Will 6th Time Be the Charm for Y&R Emmy Nom Melissa Claire Egan?
The Young and the Restless Melissa Claire Egan is walking into tonights Daytime Emmy Awards as the only nominee in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series who hasnt yet won an Emmy. There are only four soap operas, but competition for this category remains fierce. Egan made the ballot by submitting scenes from a particularly tumultuous year for her character, Chelsea Lawson. TV Insider chatted with the actress about her sixth overall nomination (shes had five in the supporting category) and all the feels shes experiencing as a first-time mom-to-be. Later this summer, shes set to deliver her first child, a son, with husband Matt Katrosar, a Sales VP at Pluto TV. (Due to production safety protocols, Katrosar stepped in as a man who kidnapped Chelsea last year, making this years reel all the more special.) Congratulations on, I think the word is, everything!  Melissa Claire Egan: Thank you. I was at home when I found out I was nominated. I got a call from our amazing publicist Matt Kane. He told me the news. I told the story of Chelseas year. In past years, Id submitted one strong episode. But this year, I took several different scenes that told her story. People are being so kind about the story Im having this year with the mental breakdown and being in a wheelchair. But this nomination is for last years work. Its about breaking up with Nick (Joshua Morrow), getting back together with Adam (Mark Grossman), seeing him profess his love for Sharon (Sharon Case), getting kidnapped and drugged, and yelling at Adam for his role in that. Its actually one of my favorite reels. Chelsea went through a lot last year, and the last few years. Years ago, I was told by people that I trusted that I should submit in lead. I tend to take  no pun intended  peoples leads. [Laughs] I just did what I was kind of told! So, I actually started submitting in lead years ago. This is my first nomination in that category. In past years, actors had to submit entire episodes and include every frame in which they appear  for better or worse. This year, actors got to submit select scenes from multiple episodes. Very good question. I dont mind either. It actually takes stress off if they say pick one episode. The writers are so good about writing for us. The rules change every year and you just go with it. This year, it was, choose 15 minutes of scenes. Its not that I prefer one or the other. Luckily, I made a reel Im very proud of. Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie, The Bold and the Beautiful) started a tradition of a luncheon with the nominees. Heather Tom (Katie, B&B) is throwing it this year as she won last year. Heathers amazing. She sent a fun group text about the lunch. Its my first time in lead so Ive never been to the luncheon before. I cant wait. Its a fun group of ladies. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melissa Claire Egan (@missyclaireegan)  A famous primetime actress was asked after an acceptance speech at an awards show why she didnt thank her husband  she simply said her marriage didnt win an award. In your case, however, your husband Matt actually is on your reel. [Laughs] Thats funny! Yes, he is on my reel. I didnt use the scene where he actually kidnapped me, but you see his feet. Chelseas story is continuing this year. On the one hand, shes faking her condition, but at times, she seems truly lost. She had a fake breakdown in Victors (Eric Braeden) living room. That was to avoid jail time. However, that being said, now you see her in the mental hospital having mood swings and tantrums. Shes been through so much this year. It cant not have affected her. Shes on a wire. There is something thats been tweaked in her. Shes had a brain aneurism. Shes had a stroke. Shes been in a wheelchair. Shes not fully well even though she thinks she is. Chelseas so convinced theres this bond with Adam and Sharon, but Sharons marriage to Rey (Jordi Vilasuso) remains intact. I think she was in a vulnerable place when she saw the kiss between Sharon and Adam. She totally handled it wrong. You dont try to poison people [Rey] and then frame someone else [Adam] for attempted murder! We all have our lists. Chelsea was at her most vulnerable when she got the idea for all this. She wasnt able to move or speak. Then, she sees this man shes in love with kissing his ex [Sharon]. That pushed her over the edge. That tweaked something in her brain. That made her different. Things happen in life that change people. She felt betrayed and that made her do these horrible things. Poor Rey! She almost killed the guy. I love their friendship so much. Theyve been there for each other. But Chelsea did get her best friend involved in this whole thing. They forgive each other. However, Chloes a little worried that Chelsea might be a little off. She could accidentally get Chloe in trouble. Chelsea doesnt think she ever would. She wants to protect Chloe. She knows she got her into this mess. One of her main goals is to keep Chloe protected. It was a rough road to get here, but the pregnancy has been a breeze. I havent been sick at all. I love being pregnant. I think I had one day that I was sick, but I feel great. I get this question all the time. Absolutely. Weve crossed paths at Halloween parties. The writers address it as much as they can. Newer viewers may not know that Chelsea is Johnnys birth mother. Chelsea has enough on her plate. Exactly. The Young and the Restless, Weekdays, CBS  The 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, Friday, June 25 at 8/7c, CBS and streaming on Paramount+