News
Y&R's Kristoff St. John Talks His First Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
With his sixth Daytime Emmy nominations, and two Daytime Emmy wins, The Young and the Restless’ Kristoff St. John (Neil) finds himself going for gold on May 1st for the very first time in his daytime drama career in the Lead Actor category. St. John looks to be the sentimental favorite in the most hotly contested contest of the night. If St. John should win, he would be the only actor besides The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom (Katie Logan Spencer) to have won in every daytime drama acting category: Younger, Supporting, and Lead.
For Kristoff, having recently celebrated his 25th year on Y&R as Neil Winters, is no easy feat, and to have a character as enduring as Neil has been, and that has remained so popular. In addition, Kristoff suffered the most painful loss imaginable with the death of his beloved son, Julian. Pouring his heart and soul into his craft following the tragedy, St. John delivered some of Neil’s darkest hours in a performance that will be remembered for quite some time to come.
On-Air On-Soaps talked with Kristoff to get his reaction to his Daytime Emmy nomination, how he sizes up the competition in the Lead Actor race, what he thought of his nominated work and banner Emmy season, and more. Here’s what he shared:
What scenes did you end up submitting in the final round of voting that landed you a nomination?
Courtesy/CBS
KRISTOFF: It’s always a tough thing to choose from a year’s worth of material … at least it is for me. I had already had my eye on one episode, and whenever we get done with a scene on set, which we would call ‘good’, we hear some nice comments and file that away. Well, I heard that about a scene on an airplane 33, 000 feet above the ground that contained the reveal of Neil’s vision coming back. I went back and looked at it, and it seemed pretty powerful for what we needed. Then I paired it with scenes from another episode where Neil is drunk and Devon (Bryton James) is there, and the two of them are going at it about the whole affair with Hilary (Mishael Morgan) and did he know the entire time. They seemed to have worked well together.
This is your first Lead Actor nomination in your daytime career, too!
Courtesy/CBS
KRISTOFF: I have been in either the Younger Actor or Supporting Actor category throughout my daytime career, and never ‘Lead’. But it was purposeful for much of my run on daytime. It has been a long journey and now I have been with Y&R for 25 years, and so this would naturally be the arc of my daytime Emmy entries – Younger, Supporting and Lead. Should I have been nominated before in Lead Actor? I don’t know. I think these are all very self-congratulatory moments, anyway in our careers. We all get together on Emmy night, share some laughs, have some drinks, and hand out some golden trinkets, and we say to each other, “See you next year!”
Another prerequisite, often times for actors to decide what category to submit themselves in, is if they drove story. Without a doubt in 2015, Neil was front and center.
KRISTOFF: Some of 2014 and 2015 were huge years for Neil. Our head writer, Chuck Pratt Jr. wrote me off of the page. I have only had four or five years of working over my guarantee, and Chuck was responsible for two of them, which is why I was able to pull these episodes out for the lead category.
Courtesy/CBS
I remember watching your now Emmy-nominated scenes when they first aired. Neil let everyone on the plane know he could see … and he knew how duplicitous Devon and Hilary were being for their affair. He was so angry, and he let everyone have it, just before the plane crashed.
KRISTOFF: If we go back to 2015, that was without question, one of the most difficult years of my life. Having lost my son Julian in November of 2014, I was embroiled in the middle of this story. I was still playing blind on the show and the angst and the pathos. It was years of having a relationship with a human being that I called my son, and it was cut off at the pass and destroyed. Being able to use some of those emotions as an actor is a treasure in an unfortunate way and circumstance. I had never had that kind of emotion to work with before, and it was absolutely terrifying for me.
Then later Neil became quite the villain! Viewers have never seen good guy Neil take such a left turn in his character, but it made for compelling drama.
Courtesy/CBS
KRISTOFF: Neil had never been down the dark corridors such as with the blind storyline and then ultimately coming out of that and going further down in the rabbit hole, and then having taken the life of another human being … a baby. That was a weird parallel universe in itself – having someone die in Neil’s world and having the same tragedy happen in real life. It was cathartic to go to work and throw myself into heavy drama, which I had not gotten to play in a long time.
In what is probably the most hotly contested race of the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmys, you are up against four extraordinarily talented actors in the Lead Actor category. What do you think of your co-nominees?
Courtesy/ABC
KRISTOFF: Tony Geary (Luke, GH) is an icon, and a legendary man and actor. He has been doing daytime for decades, and this would be his ninth Emmy win, and he would tie with Cloris Leachman for all-time Emmys wins by an actor, if he won. To be in the category with Mr. Geary with this his final year is an honor. I know Tony. He is one of the very few actors who can take anything you give him, or thrown at him, and he will take it turn it into gold. He has been fortunate to have incredible head writers and writers at General Hospital that have written specifically for him and that has been a gem for Tony. Then there is Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) at General Hospital, who has submitted one of the best tapes of his life. I watched the Lead Actor tapes in the Pre-Nom round. Tyler’s tape is one of thee best I have seen. I t was one of the most incredible storylines to be a part of potentially losing his child. Again, it’s something meaty to play. Justin Hartley (Adam, Y&R), who has come on to our show with a bang is such an organic actor. He lives moment by moment, I really admire that. To watch an actor pull from so many different places sometimes it’s inspiring. I find myself watching his scenes closely. And then there is Christian LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R)! What can I say? He is a three-time Emmy winner, and like Tony he has been up on the podium multiple times. He has been there, because of his body of work and year end and year out, Christian delivers. We were up against each other in 1999, and we lost to Shemar Moore (Ex-Malcolm, Y&R) that year! So we are both in this horse race. I am so happy and thrilled to be invited to the dance.
Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
If you were to win the Daytime Emmy this year, it would be extra special for many reasons, personal and professional, as we have discussed. But there is yet another interesting bit of Emmy trivia that could change with a St. John victory!
KRISTOFF: Yes, and I’ve to throw this in. It’s been 31 years for an African-American male to win in the Lead Actor category. The last man to do this was Darnell Williams (Ex-Jesse, AMC) in 1985, and before that the late Al Freeman Jr. (Ex-Ed Hall, OLTL) in 1979. And it has been since 1991 when James Reynolds (Abe, DAYS) was nominated for Generations that an African-American actor was even nominated in the Lead Actor category. If I win, it would be the first time in 31 years for that, and while it would feel great, it does make me pause. I mean, were there not any other years where an African-American could have made the final cut for Lead Actor? It’s one to think about, but not for too long.
For more with this year’s Daytime Emmy nominees listen to Soap Nation Live! with Michael Fairman Daytime Emmy Nomination Special 2016.
So, what do you think about the thoughts shared by Kristoff and his reaction to his Daytime Emmy nomination in the Lead Actor category? After an emotional rollercoaster of a year, would you like to see Kristoff win for his Emmy submission? What did you think of Kristoff’s analysis of the competitors in his category, and what did you think of Kristoff’s performance in his Emmy-nominated scenes? Is it hard to imagine that no other African-American actor has won Lead Actor in the last 31 years? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Neil has been put through hell and then some and St. John takes him there masterfully. Hell yes my buddy is going to win the gold and congratulations and keep up the great work. Interview great- wanted it to go on more but thanks for interview.
I agree, Mark. TPTB have ruined Neil. Kristoff did his job, and did it well; unfortunately, the butchering of the character by the writers damaged him for the viewer.
I do not like Neil….I admire the actor; I loved the character back in the day. But, Neil is portrayed as as chasing young skirts, a lascivious older man, unscrupulous alcoholic who would stab his son in the back.
Most importantly, i support his beliefs and values. Very good point….I agree.
But, honestly? No one compares to Darnell Williams…..unparalleled!!
CeeCee- my goodness. When you find a little mold do you throw out the whole wedge? Not in my house, young lady! Cut it off and enjoy the rest! Neil had some troubles and will have more and will have Nicki and they will have a baby. Darnell left AMC to become the big star that never happened – crawled back and I love him and a delight and did not see him on Y&R and I know Angie was on as well and also left- why did they leave?
Tyler Christopher takes the emmy his reel was off the charts! Please could we keep race out of just one thing god I love my friends for who they are not the color of their skin!!!
I love kristoff
Congratulations Kristoff! Well deserved!
Wish Drucilla was back in on the show! You two were such a power couple!
She is an excellent actress but she has burned her bridges and pretty much torched the town and outlying areas and yet continues in her claims of racial discrimination and her website devoted to latest updates on her case which in some way is still going on. #getoverit
Yikes! What? Thanks for the information. I haven’t followed her after her Y & R departure. Too busy parenting etc. LOL. But now I’m going to research her case! Sounds ridiculous! Why would she destroy her reputation and career? Y & R was so good to her! Very Sad.
In any case! I’m so happy for Kristoff!
having Dru, BACK , ON
WITH Neil… would answer soooooo many questions… intrigue would be heightened… and yes… a supercouple unite
i’ll continue to say as such… The Neil Winters Clan… like the Newmans… are so BORING!
Neil is the lone standout
Victoria is the lone standout
I still say… Devon has a setback… loses his hearing… this time for good… he puts all his trust in Dru… she has HER … OWN motivations
she caches her sultriness and IS hot about town
give her a job Y&R… she’s the African American Brenda Dickson
CHARGE your wares Ms. Winters
may as well go all out and wreak havoc with Devon 2 billion dollars
I can see her and Sharon joining forces and take MR. BIG NewMAN for a RIDE
I liked Neil best with Drucilla. She made his life and everything she touched interesting. I loved her drama-queen personality. There is no one like her on Y&R. She was a natural; spontaneous and talented. I loved Drucilla. I love Victoria. I don’t care what circulates the air waves or the media. No one knows, and I am sure she has sound reasons.
All I know is after Dru /Vic left, Neil started going downhill….then, after the appearance of Devon, Neil was doomed.
It would be good and history if Kristoff wins………………His biggest competition is Tony Geary (GOD I HOPE HE DOESN’T WIN!!!!)
Congrats and hoping you win!
Too bad all we’ll be able to do is read about the results.. Oh well
I really like the actor and the character of Neil as well. I would be happy to see him win. I watched Michael Knight today and would like to see him win supporting next year. I have watched vigilantly for any sign of Thaddius Martin and can find none whatsoever and loved Tad the cad but have respect for the actor now too and I have the right to an opinion on here I think.
You certainly do, Bettina. And, it’s a very good opinion, at that.
I agree, I loved Tad, the cad….I love Michael Knight in everything he does.
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.
Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”
Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.
Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”
Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
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Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
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