For nearly two decades, Melissa Claire Egan has captivated audiences as Chelsea Lawson on The Young and the Restless — a role that has tested every emotional boundary, pushed her as an actress, and won her legions of devoted fans. From heart-wrenching breakdowns to redemptive triumphs, Egan’s portrayal of Chelsea has been nothing short of spellbinding. But as the actress turns the page to a new chapter in her life and career, fans can’t help but wonder — what’s next for the woman who brought one of Genoa City’s most complex characters to life?
A Legacy of Emotion and Excellence
Melissa Claire Egan’s impact on The Young and the Restless can’t be overstated. Since her debut, Chelsea has evolved from a mischievous con artist into a deeply layered character, embodying vulnerability, resilience, and redemption. Over the years, Egan’s powerhouse performances have earned her eight Daytime Emmy nominations, including her latest nod in the Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series category — a testament to her enduring mastery of the craft.
In a heartfelt interview with Women’s World, Egan opened up about the honor of portraying Chelsea’s mental health journey — one of her most emotionally charged storylines to date. “I’m beyond grateful to tell these stories,” she shared. “All that heavy emotional stuff has been such a gift as an actor.”
Those storylines, which saw Chelsea struggle with depression, trauma, and ultimately redemption, resonated with fans across the globe — not just because of the writing, but because of Egan’s raw, fearless authenticity. Every tear, every tremor, every flicker of hope felt real.
Balancing Drama with Real Life
Despite the heavy subject matter she tackles on-screen, Melissa has mastered the delicate balance between her work and her personal life. “I’ve been blessed to be given so many emotional scenes throughout my 19 years on soaps, so I’m good at not bringing it home — especially now that I have kids,” she said, reflecting on the discipline it takes to leave Chelsea’s turmoil at the studio door.
At home, Egan’s world revolves around her husband, Matt Katrosar, and their two young sons. To her, motherhood isn’t just a grounding force — it’s a daily reminder of joy and balance amid the chaos of daytime television. “When you have children, your perspective shifts completely,” she said. “It’s easier to let go of the heavy stuff when you come home to laughter and love.”
This equilibrium between her career and her family life has shaped Egan into not only a better actress, but also a woman deeply aware of her emotional boundaries — a rare quality in an industry built on vulnerability.
The Singer Within: Rediscovering Her First Passion
Beyond the bright lights of Genoa City, Melissa has another artistic calling that fans might not know about — music. Long before she was dazzling audiences with her on-screen performances, Egan was the lead singer of a band called Canal Street, and now, she’s ready to return to that side of herself.
Between her busy filming schedule and her role as a mother, Melissa admits her passion for singing has taken a back seat — but that’s about to change. “I want to get back to singing and even star in a musical,” she revealed. “My dream is to do a musical one day — and I will do it before I die.”
It’s not an idle wish. Melissa and her band last performed to a sold-out crowd at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, a night she recalls with both nostalgia and excitement. For fans who have seen her perform — whether in clips shared online or at charity events — it’s clear she possesses the same emotional intensity in her music that she brings to her acting.
The Wickedly Funny Side of Melissa
Egan’s colleagues on The Young and the Restless often praise her for her warmth, humor, and down-to-earth personality — qualities that occasionally break through the intense drama of daytime TV. Last year, a behind-the-scenes clip of Egan dancing to Wicked alongside co-stars Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra), Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell), and Haley Aaron (ex-Kenzie) went viral.
Laughing about the moment, Egan recalled, “Like every serious theater girl, we were obsessed with Wicked. Courtney learned the dance and taught me and Lizzy. Then Haley jumped in last minute — and in the final take, she landed on my feet. When I went to jump, I fell! I had a bruise for two weeks, but it was hilarious. I said, ‘We’ve got to post that one!’”
Moments like these remind fans that beneath the intense, emotionally charged actress lies a performer who simply loves to create — whether it’s through song, dance, or drama.
What Comes Next
As speculation swirls about Melissa’s future with The Young and the Restless, the actress remains focused on embracing new creative opportunities while cherishing her legacy on the show. Whether or not she takes a step back from Genoa City, one thing is certain — Melissa Claire Egan is far from done telling stories that move audiences.
There’s a certain poetic symmetry to her next chapter: Chelsea, her most iconic role, has always been about reinvention — about finding light after darkness, hope after heartbreak. And now, Melissa herself seems poised for a similar evolution.
Could Broadway or a streaming musical series be on the horizon? Fans certainly hope so. And if her track record is any indication, she’ll pour her heart into it — the same way she’s done for every scene, every song, every story.
A Star Who Keeps Shining
Melissa Claire Egan’s journey is a powerful reminder that artistry evolves — that passion doesn’t fade, it simply changes shape. From her unforgettable performances on The Young and the Restless to her musical dreams waiting in the wings, Egan continues to inspire with her authenticity, dedication, and fearless spirit.
For now, fans can look forward to seeing where Chelsea Lawson’s path leads next — and perhaps one day soon, hearing Melissa’s voice echo through a theater, fulfilling a dream that’s been years in the making.
Because if there’s one thing Melissa Claire Egan has proven time and time again — whether in tears or in song — it’s that she knows how to turn emotion into art. And that’s something no curtain can ever close on.
The 10 Oldest Cars That Are Still Being Made Today
There’s a saying which goes “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ which is a phrase which comes to mind when you realise that there are an array of vehicles still being made today that, in automotive standards, are old. With these models becoming icons of the automotive industry, each in their own ways, we take a look at the cars that have stood against time or evolved with it.
Mazda MX5
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Since 1989 this roadster, also known as a ‘Miata’ in the US, was originally not branded as a Mazda but instead as a ‘Eunos Roadster’. Catchy, eh! But Mazda decided to try it out when they were testing out a different mark/brand name, much like Toyota did with Lexus. Version #1 of the two door convertible was produced for 10 years and can still be yours to own for around £13,895. Version #2 was then introduced in 1998 and was produced until 2005. Then there was Version #3 – the latest generation model which was launched in 2005 and can still be yours today for around £18,495.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car of all time and is still being made in the United States. The Corolla was introduced in 1966 and has had eleven reincarnations before becoming the vehicle that it is today. However, in the UK the trusty Corolla was replaced by the Auris in 2007. Early models of the Corolla were rear wheel drive and to this day still hold their value, whilst the latest models have all been made front wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
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Built in Austria by the Emperor of Iran for military purposes the Mercedes Benz G-Class has also been available for civilians to buy since 1979. It’s a statement car, that’s for sure, and currently costs around £83,805 but for that £83k you get a whole lot of vehicle, including a steering wheel feature; which swings upwards when you have parked to make it easy to climb in and out of the vehicle.
Peugeot 405
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The only French model to make it onto this list was first sold in 1987; the Peugeot 405. Twenty years ago there were many Peugeot 405s on the road in Britain with it even winning European Car of the Year in 1988. Nowadays it continues to be manufactured under a licence outside of France – in Iran where it is manufactured under a different name: the ‘Samand’. It has since been named the national car of Iran and was the last ever Peugeot to be sold in the US in the nineties.
Land Rover Defender
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Originally this model was simply called the ‘Land Rover’ with the Defender part of the name being added at a later date. The Land rover Defender is a common sight in rural areas across the UK and is one of the oldest vehicles on the list. The Land Rover Defender was produced from 1948, before ceasing production in 2015 due to safety laws regarding European pedestrians.
Ford Fiesta
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The Ford Escort and F series of trucks have actually sold more than the Fiesta; but since the original model was produced in 1976, the Fiesta is now in it’s 6th generation. Today you can still own many versions of the Ford Fiesta with many of the older models still on the roads. Whereas a brand new model will cost you around £9,995 but does come with new features, such as hill start assistance as standard on its base ‘Studio’ model. Interestingly, the Ford Escort was no longer found in the top 3 most popular Ford’s scrapped between November 2018 and April 2019.
Volkswagen Golf
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Also known as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the US and the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico the Volkswagen Golf is now on its seventh generation since 1974. With over 29 million vehicles sold worldwide and the marque winning multiple awards, there is no sign of the Golf’s production ending any time soon. Many versions of the Golf are still available to purchase with Mk1 models selling for around £8,000. Current models start from £16,775 and come with Bluetooth and a DAB radio with multi device interface to connect your modern day media to.
Volkswagen Passat
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This large family car was introduced before the Golf in 1973 and originally shared the same engine which is used in the Audi 80 after the Volkswagen group took ownership of Audi in 1974. Nowadays, you can buy the S model for around £20,235 which comes with alloy wheels as standard together with Bluetooth and a digital radio.
Volkswagen Beetle
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Yet another Volkswagen to make the list! With the exception of a few tweaks, the iconic Beetle has barely changed its original form and due to its similarities to the ‘Type 1’, is still instantly recognisable. Along with the Defender, the Beetle is another of the oldest vehicles listed and has been driven since 1938. Prices start at £15,715 and the base model includes air conditioning and Bluetooth as standard features!
Morgan 4/4
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And last but not least, is the Morgan 4/4. The Morgan 4/4 is the oldest car on our list and is hand-built, British made and was first introduced in 1936. This classic car has a version available today which was seen in 1955 and resembles the Series II and will set you back around £33,075 to own. For the price paid you don’t get many luxuries – just the leather upholstery, which is available in black or brown, reclining sports seats, a choice of ten paint colours and a historical design. Production hasn’t always been constant and there have been a few major interruptions – including the Second World War – but it still goes on to this day!
As I’m sure you can tell from the list above. Volkswagen have not only dominated much of this list, but have succeeded in building vehicles which last in terms of both build quality and aesthetics, with many of their older versions still being sought after to this day. Volkswagen have plans to become the top manufacturing group (even larger than GM and Toyota) and since they took over Audi in 1974 have also gone on to acquire Bugatti. Bentley, Skoda, Seat, Lamborghini and Porsche. In addition to this they also own Ducati motorcycles and in the commercial sector own MAN, Scania and Neoplan. Which means they’re well on their way to doing so! They currently rule the European market and are seeing China as a key market for VW and Audi models. The only element of the group’s brand which needs improvements is Porsche and the Advisory Board Chief of Volkswagen, Ferdinand Piёch, has described Porsche as ”a jewel in need of polishing” so we are expecting to see some new and exciting Porsche models in the not too distant future.
