+ + Alluring Melissa

In any good award show, there's always at least one pleasantly surprising "upset"- and the Soap Opera Digest Awards were no exception. Though every candidate in the Outstanding Newcomer category was, well, outstanding, the line-up made picking a true "best" a real challenge. But thanks to her exciting work in the past year, ONE LIFE TO LIVE'S Melissa Archer (Natalie) won over fans and took home the prize. "I thought they were going to name another nominee, and then they called my name!" laughs Archer post-awards. "I called my mom and told her." Outstanding Newcomer was perhaps the most hotly speculated upon category. Packed with six rather than the usual five noms, it also lacked reps from either DAYS OF OUR LIVES or GENERAL HOSPITAL, two shows whose fans notoriously vote show-loyal and in droves. Early specualtion pointed toward a win for Alicia Minshew (Kendall, ALL MY CHILDREN), thanks to her high profile, intriguing work with co-star Susan Lucci (Erica) and because AMC often fares well at the Digest awards. OLTL, on the other hand, often overlooked despite stellar performances. But Archer came out on top this time around. So, does she still feel like a newcomer? "Sometimes," admits the award winner. "Depends on the day! Ask me any time of the day, I can give you a new answer."