Daytime Emmy Awards prepare to reveal their full list of nominees later today and the soap fans are already reacting to a major omission. Many viewers were left stunned by the early reveal of nominees in the Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category, and not by who was included, but by who was left out.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) shared select category nominees on July 9, perviews were offered before the official announcement set for noon Eastern Time on July 10. Among the drama acting categories, five actors were named — but one fan-favorite actor was noticeably missing.
Who Made the List — And Who Didn’t?
The official 2025 Lead Actor nominees are:
- Peter Bergman (The Young and the Restless)
- Eric Martsolf (Days of Our Lives)
- Greg Rikaart (Days of Our Lives)
- Paul Telfer (Days of Our Lives)
- Dominic Zamprogna (General Hospital)
But many longtime viewers pointed out a glaring absence of The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital quickly to social media and an actor who has consistently delivered top performances and was widely expected to make the list.
Though NATAS has not commented on the exclusion but the reaction has been swift. Social platforms like X and Facebook have seen a surge in posts criticizing the decision, with fans using words like “robbed,” “unbelievable,” and “snubbed again.”
Why the Snub Matters
Soap operas have long depended on loyal audiences, many of whom have followed characters for decades. Viewers have deep emotional connections with these performers. It feels personal to the fans, when a respected actor is left out of a major category.
Nomination snubs also raise questions about the Emmy selection process. Was the actor’s submission episode overlooked? Did internal voting dynamics push others ahead? Or was it simply too competitive a year?
What This Means for Daytime Awards
This early controversy highlights how passionate soap audiences remain — and how important recognition still is in the daytime world. With only five spots available, even standout performances can be left behind. But when it happens to an actor with a strong fan base, it sparks immediate backlash.
NATAS did introduce several changes this year, including the addition of a new “Emerging Talent” category and a reduction in nominee slots for under-filled categories. It’s unclear if those adjustments affected this particular outcome.
What Comes Next
The full list of Daytime Emmy nominees will be revealed at 12:00 p.m. ET today, covering more categories such as Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, talk shows, game shows, culinary series, and instructional programs.
Fans are now waiting to see if any other unexpected snubs or surprises surface during the final announcement. Until then, the discussion around the Lead Actor omission continues to trend — and could have a lasting impact on how NATAS approaches nominations in the future.
