Valarie Pettiford hasn’t been part of The Young and the Restless family very long. However, the brief time she’s been on the CBS soap earned her a Daytime Emmy nod in the Guest Performer category.
Key Takeaways
- Valarie Pettiford debuted on Y&R in October 2024.
- The actress is a recast for Amy Lewis.
- Damian’s death is not what got Pettiford nominated for a Daytime Emmy.
An Unexpected Honor
When Amy arrived in Genoa City last fall, Pettiford was taking on a recast role that hadn’t been seen in town for decades. The character returned with secrets and sought help from Nate (Sean Dominic).
It turns out that Amy’s relationship with Nate’s dad, Nathan (Adam Lazarre-White), resulted in a son he never knew about. Amy dropped the bomb on Nate that he had an older brother, Damian (Jermaine Rivers).
There were a couple of soapy twists to Amy’s return. First, she was estranged from Damian and needed Nate’s help finding him.
Second was Amy’s desire to reconnect with Damian came from her learning she was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. The heartbreak Pettiford brought to Amy as she navigated coming clean with her secrets, Damiam’s bio, and her cancer, was on point.
Even though she was only in the Genao City mix for a couple of months, Pettiford’s performance landed her a Daytime Emmy nod. Speaking with Soap Opera Digest, Pettiford admitted it was not only a “dream” but also an “unexpected” honor.
Emmy Nomination Scenes
For those wondering, Damian’s death was not part of the scenes Pettiford submitted for the Daytime Emmys. The awards recognize outstanding performances from 2024. Damian’s death happened this summer, which means Pettiford may find herself with another nomination next year.
Pettiford is facing off with several talented soap stars in the Guest Performer category, including fellow Y&R star Linden Ashby (Cameron). The other nominees are General Hospital stars Jacqueline Grace Lopez (Blaze), Avery Kristen Pohl (Esme), and The Bold and the Beautiful’s Clint Howard (Tom).
Make sure to tune into the Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, October 17, to see if Pettiford takes home her first statue.
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