Exclusive: Lead Actress Winner Michelle Stafford On Her Emmy Experience

Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

The lead-up to the Daytime Emmy awards ceremony last month caused some anxiety for the eventual winner of the Outstanding Lead Actress statuette, Michelle Stafford ( Phyllis, Young and Restless ).

“At first, I couldn't really find a dress to wear this year,” she reports. “I have limited time because I have so much going on with my kids and with my [skin care] company so I couldn't do a whole shopping spree and also I wasn't willing to pay a few thousand dollars. I did ask some fashion houses if I could wear one of their dresses and nobody really bit, nobody was really interested in helping me out. The dress I found was actually inexpensive and I liked the fishtail flare at the bottom. When I put it on, it looked decent and I was like, ‘Okay, there you go,’ and that’s how I found my Emmy dress.”

Her hectic schedule away from Y&R was the reason why Stafford was a no-show at the annual luncheon for the Outstanding Leading Actress nominees hosted by last year’s category winner, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy, B&B). “I couldn't go because I had to do something with my daughter for volleyball,” Stafford explains. “I’m sure everyone had a really good time because Jacqueline puts on a really great party. She also invited all of the women who were nominated [from Outstanding Supporting Actress and Outstanding Guest Performance], which I thought was very cool.”

On the night of the awards ceremony, Stafford, who had previously won two Daytime Emmys, reveals that she wasn’t expecting to be in the winners' circle . “I hadn't won in the last 20 years, so you kind of get used to not hearing your name,” she points out. “I felt I had some strong material this year but I’ve had good years before and didn’t win. When I did hear my name, I was absolutely shocked. I said, ‘Oh, my God!’ and when I went up on onstage, I looked at Steve Burton [Jason, GH], I said, ‘What the f---? What the f---?’ but nobody saw that except Steve."

The actress had a blast celebrating with her Y&R colleagues after the telecast. "The after-party is always a good time," she says, "but I tell you, you have even more fun when you just won an Emmy!"