Daytime Emmys: NATAS Shocking Change – Eliminates Award For Outstanding Younger Performer

The Daytime Emmys have announced a shocking change to their awards lineup for the 51st annual ceremony this year. NATAS has decided to eliminate the Outstanding Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Daytime Emmys – The Award Has Seen Its Fair Share Of Changes

The Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Performer in 2023 was given to General Hospital’s (GH) Eden McCoy for her work as Josslyn Jacks.

The award was originally introduced in 1985, and the category has gone through many changes, including its name, eligible ages, and the fact that both actresses and actors once competed in separate categories.

When the very first award in this category was handed out, it was named Outstanding Ingenue. That year, the award for actresses went to the Young and the Restless’s Tracey E. Bregman for her portrayal of Lauren Fenmore.

The category was renamed in 1989, and GH’s Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin Scorpio) took the Outstanding Juvenile Female award at that time. 1991, the category was renamed again to Outstanding Young Actress, and it went to AW’s Anne Heche (ex-Marly/Vicky Hudson).

The last actress to score the prize under that name was Hayley Erin for her work as Kiki Jerome on GH (she currently plays Claire Grace on Young and the Restless).

No name changes occurred for the men, as ATWT Brian Bloom (ex-Dusty Donovan) was the first award recipient, and GH’s Nicholas Chave (Spencer Cassadine) was the final winner in 2022.

Age requirements have also changed over the years. From 1985 to 2019, performers under the age of 25 were eligible for the prize; the age was lowered to 21 in 2020, and then eventually 18 in 2023.

In 2020, NATAS opted to get rid of separate prizes for actors and actresses, creating one category, Outstanding Younger Performer.

Daytime Emmys – Moving Forward

It’s important to note that younger soap opera actors/actresses are still eligible for a Daytime Emmy, they simply must submit their scenes under the Supporting Actor/Actress or Lead Actor/Actress categories.

The Daytime Emmys have officially started accepting submissions as of Thursday, February 1. Judging will occur from March 1 to April 15.

How do you feel about the Daytime Emmys scrapping the Outstanding Younger Performer category? Comment in the section below. Keep checking back for all of the news on this year’s Daytime Emmy Award ceremony.