Soap Opera
The On-Screen ‘General Hospital’ Pair Competing Against Each Other for a Daytime Emmy
‘General Hospital’ stars Braedyn Bruner and Giovanni Mazza both received their first Daytime Emmy nominations in the new Outstanding Emerging Performer category.
General Hospital doesn’t have a more solid pair at the moment than Emma Scorpio-Drake and Gio Palmieri. On-screen, the young lovers are celebrating the return of Emma’s grandma, Anna, as well as Gio’s new recording contract with Trina. Off-screen, the actors who play Emma and Gio, Braedyn Bruner and Giovanni Mazza, are also celebrating their Daytime Emmy nominations…in the same category.
Bruner and Mazza Both Snag Nods
The year 2025 was the inaugural one for the newly created category of Outstanding Emerging Performer. To qualify for the nod, a performer had to have been on a soap in their first contract role for under two years by December 31, 2025, per NATAS. Mazza joined GH in May of 2024 as the Cerullo cousin who turned out to be Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Dante’s (Dominic Zamprogna) son. In December of that year, Bruner debuted as a grown Emma Scorpio-Drake, daughter of Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough) and Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson).
A friendship blossomed between Emma and Gio, and that friendship eventually grew into young love. Emma was the one who was there for Gio when he learned who his real parents were. She has stood by his side as he’s had to examine who he really was and forge a new identity apart from the woman he always believed was his mom.
Their performances earned the pair their very first Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Emerging Talent category, something that had them both stunned.
“Not only a lot of our scenes together on the show, but also how many people can say they got nominated for an Emmy with their best friend?” Bruner asked in an interview with TV Insider. “I don’t think that happens. Also, it being our first time ever being nominated is insane. It’s just the most unique experience, and we get to experience it together. It’s incredible.”
While they are competing against one another, Bruner and Mazza just can’t wait for the fun red carpet glam.
“Oh my gosh, I’ve been planning this for months, actually,” she said. “I don’t want to give too much away, but I’m all about the red carpet looks.”
You’ll have to wait until October 30 to see what Bruner has picked out…and to see who takes home the gold.
