B&B Star Heather Tom Honors the Outstanding Leading Actresses

This year, Heather Tom, who plays Katie on The Bold and the Beautiful, continued a tradition started by her former castmate, Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie), in which last year’s Daytime Emmy winner for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama Series, takes the current nominees out for a celebratory lunch.

Out to Lunch With Heather Tom

Last year’s hostess — and current nominee — Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy) had to improvise with the gathering, making it virtual due to COVID-19 social distancing. This year, as more and more have become vaccinated, Tom was able to make it a more interactive gathering. The get-together was a big hit, according to the attendees!

“Not only did ⁦@BBheathertom schlep down to flower mart to make us these,” Nancy Grahn, nominated for playing Alexis Davis on General Hospital, posted on Twitter, “she [also] fed us 500 courses & gave us fancy purses stuffed with booze. Who needs an #Emmy. Marry me, Heather. #EmmyNomiDivaDinner.”

“Btw,” Finola Hughes, nominated for playing General Hospital’s Anna and Alex, tweeted, “@bbheathertom knocked the #leadingladies lunch out the park with flowers and food and brilliant laughs! It was a blast @NancyLeeGrahn @GenieFrancis @mclaireegan & #jacqui.”

“@BBheathertom created the most wonderful event for us!” Genie Francis, nominated for playing GH’s Laura, shared on Twitter. “So thoughtfully done. [The] camaraderie was delightful! @finolahughes @NancyLeeGrahn @MClaireEgan #JacquelineMacInnesWood.”

In 2005, the luncheon had eight (!) guests when the nominees included Flannery (for B&B’s Stephanie), One Life to Live’s Erika Slezak (Viki) and Kassie DePaiva (Blair), Martha Byrne (Lily, As the World Turns), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, The Young and the Restless), Juliet Mills (Tabitha, Passions), Grahn (for GH’s Alexis), and Kim Zimmer (Reva, Guiding Light).

In 2013, there were only four nominees — Peggy McCay (Caroline, DAYS), Tom (For B&B’s Katie), Flannery (for B&B’s Stephanie), and Stafford (for Y&R’s Phyllis). Tom and Slezak are tied with six Daytime Emmys each. Slezak has won all of hers in the Outstanding Leading Actress category. Tom has three statuettes in that category; she won two Daytime Emmys in the category of Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series and one in Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Who will be hosting next year’s luncheon? Tune in to this year’s Daytime Emmys to find out who wins the gold for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama Series. The 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards air on June 25 at 8 p.m. on CBS and will stream in Paramount+.