Nikki Newman - Casting

Casting

The character was first portrayed by Erica Hope for less than a year. After her departure in January 1979, the role was recast with Scott, who took over the following month. In 2001, Scott and the producers began to negotiate a new contract, during which rumors spread that the actress was unhappy with Nikki "being put on backburner status" for so long. Soap Opera Digest later speculated that Scott was up for the role of Heather Webber on ABC's General Hospital. Three months later, further speculation arose that Scott had left the soap opera after she was seen moving out her personal belongings from her dressing room, however she managed to sign a new contract soon after to continue her portrayal of Nikki. In May 2009, Nelson Branco of TV Guide Canada reported that Scott had been asked to accept a salary cut, or be taken off her contract and dropped to a recurring status. The actress reportedly refused either options. Scott later began contract negotiations again, which resulted in Nikki being written out of the soap opera after an agreement could not be met. Scott later signed another contract to continue her portrayal, but in 2011, the actress' future was left in uncertainty, due to the soap opera's financial issues. Scott expressed disappointment, stating: "It was not handled very well. I've been in this business since I was three and I know how this works. If a show is having problems with money or budget they call the actor very respectfully and say, "We have a little financial crunch here. Let's try to work something out, okay?" That's what should have happened. The problem was that such a phone call was never made to me and I was left in the lurch." However, Scott managed to renew her contract to continue portraying the role and returned after an onscreen absence.