ABC's General Hospital has swept the 2025 Daytime Emmys, a ceremony which whizzed by, ending ten minutes early, and was an evening of tears, triumphs, and a rallying cry to an industry battling AI, job losses, and the fear of political suppression. There were several moments throughout that saw presenters and winners speak in non-English languages while Deborah Norville, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, called on producers and executives not to listen to "data and surveys, as the ceremony ended with a visibly nervous Nancy Lee Grahn calling for everyone to "show up, stand up, and speak up for human decency and democracy."
General Hospital scooped seven awards including Outstanding Drama Series, and three acting awards for Alley Mills, who picked up Outstanding Guest Performance in a Drama Series for her work as Heather Webber, Jonathan Jackson, who won his sixth Emmy for his work as Lucky Spencer, and Nancy Lee Grahn, who won the final acting award of the evening and had the crowd on their feet with her passionate speech.
The Young and the Restless had led the soap nominations with 19 across various categories, but it only scooped one award; Susan Walters picked up her first-ever Emmy after 43 years working as a soap actress. Drew Barrymore won for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host, while Live with Kelly and Mark won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series, and Joanna and Chip Gaines' Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse won Outstanding How-To Program.
Former Inside Edition host Deborah was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and she recognized the "irony" of the award as she begins an "exciting new chapter" as a game show host. Keep reading for all the best moments, and all the winners.
Lisa's big night
Lisa Yamada, 23 became the inaugural winner of the emerging talent award, and she broke down in "ugly tears" as she thanked her mother and father, with a beautiful tribute in Japanese.
Thanking the Academy, she went on to thank The Bold & The Beautiful showrunner Brad Bell, her co-star Don Diamont for his "constant guidance" and her on-set "bestie" Christian Weissmann.
"But most importantly 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, which left her mom in tears.
Nancy Lee Grahn won her second Emmy for her role on General Hospital, and used her moment to call for everyone to stand up for democracy.
"Along with this job comes a literal soap box, and my parents would be very disappointed in me if I don't use it right now to speak out for other people," said a visibly nervous Nancy.
"Our democracy is worth fighting for, the people in it are worth caring about, and whether you have a soapbox or not, now is the time to show up, stand up, and speak up for human decency and democracy."
© Variety via Getty ImagesDeborah's second act
"It was a delightful irony to hear I would be receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award right about the time I would be launching a new game show The Perfect Line for CBS," laughed Deborah Norville, who is 67.
"I am thrilled to be recognized for a lifetime of work, just as I am starting an exciting new chapter in my television career, so I accept this as an incentive to try to achieve and make all of you proud."
© Variety via Getty ImagesJonathan Jackson gets choked up
As General Hospital star Jonathan Jackson picked up his sixth Emmy, he became very emotional.
"I am very humbled to be up here, and overwhelmed," he began, continuing: "First of all, I want to thank Father, Son and Holy Spirit for grace and mercy."
He then thanked his writers and castmates, before choking up as he said: "And I especially want to thank Genie Francis, I owe you a debt of love that I will never be able to repay."
Genie returned to the soap in 2024, reprising the role of Laura Spencer, Jonathan's on-screen mother. It was the first time they had appeared together on screen in over 10 years.
Jonathan exited the show earlier this summer in a surprise decision by bosses.
© Getty ImagesMario Lopez is a Dodgers fans
Host Mario Lopez kicked the ceremony off with a five-minute monologue in which he joked about plastic surgery and filters, and why animals were taking all of the acting jobs.
But his most important comment? A call for the winners to keep their speeches short because the Los Angeles Dodgers have game four of the play-offs in the same evening and if they win? They'll be heading to the 2025 World Series.
© Variety via Getty ImagesFashion faux pas!
Married to Real Estate stars Egypt Sherrod was joined by her husband Mike Johnson to hand out several awards but as she walked out on stage, she waa full of giggles.
The reason? Egypt had split her dress in the women's bathroom only minutes before!
© CBS via Getty ImagesSusan Walters' emotional speech
Susan Walters won her first Emmy at the ceremony for her work on The Young & The Restless as Diane Jenkins, and it was clearly an emotional moment for the longtime actress.
"Peter Bergman told me I better maybe have something to say, and I don't," she laughed as she accepted the award.
"But in 30 seconds: Michael Mealor and Peter, I would not be up here without you, you are the most generous scene partners I have ever worked with."
She continued: "This is the toughest medium and I can say that with 43 years of doing this, and Josh Griffiths, when you brought Diane back to life, you gave me life, and that seems crazy, but you gave me a new life!"
Diane was killed off in 2012 and returned in 2022.
Daytime Emmys 2025 winners
Outstanding Drama Series
Days of our Lives (Peacock)
General Hospital (ABC) - WINNER
The Young and the Restless (CBS)
© Getty ImagesOutstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Drew Barrymore - WINNER
Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb
Kelly Clarkson
Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa
Jennifer Hudson
© InstagramOutstanding Daytime Talk Series
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live with Kelly and Mark - WINNER
The View
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott, Young and Restless)
Eric Martsolf (Brady Black, Days of Our Lives)
Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark, Days of Our Lives)
Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis, Days of Our Lives) - WINNER
Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri, General Hospital)
© Variety via Getty ImagesOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Sharon Case (Sharon Newman, Young and Restless)
Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott, Young and Restless)
Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea Lawson, Young and Restless)
Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis, General Hospital) - WINNER
Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers, Young and Restless)
Laura Wright (Carly Spencer, General Hospital)
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (Sarah Horton, Days of Our Lives)
Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra, The Young and the Restless)
Kate Mansi (Kristina Corinthos Davis, General Hospital)
Emily O’Brien (Theresa Donovan, Days of Our Lives)
Susan Walters (Diane Jenkins Abbott, The Young and the Restless) - WINNER
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Daytime Drama Series
Tajh Bellow (TJ Ashford, General Hospital)
Blake Berris ( Everett Lynch, Days of our Lives)
Michael Graziadei (Daniel Romalotti, The Young and the Restless)
Gregory Harrison (Gregory Chase, General Hospital)
Jonathan Jackson (Lucky Spencer, General Hospital) - WINNER
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Linden Ashby as Cameron Kirsten, The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Clint Howard as Tom Starr, The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Jacqueline Lopez as Blaze, General Hospital (ABC)
Alley Mills as Heather Webber, General Hospital (ABC) - WINNER
Valarie Pettiford as Amy Lewis, The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Avery Kristen Pohl as Esme Prince, General Hospital (ABC)
© Getty ImagesOutstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of our Lives (Peacock)
General Hospital (ABC) - WINNER
The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Olivia d’Abo (Fifi Garrett, The Bay)
AnnaLynne McCord (Cat Greene, Days of Our Lives)
Ashley Puzemis (Holly Jonas, Days of Our Lives)
Christian Weissmann (Remy Pryce, The Bold and the Beautiful)
Lisa Yamada (Luna Nozawa, The Bold and the Beautiful) - WINNER
Outstanding Culinary Host
Kardea Brown, Delicious Miss Brown - WINNER
Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines
Ina Garten, Be My Guest with Ina Garten
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks
Michael Symon, Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out
© Getty ImagesOutstanding Culinary Instructional Series
Be My Guest with Ina Garten, Food Network
Delicious Miss Brown, Food Network - WINNER
Emeril Cooks, Roku
Lidia’s Kitchen. PBS
Selena + Restaurant, Food Network
Outstanding Daytime Personality – Daily
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight - WINNER
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones, Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco, Sarah Rose & Judge Judy Sheindlin, Judy Justice
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios
E! News, E! Entertainment
Entertainment Tonight, CBS Media Ventures - WINNER
Extra, Warner Brothers Television Distribution
Outstanding Casting
Days of our Lives (Peacock) - WINNER
General Hospital (ABC)
Making Good (BYUtv)
Start Up (PBS [Arcadius Productions])
The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Outstanding Daytime Personality – Non-Daily
Sir David Attenborough, Secret Lives of Orangutans - WINNER
Brad Bestelink, Living with Leopards
Andi Sweeney Blanco, Courtney Dober, Rob North & Kirin Stone, The Fixers
Anthony Mackie, Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie: Gulf Coast
Martha Stewart, Martha Gardens
Outstanding Instructional/How-To Program
Dime Como Hacerlo
The Fixers
Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse - WINNER
Going Home with Tyler Cameron
Married to Real Estate
Martha Gardens
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Black Barbie - WINNER
Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
The Swift Effect
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
National Parks: USA (National Geographic)
Outstanding Lifestyle Program
George to the Rescue
Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut
Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward
Homegrown
You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment - WINNER
Outstanding Culinary Cultural Series
BBQ High (Magnolia Network)
Chasing Flavor with Carla Hall (HBO Max) - WINNER
Ingrediente: Mexico (Amazon Prime Video)
TrueSouth (ESPN)
Outstanding Cinematography
Living with Leopards (Netflix)
Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors (Netflix)
National Parks: USA (National Geographic) - WINNER
The Secret Lives of Animals (Apple TV+)
Secret Lives of Orangutans (Netflix )
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of our Lives(Peacock)
General Hospital (ABC) - WINNER
The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Outstanding Costume Design/Styling
The Drew Barrymore Show (CBS Media Ventures)
General Hospital (ABC) - WINNER
Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors (Netflix)
Sherri (Debmar-Mercury)
The Young and the Restless”(CBS)
Outstanding Directing Team for a Multiple Camera Daytime Non-Fiction Program
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (ABC) - WINNER
The Drew Barrymore Show (CBS Media Ventures)
The Good Road (PBS)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBCUniversal Syndication Studios)
The Wizard of Paws' (BYUtv)
Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design
Car Masters: Rust to Riches (Netflix)
The Drew Barrymore Show (CBS Media Ventures)
Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut (Netflix) - WINNER
Reconnecting Roots (PBS)
Tex Mex Motors (Netflix)
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors (Netflix)
National Parks: USA (National Geographic)
The Secret Lives of Animals (Apple TV+)
Secret Lives of Orangutans (Netflix) - WINNER
Secrets of the Neanderthals (Netflix)
Outstanding Single Camera Editing
Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut (Netflix)
Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors (Netflix)
The Secret Lives of Animals (Apple TV+) - WINNER
Secret Lives of Orangutans (Netflix)
Secrets of the Neanderthals (Netflix)
© Apple TV+Outstanding Live Sound Mixing and Sound Editing
The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBCUniversal Syndication Studios) - WINNER
The Talk (CBS)
The View (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing
Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut (Netflix)
Joseph Rosendo’s Steppin’ Out (PBS)
Living with Leopards (Netflix)
National Parks: USA (National Geographic )
The Secret Lives of Animals (Apple TV+) - WINNER
Secret Lives of Orangutans(Netflix )
Secrets of the Neanderthals (Netflix)
Outstanding Short Form Program
Ballin’ Out (Outsports ) - WINNER
Billboard Presents (Billboard)
Catalyst (LinkedIn News)
Eat This With Mara (AJ+)
Live Like a Champion (Healthline)
Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program
Expedition Unknown (Discovery Channel) - WINNER
Field Trip with Curtis Stone: Hong Kong (PBS)
The Good Road (PBS])
How I Got Here (BYUtv)
Joseph Rosendo’s Steppin’ Out (PBS)
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Drew Barrymore Show - WINNER
General Hospital
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Non-Fiction Program
Black Barbie - WINNER
Modern Pioneering with Georgia Pellegrini (PBS)
National Parks: USA (National Geographic)
Secret Lives of Orangutans (Netflix)
Shelter Me: The Cancer Pioneers (PBS)
Mexico Made With Love (PBS]
Outstanding Lighting Direction
Days of our Lives (Peacock)
The Drew Barrymore Show (CBS Media Ventures)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBCUniversal Syndication Studios) - WINNER
The View (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)
