Days Of Our Lives

Alison Sweeney Writes CNN Op-Ed Piece On Nujeen Mustafa And Realizing How Much Comfort & Escape DAYS Brings To The Reality Of The World!

October 8, 2015

Courtesy/YouTube

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

The story of super EJami fan, Nujeen Mustafa continues! The teenaged Syrian refuge who has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound, has become an inspiration for so many by making it all the way to Germany for safe haven. But what everyone learned along the way is that Nujeen is also a big fan of Days of our Lives and was devastated over the “death” of EJ DiMera (James Scott)

After reunting on late night TV for Nujeen and then making a phone call to her, clearly both Alison Sweeney (Sami) and James Scott were moved by this young girl’s story. Now, Sweeney has taken to CNN.com to post an op-ed story entitled: Why Nujeen Mustafa Inspires Us All. Meanwhile, Sweeney is set to return to the NBC soap opera on-air next week.

Contained within Sweeney’s post are words about the power of DAYS: “In 1993, when I joined the cast, I met people on the street. Fans would share how they grew up watching the show with their parents or grandparents. Kids who were named after main characters on the show would share how their own stories helped them through tough times in school or through the loss of a loved one. But what I didn’t realize was the extent to which the show provided comfort and an escape from reality around the world. I didn’t truly comprehend the impact of the show until the producers of John Oliver’s HBO show approached James Scott (who played EJ) and me to ask if we could reunite for a special scene just for Nujeen. I had been trying to get in touch with the journalist who interviewed Nujeen because I wanted to make contact with the brave young girl, so this opportunity was perfect. Oliver’s producers wanted to offer insights on the humanity behind a politicized struggle. I loved the piece but never anticipated the flood of response. So many news outlets recounted Nujeen’s story and the scene we played out for her. It clearly sparked something in a lot of people.”

Courtesy/YouTube

Alison also added: “Nujeen has profoundly affected my life. As the mother of two young children, I cannot fathom the struggles she has faced in her short lifetime. She told me that when she was sad or scared, watching ‘Days’ would always brighten her. I cannot begin to imagine what those words mean to someone in her shoes. She had me laughing about how angry and emotional my character often was and promised that even though she was going to have to watch a new show to learn German, ‘Days’ would always be her favorite.”

So this begs the question: How has DAYS affected your life? Has it provided you comfort, solace, and escape throughout its 50-year run? And what did you think of Alison’s piece for CNN on the perserverance of Nujeen? Share your thoughts below!

Related Topics:alison sweeney CNN.com Days of our Lives EJ Dimera Ejami James Scott Nujeen Mustafa Sami Brady Syrian Refugee

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Click to comment

Guest

Llanviewer717

All the daytime dramas provide entertainment and escapism from a very stressful and difficult real world. They also provide continuity in an ever changing world. Viewers develop genuine affection for characters and the history of their shows. People want to be entertained. Too bad the very arrogant former president of daytime programming for a pitiful rival organization didn’t know that.

Guest

Steve

Alison is amazing. Such a great heart. I grew up watching with my babysitter.

Guest

MBmomof3

I have just loved following this story. Allison’s piece on CNN.com reminded me how much soaps have impacted my life. From Dark Shadows to today’s remaining four, they have given me so much comfort & joy, and every emotion in between. Coincidentally, (or not so coincidentally) all 3 of my kids share their names with OLTL characters. I know times change and nothing in life is permanent, but I wish DOOL 50 more great years! I’m loving it!

Best wishes to Nujeen on her journey. She has reminded me to appreciate life’s blessings.

Guest

Harry

With all the bad news transpiring in the world leaving me feeling disheartened by my fellow man, stories like this really inject a sense of hope and optimism into my sense of humanity.
I never get tired of this story. Now I am a huge Allison Sweeney fan as well as a NuJeen fan.

Guest

Huge Steve Kayla fan. Hope we are not reverting back to just the Same hour. It’s been better lately don’t go back!

Guest

Typo sami hour was meant.

Guest

nancy dillingham

Count me also has a huge Kayla and Steve fan! Keep up the good work, Days!

Guest

Gmbenet

Days was a great source of diversion during my college years when I was struggling to make decisions about a major or even whether or not I was even in the right school! The main storyline during that time was Marlena in the sanitarium because her twin sister Samantha has placed her there and stolen her identity. Whenever Deidre Hall would scream it would seem like she was screaming for me and my frustration. The other main storyline during that time was Marlena’s impending wedding to Don Craig and her struggles with his daughter Donna. When Don Craig fell off… Read more »

Guest

Shelly

God bless Nujeen. Soaps in general have always been a part of my life. My grandmothers watched them. I remember the tornado on ATWT that injured Kim. I remember Renata on SFT giving birth to a baby in a burning building as David was forced to choose which one he was going to save. I thought Alan Spaulding, John Dixon, and Stefano were the most evil men on Earth (until Bradley Raines came along). I thought Rachel Cory was an angel. I watched Katherine get a face lift on live TV. I thought Dr. Miles Cavanaugh (EON) was the most… Read more »

Guest

mary

Ron C wrote a great monologue for Vicki, B on the 2nd to last eapisode of OLTL.. the Monologue explained why people may like a Soap and what it means in their lives. Watch it, its great.

Guest

MBmomof3

Yes, it was very moving, quite memorable, and relatable. Ron C. at his best.

Guest

Rock

Allison Sweeney and James Scott are the characters on Days of Our Lives that gave hope and inspiration to people around the world! Just like Nujeen grasped what was so real in the story line to the viewers, the human will of love to survive. In the story line, their characters overcame tragedies, disappointments, grief, families against them, and overwhelming odds, yet kept their passion and hope for love alive. In real life they they rose above bad writing and disrespect for their acting genius. These two are a once in a lifetime phenomenon that transcended all types of odds… Read more »

Guest

Pamela

The story of Nujeen Mustafa is one that is sweet, beautiful, inspiring and sad! That is what DOOL has been to me over the years! My mother got me hooked on the show. She first started watching it on maternity leave with me 50 years ago. I began watching it regularly when I was 11 years old. I remember when Mary Anderson and Chris Kositchek had a thing for each other, Marlena and Don were together and my second favorite to EJ and Sami —-Liz and Neil! What ever happened to them? Thank God for VCR, and now DVR! During… Read more »

Guest

carole matthews

Been watching Days od Our Lives off and on almost 50 years.Sometimes get busy wont see if for awhile but tune in and know most of the characters so right back in the groove in no time. Would like to see more of Steve and Kayla Marlena and John and by the way Steve an Kaya are best friends of years in real life. Its the only soap I watch comes on right after lunch. Convenient

Days Of Our Lives

Raven Bowens is the New Chanel on DAYS

June 10, 2021

There has been a casting switcheroo at Days of our Lives. Precious Way is out in the role of Chanel Dupree and the part had been recast.

Way debuted on-screen back in March of 2021, but now comes word, first via Jason 47’s Facebook page, that Chanel will be played by actress Raven Bowens.

According to Soap Opera Digest, look for Bowens to first air on-screen on the July 6th episode. Apparently, she has been taping at the DAYS set since April.

Raven has previously appeared on All Rise, Insecure, The New Edition Story and Future Man.

You can follow her on Instagram here.

So, what do you think of the Chantal switch? Comment below.

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS Alison Sweeney Previews the New EJami

June 6, 2021

Coming up on Days of our Lives, Dan Feurerriegel take over the role of EJ DiMera on-screen, and the character is making quite the timely, or untimely return to Salem now that Sami (Alison Sweeney) has been hitting the sheets with her ex-husband, Lucas (Bryan Dattilo).

Feurerriegel is stepping into the coveted role of EJ made soap-famous by James Scott, who left the series back in 2014 and never returned.

Now the question is can Sweeney and Feurerriegel strike soap gold with their re-imagined duo known as “EJami”?

In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, Alison Sweeney opened up about the casting, working with Dan, and the future of EJami sharing: “To be honest, I was nervous when I heard they were recasting EJ. That’s a big role to fill, I mean, James Scott was definitely a fan favorite and EJ is such a memorable role in the story and certainly in Sami’s life.”

Sweeney said of sharing scenes with Feurerriegel, “Dan has been fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed working with him. He clearly understood the importance of the task ahead.”

As for what fans of EJami may be in for, Sweeney noted: ” I hope those ‘EJami’ fans see the couple they were so connected to, but of course, in a new, different way.”

So will you be giving the new EJami a chance? Looking forward to Dan’s debut, or are you Team Lumi all the way? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first check out this week’s promo for DAYS.

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS Billy Flynn Opens Up To Maurice Benard About His Battle with Addiction on All-New ‘State of Mind’

May 30, 2021

In a terrific episode of Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos, General Hospital) State of Mind You Tube series, the actor welcomes another one of the best actors on daytime, Days of our Lives star Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera, Days of our Lives).

What made this so compelling was Billy Flynn’s ability to talk openly, frankly, and with great understanding about his battles with addiction which he notes have been alcohol, drugs, and the cycles he has found himself in within his life and how he was able to break free of them, and the work he continues to do to keep him from falling back into them.

Flynn shares how much of his adult life was greatly impacted by his childhood, and explained to Benard, how he acted out when he was younger. He also shares how his addiction caused issues for awhile with his job at Days of our Lives.

This episode is a powerful one to watch for anyone struggling with issues of addiction, dependency, suicide, having problems at work, and trying to not self-destruct, which so many of us do, once we seemingly get what we what or while we are trying to obtain it.

Bravo to Billy and Maurice for bringing this forward and to the audience.

Watch Billy’a visit on State of Mind below, followed by a bonus segment where Flynn asks Benard some ‘hard-hitting’ questions.

What did you think of what Billy shared with Maurice? Comment below.