Daytime Emmy Winners 2025: Full List of Major Awards and Historic Moments

The 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards celebrated the very best in daytime television, honoring the stars, shows, and storytellers who defined the year. Held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on October 17, the star-studded ceremony highlighted emotional speeches, groundbreaking wins, and a few memorable surprises. “General Hospital” dominated the night once again, taking home top honors and reinforcing its status as a daytime drama powerhouse.

This year’s ceremony marked a new era for the Emmys, merging the Creative Arts and Daytime categories into a single, extended event. Without a traditional broadcast partner, the show was streamed live on the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) website, beginning at 4 p.m. PST. Across 37 categories, soap operas, talk shows, culinary programs, and cultural documentaries competed for television’s highest daytime honors.

‘General Hospital’ Leads Daytime Emmy Winners 2025 With Big Wins

ABC’s long-running soap “General Hospital” was the night’s biggest winner, clinching the award for Outstanding Drama Series for a second consecutive year. The show also won for Outstanding Directing Team and Outstanding Writing Team, cementing its dominance in daytime storytelling. Jonathan Jackson, beloved for his role as Lucky Spencer, earned his sixth Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor, delivering one of the night’s most heartfelt speeches as he thanked co-star Genie Francis for her decades of support.

Alley Mills added another trophy for “General Hospital,” winning Outstanding Guest Performance for her chilling portrayal of Heather Webber. Nancy Lee Grahn’s portrayal of Alexis Davis brought home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress, while Paul Telfer earned Outstanding Lead Actor for his performance as Xander Kiriakis on “Days of Our Lives.”

“The Young and the Restless” also had a memorable night, led by Susan Walters’ emotional first-ever Emmy win after 43 years in daytime television. Walters, who portrays Diane Jenkins, thanked her co-stars and producers for “giving her a new life” when her character was revived in 2022.

New Faces and Emotional Speeches Mark 2025 Ceremony

One of the night’s most talked-about moments came from 23-year-old Lisa Yamada, who won the inaugural Outstanding Emerging Talent award for her work as Luna Nozawa on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Yamada, moved to tears on stage, delivered part of her speech in Japanese as she thanked her parents for their sacrifices, bringing the audience to its feet.

Elsewhere, “Live with Kelly and Mark” was named Outstanding Daytime Talk Series, while Drew Barrymore won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host for her work on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” Barrymore’s win over industry veterans like Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson underscored the growing popularity of her heartfelt and relatable daytime approach.

On the culinary side, Kardea Brown continued her winning streak with Outstanding Culinary Host for “Delicious Miss Brown,” which also won Outstanding Culinary Instructional Series. Meanwhile, “Chasing Flavor with Carla Hall” triumphed in Outstanding Culinary Cultural Series.

Cultural Highlights, Surprises, and Unscripted Moments

The ceremony wasn’t without its lighter moments. Host Mario Lopez opened with a humorous monologue touching on Hollywood filters and even slipped in a reference to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ playoff run. In another viral moment, “Married to Real Estate” star Egypt Sherrod laughed off a wardrobe mishap on stage, revealing she had split her dress minutes before presenting.

Sir David Attenborough added another accolade to his legendary career, winning Outstanding Daytime Personality – Non-Daily for “Secret Lives of Orangutans.” The Netflix documentary “National Parks: USA” claimed Outstanding Cinematography, while “Black Barbie” took home Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program, underscoring the Academy’s embrace of diverse storytelling.

Other standout wins included “Entertainment Tonight” for Outstanding Entertainment News Series and “Expedition Unknown” for Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program. The Outstanding Short Form Program award went to “Ballin’ Out,” while “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut” won Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design.

The 2025 Daytime Emmys reflected a year of bold storytelling, heartfelt performances, and industry evolution. From veteran icons to rising stars, this year’s winners showcased the power of daytime television to inform, inspire, and entertain millions every day.