The Young and the Restless viewers know that Summer Newman Abbott is a savvy businesswoman, wife, and stepmother. However, since Phyllis faked her death, Summer has spiraled. Now that Phyllis revealed herself, Summer has some big choices ahead of her. For her performance, Soap Hub Performer of the Week honors for Y&R is presented to Summer’s portrayer, Allison Lanier.
Allison Lanier: Y&R Performer of the Week
This week was a difficult one for Summer. She continued to push Kyle (Michael Mealor) away after Diane (Susan Walters) was arrested for Phyllis’s (Michelle Stafford) murder. Throughout the scenes where Kyle attempted to connect with her, Lanier did an excellent job showing Summer’s disinterest through body language, her facial expressions, and the absolutely done tone of voice she gave Summer. Clearly, Summer was in the throes of grief.
Then, when Summer went to the park and saw Phyllis, the actress really conveyed the confusion that her on-screen alter ego felt at seeing her supposedly dead mom. Her tears and disbelief gave a visible cue as to how Summer thought she might be seeing a ghost. Then, as it set in that what Phyllis said was true, her demeanor changed to one of disbelief as Phyllis insisted she couldn’t go to the police. Summer’s pleading showed not only in the words she said but also in her movements and expressions, which really showcased the character’s dilemma.
Finally, when Summer spoke with Daniel, Lanier did an excellent job making what Summer said to her brother ambiguous. Sure, the words that came out of her mouth were all the truth, but the way she said it, made it so that Daniel just thought his sister had lost her mind. The actress truly showed Summer’s desolation and aloneness she felt after Phyllis laid such a difficult truth on her.
We can’t wait to see more of Summer’s struggle with her mother’s terrible truth in the coming weeks. Bravo Allison Lanier on an excellent performance!
The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. For an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.
The best place for true soap fans to be is our Facebook groups. Have you joined? If you love soap spoilers, gossip, and fans as dedicated as yourself, check out Days of our Lives Fans, General Hospital Exclusive, The Young and the Restless Fans, and The Bold and the Beautiful Fans.
Share this: