The Young and the Restless Performer of the Week: Beth Maitland as Traci Abbott

On The Young and the Restless this week, Beth Maitland took viewers through a full range of emotions in a stunning roller coaster ride performance that reminded us why we need more Traci Abbott in our lives.

Beth Maitland on The Young and the Restless

Beth Maitland has always played the role of Traci Abbott with grace. While we don’t get to see her often enough, when she walks into a scene, the room lights up. This week, she reminded us why she’s one of the most beloved actors of the show.

In a high-speed emotional ride, Maitland deftly walked us through a storyline that most viewers had figured out last year. But the way this actress works her craft, it was as if viewers didn’t know what was coming next. Maitland personified the expression “a steel fist in velvet glove” as she manuevered her character through a messy web of emotions.

From crying, to fear, to humiliation, to rage, Maitland showed us what only a legendary actress can. There was a sense of ease and familiarity as we forgot she was acting. When Tracy whimpered to her siblings, “Help me,” as the realization of heartbreak set in, our hearts broke for her. When she appeared before the man who hurt her and demanded the truth, we cheered. The range was seamless, and it was a ride we hoped we wouldn’t have to take, but somehow Maitland drew us out from thinking she was about to be a victim, to becoming her own (and our) heroine before our very eyes.

Traci Abbott on The Young and the Restless

Traci Abbott had a destined end to her engagement to her sister’s good friend and psychologist, Alan Laurent. He was everything Traci deserved: a doting, brilliant professional who was thoughtful, loving, and her intellectual equal. She didn’t need a man, but she deserved to be loved, and vice versa. Alan was everything Traci didn’t know she wanted. Until he wasn’t.

Traci didn’t really get to know Alan until after the fateful day in Paris when he saved Ashley from his psychotic twin brother, Martin. The two men argued, wrestled, and fell off a balcony, with Martin dying. The man that Traci then got to know became a good friend, then lover, and eventually, they decided to share a life together.

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However, it turned out that Alan was the man who died that day, and Martin was an experienced genius at impersonating his brother. Traci was duped and heartbroken when she discovered the truth. Regardless if Martin spends the rest of his life in jail, Traci will never get back “her Alan.”

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless on CBS and Paramount Plus.

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