Days Of Our Lives
WATCH: Outstanding Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nominee Reels! Who Should Win?
In a year when some of the finest performances were in the Lead Actress category, it;s down to four women who will vie for the gold at the upcoming 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Award to be handed out on Sunday night, June 22nd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
NATAS released the nominated reels and performances of this year’s competitors for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category which include: The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom (Katie) and Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) and Days of our Lives Eileen Davidson (Kristen) and Arianne Zucker (Nicole).
Read the official synopsis of the ladies submissions that landed them in the final spots and then at the end of the post watch a video playlist of the four nominated performances! Then let us know, who do you think should win the Emmy?
Heather Tom – The Bold and the Beautiful
Dollar Bill Spencer has been having a love affair with his wife Katie’s sister, Brooke Logan. When the affair began, it was complicated. Katie had postpartum depression and hoped that Bill would have a chance at love even if it was not with her. But home now and well again, Katie never in a million years would have thought that her sister and her husband would betray her in the way that they did. And then, to keep the secret from her all this time. You know what they say; Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Now that the secret is out, Bill attempts to restore Katie’s faith in their relationship but Katie worries about Brooke’s feelings for Bill getting in the way. When Brooke arrives at the house, Katie’s anger gets the best of her. She becomes unable to control her emotions as she presses Bill and Brooke for answers about their adulterous affair. Ultimately, not able to stand it anymore, she does the unthinkable and cuts both her sister and her husband out of her life forever.
Katherine Kelly Lang – The Bold and the Beautiful
Original cast member Katherine Kelly Lang portrays Brooke Logan, the oldest Logan sister who finds herself once again having done something wrong for the right reason.  Brooke fought her feelings for the powerful Bill Spencer, because she knew that he was her sister Katie’s husband. But Katie, in the throes of postpartum depression, did everything she could to bring Brooke and Bill together to find happiness for themselves and to create a home for her young son, Will. When Katie recovered, Brooke urged Bill and Katie to reunite, which they did until Katie learned of their affair. Then, Katie left Bill and took his company leaving Brooke and Bill to revel in their newfound love. Now, after a fateful turn of events during a trip to Aspen, Colorado, Bill tells Brooke that he has had an epiphany and must do the right thing.
Eileen Davidson – Days of our Lives
Kristen Blake is mad. Marlena has caused not one but two of Kristen’s weddings to implode. The first husband to be was John Black 14 years prior. He is now Marlena’s husband. The second, and Kristen’s true love, was Brady Black. Yep, John Black’s son. Granted, Kristen had a bad track record of doing somewhat unconscionable things to people. However, her love for Brady was real and had changed her for the better. Unfortunately, Marlena told Brady about one of Kristen’s schemes that she had put into motion before she fell in love with Brady.  Shortly before their wedding, Brady cruelly rejects and abandons Kristen, leaving her on her knees much like John Black had done 14 years before. Marlena comes back to see Kristen to rub salt in the wound. Kristen does not take it well.
Arianne Zucker – Days of our Lives
Nicole’s first love Eric Brady comes back to town as a priest and Nicole finds she is still in love with him. Â Eric is drugged and raped by Kristen Dimera and when his memory of the assault begins to return, he remembers a blonde. Â He accuses Nicole of the sexual assault and she is devastated by his accusations and beliefs. When the truth comes out, he tries to apologize but Nicole does not have forgiveness in her heart.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
The Bell Family Dynasty $2 Billion Fortune Built on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’ Explored
GH’s Kayden Brenna Tokarski Addresses ‘Positivity and Negativity’ That Has Come Her Way as She Embraces Playing Scout Cain
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TUNE-IN: ‘Tracker’ Season 4 Premiere Starring Justin Hartley
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
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Y&R Alum Thad Luckinbill Cast in New Thriller ‘Copperhead’
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I think all 4 actresses are great but i want Eileen Davidson to win.
Sharon Case should of made this cut she is amazing
I want Sharon to win YR she always gets snubbed . Booooo Not watching this year now
Surprised Sharon Case did not get nominated after all she went through with the bipolar and lost her daughter again
Enough with discussing SHARON CASE in every nominee reel thread. She hasn’t been nominated for an Emmy in 11 years.
I love her too but it’s time to face facts: the Emmy panel doesn’t care for her much these days. She’s had her day, won her Emmy, let’s move on.
Either one of the two from Bold and the beautiful will win.
Finola or that’s right she didn’t get nominated then Eileen Davidson Days
Don’t know any of them. The only soap I watch is General Hospital! 🙂
Arianne(Nicole) or Eileen(Kristen) id love to see win but Heather Tom is also good…by the way why is Bold and Beautiful next to Eileens name which talks about her role on Days?
I see its been corrected…thanks Micheal!!!
EILEEN FOR THE WIN!! Superb acting she was giving us in that reel w/ all different ranges and moods. Her winning an Emmy is long overdue . #LeadActress #BowDownB**ches (in Beyoncé voice
I’m amazed on how they over looked General Hospital!
Yes the fifth nominee should have been maura west or finola hughes.
They need to change the rules so all soaps can be celebrated.
I pulling for Elieen davidson and arianne zucker go team days
Anyone but KKL. There was one line she didn’t whisper and it was better than her usual; not enough to win an emmy. I thought Eileen Davidson’s reel was very good (don’t watch the soap). Heather Tom is always wonderful.
I’m a DAYS fan, but I still think it’s BS that only two soaps are honored/celebrated here. It’s time for a change in more ways than one. And the winner is…EILEEN DAVIDSON!
#2. Arianne Zucker
#3. Heather Tom
#4. Katherine Kelly Lang
I’m very disappointed that there is not representation of all six soaps in this category! I hope to see all four soaps equally represented in all categories next year!!!
In a perfect world every soap should have at least one nominee in each category but life is not perfect.However the Emmy could limit a soap can only have 2 nominees in a category and not more than that.Plus this year some categories have 4 nominees and others have 5.Also maybe the Emmys can stipulate that each category from now on must have the same amount of nominees each year.
I know Heather was won it many times before but based on these reels if she doesn’t win it again I would be shocked. This is just the kind of scene that emmy panel loves– and she did it brilliantly. Her only obstacle is her previous wins. The emmy panel might think she deserves it, but won’t give it to her again just on principle.
The next on the list if Heather is passed over due to her other wins is ED– a dramatic scene with just right about of tears and shouting to display a good range of emotions.
KKL was okay but the scene wasn’t the kind drama the emmy panels go for. As for AZ, I love her, but if she didn’t win last year with her miscarriage scenes this scene with Eric ain’t going get her any gold.
Eileen Davidson For The Win!!!!!!!
Arianne all the way. I felt the emotion in the scene and I like how Nicole stood up to Eric. She even made him cry in the scene!
It’s gonna be a close race! Davidson over Lang by a thread…
1. Davidson
2. Lang
3. Tom
4. Zucker
Hands down, Eileen Davidson. It’s not even a question. The other three actresses are great (although, personally, I don’t understand the fuss over Heather Tom), but they can’t hold a candle to, not only her reel, but her entire year. She dominated Days of Our Lives, without making it stale or annoying. Kristen could’ve easily been a cartoon, but Eileen presents such raw emotion and flawless range, that there were moments where you loved her, hated her, loved to hate her, and hated to love her. I’m not sure that can be said of the other performances.
I will say that I am still deeply disappointed by the women of General Hospital being completely overlooked. Several turned out incredible, breathtaking performances that should have granted one of them a nod. Maura West and Laura Wright both had fantastic moments, but the omission of Finola Hughes isn’t only sad, but it’s criminal. I think she would have actually been REAL competition for Eileen and I’ll never understand how these other three actresses gained a nod over her.
On a slightly unrelated note, I ADORE Arianne and think she’s been overlooked far too long in the past, but I always considered her more of a Supporting Actress. I find it odd that she submitted, and got nominated, in the Lead category.
My first choice would be Eileen Davidson but Heather Tom’s reel was amazing, yes she’s one two years in a row now but this reel is her strongest and she was on fire! I think Eileen deserves it more though.
She’s actually won three years in a row. Won in supporting the year before going to lead. It’s time for another fine actress to get the gold.
It’s a clear race between Eileen and Heather. I’m pulling for Eileen! DAYS first Lead Actress win and hardware recognition to the best actress of 2013.
….My mistake. First Lead Actress win since Susan Flannery in 1975!
isn’t that something : 1975 – 2014 : 39 years later
from Susan Flannery
to Eileen Davidson
in between ALL this
Days of OUR Lives swimmingly surpassed eclipsed reigns and supremes ALL others…
I daresay… this year should include a WIN for two years in a row…. best show
I am continually bowled over… at the seamless execution… of DAYS production… a cohesive knit gelling feather in their cap…. accolades
Triumphant
my “DAYS” in Salem
Loving it
I do feel any of the 4 nominated are all that good..
there has much better by others in the soaps, for the year..
There are many opinions of who should win..
everybody has their likes and dislikes, as do the Judges..
The judges will pick who they like better, not necessarily who is the best 🙂
As the people here, liking this one over that one, so will the judges..
It is a win by personal opinions ..
I so want the ladies from DOOL to win so bad but that reel from Heather Tom is awesome..Based on reels, she will be once again the emmy winner..Everywhere she goes, she is awesome.
Hope Eileen get enough votes from the veteran voters and win a much deserved Emmy.
I know I shouldn’t hope for such a thing, but hopefully her Days and Y&R friends voted for her.
Eileen Davidson is the consummate professional
even after being fired/let go.. from Y&R… she remained
what a person… to go back and forth and ream multitudes of … and new generations of : legions of FANS
isn’t it so like her… to put aside… step aside… and just deliver … HER product… her range of acting choices… that continually resonate… almost dependable… and taken for granted….
a true tour de force acting bonanza… a steely inner resolve that comes to show… meets her mark… she sparks… makes alive… what you will…
i’m in satiated mode… feasted… beaming… OK… she’s the best in the business… has been
standing ovation for this lady
@Jules… I know what you mean… what with CBS having 2 shows to block… and steal a win
I don’t get the fascination… of Heather Tom… after she’s done crying… and pained out…
what’s she about?
Eileen Davidson for the record
@Patrick I think this could go three ways ED because she had a good reel never won before, HT because we like over kill think Erika Slezak, Tony Geary, Justin Deas & Kim Zimmer. Or KKL if Brad Bell called in all his markers! Lol
Most definitely Eileen Davidson! She displayed more than ONE emotion out of all the reels in this category. Not only was she great in this scene but GREAT all year on Days.
Eileen Davidson from this list, but where is Laura Wright??
the expression when hell freezes over is so true in the case of katherine kelly lang, a raszberrie award yes, an emmy? heather tom, will probably submit something were she will be crying alot, an for some reason they call that acting, i prefer to a toss to either of the dool ladies, over bb. but overall worse group of nominees i’ve seen in a while.
I watch Days and love both Eileen and Arianne…but Eileen deserves this one all the way!!
They are all really good but I’d love to see Katherine Kelly Lang win. She’s been nominated many times and never won. I’d also like to see Doug Davidson win. He’s never won before either. I’d like to see some of the ones that have won so many times before take their name out of the pot and give others a chance to win. It seems that the same ones win over and over. JMO
KKL was only nominated twice- once last year, where she lost, and this year.
DD won last year for Lead Actor.
Arianne Zucker. I don’t watch any of the shows nominated but watching these. She deserved it. She was the most natural actor and even to get her point across she didn’t chew the scenery. I have watched her on days and she has the talent.
As an actor, Im gonna through my opinion in. And before anyone yells at me, Im just stating my opinion. I watch these shows year round, and definitely agree it should go to ED based on her performance all year. But panel voters only judge on the reels, and I must say as much as I LOVE ED, HT’s reel is an actors dream. Maybe Im losing my mind, but I remember another scene that ED and DH shared that was mesmerizing. It took place in the living room as well. I remember Kristen pulling on her hair in the mirror as if she was going bananas. Now that scene was fire. She went from yelling at Marlena to weeping for what she lost. Maybe that was after the video tape fiasco. Anyway, I can see this going to HT based solely on the reel. Not every panel voter watches all year like we do.
Would love to see Arianne Zucker win. She has been consistently strong in portraying all the different sides of Nicole. She can display a variety of emotions so naturally – she can be vulnerable, mean, tough, angry,, sweet, manipulative, untruthful, compassionate, sensitive, loving, and she is believeable in all roles.
Eileen Davidson is excellent too, she has done a great job portraying the evil, manipulative, vengeful Kristen, but Arianne has been portraying Nicole for a long time , and she has shown a wide range of emotions and character personality.
Heather Tom just own her 3rd Lead Actress Emmy. Flawless reel.
Heather Tom accolades her red carpet
“My post partum was ugly and brutal.. but that did not force you in to bed with each other”
Histrionics… not emmy work. “ruined, my life”
“if you dare” as she tells Bill … Leave my house
I listen to my heart beating… her bun pulled back too severe rote volumes… step down
collect your treasures.. those 5 emmys and skip real
you didn’t have it
Joan Crawford did better
dollar Bill and Brooke actually let her acting anguish and deal loss
she’s not parlaying any thing in the history books… by winning… her 6th emmy
she doesnt deserve it this year
“the rest of your putrid little life”
as Kristen gold digs saint Marlena
He was all over me
his pants weren’t down to his ankles.. but… he acted with
he salivated his extra part and come hithered his cro-magnon
the writing… for DAYS which as stated goes hand in hand… the ante that the actors produce WITH: production
is STELLAR
standing ovation… what an opportune time.. it IS to be a Salem’ite.
beyond expectation
Eileen Davidson : did this with: cast , crew, and writing team… BRAVO
dance
celebrate
she wins
as she always does
salute
I want a two-way tie between Arianne and Eileen.
Nichole Waker/ Ms. Zucker. Very intense scenes difficult life decisions that are so dramatic because of the
Demeanor of this brilliant actress.
Days of Our Lives is the BEST daytime drama ever! Their actors are all so talented. Nicole Walker (Ms. Zucker) is one of the best actresses I have ever seen. I liked her best when she is bubbly and funny but she really can show deep emotion like know one I’ve ever seen before. I hope the writers keep up their great work. Everyone deserves an Emmy on that show!!!!!
HEATHER TOM!!!!