When the Daytime Emmy nominations were announced, Days of Our Lives fans were quick to notice that Susan Seaforth Hayes was not part of it. Many expected the veteran actress, who has played Julie Williams since 1968, to be honored for her work. But rather than dwell on the omission, Seaforth Hayes responded to it.
Susan Seaforth Hayes reacts to not getting a Daytime Emmy nomination for Days of Our Lives
Susan Seaforth Hayes, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award alongside Bill in 2018, reflected on her decades-long career in daytime television as a reaction to the Daytime Emmy Snub.
She humorously recalled the early days of the Daytime Emmys. Earlier, the categories were less defined, and the atmosphere was more celebratory. Over the years, she evolved from a fresh-faced newcomer to a seasoned performer, earning nominations in various categories. “I have not been snubbed by all the judges of NATAS over time,” she wrote on an Instagram post. It was a reference to past nominations, a hosting stint, and the 2018 award she shared with Bill Hayes. The latter still sits atop their piano.
Seaforth Hayes reminded fans that she has journeyed through all phases of soap acting — from “fresh, then hot, cooled down, and for now, mellow.” At 82, she finds pride in continuing to work and evolve with her character, Julie, as both face the realities of aging.
One of the most poignant parts of her letter addressed the blurring line between performance and lived experience. Recalling the scenes in which Julie receives the news of Doug’s death and says goodbye, Seaforth Hayes wrote, “Perhaps the judges felt I wasn’t acting… No matter, my truth was based on a love that was real for an audience that loved him, too.”
She added that her greatest reward was honoring Doug and Julie’s love and in doing so, giving fans a glimpse of her own. “Only a widow with memories remains… In that story of loss, I was more than an actress. I was a wife.”
