Days of our Lives star Susan Seaforth Hayes' Daytime Emmy snub stuns the soap world

Days of our Lives star Susan Seaforth Hayes is now the talk of the Daytime Emmys — for not being nominated.

Soap fans react to Days of our Lives star's Emmy snub

After the Outstanding Lead Actress Daytime Emmy nominations were announced on the evening of July 9th, DAYS fans took to social media to express their sadness and outrage over this 57-year soap opera veteran not earning a nod.

In 2024, Seaforth Hayes turned in a heartwrenching and impeccable performance as Julie Williams dealt with the death of her beloved husband, Doug. In January of last year, Seaforth Hayes experienced the same tragedy in real life as Doug's portrayer, and her husband, Bill Hayes, passed.

"The legendary Susan Seaforth Hayes deserved a nomination, at the very least, for the scenes surrounding Doug’s death and his funeral," DAYS superfan @marino_angie wrote on X (formerly Twitter). She was outstanding throughout. In the court of public opinion, she will “always” be the winner to many of us. We appreciate & thank you!"

"This truly saddens me.. Susan Seaforth Hayes is most deserving of a nomination for Lead Actress," tweeted @trishag_223. "She poured her heart and soul into every excruciating scene dealing with the loss of Doug/Bill and had us feeling every ounce of her pain."

Hayes' friend speaks out

Hayes' close friend and assistant, Amy Shaughnessy, also expressed her frustration over the snub in a long social media statement. Shaughnessy is the daughter of Days of our Lives director David Shaughnessy and DAYS writer Anne Shoettle. She is also the niece of DAYS star Charles Shaughnessy (Shane Donovan).

"I watched up close and personal a woman witness the decline and death of the love of her life — a man she was married to for almost 50 years. A man she fell in love with on a beloved daytime soap opera 55 years ago," her statement began.

"She filmed a death scene with a body double three months after lying next to her actual husband in a hospice bed and saying goodbye to him," Shaughnessy continued. "We talked every morning during the week of filming about how to breathe, take breaks, and channel the real-life emotions of grief and loss into each performance so she could reach fellow audience members who had lost loved ones."

Shaughnessy offered more praise for her friend and concluded her statement with the following: "Shame on you, Academy members, for not recognizing Susan Seaforth Hayes for her brave and exceptional performance."

Susan Seaforth Hayes releases statement

After seeing the outpouring of love after the Emmy nominations were announced, Seaforth Hayes also took to social media with a statement.

"The first Daytime Emmys happened live from the gorgeous plaza of Rockefeller Center in NYC," she wrote. "Bill Hayes sang, we presented, and Macdonald Carey won for 'best person of daytime' or some bland category that made us all feel splendid."

The actress went on to talk about how the Daytime Emmys have evolved over the years and how grateful she is for all her years as a working daytime actress.

"From 1968-2025, I fit into all the categories, emerging to supporting to lead. Susan Lucci [Erica Kane, All My Children) was forever a leading lady. Susan/Julie reflected the more natural evolution of nature...I feel that it's pretty great, and I'll be 82 tomorrow...I am hugely blessed and promise you all I will keep on keeping on."

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