A Night of Victories and Tears at the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards

The stars of daytime television gathered for one of the most emotional and unpredictable Daytime Emmy Awards in recent memory. Leading the night was General Hospital, which took home multiple top honors — including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing, and Outstanding Directing — reaffirming its dominance on daytime TV.

From heartfelt speeches to surprise wins, the ceremony delivered every ounce of passion and glamour fans have come to expect.

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General Hospital’s Big Wins

ABC’s General Hospital continued its winning streak, taking home four major awards by the halfway point, including a moving victory for Alley Mills as Heather Webber in the Outstanding Guest Performance category.

Jonathan Jackson, who returned as Lucky Spencer, earned his sixth Daytime Emmy, bringing the audience to tears with an emotional acceptance speech. “I want to thank Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for grace and mercy,” he said, his voice cracking. Jackson then turned his attention to co-star Genie Francis, adding, “I owe you a debt of love that I will never be able to repay.”

It marked a full-circle moment for General Hospital, as the beloved mother-son duo shared the screen again after more than a decade apart.

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Lisa Yamada’s Emotional Emerging Talent Win

One of the night’s most touching moments came from Lisa Yamada, who plays Luna Nozawa on The Bold and the Beautiful. At just 23 years old, she became the first-ever winner of the Emerging Talent Award, breaking down in tears as she accepted her trophy.

Fighting through emotion, Lisa thanked B&B showrunner Brad Bell, co-star Don Diamont for his “constant guidance,” and on-set best friend Christian Weissmann.

But it was her heartfelt tribute to her parents that moved the audience to tears. “My mommy and my daddy, you sacrificed so much for me to pursue this silly dream of mine. I am so lucky to be your daughter,” she said, before concluding her speech in Japanese, prompting a standing ovation and emotional reaction from her family in the crowd.

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Susan Walters Finally Takes Home Gold

After more than four decades in daytime television, The Young and the Restless star Susan Walters won her first Emmy for Diane Jenkins Abbott. Overcome with emotion, she thanked her co-stars Peter Bergman and Michael Mealor for being “the most generous scene partners.”

“This is the toughest medium — I can say that after 43 years — but you gave me new life when you brought Diane back,” she said, reflecting on her character’s dramatic resurrection in 2022.

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Mario Lopez’s Playful Opening and Onstage Mishaps

Host Mario Lopez kicked off the ceremony with light-hearted humor about plastic surgery, social media filters, and animals stealing acting jobs. He also reminded winners to keep speeches short, joking, “The Dodgers play Game 4 tonight, and if they win, I’m cutting the mic so we can all make first pitch.”

In one backstage laugh, Married to Real Estate star Egypt Sherrod revealed she’d split her dress minutes before walking on stage — a wardrobe malfunction she handled with humor and grace.

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Other Major Winners

• Outstanding Lead Actress: Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis, General Hospital)

• Outstanding Lead Actor: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis, Days of Our Lives)

• Outstanding Talk Series Host: Drew Barrymore (The Drew Barrymore Show)

• Outstanding Daytime Talk Series: Live with Kelly and Mark

• Outstanding Culinary Host: Kardea Brown, Delicious Miss Brown

• Outstanding Lifestyle Program: You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment

The ceremony also honored Deborah Norville with the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating her decades-long career in journalism and daytime television.

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A Night to Remember

This year’s Daytime Emmy Awards streamed live from the NATAS website, marking the first time the Creative Arts and Daytime Emmys were combined into a single event. With 37 awards presented, the night balanced nostalgia, recognition, and new beginnings.

From General Hospital’s enduring success to Lisa Yamada’s emotional milestone, the 2025 ceremony captured the heart of daytime — resilience, family, and the enduring magic of storytelling.