The Young and the Restless Performer of the Week: Hayley Erin as Claire Newman

Claire Newman's turnaround on The Young and the Restless from being Aunt Jordan's evil accomplice to super sweet long-lost daughter always seemed a bit quick for us. The show has now circled back to Claire's more, shall we say, assertive side. Soap Central applauds Claire's portrayer, Hayley Erin, with our Performer of the Week honors for digging into her character's other side.

The Young and the Restless, Hayley Erin, Performer of the Week

Erin began the week with Claire turning down Kyle's (Michael Mealor) marriage proposal. It was all too quick and felt like he was trying to make up for not being forthcoming about Audra (Zuleyka Silver) and what went on in France.

On one hand, it felt like Claire was being too judgmental. Kyle asked for forgiveness, and let's face it, millionaire heirs who are tall, dark-haired, well-built, and good-looking don't grow on trees. However, Erin made Claire's response convincing, given her past — though our hearts broke for Kyle.

Next, Claire invited Holden (Nathan Owens) out for Vespers at Society, where they ran into Audra, and it was on! Claire proved that Audra didn't have the market on quippy one-liners on The Young and the Restless when Audra asked if her being there was a problem. "Not if you keep walking," Claire snarked.

Audra was looking to blame someone for her predicament, and Claire seemed like an easy target. Before Audra even arrived, Claire announced that she was going to no longer be passive around the ambitious and aspiring cosmetics executive.

Claire might not have been so antagonistic towards Audra had she not been inhaling Vespers like Abby (Melissa Ordway) was going to have them discontinued. The trick, many actors say, to playing drunk is to try to act not drunk.

Erin took this to heart as Claire matched Audra snark for snark while trying to act like she was fully in control. "I almost feel sorry for you prancing around in your designer dresses," Claire told Audra, hastening to dig her with, "Hey, do you know how much longer you're going to be able to afford those?"

And in this Y&R corner

Audra fired back that she was a self-made woman, something Claire couldn't relate to as a privileged Newman. Claire hauled out the heavy artillery by asking Audra about Nate (Sean Dominic). That prompted Audra to get up out of her chair and get in her enemy's face. Fortunately, Holden intervened.

After Claire announced she could fight her own battles, Audra went in for the kill, recalling that she had tried to poison the Newmans at one point. Instead of shying away from her past actions, Hayley, still playing that perfect blend of inebriated-but-not-blacking-out-yet, slowly stood up and got in Audra's face. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I am the dangerous one? Maybe you need to watch your back?" Claire queried. Erin chose to have her dangerous character truly stare down her opponent. It was clear by looking at Audra's face that the message was received.

Claire's being tipsy made her threatening stance all the more dangerous and added to her intriguing performance. Was Claire's strength coming from being inebriated? Or did the booze help her drop the inhibitions that society forces her to live by? After threatening Audra that next time she might not be so polite, Audra quipped, "Such a lady!" Claire fired back a response: "Such a bitch!"

Next, Claire stumbled into Crimson Lights with Holden holding her up. Whether Claire intended to or not, she dropped her purse, which highlighted her stupor. Holden gallantly picked up her item and handed it back to her. "Thank you," Claire politely replied.

However, we have the suspicion, alcohol or no alcohol, Claire's not going to be so polite with Audra the next time she sees her. Holden complimented Claire on standing up for herself. "It felt pretty good," she revealed.

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It was pretty good to watch, too. Bravo to Erin for digging deep into Claire's psyche on The Young and the Restless and showing that the woman who, to an extent, went along with Jordan's schemes is still in there.

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.

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