The Young and the Restless’ Melody Thomas Scott Celebrates 45 Years As Nikki

Today marks 45 years since Melody Thomas Scott made her debut on The Young and the Restless. In recognition of the glorious milestone, the actress sat down for a career spanning interview with Soap Opera Digest. 

Melody Thomas Scott Talks All Things Nikk And Y&R

Sucess wasn’t guaranteed when Scott first signed up assume the role of Nicole “Nikki” Reed, previously helmed by Erica Hope. “My career had consisted of going from job to job, which I loved! (Though I did have a recurring role on THE WALTONS which I had to give up when I got Y&R.),” she explained to SOD. “The contract I was offered was for three years. I just assumed that that would be the duration of my time there.”

Once the time on the contract was up, an extension was offered, and then another, and then another — and that was A-okay with the honey-haired thespian. “Those first three years had changed my life in such positive ways, I didn’t think twice about agreeing to three more years! And so forth and so on…!”

Scott’s early days on the soap were spent working opposite the likes of Roberta Leighton (ex-Casey Reed), Wings Hauser (ex-Greg Foster), and David Hasselhoff (ex-Snapper Foster), and she recalls that the troop were, “so kind to “the new kid on the block,” showing me the ropes of daytime. We were a tight-knit group, even then.”

Tight-knit and wee bit rowdy by her own admission. “There was a time that they wouldn’t put Hasselhoff and me in a scene together because we would get the giggles and couldn’t stop! (For the record, he always started it!)”

Much story gold was mined from the coupling of Nikki and mustachioed businessman Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), and their 1984 nuptials were a sumptuous visual feast for the audience…even if the filming of those scenes weren’t particularly easygoing for Scott.

Her memories from that most auspicious day include the “great attention [that] was paid to making sure I did not sit down during breaks! The dress itself was 30 pounds, so not the most comfortable to wear but I did feel like a princess!”

Scott swears that unlike some actress, she never had trouble switching from the reel to the real: “It is crucial to never “take your work home with you” when involved in an emotional story…But it’s very important to not let those high emotions travel inward. Plus, one doesn’t have the time to “luxuriate” in the agonies of the day because we have to clear our minds, clean the slate, shall we say, so that we can learn dialogue for the next day.”

As for which former co-star she’d love to share the screen with again, it’s no contest: John Enos. “If Diane Jenkins can come back from the dead, why can’t Bobby?!”

At the conclusion of her interview, Scott made sure to thank her legion of devoted fans. “There would be no Y&R without [them]. They’ve embraced both Nikki and me from the very beginning. It’s quite an honor to be welcomed into the audience’s home for so many years. Thank you for your love and support. It means the world to me. XXXOO”

Memorable Moments

Be sure to click on the above link to read Melody Thomas Scott’s interview in full, then head to our comments section and let us know your most cherished memory from Scott’s tenure as Nikki Newman.

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