The Young and the Restless News: Melody Thomas Scott Recalls Meeting Aretha Franklin

Melody Thomas Scott was an instant fan favorite when she took on the role of Nikki on The Young and the Restless. She recently shared on The Talk, while promoting her upcoming memoir, Always Young and Restless, meeting the show’s biggest fan!

Melody Thomas Scott: Memorable Encounters

Alas, it’s one encounter that she’d like a second chance at, given that it didn’t go the best way, to say the least! “Would I love a do over!” Scott rhetorically recalled to the hosts of The Talk. The scenario began when Scott stopped at a newsstand one night on her way home from the studio. It had been a long day, and Scott was ready to wind down.

In her own words, “I was a bit cranky,” the actress shared. She spied a woman standing a bit away from her, who was also checking out the publications on display. Scott got the feeling that she was a fan and was going to approach her. “Normally, 99% of the time, I’m thrilled to chat with fans, but that day, I was just cranky. Sure enough, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I kind of spun around impatiently.

“She was still very nice and said, ‘Excuse me, do you play Nikki…on The Young and the Restless?'” Melody Thomas Scott recollects. “I was like, ‘Yes, yes, yes!'” The woman then extended her hand out to Scott and says, “Aretha Franklin, nice to meet you.” Well, needless to say, Scott immediately tried to backtrack, telling the legendary singer (and YR mega-fan) that it was a pleasure to meet her! “She was just like ‘hmm…’ and walked away. That was just the worst story ever!”

In a way, Scott did get her chance for a do-over. Many years later, the two women were on a red carpet at the Daytime Emmys in New York City. Not knowing their history, photographers asked if the two women could pose together for a photo. “We’re smiling [for the camera],” Scott says, “And Aretha said, ‘I remember you from that night at the newsstand!’ I said, ‘Oh, yes, Aretha and, again, I am so, so sorry!'”

Franklin’s response? “She goes ‘hmm…Where’s Victor! I want to have my picture made with him!'”

“The moral,” Scott concludes is this, “Treat all your fans like they’re the Queen of Soul!” The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for air times.