In a jaw-dropping confession on The Soapy Podcast, Tracey admitted that her early years as Lauren, when she played Genoa City’s ultimate “Queen of Mean,” didn’t just stir up drama onscreen—it actually put her real life in danger.

Lauren Fenmore: From Mean Girl to Soap Icon

Longtime fans remember that Lauren wasn’t always the polished, respected businesswoman we see today. In the 1980s, she was the quintessential mean girl, tormenting Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) in one of daytime television’s most infamous bullying arcs.

The storyline struck a deep chord with viewers. Lauren relentlessly targeted Traci’s insecurities, particularly about her weight. The dialogue was biting, the cruelty relentless, and the emotional fallout raw. For soap fans, it made for gripping drama; for Tracey Bregman, it was both painful and transformative.

“Beth will tell you, I cried more than she did,” Tracey confessed. Despite the venom she had to spit out as Lauren, she and Beth were—and remain—dear friends. That closeness made it even harder to deliver lines meant to wound. At times, Tracey admitted, she could barely bring herself to speak the words aloud.

Yet she powered through because the story mattered. It was authentic, it was emotional, and it sparked conversations that television of that era rarely dared to explore: bullying, body image, and the scars of cruel words.

The Rivalry That Defined an Era

Of course, Y&R’s writers didn’t stop at verbal sparring. Who could forget the infamous catfight between Lauren and Traci over Brad Carlton (Don Diamont)? The claws came out, emotions boiled over, and fans were left gasping as two of Genoa City’s strongest women went head-to-head in a way only soaps can deliver.

Those rivalries made Lauren unforgettable—but they also blurred the line between fiction and reality for some fans.

When Fiction Crossed Into Reality

During the podcast, Tracey dropped a bombshell she had kept under wraps for years:

“I would get death threats,” she revealed quietly. “People would try to run me off the freeway. It was bad. There were some bad parts of it that I never really talked about.”

Let that sink in. For doing her job—delivering lines written for her character—Tracey’s safety was at risk.

Her co-stars, Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher), and special guest Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee, AMC; ex-Hayden, GH), were visibly stunned. They pressed her: Did she tell producers? Did the show intervene?

Tracey admitted she didn’t. Why? Because the bullying storyline was considered too important. It was groundbreaking television, pushing the envelope, and she didn’t want to risk undermining its impact.

In other words, she put the story first—even while facing real danger.

The Emotional Toll of Playing a Villain

This revelation is a sobering reminder of the emotional and psychological toll soap actors endure. Daytime television is unique because it airs five days a week, 52 weeks a year. Characters become woven into viewers’ lives so seamlessly that many fans forget the truth:

Actors are not their characters.

Tracey Bregman is not Lauren Fenmore. Yet to some fans, the cruelty of Lauren was indistinguishable from the woman delivering those lines.

This disconnect, fueled by the intimacy of daytime TV, can have terrifying results—like the ones Tracey endured.

The Ripple Effects in Genoa City

The Lauren–Traci rivalry didn’t just fuel ratings; it shaped the very fabric of The Young and the Restless. Their dynamic shifted over time from bitter enemies to unlikely allies, mirroring the evolution of real-life friendships forged under difficult circumstances.

Lauren’s transformation from tormentor to respected matriarch gave Tracey one of the most rewarding arcs in soap history. And for Beth Maitland’s Traci, the storyline gave depth to a character whose struggles resonated with countless fans facing real-life insecurities.

But the fallout also extended beyond the screen. Tracey’s confession now adds a layer of poignancy to those episodes, reminding fans of the price some actors pay to bring authenticity to their roles.

Soap Opera Fame: Blessing and Curse

Tracey’s experience also highlights a broader truth about soap operas: the intensity of fandom can be both a blessing and a curse.

On one hand, soap actors are some of the most beloved, recognized, and enduring stars in television. Their characters become family to millions of viewers who tune in daily.

On the other hand, that familiarity can sometimes blur boundaries. Viewers project emotions onto actors, forgetting that what happens in Genoa City, Salem, or Port Charles is scripted drama—not real life.

Tracey’s story is a stark reminder of how dangerous that confusion can become.

A Survivor and a Legend

Thankfully, Tracey survived those harrowing years. Today, she is celebrated as one of Y&R’s most iconic actresses, admired not only for her longevity but also for her ability to embody both the darkness and light of Lauren Fenmore.

Her bravery in sharing this story decades later is more than a shocking revelation—it’s a testament to her resilience and her commitment to the craft of daytime drama.

Tracey’s journey from villainess to heroine, both onscreen and off, reflects the heart of soap opera storytelling itself: redemption, survival, and transformation.

The Legacy of a Storyline

Looking back, the Lauren–Traci bullying arc remains one of the most important storylines in Y&R history. It exposed the raw pain of body shaming long before the topic became a cultural conversation. It gave fans drama, yes, but it also gave them a mirror to reflect on society’s cruelty.

And now, with Tracey’s revelation, it carries another legacy: a reminder of the very real sacrifices actors make for their roles.

A Conversation for Fans

So now we turn the question over to you, loyal Y&R fans:

• Were you shocked to learn Tracey endured death threats because of Lauren’s behavior?
• Do you think daytime fans sometimes cross the line between character and actor?
• And most importantly, does knowing this change the way you look back on the Lauren–Traci rivalry?

Final Thoughts

Tracey E. Bregman’s story isn’t just about the past. It’s about the enduring power of soap opera storytelling, the blurred line between fiction and reality, and the courage of an actress who gave her all—even when it put her at risk.

As Genoa City continues to spin its tales of love, betrayal, and redemption, Tracey’s revelation reminds us of the humanity behind the characters we love—and sometimes love to hate.