Always Young and Restless: My Life On and Off America's #1 Daytime Drama

by Melody Thomas Scott, Dana L. Davis

The renowned actress who played Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless opens up about her sixty-year career in this scintillating memoir.

Melody Thomas Scott admits she is nothing like her character on The Young and the Restless, who's seen it all in her forty-year tenure on America's highest-rated daytime serial. But there's plenty of drama beyond her character's plotlines. In this captivating memoir, Melody reveals the behind-the-scenes saga of her journey to stardom and personal freedom.

As Nikki went from impoverished stripper to vivacious heroine, Melody underwent her own striking transformation, becoming a household name in the process. Raised by her abusive grandmother, Melody acted in feature films with Alfred Hitchcock, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood--and endured abuse of industry men before taking control of her life and career in a daring getaway move.

Melody shares all this, plus juicy on-and-off-set details of what it's like to be one half of the show's most successful supercouple, "Niktor." In witty, warm prose, readers meet the persevering heart of an American icon. Prepare to be moved by a life story fit for a soap opera star.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography, Audiobook, Tv

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2020

About the author

Melody Thomas Scott is an American actress best known for playing Nikki Newman on the CBS day-time soap opera The Young and the Restless for more than 35 years.

Reviews

[Merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a big fan of the Young and the Restless for years (I stopped watching about 10 years ago-I don't remember why as I had been a fan almost from the start of the show), So it was great to see the autobiography of "Nicky Newman" from the soap. I was really gripped by the abuse she suffered at the hands of her grandmother both sexual and psychological. From the reviews many have really enjoyed the book. I was a bit more of a take it or leave it reader. This was an audiobook read by Melody and she did a very good job. Once past her childhood abuse the story held my attention but never really grabbed me again. It was a bit of recapping about the soap she stars on...facts about her children. Very few titbits from the set. I wasn't looking for "dirt", but a few funny stories or insider info would have added a lot. It was on the free side of audiobooks so was happy to read it.

[Truman32 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up with Nikki Newman, so when I heard the book Always Young and Restless: My Life On and Off America’s #1 Daytime Drama by Melody Thomas Scott and ghost-writer was being published, I was excited. Now you may ask how exactly I grew up with Nikki Newman. Did I live in Genoa City? Was I one of those gross creeps who hit the adult clubs when Nikki was stripping? Perhaps I was the child of one of Mrs. Chancellor’s housekeepers? Could I have been a snitch for dedicated P.I Paul Williams before his amnesia? Was I teen model Cricket’s (or her unknown twin’s) first kiss? Maybe I assisted Dr. Snapper (the most realistically portrayed doctor on television until Dr. Rick Springfield hit the shores of Port Charles) in the medical theater? Sadly no, I grew up with Nikki and all the other characters on the Young and the Restless because it came on during lunch time and this was one of my Mom and grandmother’s and grandfather’s “shows.” So it was always on when we stayed over in the summer eating chipped ham and cheddar sandwiches or the Pittsburgh delicacy called Pizza bread loaf. This show is where I learned it was perfectly normal to have your ex-spouses number in the double digits. It taught me that you should never say goodbye when finishing your phone conversation, instead you need to stare into the distance looking troubled and then slowing placing the phone in its cradle.
Always Young and Restless shines a light on the actress who plays Nikki, Melody Thomas Scott. She survived a harrowing childhood of growing up with her mentally ill grandmother who was unable and unwilling to protect her from being sexually abused by multiple showbiz decision makers. However she seems not to have let this darken her life. Mrs. Thomas Scott comes off as fun and likeable (if somewhat like that crazy aunt Jan was afraid she was going to turn into on the Brady Bunch). Her stories of healing her absentee father on his deathbed by whispering into his ear, and of the many fortune tellers who have accurately predicted the events of her future, and the untraditional medical avenues she has found healing have enough new-age appeal that they are sure to make her fans swoon. Sadly, she somewhat breezes past most of her experiences on The Young and the Restless. There are no Hasselhoff stories and many of the real-life feuds and fighting are glossed over like the delicious icing glossed over a deep fried glazed donut from Dunks. This book reads like an extended article of Soap Opera Digest (what? Why are you looking at me like that? Doesn’t everyone read Soap Opera Digest? What else and I supposed to read during my afternoon poop?), but I feel that is what most of the readers of this book will be anticipating.

[Bon]

DNFing this at 15% bc, omg. I was hoping for juicy gossip but instead was thrown into the deep end of a child neglect, childhood sexual abuse, and pet death.

No thank you.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up Y&R was a staple in my house so when this popped up in Audible I had to give it a listen. I love a good memoir and it was interesting and sad to hear how Melody grew up and of course the behind the scenes of Y&R was good too!

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The renowned actress behind the character Nikki Newman of The Young and the Restless tells all in this scintillating memoir, divulging the insider details of her dramatic life and sixty-year career.

Melody Thomas Scott admits she is nothing like her Young and the Restless role, who has seen it all in her forty-year tenure on America’s highest-rated daytime serial. But the high drama, angst, and catastrophes aren’t confined to her character’s plotlines. In this captivating memoir, Melody reveals behind-the-scenes tales of her own riveting journey to stardom.

As Nikki went from impoverished stripper to resourceful, vivacious heroine―with missteps as gripping as her triumphs―Melody became a household name, enthralling global audiences. Her road to stardom was also her road to personal freedom, marked by an escape fit for cinema. In Always Young and Restless, Melody tells of her troubled, untraditional upbringing for the first time.

Learn how she suffered at home with her grandmother, a compulsive hoarder, whose cruelty as her guardian is shockingly extreme, and endured abuse at the hands of industry men; what it was like to act in feature films with Alfred Hitchcock, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood; and how she took control of her life and career in a daring getaway move. And of course, Melody divulges juicy on-and-off-set details of what it’s like to be one half of the show’s most successful supercouple, “Niktor.” In witty, warm prose, meet the shining, persevering heart of an American icon―and prepare to be moved by a life story fit for a soap opera star.

My Thoughts: As a fan of the show The Young and the Restless, I gravitated to the character of Nikki Reed Newman from the first day she showed up on the set.

Her character reflects a journey as troubled as her own life, growing up with an abusive hoarder grandmother.

How Melody escaped the constraints and trauma of her young life to carve out her niche on one of the most popular daytime dramas was a story I couldn’t stop reading. The anecdotal and conversational tone drew me in, and even if I had never connected with the show or the character, I would have wanted to know more about this woman.

A story I will keep thinking about as I continue to watch the show. 5 stars.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book in my run through memoirs by cast members from The Young and the Restless. Melody Thomas Schott has been playing Nikki Newman for more than 40 years. In some ways, her beginnings were "of the earth" in a way that is similar to her character, and there has also been no shortage of dramatic events. Like Nikki, she has risen from the challenges to find happiness and comfort. With that said, she reads as being so down-to-earth and doesn't allow her fame to make her think she is better than other people.

Scott takes the reader through her youth as a child actor confronted with poverty, a grandmother who seemed to take advantage of her career, and (sadly) being confronted with the stereotype of sexual harassment and abuse that is an undercurrent in the film and television industry. Her grandmother was her manager, but also seemed to be a monster who suffered from hoarding disorder and a willingness to do and allow anything to push Scott's career forward.

While probably best known for her career with Y&R, she has had a long career in television and film, which includes a love of being on game shows (particularly the $25,000 Pyramid). She has worked with Clint Eastwood and Alfred Hitchcock.

The true fun of this book is hearing her stories about Y&R. Her favorite and least favorite storylines, including a run through the various husbands of Nikki, are certainly highlighted. She also provides some insight into her castmates.

This really is a fun read for fans. While the book is actually written by someone else, it is very easy to hear Scott's voice while reading the text in the first person. Her personality certainly shines through. The book is tough to read because Scott has had a number of pretty intense challneges in her life. She has overcome them, and found the happiness that seemed so missing in her childhood.

[Nina Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first part of the book was interesting because she talked about her grandmother’s abuse and the sex abuse she endured with her grandmother’s consent, all to launch her acting career. Once she got old enough to call the shots the book was no longer interesting. It wasn’t about struggles anymore. It was about her auditioning for parts and getting them, quite easily, as in go in, audition and get the part. Then she landed the role in Y&R and it became about Nikki’s life on set, not really about Melody. Therefore I lost interest in the book. I like to read about people’s struggles, not how easily everything fell into their lap. Therefore I’ll add it to my DNF shelf and move on.

[Nathalie Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book since I’ve been a fan of Young and the Restless for quite some time. I was taken back by the abuse she went through as a child. It is remarkable how far she has come considering what she went through as a child. I do wish that she had gotten into more details about Young and the Restless. I did enjoy her talking about specific relationships with certain actors, but I would have enjoyed more details on the show and her relationships with co-stars as well as her family life. Still a good read for any Nikki Newman fan.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was riveted. I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I’m not a soap fan, and I haven’t watched The Young and the Restless in decades, but I had a fond remembrance for Nikki. Melody Thomas Scott gives you the story of her whole life, from being raised by an abusive, manipulative, and controlling grandmother to her many TV and movie roles and through her personal life of marriages and children.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I haven't seen The Young and restless in more than 20 years.
I felt sure Melody Thomas Scott had an interesting story to tell, she does, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

[Karen Biegert · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who grew up watching Nikki on The Young and the Restless, I had to read Melody Thomas Scott's book. What a life she's lived!
Excellent book! Very well structured and enjoyable. I love the pictures she included, too. Everything I ever wondered about my favorite "story", she answered.
I also think it's cool that her daughter, Elizabeth, loves dachshunds. I can relate!

[Juliahoney Kamenker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this memoir very much Sorry to hear about her struggles of her young young life

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a longtime fan of The Young and The Restless, I was really looking forward to reading this book. What an amazing woman. Just to have survived her childhood! She’s so honest and forthright about it all. A must read for Y&R fans.

[Mediaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat revealing but often inadequate book that's a blend of surprising slams at her family and totally ignoring other parts of her life. While it's sad to read about her hateful feelings toward a grandmother that allowed Hollywood types to sexually abuse her, the author ultimately doesn't reveal enough of herself and even short-changes many stories.

What starts out as a very interesting book that appears to be filled with self-revelations ultimately becomes a frustrating read because she starts jumping timelines, avoiding certain people (not even mentioning her first two husbands until a brief aside near the end of the book), and devolving into talking about dogs instead of great stories.

She claims, for example, to have been sexually abused a number of times in Hollywood but doesn't provide evidence of it beyond when she was three. She indicts her grandmother/caretaker as allowing it to happen but depends totally on her early childhood recollections. Scott claims to have vivid memories from before her first birthday. That would be extremely rare to recall such young details.

Scott has parents that abandoned her but we learn absolutely nothing of her mother and only a bit about her dad when he was dying. Odd to not mention her mother in the book beyond a couple sentences.

She had individual chapters dedicated to acting as a cheerleader for co-workers Peter Berman and Kristoff St. John, but then does not have one for her main co-star Eric Braeden. Hmmm. As a matter of fact he isn't mentioned much. She also brings up working with some Hollywood greats but then doesn't go into any detail about them.

Then near the end of the book she does a section on how much she loves doing game shows but turns it into a strange condemnation of Family Feud (which cheats? Is that legal?) and Bob Barker (you read that right) without enough details on what Barker did.

There is a lot here that appears to be intentionally unspoken. She puts a cheery face on most of life but reveals very little actual emotion. At one point what she says was a rape results in a pregnancy, which she gets aborted. No emotion, very clinical. If anything she was happy to get away with it all without her mean grandmother finding out about it.

The woman also has a history of mental illness, which isn't addressed enough. She starts saying how "spiritual" she is but then uses it to mean her belief in psychics and mediums.

Scott comes across at times as a scatter-brained average person whose life goal was to perform and write a memoir but she only put half of herself in this. Young and the Restless fans might be satisfied with some of the basic history of the show that's included, but seeing her list hundreds and hundreds of production and co-star names in the acknowledgments is ridiculous.

Like most good soap operas, there are titillating parts in this book to keep you reading, but a lot of it is just random over-the-top dialogue that gets repetitive and boring.

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Melody Thomas Scott on the Young and the Restless. I nicknamed her my "TV Mom" years ago as I've been watching the show since I was a child. I've read Jeanne Cooper's memoir and Eric Braeden's, so I knew I would have to check out Melody's as well.

There was a lot I didn't know about Melody and her past. She shares a lot of the challenges she has had to overcome in her life to be the confident, amazing woman she is today. My favorite parts of the book were about her time on Y&R, especially reminiscing through her views on special scenes and moments. It was fun to learn what she enjoyed, which story lines she didn't like, and her personal relationships with the actors and actresses on the show.

This reads more like a conversation Melody is having with you, the reader, so it goes by pretty quickly. If you are a fan of the Young and the Restless (and the Newmans, of course!), then it's a must read!

[Molly]

3.5, this was a fun read for me, have watched her on and off for years on young and the restless. Her life has not been all glamour, that’s for sure.

[TAMMY WRIGHT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this autobiography. I love Melody Thomas Scott. I haven't watched the Y & R in such a long time now. I was working night shift and found it hard to keep up with my story and get sleep, pick up kids from school, , homework done, supper, and get ready for my night shift again. I really didn't get much help from my husband. He had his own thing with self employment. I was the insurance carrier for the family. I worked in the medical field. I too went through the exact things that Mel did. All the abuse was really hard. My saving grace WAS my grandparents. I was very fortunate there. I ran away from home at age 14 due to physical abuse from my step dad while my mom would watch. I'm 60 now. My step dad recently passed. I have been estranged from my mom for years. She wants nothing to do with us. I had 2 brothers, I lost one brother in 2007 then I have another brother that is in Florida somewhere. He doesn't want anything to do with me. Then the sexual abuse I went through with my dad and step mom at age 14. That was horrific. All I wanted to do was finish high school and get the hell out of there. When I turned 18 and graduated high school, I went to live my grandparents in Illinois. They had always been there for my brothers and I. Bad things happened that I don't want to say here. I would talk to Melody in person and I know it would floor her. I'm with my 2nd husband, will be 33 years married in October and March will be 36 years together. I also have a child from that previous marriage that is special needs. My hubby adopted him because his biological father wanted nothing to with him. He denied paternity of his own child while his born again Christian mother called me all kinds of horrible names and gave me the worst tongue lashing. My son will 38. We have another son and he will 33. That's another thing Melody and I have in common. We both had babies around the same time. Both born in 1988 almost the same months. Mel I would love chat with you. Loved your story. I'm going to get back into the Y & R.

[Chantal Côté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I feel like I have just spent my day off with Melody! As Nikki is now portrayed as a glamorous character, I enjoyed meeting the woman behind as simply Mel.

The most interesting part about this memoir is without a doubt her childhood and how inapt her grand-mother was at raising her.

It is unbelievable that has become such a grounded and stable individual today and I feel her husband and family played a great part.

She explains very well how The You g & The Restless has been her family and stability over the years.

However, you will not learn any scoops about co-workers; she remains gracious to the end.

That was a fast read I recommend to all Y & R fans.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed how she told her story and what she had to go through growing up with her grandmother. She has overcome many things with such grace and strength. I have always enjoyed her as “Nikki Newman” and watched her everyday on the show with my mom. As her story continues, her big break came when she got hired on Y&R, a part perfect god her. This book was enjoyable and I am glad I read it. Would I recommend it, yes, especially if you are a fan.

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daytime diva tells all

Melody Thomas Scott is one of my absolute favorite daytime actresses. Her role of Nikki Newman is portrayed as a strong woman who never gives up. After reading this autobiography, I understand how she got her strength. Living with a relative who pimped her out to sexual perverts to make "her " dreams come true gave Ms Scott the strength to carry on.

[delores brownlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! This Was the best book that I have read in 2020! Melody Thomas Scott did a great job with telling her story.Thank you thank you thank you

I loved it! This Was the best book that I have read in 2020! Melody Thomas Scott did a great job with telling her story.Thank you thank you thank you

[Patricia Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book.

Been a dedicated fan of Y&R, and Nikki from the beginning. Such an amazing life she has lived. So full of exciting times. She has really come a long way from such a terrible beginning.

[Bruce A. Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Thought it was interesting and I loved it

I would recommend to anyone that watch's Young and the Restless.
I think you would find it interesting even if you were not a soap fan.

[Marilyn Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

As a long time Young and Restless fan, I loved reading this book. Mel’s (as she calls herself) life was so interesting. I would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Nikki’s life on Y&R. But, you will always be Nikki Newman!

[Gary Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. You don’t have to have ever watched The Young And The Restless to enjoy it. Melody Thomas Scott had a harrowing youth and her story is inspiring.

[linda mccracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS

LOVED MELODY SCOTT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL . HAVE WATCHED Y&R SINCE the Beginning PRE Ordered BOOK. HAD TO

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm both a Y&R fan and Melody Thomas Scott fan and found this book quite enjoyable. Without giving anything away it's amazing that she survived her childhood!

[toni james · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exceptionally good book. I enjoyed every minute of it.

[Riley K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading about Melody Thomas Scott's life and getting glimpses of behind the scenes of Y&R.

[Sherrie74 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never stop reading a book midstream to start another but the book I "was" reading is long and very detailed and only half way thorough so I knew I could get through this book fairly fast and a bit of a relief for a few days. As of now I am half way through this book and unfortunately annoyed at the editing of it. I assume it is whoever does the editing that is suppose to catch mistakes.

First .... on pg 87 when discussing the book/movie "Carrie" the authors name is stated as "Steven" King .... it is "STEPHEN" King and shocked that this got past people prior to it going to print. Index at back does have the correct spelling.

Second ... she is talking about Aretha Franklin many times .... she is mentioned in the present tense as if she is still alive which she isn't.

Less than 24 hrs since writing the above ... I am finished. It was a nice easy book to throw into the middle of "Day of the Jackal" which I needed a short break from.

I should state up front I am not a Y&R watcher but that doesnt say I am not someone who knows who MTS is and her longevity on the small screen. Her book gave great incite into her younger life which she was able to get past and her accomplishments going forward. She was very lucky in career and life in general. It was an enjoyable short read one which I would say " piece of fluff" as other than childhood and her health concern there is not much other negative information in it. Only short mention of Jeannie Cooper and her not getting along after MTS married Edward but we know there is soooo much more background stuff not mentioned. Guess that is a bit what I was looking for and many others were also. Nothing major just hits of it.

One thing of addition which I was somewhat shocked by but then maybe due to not really understanding the health care system in US. She and many close to her didn't have a regular MD they saw on a regular basis. No yearly physicals, x-rays, blood/urine, mammio's etc ??? Did the studio not have a doctor they could refer her to? They are employing high profile people and you would think it is in their best interest to ensure they are healthy.