The Young and the Restless viewers know that Nikki Newman is a recovering alcoholic who also has Multiple sclerosis (MS). This month, she suffered a setback after being kidnapped and forcefully given alcohol. For her stunning performance in November, Soap Hub Powerhouse Performer honors for Y&R is presented to Nikki’s portrayer, Melody Thomas Scott.
Melody Thomas Scott: Y&R Powerhouse Performer
This month, Thomas Scott put it all on the line with her performances during Nikki’s kidnapping. The actress went without makeup or hair to truly show the depths of despair Nikki was in after Claire (Hayley Erin) and Jordan (Colleen Zenk) kidnapped her (read about that here).
So much of Thomas Scott’s acting occurred as she was alone in the room at the lake house. She only had herself and her own voice as scene partners, and she often talked to herself in her head. The way the actress accomplished this was so realistic. It looked like she really was hearing her own voice as her voice played over the scenes. Thomas Scott did an excellent job in appearing to listen to herself and wonder what was going on as the scenes played out while Nikki was locked in the room alone.
Other poignant moments came as Nikki struggled against the alcohol that Claire so cruelly left for her under the silver domed platter. We truly felt Nikki’s war within herself as she tried desperately not to take a drink out of the bottle.
Of course, she also had a forced alcohol-filled IV, which weakened Nikki’s defenses, and Thomas Scott played that struggle out beautifully. We appreciated watching her fight against it, but ultimately, she succeeded. Nikki’s hallucination of Victor (Eric Braeden) asking her when she fell off the wagon brought tears to our eyes, and we foresee Nikki having to deal with the effects of this relapse for some time.
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We loved seeing Nikki take charge and try to escape when she desperately searched the room for something to pick the lock. Her frantic state of mind came through clearly as she realized that couldn’t escape. Later, watching Nikki walking toward hallucinated Victor and pulling the IV out of her hand yet again as her family (unknown to her) was downstairs, poisoned also made us feel the character’s strength and commitment despite her drunken state.
Finally, when Victor managed to get himself to Nikki’s room, Thomas Scott showed us Nikki’s disbelief that he was really there as she repeatedly asked him if it was truly him. We loved that Nikki hadn’t just sat around waiting for Victor’s rescue, but we also appreciated seeing the couple work together as a team to get her out of the horrible kidnapping situation.
Bravo, Melody Thomas Scott, on an excellent performance this month. We can’t wait to see how this twisted storyline plays out, and we suspect we’ll see these scenes on a future Daytime Emmy reel for 2023.
The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. For an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.
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