Nikki Newman is a fictional character from the American CBS daytime
soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Created and introduced by
William J. Bell in 1978, the role was originally portrayed by Erica
Hope, before Melody Thomas Scott took over in 1979. Initially
introduced as a stripper, the character became well known for her
relationship with businessman Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), a union
that developed into a supercouple pairing that has spanned over three
decades. She shares two children with Victor, Victoria (Amelia Heinle)
and Nicholas Newman (Joshua Morrow). In 2013, she reveals that she had
previously given up a child for adoption, who is later discovered to
be Dylan McAvoy (Steve Burton). The character has also had several
other notorious relationships, including Paul Williams (Doug
Davidson), Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), and Brad Carlton (Don
Diamont). Scott is considered an icon in the soap opera genre.The role
of Nikki Reed was first portrayed by actress Erica Hope from 1978 to
early 1979. The role was then recast with Scott, who began appearing
in February 1979, and has portrayed Nikki since. In 1984, Robin
Eisenman temporarily portrayed the role. Scott recalled in 1989 that
she was surprised to have received the role, as she hadn't acted in a
few years.In May 2001, Scott and the show's producers entered contract
negotiations following rumors that she was unhappy because of Nikki's
lack of airtime. Soap Opera Digest speculated that she was possibly
joining General Hospital as Heather Webber. Three months later,
controversy arose when Scott was seen moving personal belongings from
her dressing room. However, speculation ended in August 2001, when it
was announced that Scott had inked a contract to further extend her
portrayal of Nikki.In May 2009, Nelson Branco of TV Guide Canada
reported that Scott had been asked to accept a salary cut, or be taken
off her contract and dropped to a recurring status. The actress
reportedly refused either option. Scott later began contract
negotiations again, which resulted in Nikki being written out of the
soap opera after an agreement could not be met. Scott later signed
another contract to continue her portrayal, but in 2011, the actress'
future was left in uncertainty, because of the soap opera's financial
issues. Scott expressed disappointment, stating: "It was not handled
very well. I've been in this business since I was three and I know how
this works. If a show is having problems with money or budget, they
call the actor very respectfully and say, "We have a little financial
crunch here. Let's try to work something out, okay?" That's what
should have happened. The problem was that such a phone call was never
made to me and I was left in the lurch." However, Scott renewed her
contract and returned after an onscreen absence.
soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Created and introduced by
William J. Bell in 1978, the role was originally portrayed by Erica
Hope, before Melody Thomas Scott took over in 1979. Initially
introduced as a stripper, the character became well known for her
relationship with businessman Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), a union
that developed into a supercouple pairing that has spanned over three
decades. She shares two children with Victor, Victoria (Amelia Heinle)
and Nicholas Newman (Joshua Morrow). In 2013, she reveals that she had
previously given up a child for adoption, who is later discovered to
be Dylan McAvoy (Steve Burton). The character has also had several
other notorious relationships, including Paul Williams (Doug
Davidson), Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), and Brad Carlton (Don
Diamont). Scott is considered an icon in the soap opera genre.The role
of Nikki Reed was first portrayed by actress Erica Hope from 1978 to
early 1979. The role was then recast with Scott, who began appearing
in February 1979, and has portrayed Nikki since. In 1984, Robin
Eisenman temporarily portrayed the role. Scott recalled in 1989 that
she was surprised to have received the role, as she hadn't acted in a
few years.In May 2001, Scott and the show's producers entered contract
negotiations following rumors that she was unhappy because of Nikki's
lack of airtime. Soap Opera Digest speculated that she was possibly
joining General Hospital as Heather Webber. Three months later,
controversy arose when Scott was seen moving personal belongings from
her dressing room. However, speculation ended in August 2001, when it
was announced that Scott had inked a contract to further extend her
portrayal of Nikki.In May 2009, Nelson Branco of TV Guide Canada
reported that Scott had been asked to accept a salary cut, or be taken
off her contract and dropped to a recurring status. The actress
reportedly refused either option. Scott later began contract
negotiations again, which resulted in Nikki being written out of the
soap opera after an agreement could not be met. Scott later signed
another contract to continue her portrayal, but in 2011, the actress'
future was left in uncertainty, because of the soap opera's financial
issues. Scott expressed disappointment, stating: "It was not handled
very well. I've been in this business since I was three and I know how
this works. If a show is having problems with money or budget, they
call the actor very respectfully and say, "We have a little financial
crunch here. Let's try to work something out, okay?" That's what
should have happened. The problem was that such a phone call was never
made to me and I was left in the lurch." However, Scott renewed her
contract and returned after an onscreen absence.
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