BEL AIR —This year’s Outstanding Lead Actress and Actor nominees all bring something special to the table. My choice for the winners in both categories include Billy Miller, who portrays Billy Abbott on “The Young and the Restless,” and gorgeous Julie Pinson, who portrays Janet Ciccone Snyder on “As The World Turns.” Both of these talented stars make their characters filled with excitement and intrigue. Julie joined the soap after doing “DAYS” and “Port Charles,” earlier in her career, while Billy previously made a big splash as a bad guy on “All My Children.” These two performers are bound to pull it off and garner Emmys on that special evening in Las Vegas next month.
Julie’s competition include, Beth Chamberlin, “Guiding Light,” Carolyn Hennesy, “General Hospital,” Arianne Zucker, “DAYS” and Bree Williamson, “OLTL.” Arianne is probably Julie’s biggest competition, but Pinson ruled Oakdale as Janet last year in one of the most amazing performances in daytime history. Janet fell in love, lost her husband to his scheming ex-wife, found out her beautiful daughter Liberty was battling Leukemia and by this year, Janet’s life was filled with even more revelations when her mysterious past came to light. Julie Pinson has always had an amazing star quality about her, even in her early career days, we all knew Julie was destined to become a star. Though Pinson surprised everyone when she not only took stardom as her own, but embraced becoming an outstanding actress as well. The brunette beauty is going to take home the Emmy this year. Mark my words.
Billy Miller has all the gifts young actors crave and desire in Hollywood. However, Miller’s work as the spoiled rich Abbott kid in Genoa City is eclipsed by the manner in which he plays the role. Miller has taken a character that has been played by many talented young men and created a whole new dynamic to the guy. Perhaps it’s the guidance of mega producer and head writer Maria Arena Bell that makes this guy look so good in the role. Maybe it’s working with brilliant costars like Jeanne Cooper, Peter Bergman and one of my favorite “Y&R” actresses Jess Walton? Whatever it is, Billy Miller has that spark, the looks and the gift of a true thespian to one day give Oscar-nominated movie star Leo DiCaprio a run for his money.
“Billy has it all,” said Miller’s “Y&R” costar Thom Bierdz, who portrays his brother Phillip Chancellor, III on the soap. “So unbelievably handsome and charismatic and so talented. Plus exciting to watch. He totally has the it factor to become a huge star, as he already is. I recently ran into someone from ”˜All My Children’ who expressed how much they miss him on that show.”
Billy’s competition includes, Bradford Anderson, “General Hospital,” Jonathan Jackson, “General Hospital,” Ricky Paull Goldin, “All My Children” and Brian Kerwin, “OLTL.” All in all, Billy has very little competition. Although each of these actors is absolutely filled with talent and some are even past Emmy-winners. After the incredible work Miler put in throughout 2009, never giving a mediocre or dull performance on any day, this year he should be the winner of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Series.
