I would say split the younger categories in two: have one younger category for actors who are, say, under age 12; and the other for actors between 12 and 17.  Then, once an actor turns 18, they're disqualified from entering those categories.

I say the Younger Performer category should be split into Best Child Performer 12 and Under and Best Youth Performer 13 to 20. Once an actor/actress is legal drinking age 21, they compete with the big boys and girls in Supporting or Lead.

The Younger categories were merged because the talent pool had shrunk. Look at all the Daytime Emmy acting winners that were born 1980 and later. That to me is proof as to how far the talent pool has dropped over the last 25 or so years.

Edited February 3, 20241 yr by kalbir

On 2/1/2024 at 11:03 AM, Errol said:

It wasn't any different than when Camryn Grimes won against her much older "younger actress" competition.

As far as I know, the Daytime Emmys was the only major awards show to include a "younger performer" category. Its elimination is warranted for many reasons, but being the only awards program to include it is a big factor in why it shouldn't even be there. 

I've never understood why one's age should determine one's ability to be awarded for one's talents. It's ageist to a certain extent and flawed in general.

As I said above, its elimination is warranted. When there were 10 shows on, it may have made sense, but with just four shows rotating nominees every year, it makes absolutely no sense. For instance, it got to a point where you could always predict the winner or the potential runner-up simply because the eligibility pool just wasn't there. Most actors on soaps right now are also 30 or older, so there is even more reason to remove the category that was determined by age requirements.

BTW:

Key Dates and Deadlines for The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards

• Open for Submissions (February 1, 2024)
• Open for Judging Sign Ups (February 1, 2024)
• Entry Deadline (February 22, 2024)
• Late Entry Deadline (March 7, 2024)
• Judging (March 21, 2024-April 11, 2024)
• Nominations Announcement (Week of April 15, 2024)
• Gratis Credit Changes Deadline and Program Deadline (5 Business Days After Nominations Announcement)
• Daytime Emmys Ceremony and Daytime Emmys Lifestyle & Creative Arts Ceremony — Los Angeles, CA (Early June 2024)

 

I agree, it just doesn't seem necessary anymore, with 4 soaps and a small pool of talent that could qualify for Younger Lead. This category, indeed the only one of its kind in any acting awards show, was created in the mid-80's in order to keep from bruising the egos of older veterans who could potentially get beat by someone who's a quarter of their age. 

On 2/1/2024 at 9:03 AM, Errol said:

It wasn't any different than when Camryn Grimes won against her much older "younger actress" competition.

Same with Kimberly McCullough in 1989. She was 11 years old and won Younger Actress over Noelle Beck (21), Anne Heche (20), Martha Byrne (19).

2 hours ago, Gray Bunny said:

created in the mid-80's in order to keep from bruising the egos of older veterans who could potentially get beat by someone who's a quarter of their age. 

100% this. The addition of the younger category meant lead was for superstars and long-tenured veterans, and supporting became a holding tank for those who aged out of the younger category but were not quite at superstar level or had enough years to be considered long-tenured veterans.

Edited March 28, 20241 yr by kalbir