Soap Hub Performer of the Week for The Young and the Restless: Courtney Hope

Sally Spectra left Los Angeles to begin anew in Genoa City. Alas, some just weren’t interested in letting that happen. Recently, Sally decided that if people are going to act like she’s manipulative then there’s no reason to disappoint them! For stepping up Sally’s game, Soap Hub bestows Performer of the Week honors for The Young and the Restless on Sally’s portrayer, Daytime Emmy nominee Courtney Hope.

Courtney Hope — Performer of the Week

Sally wasn’t in town very long before Summer (Hunter King) pegged her as a rival for her career — and possibly the man she loves, Kyle (Michael Mealor)! This prompted Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) to set her sights on Sally, too. The battle lines were drawn. Initially, however, Sally wasn’t fighting back.

She insisted she wanted nothing more than a fresh start. Sally developed a friendship with Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), but soon, Genoa City folks were giving that dynamic duo the evil eye, too. Sally has now decided that if people are going to treat her as if she’s a threat, then why not behave like one?

Sally’s known for some time that Kyle had a fling with Tara Locke (Elizabeth Leiner) in the Hamptons a few years ago. A romp that resulted in Tara giving birth to a son — Harrison. Sally saw that Tara’s husband Ashland (Richard Burgi) wanted to stake his claim to the boy he’s raised as his own, so she intervened. She let Ashland know that his wife and son were staying at the Abbott mansion.

In return, Sally asked for the mogul’s help in getting Summer an out-of-town job offer to get her rival out of her gorgeous red hair. Coming upon Ashland at Society, Sally could just tell by reading the businessman’s body language that she had succeeded in stirring the pot.

Calculating her next move, Sally asked for Ashland’s aid in connecting Summer with a job opportunity that will take her far away. How would Ashland benefit from a Summer-free summer? Sally pointed out that Kyle would certainly go with Summer should she leave town, leaving Ashland in the first position as Harrison’s dad.

Sally’s been painted as the type of person who’d try to arrange sending people out of town so it’s nice to see that story actually kick into gear. Ashland threw Sally a curveball when he told her that her next step was to reach out to Eric Forrester (John McCook), setting the stage for next week’s visit from The Bold and the Beautiful patriarch.

Sure, Sally was stunned, but we’ve no doubt in Hope’s capable hands the character will continue to manipulate those around her to get what she wants even if that means crossing paths with someone like Eric, who knows her secrets. The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.