Beloved ‘Days of our Lives' Star Breaks Silence After Emmy Snub

Yahoo

13-07-2025

Beloved 'Days of our Lives' Star Breaks Silence After Emmy Snub originally appeared on Parade.
Yesterday the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama category was announced for the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards. It quickly became apparent that one name was not on the list, now the actress has broken her silence after the recent snub.
Days of Our Lives star Susan Seaforth Hayes was submitted in the 'Lead Actress' category due to her performance as Julie Williams, for the death and funeral of her husband Doug Williams who was played by her late husband Bill Hayes.
The actress took to social media and posted on her Instagram congratulating all the nominees and addressing her absence. The actress wrote, "For everyone who was upset by the Emmy nominations, I am amazed and moved that so many cared that deeply about Susan Hayes and Julie, her other self.
The first Daytime Emmys happened live from the gorgeous plaza of Rockefeller Center in NYC. Bill Hayes sang, we presented, and MacDonald Carey won for "best person on daytime" or some vague category that made us all feel splendid. Eventually, the categories became more specific; Lead Actor, Supporting, Younger, and now Emerging Actor (imagine Meryl Streep rising out of a cake!).
Between my nominations, I have had the honor of co-hosting the show once with Beverlee McKinsey and in 2018 receiving a Lifetime Achievement Emmy that sits on our piano next to Billy's. I have not been snubbed by all the judges of NATAS over time.
From 1968-2025 | fit into all the categories, emerging, to supporting, to lead. Susan Lucci was forever a leading lady, Susan/Julie reflected the more natural evolution of nature. She was fresh- then hot- cooled down- and for now, mellow.
I have had the chance to stay a working actress for all those thousands of shows. Studying lines, going through the studio gate, being present with the creative cast and crew for one of the longest running dramas on American television.
I feel that's pretty great, and I'll be 82 tomorrow. Here is the nugget l've been digesting about all of this history. Daytime drama is entertainment. The stories promise romance and beautiful people with intriguing complications. For the audience it's an hour of happy escape from reality.
Susan and Julie are facing the reality of growing old. Reality is a deep dive. I was lucky to meet the love of my life in full view of a daytime audience. We caught their imaginations for a long, fulfilling time. Then faded into grandparents, then a dear sweet couple, then we were parted... not by a change of writers, but death itself. Only a widow with memories remains.
Is she "entertaining?" This is not the usual path of a soap opera leading lady. In that story of loss I was more than an actress, I was a wife. My husband deserved all I could give to show the reality of grief and loss. Perhaps the judges felt I wasn't acting when for the camera, I got the news, kissed the body goodbye, and gave the eulogy. No matter, my truth was based on a love that was real for an audience that loved him, too. My reward in 2024 was that | honored Doug and Julie, members of a family millions have opened their hearts to.
I am hugely blessed and promise you all I will keep on keeping on."
Hayes had previously been nominated for Supporting actress twice (2018, 2020) and Lead Actress four times, (1975, 1976, 1978, and 1979). The actress received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 along with her late husband Bill Hayes in 2018.
In addition to Days of our Lives, Hayes previously played Joanna Manning on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful as well as D.A. Patricia Steele on Sunset Beach.
The Daytime Emmy's will take place on October 17, 2025.
Beloved 'Days of our Lives' Star Breaks Silence After Emmy Snub first appeared on Parade on Jul 10, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.