Days Of Our Lives
Arianne Zucker Holds Press Conference; Reads Statement Regarding Lawsuit Against Days of our Lives’ Corday Productions and Albert Alarr
Following the filing and revelations of her lawsuit against Days of our Lives’ production entity, Corday Productions, and its EP Ken Corday, as well as former co-executive producer, Albert Alarr, longtime DAYS star, Arianne Zucker (Nicole Walker DiMera) held a press conference on Thursday, February 8th.
The press conference was attended by Zucker’s attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, and both Arianne and her lawyer made statements on their upcoming litigation.
Arianne first introduced herself with a little background sharing, “My name is Ari Zucker and I have been a committed and loyal employee of Days of Our Lives playing the character of Nicole Walker since February 1998. And I feel very fortunate to be part of a legacy that continues to film since 1965. It’s a show I’ve been very proud of working on. I feel very grateful for being a part of an incredibly talented cast and a coworker to an incredibly talented crew, a cast and crew that I grew very close to. Over the years, I became not just an important character on the show, but a mentor, a confidant, a host, a friend and an advocate for those who felt they didn’t have a voice.”
Photo: JPI
Zucker then went on to bring up the situation with Albert Alarr, expressing: “For quite some time, I have seen my female co-workers being sexually harassed, violated and degraded as women by our executive producer, Albert Alarr. I myself have also been degraded, violated and sexually harassed by Mr Alarr. In March of 2023 several female employees were fired. There was a complete dissolution of our female PR department. Females having contracts not renewed. Females not returning because of the way they were being treated on the show. Females moved to recurring status and feeling that if they do say something, it would be swept under the rug and nothing would be done or worse, they would be fired.” She added, “This all occurred under the watch of the show’s owner Ken Corday, who is personal friends with Albert Alarr. When many of these individuals shared with me what happened between them and Alarr, and after I had enough of being harassed myself, I found the courage to say something to the owner of the show, Ken Corday.”
Photo: JPI
The actress went on to explain that she was told to direct her concerns up to Sony HR, since DAYS has no HR department. While an investigation into Alarr’s alleged behavior was underway, he remained on set for several weeks still directing and producing the show, and even after being removed from the floor, he was working in his capacity in the control room booth,
Arianne added that Alarr, “Was still involved in watching love scenes and making me and other actors and other female crew members very uncomfortable. And I just wanna add one thing. That we did not have an intimacy coach up until this point on the show.” (“An intimacy coordinator,” Zucker clarified).
When discussing how she is no longer on Days of our Lives, Zucker related, “Corday refused to have a verbal conversation with my team. And also, I still have not received any information or results from what came from my own conversation with Sony HR. So for all my coworkers who said they were scared to say anything out of fear of being fired? Well, you all were right. After my loyalty to Ken Corday and Corday Production for 25 years… and loving this show with all my heart, working to my highest ability, doing the right thing and standing up for myself and others is clearly what got me pushed out of my longtime career at Days of Our Lives.”
Photo: JPI
Expressing sadness, Zucker added, “To me, the struggle to create a safe, balanced and fair environment continues on. I’m just sad that I’m no longer there to be the voice for those who need it most. So I do wanna say one more thing, because we did discuss that we were not taking questions, but maybe we will. I’m not sure.”
Photo: JPI
In the end, Arianne addressed Albert Alarr’s statement that being a Black man played a big part in his dismissal and being singled-out for his behavior as per the statement issued on Wednesday by Alarr’s attorney. With a counterpoint to that claim, Zucker said, “I do want to address this in regards to Albert’s comments about being pushed out because he’s a Black man. Well, I’m Jewish and I’m a woman. And I’m a white woman, yes. But racism works both ways. And after everything you have read and after the numerous people who have come forward from all nationalities, I have a question for you: Do you think this lawsuit is about racism? Or do you think this lawsuit is about these two particular men, Mr. Alarr and Mr. Corday, not taking accountability for their actions?”
You can watch part of Arianne’s press conference below.
What did you think of Arianne Zucker’s press conference and the statements made about the background of her lawsuit? Comment below.
(WATCH) Veteran soap actress Arianne Zucker, who started as Nicole Walker on Peacock’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ until her contract expired in January, speaks out on her lawsuit against Ken Corday, Corday Prods. and former director/EP Albert Alarr alleging sexual harassment pic.twitter.com/QlKphgXxH4
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 8, 2024
One hundred percent support you Ari (if you’re reading this). I hope you have no regrets. It seems you expected more loyalty and respect from Corday who you worked with for so long, and unfortunately he turned out to be a major ass and disappointment. Stabbed you in the back. We see more and more in life that being right doesn’t equate with justice. I DO hope you come out on top; I’ll be rooting for you. And I hope this doesn’t get in the way of you finding other soap work. I’d love to see you join GH. Hang in there Jewish sister. 😉
Good for her
What a smart, talented and tough woman. It’s about time Ken Corday was called out for his part! Well done Ari !
Way to go, Arianne! I’m long retired but had to endure similar harassment for years. Women should be running things. I’ll miss you.
Wish her all the best but they have deep financial pockets
She lost me when she said racism works both ways.
You think it doesn’t????
You know it doesn’t. Does sexism work both ways? Of course not.
Are you daft? Of course they both work both ways. Don’t be do dense.
The only one who’s dense is you.They both do not work both ways, racist.
How could Ken Corday allow his female employees to be treated this way. I know Deidre Hall has said he is a great friend in the past but he is no better than Alaar!!
I quit watching the show when it was taken off of NBC. Have not missed it at all. It’s a shame what the cast and crew have endured behind the scenes. Good for Ari for standing up.
I also stopped for the same reason. Good luck to Ari, seems like she and others have been having a Soap opera of their own.
Wish her luck but they will tie this up in court forever and they will say not obligated to provide you with a permanent job .
I do believe there was harassment by Albert and employees were not protected as they should have been. I had hoped things would improve after he was fired. I don’t know if Ari was retaliated against. It’s a shame it has come to this. I hope it can be resolved.
In the minute this crap happens you speak up you have been on this dumb ass show for how many years now you are talking stop the shit !! Speak the minute it happens
I’m not woke but I think it’s true these shows treat women horribly. I remember Laura Wright saying when she was on Guiding Light an executive caught her in the studio hallway and said she was ugly! So right Ari!
This isn’t about being “woke” or not. This shit has been happening since the dawn of time, and it’s high-time these abusive men (and women) be called out.
To Mr Corday and Corday productions…Just in case it hasn’t occurred to you, the majority of your viewers are female! I have watched since 1965, but if this is the way that the women are treated on your show, I don’t think that I will continue watching. No woman should be subjected to that kind of treatment anywhere, but especially in the workplace! Make this right for your female employees, or you may not have a show anymore at all!
I hope this situation can be resolved and Arianne can return to the show. She really was doing superb work and deserved to be the featured lead. The show was going in my view in the right direction with her marriage to EJ and the Tate Holly storyline. That said i find it hard to believe the Days set was the toxic wasted dump its being portrayed. Actors have been on that show for 30 to 40 years and that doesn’t happen by accident. Were there mistakes made and inappropriate moments you bet but this is a place where soap actors grew old with steady employment and dignity even when some of them were clearly ill. No Michael Zaslow treatment for them. It seemed like a family. Alarr for all of the criticism created the most diverse soap in front of and in the writing room that daytime has ever had. Prople of color and the lgbtq community had a seat at the table. So let’s hope before this turns beyond toxic that things can be worked out and Arianne, Alarr and the Coradays can move on and the show and not a lawsuit is what keeps us entertained..
She is suing the show owner and his production company. It’s safe to say she’ll never be back, which is unfortunate.
Never say never. There is always hope. And it’s still in the begining stages of the legal process.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.
Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.
Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”
Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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