A Nerve-Racking Audition That Changed Everything

Today, soap fans know Heather Tom as Katie Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful, but her legacy in daytime television began much earlier. Before Los Angeles, before Bill Spencer, and long before Katie became a fan favorite, Tom was best known as Victoria Newman on The Young and the Restless.

In 1990, Tom was only 15 when she auditioned for the role of Victor and Nikki Newman’s daughter. She already had modeling and acting experience, but stepping into a major CBS soap felt overwhelming. Speaking to TV Insider, she remembered walking into the audition room with no idea what to expect.

Tom felt she did well, yet executive producer William J. Bell gave her what seemed like a polite but dismissive exit: “Thanks for coming in.” To a young performer, those four words sounded like rejection. She left assuming she didn’t get the part.

Days later, the phone rang. The role was hers. Bell eventually admitted he knew the moment she walked into the room that she was Victoria Newman. The reassurance meant everything to her.

Victoria Newman Becomes a Soap Powerhouse

Tom debuted as Victoria in 1990 and quickly became one of Y&R’s defining young leads. She grew up on screen, navigating romance, business rivalries, and classic Newman family drama. Her work earned her two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Younger Lead Actress.

After 13 years, Tom exited the series in 2003. The role was recast with Amelia Heinle, who continues in the role today. Fans still associate both actresses strongly with Victoria, proving how significant Tom’s portrayal remains.

A New Beginning in Los Angeles

Tom later joined One Life to Live as Kelly Cramer, and in 2007, she crossed into the world that would become her second daytime home: The Bold and the Beautiful. Her debut as Katie Logan marked the beginning of another major chapter.

Katie became a central character, particularly due to her intense, complicated love story with Bill Spencer. Tom’s emotional performances earned her four additional Daytime Emmys.

A Multi-Talented Force in Daytime

Tom remains a familiar face on screen, but she has expanded her creative influence. She has written and directed episodes of B&B, proving her talent goes far beyond acting. Three decades after her teenage audition, Heather Tom stands as one of daytime television’s most skilled and respected artists.