Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Chandler Massey & Alison Sweeney Chat on Will Coming Out to Lucas & Sami!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Today is a red-letter day for fans who have been following Will Horton’s coming out storyline played by Daytime Emmy nominee, Chandler Massey (Will). After months of not knowing when the other shoe would drop, Will finally blurts out that he is gay to his parents, Lucas and Sami in key scenes on today’s episode of Days of our Lives!
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Chandler and his on-screen mom, Alison Sweeney (Sami) at last week’s An Evening with Days of our Lives Paley Center for Media event honoring the success of the soap in telling this coming of age story, and its record fifteen Daytime Emmy nominations. Here is what the duo had to say about the upcoming interactions, playing these key scenes, and more! Then, read below NBC executive Bruce Evans comments to the crowd in attendance on the future of Will’s story!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Chandler on this week in Will’s life when he drops the bombshell on his parents: “Yes, that finally plays out! The thing I like about this week’s scenes is there is some nice Will and Lucas stuff. Because of Sami’s reaction, Lucas kind of has to step up and be in the one to tell Will that they still love him, even though Sami has walked out. I think that is great because Will and Lucas really have not had a lot of moments since Lucas came back to Salem. And the scenes that they have had, there was not a real sense of a father/son bond. I think that is appropriate and it was intentional on Bryan Dattilo (Lucas) and my part. You know, Lucas has been gone for years in Hong Kong, during the years that Will has changed the most. So it’s not that just that it is awkward or uncomfortable. It’s just that there is a distance that they have to bridge. They can’t exactly pick up where they left off, because Lucas has also changed and so has Will. There will be some big Sami and Will scenes too. There are a couple of them coming out and they are pretty amazing!”
Alison on the episode where Sami learns the truth about her son being gay. “I am so excited for everyone to see the show. Sami does not have a great reaction which is something you may have seen so far. But I think, at the same time, it’s a classic or perfect way Sami would react. Bottom line is she is like, “What did I do?” And then, I had this great woman say to me at the Outfest Days of our Lives Coming Out Celebration panel that mother’s do feel this way. I thought that was a great. She put her blessing on it and that is the thing that I think the writer’s did. They acknowledged that everyone came at it from a different perspective. I feel that as actors, our job at the heart of it is to portray someone’s real feelings and their emotional heart.
Chandler on if he is concerned that the new DAYS writing regime headed up by Gary Tomlin, Chris Whitesell and Lorraine Broderick, will make a wrong turn in Will’s story: “Gary Tomlin was the executive producer at DAYS when I first came on the show. I cannot express how much I loved Marlene and Darrell’s writing and how they told Will’s coming out story. But also, I first found out that Will is going to come out when I was approached by Gary. He was the first one to tell me the plan. I know that the new writing team will tell a story that is just as touching, hopefully.”
Alison on being part of this important storyline, and working at DAYS now with the new head writing team, after all the trials and tribulations Sami has encountered, endured, or brought upon herself over the years. “I never thought I would be in this position with the show. When I first started on DAYS, I thought I was going to be playing the kid where you are trotted out during the summer. I really had no idea how this was going to unfold and I am super excited. I know that right now I am super excited to read the next script. ”
Chandler on the fact that actor, Brent Daugherty has shot some scenes that involve Will’s storyline: “ Yes. More gay characters which is good! We are keeping it alive! (Laughs) That is always nice to have a new character come in and do a couple of episodes. Maybe Will might have a date? Or, maybe Sonny might have one? We shall see.”
Bruce Evans, the executive at NBC who oversees Days of our Lives addressed concerns from those in attendance at the Paley Center, as to the future of Will’s coming out story, “Let me assure we are not backing down from telling this story. We wouldn’t have gone there if we didn’t think it had real value, and boy, has Chandler Massey just batted it out of the park. Certainly, we care about fan reaction and things that are written. But we also have to stay the course. Fans have various favorites, and they want you to pull to them. If we tried to satisfy everyone, we wouldn’t have a show.”
So soapers, after our preview, make sure to watch the scenes where Will coming out to his parents on DAYS! What do you think of Bruce Evans comments assuring that Will’s story will continue? Let us know your thoughts!
Just finished watching it. I really liked the way both Chandler and Ali played the scenes. It seemed very genuine and exactly the way it would go down in many families. I know we’re going to see Sami run out tomorrow – running is what she does when she’s uncertain about things, and I do think it’s perfectly understandable for Sami. I also think it’s understandable that she would question if her parenting somehow ‘contributed’ to Will’s gayness, no matter how illogical that idea is. I am looking forward to seeing this story work it’s way out. So far it’s been quite good and honest, so I’m counting on the remainder to be the same. If it isn’t, I’ll be upset. And I do hope that when this is all over, Sami and Will will have found their way back to each other.
Regarding Bruce Evans comments, it would be a major blunder Days not to continue to tell the story the way Marlene McPherson and Darrell Thomas began it. Will’s story has been one of the freshest and most honest stories that Days has ever done, and this is from someone who’s watched for 47 years. Besides this coming out and coming of age story is something that so many have experienced or will experience. Not give it its proper place would do Days viewers a gross disservice.
well well well i hope these scenes will be great but i am really disapointed about Sami being the one freaked out but the outing of her son..it is so predictable and at the same time not so much in character except for the ‘blame myself, self-centered, guillty’ card..but it is so so so predictable..Lucas being the one with a problem would have been so much interesting, it could have developped his character who otherwise is an afterthough tied to Sami’s shoes..It could have explored Will and Lucas relationship and would have suited well with Lucas rooted insecurity and years of absence in his son’s life..;what a waste..and Sami being the one who support would have explored Will and Sami tortured relationship in a different way with a Sami would understand Will insecurity, underdog status like she experienced herself as a teen, a young adult with other issues like Teen pregnancy, eating disorder..underdog status too !!
Such a waste and weak writing..quite lame..but still i hope these actors will still be able to make some great acting scenes..Sweeney is brave to endure all this one-note writing and Massey is a great young actor for soaps..i wish them well.
It’s great to see that the new writers and Gary will continue to write for Will. And they are right, Massey knocks it out of the ballpark, I can’t wait to see the Will and Sami scenes!
After the horrendous ending of Luke and Reid, and the lame ending of Luke and Noah on ATWT (even though the show has gone off the air nearly 20 months ago); I am afraid to invest in the Will SL on DOOL or any other gay couple SL on soaps or shows. So far every soap or show that I have faithfully watched has ended in disaster for the gay characters/couples. The EPs, writers, and TPTB somehow manage to screw up SLs involving gay characters/couples time after time in TV history. If the intent is to ultimately shatter these SLs, then why begin them in the first place.
Chandler Massey is one of the best younger actors on daytime. I see a bright future for this young man.
Fingers are crossed that the new regime doesn’t mess with, or drop the storyline, since it’s the best storyline on DOOL these days.
Finally! I have been waiting for this part of the story arc to play out! Massey is pretty amazing! (Sammi’s upcoming reaction, while not commendable, is definitely realistic- I can hardly wait to watch it play out during the week.)
Glad this storyline will keep going. Chandler is such a great actor. He is really doing well for this storyline. When everything else on Days is kinda bleh, this is what keeps bringing in the viewers, including me.
i pray that the new writing team will continue to embrass this storyline and continue to let chandler massey hit it out of the park. as done yesterday, the words used by the best loved characters carry lots of weight with middle america and how they will treat their kids who need to come out to them. do this thing right, please. don’t drop the ball, or for god’s sake, don’t put it back in the closet
Breaking News
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.
According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route. Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.
Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.
Photo: NBC
Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.
As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.
Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.
Photo: ABC
Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.
Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.
Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.
Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”
The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”
Besides his role in the soaps, Kelker-Kelly appeared on primetime on Touched by an Angel and Rescue 77 , and played Bo in the Days of our Lives specials Night Sins and Winter Heat in the early 90s.
Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.
Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Van Hansis Marks Two Years as ‘General Hospital’s’ Dr. Lucas Jones
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
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