Y&R’s Beth Maitland Talks How Traci Gives ‘A Lot of Viewers a Voice,’ and Daytime Emmy Nomination 41 Years After Her Emmy Win

Nga Nguyen Hang59 minutes ago

0 2 3 minutes read

This week, The Young and the Restless veteran, Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott) is vying for her second gold statuette at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards some 41 years later after winning the CBS soap’s first acting award ever back in 1985.

That year, Maitland took home the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series Award making Y&R history as the first performer to ever have her name called. A little bit later in the ceremonies, Tracey Bregman took home Y&R’s second Emmy for the Outstanding Ingenue.

Fast-forward to 2026, and Maitland, who has appeared on the soap both on contract and recurring since 1982, has been on the series now for over 44 years. Over the weekend, Traci talked with good friend Lawrence Zarian for a segment on KTLA Morning News.

HOW TRACI REPRESENTS WOMEN ACROSS AMERICA

Maitland discussed how Traci has evolved over the years, where now she is the voice of reason for the Abbott family, and where more often than not, characters come to her with their issues.

Playlist advancing in 5 seconds

Video Paused

Photo: JPI

HOW TRACI REPRESENTS WOMEN ACROSS AMERICA

Maitland discussed how Traci has evolved over the years, where now she is the voice of reason for the Abbott family, and where more often than not, characters come to her with their issues.

“Aunt Traci is who everyone comes to with their problems, and what it’s taught me is to really take that seriously. I represent women of a certain age. I represent women over a certain dress size, and I feel it gives a lot of America and a lot of viewers a voice,” expressed Maitland, adding playing the role, “Really is meaningful to me.”

It was back in 1985 that Beth’s name was called as the winner of the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama at the Daytime Emmys besting the likes of: Norma Connelly (ex-Ruby, General Hospital), Eileen Herlie (ex-Myrtle, All My Children), Maeve Kinkaid (ex-Vanessa, Guiding Light) and Elizabeth Lawrence (ex-Myra, All My Children).

FIRST DAYTIME EMMY WIN WAS ONE FOR THE Y&R RECORD BOOKS

Recalling what happened after hearing her name called 41 years ago, Maitland reflected, “It was a Cinderella moment. I was so stunned. I was in the company of mature actresses who had been doing daytime for decades and I was this absolute newbie”

She also remembered, “Honestly, I was so nervous I walked right out of my shoe going up the stairs at the Waldorf-Ast0ria on live television. That’s what I remember. I was absolutely overwhelmed, absolutely unexpected, and it was a really important moment in my young career. I never expected it, not in a million years and here we are again!”

2026 DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATION

Speaking of vying for the same prize 41 years later, Beth is nominated for her work in the Traci and Alan/Martin Laurent (Christopher Cousins) storyline which featured Traci’s love life blowing up in her face amid deceit and twins!

This year, Maitland is nominated alongside of: Linsey Godrey (Sarah, DAYS), Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn, GH), Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie, BTG) and Camryn Grimes (Mariah, Y&R).

Maitland shared on the moment she learned she was in the running: “I am absolutely flabbergasted. I’m in the company of amazing actresses, all these years later, but mostly I am honored to be a part of the daytime community. It’s a place in a world gone mad, people can tune-in and forget their problems for just a few minutes, laugh and cry, and take a break for a second and escape for the moment. To still be a part of that almost 45 years later, I never thought I would be here and I could not be more grateful.”