I am The Impaler.”

Joey initially laughed her off, until she explained she intentionally made everyone believe The Impaler was a man as a decoy. Suddenly, Joey realized this is not the same version of his sister he knew before, especially when she said, “I’m not the little girl you have to protect anymore. I’ve found my power.”

In the further backstory of the Armstrong children, Heather brings up how their father has used physical violence on Joey, while she dealt with his belief that a woman’s place is in the home, and raising children and to leave the mob business to the boys. As it turns out, Heather wants to work side by side with Joey combining forces to run their illegal activities. Later, when Joey admitted to Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli) that his sister had come to town. and he doesn’t really know of her true intentions, he left out the fact that Heather is The Impaler!

Photo: JPI

PLAYING A VILLAIN ON DAYTIME

Speaking with Parade, Jones said that she knew early on that she would be The Impaler, but wasn’t sure what that actually meant, “I hadn’t watched enough of the show, so I did a little research, explained Ashley. “I was like, ‘Oh, they talk about the Impaler a decent amount,’ and then I knew that I was somehow related to Joey Armstrong. So, I knew those two things, and I knew she was the head of a crime ring, and that was kind of all the information I got.”

Jones shared her enthusiasm to getting to play a villain on a soap, adding, “This is probably one of the more complicated characters I’ve ever played. There’s a lot to her,”  obviously, at this point, people will know she’s the Impaler. She’s kind of the villain. I haven’t played this in Daytime really ever.”

What do you think about the reveal of Ashley Jones as Joey’s sister, Heather being the notorious Impaler? It seems that Beyond the Gates as pulled off yet another shocker! Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out the reveal from today’s episode.