AnnaLynne McCord describes her Emmy nod as part of a full-circle moment that goes beyond acting.
Things have been anything but simple on Days of our Lives lately. Chad’s been struggling with the weight of family pressure, ultimately breaking things off with Cat despite how much they care about each other. Meanwhile, Cat has her own storm brewing as she digs deeper into EJ’s shiny new “free clinic” wing of the hospital — a story that’s shaping up to be a lot more complicated than the press releases suggest. And as the drama heats up onscreen, AnnaLynne McCord is reflecting on how stepping into this world has unexpectedly shifted something inside of her.
Key Takeaways
- AnnaLynne McCord says joining DAYS came at the perfect time in her life.
- She described the experience as a personal and professional “reset.”
- She is still processing her first Daytime Emmy nomination, which she sees as a celebration of growth as much as performance.
- She shared playful behind-the-scenes moments with her glam team while getting ready for the Emmys.
A New Beginning On and Off Screen
Access Hollywood caught up with McCord as she was getting ready for the Daytime Emmys. She opened up about how her role as Cat came at the perfect time in her life. She explained that being part of the cast gave her the chance to hit a personal and professional “reset.” Instead of being a simple acting job, she finds it to be like a full-circle moment.
“I really felt like the category is really special to me because I feel like I’ve had a reset and I’m emerging,” she said. That sense of emergence is reflected both in how she approaches her character and how she’s showing up in the world.
The actress admitted that her very first Daytime Emmy nomination was still a ‘pinch me’ moment. But she took everything in stride, feeling that while the recognition is great, it’s this new chapter of her life where she’s truly feeling fulfilled. It’s not just about her acting, but a celebration of personal growth.
Glam, Gratitude, and Goddess Vibes
As her glam team prepped her for Emmy night, McCord kept her energy light and infectious. She shared that her goal was to keep things clean and fresh, playing with a soft shadow line that gives her lips just enough of a pop. She laughed about how she’s not a fashion designer, but still gushed over her old Hollywood–inspired Tom Ford gown, with flowing Grecian fabric trailing behind her. “It is gorgeous, I promise, and when you see me later on the red carpet, you’ll understand,” she excitedly stated.
She also showed her sparkling baubles, and vintage costume jewelry she’d handpicked from local shops. She was like a kid at Christmas, getting ready to enjoy herself. But amid all the fashion and fun, the heart of her night remained the work. Reflecting on a favorite line from her DAYS run — “I’m just so sorry that I’m pretending to be your dead wife, but I really do love you” — McCord cracked up, calling it a perfect example of why she adores this role. “That’s why I deserve this Emmy,” she teased with a grin. (Learn about McCord’s real life Cinderella story.)
