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DAYS Camila Banus Dishes On The Dark Side Of Gabi & Her Ultimate Revenge Plan On Abby And Those Who Wronged Her

Photo: NBC

On Days of our Lives, Gabi Hernandez has been through the wringer, and now she is about to put everyone else through the wringer, too!  For the last few months, viewers of the NBC daytime drama have witnessed the turn in the character, played to the hilt by Camila Banus.  After suffering major mental and physical anguish, and being sent to prison for a crime she did not commit along the way (thanks Stefan and “Gabby”!), this spitfire is ready to takedown Abby (Marci Miller) and Stefan (Tyler Christopher), and whoever else is the way as part of her collateral damage in her revenge schemes.

Thus far, Gabi has already switched the DNA paternity results of Abby’s unborn child from Chad (Billy Flynn) to Stefan. She has been egging on her ex Chad to divorce Abigail, although that seems to be backfiring on her at the present.  So, what’s a girl to do?  The key to her plot may be poor Abigail’s delicate mental state; after all, Abby suffered from DID and created “Gabby”, and “Dr. Laura” to try to cope with the fact that she murdered Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis).

While Banus is getting the chance to show off her chops on DAYS, she has been landing many exciting projects in primetime and film. Chief among them, Camila has joined the cast of the Fox drama, Star, where she will be making an impact in her new role of Nina Ferrera on the show’s upcoming third season.  Michael Fairman TV caught up with this talented young woman to get her take on how playing bad feels so good. Check out what Camila had to say below.

When you found out that Gabi was going to the dark side, was this something you had hoped would happen?

CAMILA:  Yes.  I think when Ron Carlivati (head writer, Days of our Lives) first arrived; I had a phone conversation with him where he kind of knew I wanted a strong storyline: something that I thought would be worthwhile; something that I thought would be very strong for Gabi.  I didn’t give him a direction.  I thought it was just cool that he did go this way with her.  I think, I even mentioned to him, “I don’t care if she goes crazy.  I don’t care if she has multiple personalities,” but obviously as it turned out, he was doing that with the character of Abigail, but it’s cool, because Gabi’s able to interact with that storyline and play her own dramatic situations that are going on.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

When you were One Life to Live’s Lola Montez, didn’t Ron write for you then as well?

CAMILA:  He was on board when that was happening.

She turned bad too, didn’t she?

CAMILA:  She didn’t turn bad.  She just took acid on her prom night.  Actually, she kind of did turn bad.  She poked holes in her cousin’s condom, but whatever. (Laughs)  It is what it is.  (Laughs)

Courtesy/ABC

I’m watching the scenes where Gabi is sipping on a martini, and being this bitch on wheels.  You’ve got it down! 

CAMILA:  Thanks!  It’s been a long time, and Gabi has been kind of been s**t on for a while (laughs), so it feels good to have a little redemption, you know?  It’s so fun!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Gabi is so upset.  She gets beaten up in prison, thrown in there from a crime she did not commit, she learns she may never be able to have children again because of it, and her daughter seems to not like her now and Abby gets pregnant!  You could see how it all could pile up and lead to a spiteful and revenge-filled Gabi Hernandez!

CAMILA:  Well, her daughter is feeling resentment because she’s abandoned her twice, for a very long time, both times.  Arianna is a very small little girl who needs her mom.  She’s pretty angry at her now and she can express it better.  Arianna chooses to act this way, act out, and tell Gabi how she’s feeling.  I think that just goes to show what a great mom Gabi is that her kid is able to speak so freely to her.  It’s been a pretty rough couple of months for Gabi, and then, this last straw has been to hear that she cannot create life again.  She cannot sustain life in her body.  That happened from being beaten in prison and getting a really bad infection that scarred her and that does not allow her to carry a child to term.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

And then she finds out Abigail is pregnant, and we start to see Gabi’s wheels turning!

CAMILA:  Yes, because the worst thing is that she finds out that Abigail is pregnant.  That really is a punch to her uterus.  It sucks, because she’s been given this other news, and it’s like, “What? Are you serious?”  This gift has been given to the woman that did all of the horrible things to her.

Also, Gabi was in love with Chad.  Is that another reason why she wants to destroy Abigail? 

CAMILA:  I don’t really think that plays into this.  Mostly, it’s just the backstabbing, the lying, and the setting her up for a murder that she did not commit; allowing her to sit and rot in prison, allowing her to be away from her daughter for so long.  It’s pretty hard to forgive.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

When Gabi found out that it was Abby’s alter, “Gabby” that was framing her for murder, is that still no excuse in Gabi’s mind?  Even though Abby was mentally ill at the time?

CAMILA:  I guess the way Gabi is playing it is, “At the end of the day that was Abigail.  Abigail could have come out at some point and saved me if that was the case and did not.  If that was the case, why wasn’t she seeking therapy?  Why did I have to be the one who was harmed in all of this?  It’s not fair regardless.  So, yeah, I’m kind of blaming it on her.”

Then there’s Gabi’s resentment and anger at Stefan, who was part of the “Gabby” cover-up.

CAMILA:  Stefan just fed the fire of the personality.  He knew what was happening and didn’t do anything about it.  He made it worse

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Speaking of Stefan, what has it been like working with Tyler Christopher?

CAMILA:  It’s been fun!  I loved throwing the cup at him and just all of the fiery conversations that Gabi and Stefan get to have.  It’s great to fight with such a big, powerful character.  It makes me have a lot of power too, so it’s just been great.

Photo Credit: JPI Studops

This week unveils the next leg of Gabi’s plan, where she sets out to try to make it look like Abigail is suffering from DID again.  Do you think the audience will be tweeting, “How could Gabi do that to someone with a serious mental illness?” 

CAMILA:  Karma is a bitch.  That’s how it’s been written, and that’s how I’m playing it.  I think that it doesn’t matter if I like it or not.

Gabi seems to have conjured up this plan, but what does she think that the endgame is?

CAMILA:  She has some plan, but obviously you can’t be prepared for anything.  You can have plan A, plan B, plan C, but you’re always going to get an X-factor or variables.  It’s never going to be something that is going to go your way, especially for Gabi, because she’s not a savvy, dark side person.  She’s just getting into this dark side business.  She had to do what she had to do to Nick Fallon (Blake Berris), but that’s not something that she was planning.  That’s just something she did to protect herself.  I think she’s rolling with the punches.  She’s got Kate (Lauren Koslow), who is her compass in all of this, telling her, “What are you doing?”

Photo Credit: JPi Studios

Marci Miller made the decision to leave the show.  How do you feel about her exit when the two of you built this drama between your characters?

CAMILA:  People come and go all of the time from our show.  I left; I’ve come back.  It’s just something that is just part of our business.  It sucks to not have her around every single day.  We get used to having people here every single day, and then we just try to keep up, and stay in touch when someone leaves.

I thought it was great that your Lifetime movie Killer Caregiver came out at the same time that Gabi started becoming dark on Days of our Lives.  How was playing that role? 

CAMILA: That movie was so fun to play, because I feel like it had a lot of ‘Lifetime’ elements to it, but it also felt really edgy.  It was very, “Hand That Rocks the Cradle.”  I loved playing that role.  It was fun to be such a bad, bad girl.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

You have been cast on Fox’s hit music dramatic series, Star opposite William Levy. Congrats!  What can you tell us about the role of Nina? Have you already shot your scenes?

CAMILA: Thank you!  I have shot scenes for my role on Star.  Nina Ferrera is a bold and savvy business owner that equals her powerhouse husband.  We are both go-getters and determined to make our mark in the industry and I can tell you that she’s extremely fashionable!

You have such passionate fans, who always want the best for you.  They are vocal on social media.  What have they thought of the turn in your character?

CAMILA:  It’s interesting.  I’m not getting that many haters, which I have in the past when she’s gone a little to the dark side.

Photo: CBanusInstagta,

I remember when that happened, and I was like, “What is going on?”

CAMILA:  Yeah, I’m not really getting too many haters.  I think people feel bad for me!  I think they feel bad that Gabi’s had it so tough.  I mean, being falsely accused of murder … when Gabi was on trial, she went to a maximum-security facility.  That’s not okay.  Melinda Trask had it out for her.  I think that’s why people kind of understand.

They want Gabi to stir the pot!

CAMILA:  Yeah!  We’re in a soap opera.  We’re on a show.  We need drama.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

When you’re doing certain types of scenes where you have to look at the camera with the martini, or make certain comments to yourself, do you ever worry that it’ll be too over the top?

CAMILA:  I worry every single time, and I know every single time that it will be over the top, because who sits with a martini glass talking to themselves?  (Laughs)  Of course, obviously, I’m not psychotic!  (Laughs)  Again, it’s just part of our business.  It’s part of the scandal of it all, part of the drama.  I get these scenes, and I can say to the producers and the director, “Hey, I don’t want to do this,” and the only thing they’re going to tell me is, “You’ve got to do this.”  (Laughs)  You just try to make it as natural as possible, and roll with it.

Photo Credit: JPI Studiops

How will Gabi’s dear friend and father of her child, Will Horton (Chandler Massey) fit into all of this?  Will Gabi care what Will thinks if he finds out what she is doing?

CAMILA:  Will comes into this a little bit after this story develops as kind of a Jiminy Cricket character, in a guidance kind of situation that she may, or may not heed.

Do you think fans will see bad Gabi continue once this story is over?

CAMILA:  Gabi will continue to be bad as long as people continue to wrong her.  If people stop messing with her, everything will be fine.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Isn’t she worried her brother Rafe (Galen Gering), who works for the Salem PD, might arrest her if he finds out what she’s doing? 

CAMILA:  No.  (Laughs)  Honestly, that’s the honest answer.  She’s not worried.  She’s really just not thinking about that at all … at all!

Is her company “Gabi Chic” going to continue?

CAMILA:  She cannot have any other baby.  Her other baby is her company, so she’s going to fight for it.

You’ll have great stuff for Emmy time next year.  Is there one particular scene that you’ve loved so far in this story line?

CAMILA:  Yes, but it hasn’t aired yet.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

What did you like about those scenes; without saying what they are specifically?

CAMILA:  You get to see a little bit of raw Gabi, and a moment of understanding of where all of this is coming from.

She switched the DNA results to make it look like Stefan is the bio-dad of Abigail’s baby when it is Chad’s.  Interesting how she pulled that off! (Laughs)

CAMILA:  It was very convenient.  It just kind of worked out for her, and that’s why it was something that just kind of happened.  Kayla’s (Mary Beth Evans) assistant came in and dropped the results at the precise time Gabi was standing there.

Courtesy/NBC

So, in a broad stroke, you would say to the viewers to look for Gabi to continue to terrorize those who wronged her?

CAMILA:  Yes! Look for Gabi to get the revenge she deserves.

What do you think of Gabi’s plans to get payback on Abby and Stefan?  Do you hope she succeeds  … or that someone will stop her before she hurts so many people?  Are you excited that Camila will be on the upcoming season of Star?  What has been your favorite Gabi bad girl moment thus far? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Great interview. Oh,how I love Chad and Gabi together. Such GREAT chemistry.

Great thing they won’t end up together. Chad will be with his wife Abby the love of his life and the mother of his children. Chad and Gabi have no chemistry.

Excellent story. I have always thought Camila was one of the best actresses on the show. Gabi reminds me of a young Kristen. If fans remember, Kristen was a good girl when she came to town. I hope to see her on the show for years to come and see her share the stage next year with Marci Miller when they accept their Daytime Emmy AWards

No reason is good enough for what she is doing….her mamaa would be ashamed

I love Camila and Gabi and I haven’t been thrilled with direction Gabi has been going in even though Camila has been rocking it. But having read Camila’s perspective on the storyline I feel a bit better. Although Gabi is in a dark place right now I do not believe she is evil and I’ve been wanting to see some balance between her light and dark side. From what she said about Will’s role in this we’ll see some of that of course it all depends on how much she listens to him.

As far as her answer to the question about if Gabi will stay bad I don’t mind her being a gray “If you hit me I’ll hit back. But if you don’t mess with me I won’t mess with you” type of character I’m cool with that, I’m fine with her keeping an edge just as again we see balance between her light and dark side.

As far her upcoming role on “star” goes I’ve never watched the show but that’s definitely going to change!

Gabi needs to teach Abigail a good lesson.

I hate the story line no reason is good enough to go after a mentally ill women. I am just happy in the end Chad and Abby will be happy together and in love with their children away from Gabi.

I don’t like gabi with Chad she looks better with Eli put loni with no aga in and dont break up chad and abby please keep Marci on days shes a great actor loves her

My fave on DAYS. Camila is killing it. Every soap needs a vixen.

I used to like Gabbi,but honestly can not condone what she is doing to a family,that includes two innocent children. Camilla seems not to only like this part she’s now playing, but thinks all the revenge and destruction she’s causing, is justified. Two wrongs do not make a right.If all the rumors are right with Abby and Chad leaving Salem together, where will that leave Gabby?

What rumors about Chad and Abby leaving? Billy re-signed his contract and Kate Mansi has been taping as Abby for months already despite Marci’s Abby remaining on air until November.

Jbj,sorry to burst your bubble, but if you Google Billy FLynn, you will see, he’s leaving .in Oct.

Unfortunately Billy Flynn is leaving; though I’m not sure if they’re sending the fictional couple off into the sunset together or if they’re recasting.

Hi Rebecca
I did read somewhere that Kate M. Would be back for the baby reveal, and then they would leave together. Don’t remember where I read it, or if it’s entirely true. I am so very disappointed in this show right now, that I don’t care much who comes or goes. Oh, what a liar I am. That’s what bothers me the most, losing Steve,Lucas,etc,etc. I,will hang in there though, I always do. I just have to moan and groan some. Thanks for “listening” Rebecca.

Camila is killing it! I get why Gabi wants revenge. It’s entertaining. I hope she raises hell against Agifail and Cad. I love having everyone, fans including shaking in their boots.

I miss her an Eli. I wish she would try to forgive him because he appeals to the better side of her nature. Eli sees the darkness in her and tries to turn her back to the light. I don’t want them to end up together, just to think about it instead of forever chasing Chad because her scenes with Julie who despises her are priceless.

Bad, bad girl Gabi with the most gorgeous hair on TV. Camila truly is a beautiful girl.
Off topic: I did not recognize Mimi. Is it just moi? She has really changed!!

Camila is beautiful, Celia. As for Farrah, she may have had fat transfered from her face to her lips. If so, then if someone wants to slap her face, the mouth would be the target. lol

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star, Greg Vaughan, Gives Health Update and Thanks Everyone for Their Support

Greg Vaughan (Eric, Days of our Lives, ex-Lucky, GH, and ex-Diego, Y&R) provided an update on his health on Sunday, March 17th. Vaughan had previously shared that he had become ill during a trip with his sons to Colorado, and had developed altitude sickness when he was having trouble breathing accompanied by terrible headaches and landed in the urgent care.

Now on St. Patrick’s Day, Greg took to his Instagram and shared how he is feeling now, and to thank everyone for their love and support.  As it turned out, Vaughan was diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema, commonly known as HAPE. However, he is on the mend slowly and surely.

In his new video post, the DAYS favorite started by expressing, “I just felt such an appreciation and gratitude for everything. . reaching out. Your prayers have been felt. It’s been a struggle, but I’m over the top. And, taking this moment just to say I didn’t realize the things that I was going through. My (original) post was simply just to educate, put some information out there and some things that I was feeling, just share that information and the struggle that I was going through, which I didn’t quite understand. And it wasn’t because I’m stubborn or just because I’m a father, a man, and didn’t want to go to a doctor. It is just something I thought was so minor that I could overcome it, just by taking care of myself.”

Photo: JPI

The Daytime Emmy winner then revealed his actual diagnosis, “So, basically my situation was high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). With some good friends, doctors that had reached out to me, it kind of gave me some understanding on the aftermath, which was very, very beneficial.”

“But I’ve been resting, taking care of myself even though I live in a hamster wheel,” said the dad of three teenaged boys. “I gotta get up and, you know, do my normal domesticated stuff, eventually. I’m tired of laying down in this bed, but, I am feeling much better.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

Talking on his confusion of trying to understand what could have been ailing him, Vaughan expressed, “I couldn’t quite figure it out, even though I was emphasizing and professing to my children going on our spring break getaway about hydration. I professed it. But, even though I was acting on it, it had a greater effect on me, and for which I did not even think, because my head was such in pain, and I was in a very bad state of mind – not being able to be out there with my kids on the mountain, enjoying their time, as well. I thought I was doing the right thing. Unfortunately, my lungs were full of fluids and my head was in severe pain and even migraine pills didn’t even help. So, I just want anybody that goes into the Colorado Mountains to know, it is no joke. It is this very serious thing which I guess is why they call it the Mile High City.”

Greg had a mountain of ‘thank you’s’ to give for the outreach he received from his original post, “For everybody internationally, wherever you are, I love you and I appreciate you and just the time and the thoughts that you’ve shared with me,” said Vaughan. “I didn’t realize that it would make such an impression on so many people around the world. I feel tremendously loved and I can’t say it enough. I’m good. And I appreciate you.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

The actor concluded his video with, “To all the family and friends that have reached out to me, man, it means the world. So take care of yourself, enjoy your spring break with your families. It’s Saint Patty’s Day, obviously. I wish I could be out there.” Vaughan added, “I feel loved and touched and I can’t emphasize that enough. I’ll take better care of myself, promise you will do the same.” Before he signed off, Greg shared, “Just know, that I’m alive and well and breathing, and I’m sore. So, be well, take care. I mean it. Thank you, tremendously.”

Glad to know that Greg has been on the mend, and shared his appreciation for everyone that reached out to him during this trying time? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Access Hollywood’ and ‘Couple to Throuple’ Host Scott Evans to Appear on Days of our Lives

Scott Evans, host of Access Hollywood and the Peacock reality series Couple to Throuple, will make a guest appearance this week on Days of our Lives.

Circle the Thursday, March 21st episode of DAYS for Evans’ arrival in Salem. During his tape date last fall (since DAYS tapes months well ahead of when episodes actually stream), Scott posed for a snap alongside Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Jackée Harry (Paulina), James Reynolds (Abe) and Greg Rikaart (Leo).

Teasers for the 3/21 episode of DAYS share that Leo tries to come up with his next gossip column, and Paulina and Abe return home to a mini-celebration set up by Johnny and Steve. Will Evans pop up in one of those scenarios? Stay tuned.

Photo: JPI

For a long time, soap opera fans knew only of one Scott Evans. The one who played Oliver Fish on One Life to Live from 2008-2010.  But in show business, there are two Scott Evans’ that are widely-known.

Last Thursday, March 12th at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards, it found both Scott Evans and Scott Evans together in the green room and they taped this video ditty below, calling out how they both share the same name.

Photo: JPI

Last weekend, viewers saw OLTL’s Scott Evans on-stage at the Oscars when he performed in the musical number “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie led by Ryan Gosling.

As for Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans, he has been with the entertainment news program since 2015, appeared in the recent Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan, Loni Anderson and Morgan Fairchild, and currently has an overall talent and development deal with NBCUniversal.

So, looking forward to seeing Scott on DAYS? Check out ‘Evans meeting Evans’ below, and then share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star Greg Vaughan Shares Sudden Health Scare: “I Truly Feel Like I Work & Live in a Soap Opera!”

What started out as an adventure with his sons, quickly turned into a nightmare for Days of our Lives Daytime Emmy winner, Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady).

In a series of Instagram posts, Vaughan shared the sudden health crisis he found himself in.  The images show Greg with an oxygen tank to help him breathe.

The actor began to fill people, sharing, “I’ve said more than a few times, I truly feel like I work & live in a Soap Opera! 🤪 this trip was nothing short of another great Vaughan adventure!”

He went on to say that on a father and son Colorado spring break trip, he began to feel shortness of breath, feeling tired and with a headache and after two days of hoping he would feel better, Vaughan finally went to an Urgent Care to get checked out.

Photo: GVaughanIG

“I finally surrendered & went to urgent care and to my shock I learned that I was experiencing severe altitude sickness.” Vaughan admitted. “My Blood Oxygen was at 54% & my lungs were full of fluids! Blood oxygen, also known as oxygen saturation, represents the percentage of hemoglobin in your red blood cells that is carrying oxygen. Most people have an oxygen level of 95-100%….”

Providing more detail to his health scare, Greg shared, “Well, 4hrs later, a couple of bags of IV & oxygen tank strapped to my face, I was told that I needed to immediately get off the mountain! However I couldn’t, we still had another day to go & wanting the boys to enjoy their last day on the hill tops! I opted to go home with an oxygen tank, a good laugh for everyone, and I know will follow, but my boys looked after their old man & fortunately they had friends on this trip!”

Photo: JPI

The experience of altitude sickness in the Colorado Rockies gave Vaughan a bit of a new perspective, “In all seriousness, no matter your age, and all the times I’ve ⛷️ & 🏂 in my lifetime, Colorado Rockies is no joke! As they say, ‘ take a breathe and smell the roses!’ That is truly something we need to remember & appreciate! #recover”

Share your well-wishes to Greg as he continues to be on the mend via the comment section below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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