The Young and the Restless Performer of the Week: Melody Thomas Scott as Nikki Newman

The Young and the Restless is all about family and friends – those who are still with us and those who’ve gone on to that great serial in the sky! For her poignant remembrance of Nikki’s late friend, Katherine Chancellor, Soap Central is bestowing Performer of the Week honors on Melody Thomas Scott, who plays the indomitable Nikki Reed Newman on Y&R!

Melody Thomas Scott: The Young and the Restless Performer of the Week

Nikki was lauded by her husband Victor (Eric Braeden) and her children Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Nicholas (Joshua Morrow) during her party. When it came time for the birthday girl to make her speech, Scott dug deep into her character’s rich history to make her speech warm and emotional.

“Okay, then, it’s my turn,” Nikki began as Scott had her character hold back tears of joy. The actress opened up about how Y&R is more than a job to her in her 2020 memoir, Always Young and Restless: My Life On and Off America's #1 Daytime Drama how she met her real-life family there through her marriage to Edward Scott (a veteran soap opera producer), and their children.

Viewers who are aware of the star’s feelings towards the show she’s called home for over 45 years can’t help but pick up certain nuances in her voice as elements of both actress and character blend into one.

“I had a rough start in life,” Nikki began. “Many of you know that, but my world was forever changed when I met the love of my life and was blessed with amazing children who now have children of their own.”

Sure, Nikki was talking about Victor, but many of Scott’s fans know that’s how she feels about the role Y&R has played in her personal life. That made the actress’s heartfelt words even more special.

“I am surrounded by a loving family and incredible friends who have cheered me on and supported me and saved me, time and time again,” Nikki continued. She added that she'd had moments in her life that were not joyful, but she was grateful to have survived them.

Remembering Katherine Chancellor

There was one sorrow that can’t be soothed, and that’s the fact that Nikki’s dear friend, Katherine Chancellor (the late, great Jeanne Cooper), is gone. “I hold her in my heart,” Nikki lovingly said. “She was the gutsiest, funniest, toughest woman to ever walk this earth, and I so wish she were here.”

Scott had Nikki speak so lovingly of her friend that party guests spoke Katherine’s name before she did. Everyone knew who she meant. “Katherine, I give you my word,” Nikki promised, quoting the title of Kay’s memoir, “’I am going to live till I die,’ and I will cherish every moment of it.”

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Brava to Melody Thomas Scott for embodying the legendary character of Nikki Reed Newman and for always reminding us that soaps are about the unbreakable bond between family and friends.

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

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