With the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards airing on CBS this Friday June 26, Heather Tom, Jason Thompson, Thorsten Kaye, Katherine Kelly Lang, Christel Khalil, Bryton James, and more nominees from The Young and the Restless and The Bold and The Beautiful share their feeling about the big night!

The COVID-19 pandemic brought Hollywood to a standstill and delayed the 47th Daytime Emmy® Awards show, but The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) found a way to celebrate the 2019 season and honor the year's big winners. In an interesting turn, CBS' 2-hour special also marks the awards show's exciting return to primetime!

With the Daytime Emmys coming home to CBS, the network also just happens to boast the most nominations, with 57 contenders in this year's race. While both CBS soap operas have actors in the running, Y&R is hoping to maintain its winning streak and take home Outstanding Drama, Directing and Writing yet again this year—but B&B will surely have something to say about that!

Watch spoke to the CBS contenders to find out how their preparing for this very unique event. Don't miss the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards this Friday, June 26 at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

Outstanding Lead Actor Nominees

Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott), The Young and the Restless

Thanks to Billy's battle with his inner demons, this could just be the year for Jason Thompson. While the soap-hopper earned five nominations during his run as General Hospital's Patrick Drake, this is his first for playing Billy Abbott in The Young and the Restless. If he takes home the gold Friday, he will be the third "Billy" to do so, following in the footsteps of portrayers David Tom and Billy Miller.

"This feels really wonderful, because it's my first one playing this character and getting to represent Y&R and the network," Jason Thompson says. "That's exciting in one way, and in another way, there's a lot going on! Learning I was a nominee was a bit of a nice moment in a time that's been very confusing and weird. It was a nice reason to celebrate. It brought a bit of joy into the household. And I was blown away by all the people who reached out to me from our show. You have to put it into perspective with the bigger picture out there, so you come back to reality pretty quick. But all in all, it's another year that I'm excited to be mentioned!"

"I will probably end up watching with family. I'm really glad and excited at CBS stepped up to air the show in primetime. I think they're going to do a great job bridging new territory and figuring out how award shows could potentially work. But I kind of hope this is the last time we do this way, because one of the best things about the ceremonies is seeing old colleagues and old friends and making new ones. That'll be different, but I'm sure CBS will do a great job."

Watch Jason Thompson's Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"It's an interesting time for a Daytime, and one of the reasons it's great to be back on primetime is we are part of the network. We're not an orphan child that stays to the side. We're part of the CBS family and it's great that they want to represent soap operas in this way and that we get to show the quality show we put on on a regular basis. This has also been an interesting time for people to check back into Y&R, again. I've had people reach out and say it's also really cool to see old storylines and how they make sense with what's going on now." — Jason Thompson

Thorsten Kaye, (Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful

A lot has come between Ridge and Brooke over the decades, but Thorsten Kaye earned attention this year by sinking his teeth into the drama created by a baby swap involving their children. This is the soap hopper's fifth Lead Actor nomination, and his first for playing Ridge Forrester in The Bold and the Beautiful.

"I try not to think too much about the nomination," says Kaye. "I show up every day to stage and do the best work I can. If I manage to entertain one person with my performance, then I'm good. And all the gentlemen in my category are wonderful actors who have been delivering outstanding performances for many years."

"As for the rest of B&B's nominees, I can't say enough about them. All great actresses. Heather is absolutely phenomenal and Katherine, well she hasn't been acknowledged for her work on B&B for 33 years! We were scene partners for most of 2020 and I can't say enough about what a great talent and a lovely person she is. Annika knocked it out of the park this year with her performance as Hope. I wish them all love and Emmy luck!"

OTHER CONTENDERS:

Thaao Penghlis (Tony), Days of Our Lives

Steve Burton (Jason), General Hospital

Jon Lindstrom (Kevin/Ryan), General Hospital

Watch Thorsten Kaye's Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"Thank you, to the fans, for your loyalty to B&B. We love bringing this show to you. And, thank you for watching all the soaps. I definitely appreciate our fans!" — Thorsten Kaye

Outstanding Lead Actress Nominees

Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful

After 33 years of fighting for (and with!) Ridge and giving Taylor a piece of her mind, many fans would argue this Daytime vet is way past due to take home the gold—and not just because no one drops a tear like Katherine Kelly Lang can!

"I am very excited about my nomination this year. We put in a lot of work last year and some very intense scenes for awhile. I am thrilled for my castmates and their nominations too. They are all so deserving! And I admire all the actresses in the best actress category. I have so much respect for people who work in Daytime. We are all very dedicated and hard workers."

"I honestly haven't even thought about what we are doing on awards night. Are we dressing up? I am not sure yet. Since we will be at home, I am sure I will want to be comfortable. Maybe in silk pajamas and eating popcorn!"

Watch Katherine Kelly Lang's Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"I just want to thank the fans for their amazing support! It means so much to all of us. Without you, where would we be? We love you all as much as you love us—and maybe even more! Keep on watching! Virtual hugs and kisses!" — Katherine Kelly Lang

Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful

In a storyline about love and forgiveness, Katie faced her mortality, made peace with her family. Sudden renal failure and finding a miracle kidney donor helped this CBS vet earn her 19th nomination. If Heather Tom takes home the gold again, this will be her third win in the category—on top of her Supporting Actress win for B&B in 2011and two Younger Actress wins for her run as Y&R's Victoria!

"I'm always thrilled to be a part of the conversation," says Tom. "I've known all of these ladies for literally decades and I think they are a group of incredibly talent badass women! This is going to be a lot of fun—maybe it will be a pajama party! I think we'll definitely do some sort of Zoom with castmates and friends."

"It's exciting that it's going to air on CBS this year. It's going to be a fun night. Daytime knows how to throw a party, quarantine or no quarantine!"

OTHER CONTENDERS:

Arianne Zucker (Nicole), Days of Our Lives

Finola Hughes (Anna), General Hospital

Maura West (Ava), General Hospital

Watch Heather Tom's Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"Thanks to all of our fans for supporting our shows through all of this. We love all of you so much." — Heather Tom

Outstanding Supporting Actor Nominees

Bryton James (Devon Hamilton), The Young and the Restless

2019 saw Bryton James honor the loss of onscreen father Kristoff St. John and his beloved character, Neil Winters. Having survived big heartbreak and found new love as Devon Hamilton, this could be the year for this 8-time nominee and 2007 Daytime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series.

"I like getting to see everybody in person and hanging out afterwards," James says of the annual show. "That's part of the whole night—getting to see the whole daytime family. But I'm excited and happy to know that the Emmys are moving forward and we're going to be able to celebrate and get to see them on primetime. It's nice! It's a great little distraction from everything that's going on. All these important and serious things are happening in the world. But it's good to take a second, and to know that my peers think highly of what I do is always a great feeling."

"I'm probably going to have my mom over for the show and I think Brytni Sarpy's (Elena Dawson) mom and grandma are going to be in town. So we'll probably have a little family get-together. Knowing my mom, she'll also come out with something decent and I want to put something nice on and dress up a bit for the show. I can't just stay in my pajamas all day. They should have a digital red carpet!

Watch Bryton James' Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"I'm thankful the fans are sticking with us and enjoying what Y&R has been showing with these classic episodes. We're eager to get back to work—just as much as you're eager to see some new episodes!" — Bryton James

Mark Grossman (Adam Newman), The Young and the Restless

This recast hit the ground running and road his character's daddy issue right into a nomination. Mark Grossman could just take home the gold for his first year in Daytime playing Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless!

"It's been quite a year," says Grossman. "I'm very thankful I got the opportunity to take on the role, and to get nominated in my first year is such an honor."

"It's great we get to see the awards show in primetime this year. I'll be watching with some friends, most likely. And I'll be pulling for all the nominees at Y&R."

OTHER CONTENDERS:

Wally Kurth (Justin), Days of Our Lives

Chandler Massey (Will), Days of Our Lives

Paul Telfer (Xander), Days of Our Lives

James Patrick Stuart (Valentin), General Hospital

Watch Mark Grossman's Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"Thank you to all of the fans who have supported and accepted me as Adam. You have been great. One of the actors told me when I first started that our job is the entertain people, and I sure hope I have done that!" — Mark Grossman

Outstanding Supporting Actress Nominees

Annika Noelle (Hope Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful

Thanks to an epic baby switch storyline, this actress had a deliciously devastating 2019. In the end, her character finally learned the baby she'd mourned was alive, but the heartbreaking arc helped Annika Noelle garner her first nomination.

"It is truly an honor to be nominated alongside these incredibly talented performers," says Noelle. "I am just grateful to have been recognized by my peers for all the hard work I put into this past year and everything else is just a cherry on top."

"On Emmy night, I think I am going to have a quiet night at home with my loved ones and pets. Maybe order in a nice dinner and have a glass of wine. And pajamas or ball gown? That is the question, isn't it! Ha ha, I guess we'll have to wait and see which option wins."

Watch Annika Noelle's Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"Thank you for supporting Daytime television! The cast and crew pour their hearts into these productions and we try our best to keep you entertained. We are looking forward to the stories we will bring you in the future. In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy the show!" — Annika Noelle

Christel Khalil (Lily Winters), The Young and the Restless

Like Bryton James, Christel Khalil put it all out there to honor their onscreen father, Kristoff St. John, and his character. With a 2012 win for Outstanding Younger Actress, this marks her first year as an adult contender.

"I kind of feel like my nomination is an ode to Kristoff," says Khalil. "It's honoring him and shows we did right by him. So this nomination definitely has a bittersweet touch to it. And I'm excited! I'd completely forgotten about the nominations with all that was going on—and I haven't had so much good news in such a long time! So it was cool."

"I'm sad that the show won't be in person. The Emmys are the one night a year that all of us from all the shows get together, get to say hi and hang out. Now we don't get to do that, but you gotta roll with the punches. We don't need another excuse to party! And now I can wear my sweatpants! Plus, it is great for fans that it's going to air on TV. And I guess that's all that matters, at the end of it."

OTHER CONTENDERS:

Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), Days of Our Lives

Tamara Braun (Kim), General Hospital

Rebecca Budig (Hayden), General Hospital

Watch Christel Khalil's Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"I'm just so happy that people are still watching Y&R, even during this time when we're not able to release new episodes. I just want to say thank you to everybody for all your support during this time." — Christel Khalil

Outstanding Younger Performer Nominees

Sasha Calle (Lola Rosales), The Young and the Restless

Last year, an epic love triangle saved her character's life, but then left her heartbroken as she worked to rebuild that life. The romantic fiasco caused enough drama to earn Sasha Calle her first Emmy nomination!

"I feel incredibly honored," says Calle. "I can't express the gratitude and light I felt when I got the call about the nomination! The news truly hit my family, friends and team with a bolt of joy. Hearing their happiness over the phone has been the best part about the nomination."

"I'm very excited to root for all the wonderful nominees and truly honored to be beside them. I don't exactly know how I'll be watching! Definitely hope to have some loved ones around me. I thought about buying birthday hats and wearing them… I think it'd be funny. I'll also probably be on a Zoom call with my mum and little brother."

OTHER CONTENDERS:

Olivia Rose Keegan (Claire), Days of Our Lives

Thia Megia (Haley), Days of Our Lives

Katelyn MacMullen (Willow), General Hospital

Eden McCoy (Josslyn), General Hospital

Watch Sasha Calle's Daytime Emmy Submission Reel

"Thank you to the fans for watching and supporting me along the way. It has meant the world. We walk out winners, regardless of the outcome!" — Sasha Calle

Outstanding Guest Performer Nominees

Elissa Kapneck (Sasha), The Young and the Restless

This newcomer proves the Daytime Emmys are about quality, not quantity. Her stint was just a few days, but she's in the running thanks to her performance as mother who almost gave up her baby.

"Honestly, this is a dream come true," says Kapneck. "Since I was 5, my dream has been to work on soaps and be nominated for an Emmy! I grew up watching soaps with my mom and that was always our thing. I have been studying acting and working towards this for my whole life. To see it come to fruition is absolutely everything. It's a good reminder that hard work and dedication pays off and dreams do come true."

Eva LaRue (Celeste Rosales), The Young and the Restless

Daytime vet Eva LaRue made her name as All My Children's Dr. Maria Santos decades ago… but her summer in Genoa City could just earn her very first Daytime Emmy win!

"This nomination has been an amazing bright spot in an extremely difficult year," says LaRue. "I can't help but feel like John Callahan (ex-Edmund, All My Children) has a big hand in it somehow, because I got the nomination only weeks after he passed. I was so green when I started in daytime, I learned to act with John as my partner. This nomination, at this particular time, is a beautiful full circle tribute to him."

"I will watch from home with my daughter Kaya, some family, popcorn, cocktails and a couple of friends via FaceTime. I am so excited for all the fans, me included, to be able to watch the Daytime Emmy's back on Primetime on CBS! It will be a welcome temporary distraction from the tough times in which we are all living."

Jeffrey Vincent Parise (Simon Black), The Young and the Restless

This soap hopper is known for starting delicious trouble in both Daytime and Primetime. While this may be Jeffrey Vincent Parise's first nomination, it's no surprise to fans that his stint as a charming but dangerous man from Chelsea's past garnered it!

"It was such a welcomed piece of good news in a world where there hadn't been a whole lot of good news to speak of," Parise says of receiving the nomination. "It is a much-needed fun and happy distraction."

"The show will be different for sure! I will be camping with friends for a few days leading up to it. We are scheduled to come back on Friday. I was told my category is going to be announced on the web only, so we're going to have a Twitter refresh party when we get home! I will also be popping in via Skype to my parents' Emmy party. They are having a 'black tie' party with some friends—complete with Emmy-related games made up by my mother. She's adorable."

"I'd like to say thank you to Y&R fans for giving me such a warm welcome to the show, even though my character was so unsavory! And thank you to the General Hospital fans for their continued love and support!"

OTHER CONTENDERS:

Chrishell Stause (Jordan Ridgeway), Days of Our Lives

Michael Knight (Martin), General Hospital

Outstanding Drama Writing Team Nominees

The Bold and the Beautiful's Head Writer Bradley P. Bell leads a team that includes Co-Head Writer Michael Minnis; and Writers Patrick Mulcahey, Adam Dusevoir, Shannon Bradley, Michele Val Jean, Rex M. Best and Tracey Ann Kelly.

Josh Griffith is the The Young and the Restless' Head Writer. Other nominees include writers Mal Young, Amanda Beall, James Harmon Brown, Sara Bibel, Matt Clifford, Lynn Martin, Janice Ferri Esser, Sara Endsley, Anne Schoettle, Mellinda Hensley, Michael Conforti, Jeff Beldner, Teresa Zimmerman, Christopher Dunn, Natalie Minardi Slater, Annie Compton and Daran Little.

"We chose to submit episodes related to the passing of Neil Winters, as tribute to our good friend and iconic actor Kristoff St. John," share Griffith. "We miss him dearly."

Outstanding Drama Nominees

The Young and the Restless

Y&R has taken home Outstanding Drama 10 times, including in 2019. Led by Executive Producer Anthony Morina and Co-Executive Producer Josh Griffith, the sudser has been nominated for a total of 22 awards for the 2019 season.

"The shows we submitted for Outstanding Drama were the episode where everyone finds out about Neil passing, and then the memorial," says Morina. "As powerful as the memorial was, I loved the first one because it kept everybody on edge. It was so close to when we lost Kristoff St. John that it was raw for us. It just dragged you into this emotional upheaval. I also loved that it had such a clear beginning, middle and end.

What was fantastic about that memorial was that everybody involved felt like it was the real memorial for Kristoff. It was gut-wrenching, and we went right to tape. No rehearsals. People were so raw and pure. Christel Khalil's performance was heart-wrenching. They all were! Those actors blew me away."

"These awards shows are always unpredictable. All I can say is, whether we get the Emmy or not, I just feel so positive about these two shows. As long as people saw them, I was happy. Because they were really something for us to be proud of."

The Bold and the Beautiful

B&B has taken home Outstanding Drama 3 times. Led by Executive Producer Bradley P. Bell and Supervising Producers Edward Scott and Casey Kasprzyk, the most watched serial drama in the world is nominated for a total of 13 awards for the 2019 season.

"This should be a very exciting year," says Bell. "We submitted two of our favorite episodes from the 'Baby Beth is Alive!' story. I was very happy with those episodes on every level. I am especially thrilled for our nominated actors. They all delivered some of their finest work in the scenes they submitted. It was a great year for all four soaps, so the competition will be intense.

"I am thrilled the Daytime Emmys are airing in primetime on CBS this year. And they'll be even more wonderful as they are being hosted by the incredible ladies of The Talk. I will be watching with my family and at the same time, in close contact with my cast, crew and staff, ready to celebrate any wins.

"Many thanks to the fans for their loyalty and ongoing enthusiasm. Please cheer us on at home. You are the motivation behind everything we do at The Bold and the Beautiful. Go Team B&B!"

Don't miss the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards this Friday, June 26 at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.