Y&R’s Mishael Morgan Hosts Annual Leading Ladies Luncheon

Three cheers for the ladies who lunch(eon)! Mishael Morgan, who last year made history by becoming the first Black woman to win the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress, recently upheld an annual (delicious and uproarious) tradition dating back some 18 years.

Mishael Morgan Hosts Leading Ladies

Morgan, who portrayed both Hilary Curtis and Amanda Sinclair on Y&R, took to her Instagram story to share some of the details of this year’s luncheon. The Daytime Emmy winner (read all about her win here) put together a gift bag with so many fun treats for her colleagues this year as they prepare for the Daytime Emmys.

The actress also shared some gorgeous videos of the table and all the fun touches she included for the attendees. Finola Hughes (Anna Devane, General Hospital), Sharon Case (Sharon Rosales, Y&R), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers, Y&R), and Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy Forrester Finnegan, The Bold and the Beautiful) attended the event. Check them out in the photo gallery below.

Melissa Claire Egan Dishes Leading Ladies Luncheon

Egan took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday and shared a snap of her surrounded by her fellow nominees who are competing for this year’s Outstanding Leading Actress Daytime Emmy, as well as Morgan.

“To be nominated alongside this incredibly talented group of women is a TRUE HONOR!!! Thank you to last year’s winner, the fabulous [Mishael Morgan] for hosting an epic Lead Actress Nominee Luncheon today,” enthused the performer best known for playing Y&R’s Chelsea Lawson.

In her cheeky sign-off, Egan (who’s racked up seven Daytime Emmy award nominations in various categories since debuting on ABC’s All My Children in 2006) quipped, “It’s so nice that they all offered to give me their Emmy if they win!!”

Several fans/admirers added their good luck wishes in the comments section, including Reggyreg, who wrote, “I have respect for all these talented actresses, but I am pulling for you, Melissa. Your performance brought tears to my eyes a number of times! But ALL of you are deserving!” and Dee who penned, “A group of talented, beautiful women, but I really hope you win, Melissa. Your acting in Chelsea’s breakdown and then rebuilding and healing storyline was immensely powerful.”

Stafford also shared posts on Instagram with a video showing parts of the fantastic gathering. “What a fantastic day it was yesterday!! The Lead Actress Lunch❤️ Hosted by last years Emmy winner for Lead Actress the unstoppable [Mishael Morgan] she hosted a spectacular lunch ❤️with gift bags!! It was on the private terrace at [Red Bird]. The food was spectacular. The company was even better! So fun with [Finola Hughes, Sharon Case, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Melissa Claire Egan]. I’m blessed to be in a category with these spectacular women who contribute so much on their shows, and in life every day 🧡 What an honor to be nominated and with these women. Any way it goes. I can’t lose (like @sza says)”

Hughes also shared a sweet post of the women as they enjoyed the gathering. “These amazingly beautiful women! That’s all….”

“Yesterday was the leading ladies’ lunch for the Emmy’s. It’s a tradition started by the inimitable Susan Flannery. (The previous year’s winner throws a luncheon for the nominees),” explained Hughes. “Yesterday was a very special lunch. Mishael Morgan raised the bar! The conversation was at once light-hearted and deep. This was an amazing group of women, supportive, funny and caring. Thank you all for a brilliant few hours.”

The 2023 Daytime Emmys (which marks the award show’s golden jubilee) will air on CBS on Friday, December 15 at 9 p.m. ET/delayed PT with a concurrent stream on Paramount+.