FNM Exclusive: Susan Lucci Describes the Moment She Won Her Emmy, Says Rosie O'Donnell Tipped Her Off

After 18 nominations and no wins, nobody would've blamed Susan Lucci if she were backstage at the bar during the 26th annual Daytime Emmy Awards. But like always, Lucci was sitting respecfully in her seat, ready to accept the results with grace.

"Rosie O'Donnell was sitting on my left, my husband was sitting on my right," remembers Lucci in an exclusive interview with FNM. "Rosie O'Donnell said to me, 'Susan, when you go up on stage tonight to win your Emmy … give me your handbag. Because when they call your name, you'll be all excited, and you'll stand up, it'll fall, and you'll step on it.'"

Lucci, however, was being a realist. "'History has taught me that I'm not going up on that stage," the actress told O'Donnell. "'I'm a hopeful person, but thank you, I don't think so.'"

TV fans know what followed: Lucci ended up winning for her portrayal of Erica Kane on "All My Children," and the entire auditorium leapt to their feet.

"I never heard my name," explains Lucci, laughing. "But I knew it was my name because Rosie O'Donnell reached over and took my evening bag!"

Watch the rest of Lucci's interview for more about that moment, including her silly thought upon hearing soap actor Shemar Moore announce her as the winner.