Lexi Ainsworth (Kristina, GH)
JPI
Is being nominated as sweet the second time?
“Oh, yeah. It is still very exciting. I was gone from the show for four years, so it’s cool to come back and get a nomination. It’s awesome! It’s a really great feeling.”
Who were your first congrats from?
“My mom was the first. My grandpa is on Facebook and accidentally sent congratulations to my sister and to my friend who lives in London [laughs]. He was like, ‘Hey, I think this was meant for you, but congratulations!’ ”
Have you thought about where you might put a trophy?
“I actually have thought, ‘Where would I put it if I were to get one?’ I’d definitely have to show it off! I would probably put it on the bookshelf in my living room — but I wouldn’t put it in a glass case or anything.”
What are you most looking forward to about Emmy night?
“Being able to attend the afterparty, because I am of age! When I was nominated before, [GH’s] party was held somewhere where they wouldn’t let people in who were under 21. I was 16 and I ended up going to BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL’s afterparty!”
Anything you’re anxious about?
“I’m terrified of public speaking, so the idea of going up on stage in a huge room full of people I respect is scary to me. If I do win, I’m going to try to just go up there and not think about it.”
Who would you want to make sure you thanked?
“Definitely Frank [Valentini], Nancy [Lee Grahn] and Maurice [Benard]. They have helped me so much along the way.”
Reign Edwards (Nicole, B&B)
JPI
How did you find out you’d been nominated?
“I watched it live on THE TALK and I saw my name come up when they read the nominees for Younger Actress — and wondering if I was seeing things [laughs].”
What scenes did you submit?
“I submitted my scenes with Rome [Flynn, Zende], who was just incredible. It was the scenes with Zende’s marriage proposal and Nicole yelling at him for sleeping with her sister, Sasha, and then turning down the proposal. We were in the backstage area and Nicole said, ‘I’ll never be your wife.’ Who would have thought turning Zende down would lead to this? Of course, they got married a couple weeks later, so that ‘no’ didn’t last long — but at least she had a moment!”
How does your second consecutive Daytime Emmy nomination feel?
“It feels the same: God is amazing. I’m very blessed and humbled and grateful for all of this.”
How would you compare this year’s material to last year’s?
“I feel like they’re both strong in their own way. Regarding this year’s, I really love that this woman’s got some grit and is sticking up for herself. I like being able to portray that. Last year, Nicole was defending someone else, but this time around, she’s defending herself. She’s always taking care of other people, so it’s nice that she got to take care of herself for a change.”
Hunter King (Summer, Y&R)
JPI
What was on your reel?
“I submitted Summer breaking up with Luca over him betraying her. I really liked one of the scenes, which was when Summer told Luca off while he was in custody, because it wasn’t about her being emotional but about her being strong and independent. I thought it showed a different side to Summer. I really felt I could identify with her because I had gone through a similar thing, where I was with someone but blinded by love and not seeing what he was really doing. Then I realized what was going on and I kind of grew up because of that.”
Will you be taking your mom again as your guest to the ceremony?
“My mom might be out of town with my sister, who might be doing a movie at that time, so my boyfriend could be coming with me. He also works on YOUNG AND RESTLESS, but not as an actor.”
Do you have any thoughts on what you’ll be wearing?
“I have no clue, but the Emmys will be here before you know it, so I better get started! It can be a daunting task, but when you find the right dress you just know it.”
Where do you keep the two Emmys you already have?
“My mom is a big prankster, so she hid them to see if I would notice. When I went into the pantry to get a snack, there they were. I thought it was hilarious, so I left them in there. Whenever someone goes in there for the first time, they’re like, ‘Why are there two Emmys in the pantry?’ ”
Chloe Lanier (Chloe, GH)
JPI
How did you find out that you were nominated?
“I was at work, about to go into hair and makeup, when Frank told me. I was jumping up and down, super-excited.”
Who were the first people you told?
“I texted my parents and my boyfriend. Of course, all three of them were thrilled.”
What did you do to celebrate?
“My boyfriend came home with a cake. I was like, ‘Oh, my God, you really got me a cake!’ Jokingly, a couple of weeks before, I had said, ‘If I get nominated, you have to get me a cake.’ And he did! It was red velvet with cream cheese. I was very happy [laughs].”
What scenes did you submit?
“I picked scenes with the three Corinthos men: Bryan Craig [ex-Morgan] at The Floating Rib, Chad Duell after Morgan’s funeral, and the scenes with Maurice [Benard] where I drugged him and he wakes up to find me in bed with him. I felt it would tell a story of Nelle being the master manipulator that she is, and show off how she is with three different men who all happen to be related to each other.”
Are you going to prepare a speech?
“The idea of being onstage makes me so nervous that I think I am going to have to prepare a speech on the off chance that I win — and then make sure that I hold eye contact with my boyfriend the whole time.”
What does it mean to you to score a nod in your first year on the show?
“To be recognized like this is a treasure. I was not expecting it at all. It’s still not a reality in my brain!”
Alyvia Alyn Lind (Faith, Y&R)
JPI
How did you find out about your nomination?
“My mom was in Dallas working with my sister, Natalie, and was watching THE TALK, two hours before the L.A. [broadcast]. She said that the second they announced my name, her phone started ringing and it took her so long to call me to let me know! I was just sitting doing school when she called. I wasn’t expecting that call at all!”
What was your reaction?
“I was in shock when my mom told me. I just kind of stood there and took it all in. I don’t think it really sank in until I watched it myself on THE TALK. I FaceTimed my mom when it aired in L.A., so we could watch it together. Then, we started talking about shopping for dresses!”
You had a lot of material for someone your age.
“Faith had so much going on this year! The hardest part was choosing which scenes to submit and keep it under 20 minutes. She lost Sage, found out who Sully is, ran away, and had to decide where she wanted to live, then moved in with her grandma and grandpa. It was a tough year for Faith, but it gave me so many great scenes!”
What other nominations made you happy?
“I love being nominated next to my Y&R sister, Hunter King, and I miss Kelly Sullivan and Steve Burton so much! I am thrilled that they are nominated and I will get to see them again at the ceremony. And, it’s so great that Judy Blye Wilson was nominated for casting. She cast me on the show when I was 3 years old, and Y&R’s been like a second family to me, and I feel so grateful to her for that!”
