Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Chandler Massey Interview: Will's Coming Out Scenes & The Ripple-Effect On Those He Loves!
Photo Credit: Adam Campbell
It’s Will Horton’s “official” coming out week on Days of our Lives! And to kick-off the occasion Outfest sponsored a terrific event late last week in Los Angeles called Days of our Lives: A Coming Out Celebration featuring red carpet arrivals, a screening for those in attendance of Will’s story thus far, and a panel discussion featuring members of the cast involved in the storyline including: Chandler Massey (Will), Alison Sweeney (Sami), Wally Kurth (Justin) Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), Lauren Koslow (Marlena), Deidre Hall (Marlena) and co-executive producer Greg Meng.
Throughout the week, On-Air On-Soaps will be bringing you our one-on-one interviews, and some sneak peeks and highlights, and emotional moments, from the panel discussion, as we celebrate the importance of another core character coming out on a daytime soap.
Today, check out our chitchat on the red carpet with Chandler Massey, who on this night was very witty, charming, and who was soaking up all of the accolades bestowed upon him from his cast mates and the crowd in attendance. One of the kudos we loved came from DAYS Sarah Brown (Madison) who told us, “I love what Chandler is doing. He has my heart in my throat, every single time he comes on–screen. There is no way anyone else has a chance at an Emmy this year. I have never seen anything quite like this. I am in awe of what he is doing.”
When we later spoke with Chandler, he gave us more of a preview of what’s ahead with Will’s coming out scenes that air tomorrow, and how the revelation will effect his relationship with his mother, Sami and his father, Lucas. Plus, we included here for those who want to know, a question posed to Chandler inside the panel, about the sexual overtones of Will’s relationship with his boss, EJ DiMera (James Scott), which many have suggested they have noticed on on-screen.
Here is what Chandler had to tell us!
Courtesy/NBC
The entire cast in attendance tonight has been relating to me how you have handled this storyline with such dignity and grace!
CHANDLER: Well that’s good that they said that. It seems that the money that I slipped them before they hit the red carpet worked! (Laughs) It was a good amount each, for daytime anyway. (Laughs)
Bryan Dattilo (Lucas) was telling me how glad he was that Lucas is OK with Will being gay!
CHANDLER: I am glad Lucas is OK with Will being gay, and Lucas handles it exceptionally well compared to Sami! Of course! She can’t help it and that is just how she is. I really like that in the story. There are some scenes coming up that are really sweet between Will and Lucas. Honestly, I have not worked with Bryan that much and they kind of threw him right back into the mix with Sami and the lingering feelings between these two. Lucas also has all this other stuff going on. But there are some really tender father and son bonding scenes that you will see.
Does Will feel then that somehow he is inadequate as man and a disappointment to his dad?
CHANDLER: Well, yes. And it’s not so much said, but Bryan and I worked it into our subtext in the scenes. That would be any gay young man’s fear, coming out to their dad, because, for instance, I know my dad and I never talk about feelings or anything like that.
Courtesy/NBC
I hear that Sami’s response to Will’s coming out will be a quite self-centered one and one of denial. It does happen that way with some people’s family members when they get up the courage to admit to them that they are gay.
CHANDLER: I think so, and it does happen this way. That is just some people’s knee-jerk reaction to something. They will go, “Well, how does this affect me?” But some are better holding it in and then thinking, “Wait a second.” And then some people have no filter, and that is how Sami is, and Will knows that!
You have to be kind of proud that this is happening and you are at the epicenter of it. After all, you are the actor who got to play the character of Will at this critical juncture in his growth. Previewing ahead, what do you think we can look forward? He won’t go ringing the doorbell of the residents in Salem and go “I’m Gay!” “I’m Gay!”? (Laughs)
CHANDLER: We have the coming out scenes April 4th and the sex-change, April 5th! (Laughs) I am just kidding! (Laughs) Will is coming out April 4th to his grandma Marlena, and after that it’s just a matter of telling the rest of the family slowly. Some people will be easier for him to tell than others, for example, Marlena and Sonny. They knew already. Will knows that. He is not a complete idiot! EJ knows. I think it does not matter to EJ one bit. But the other people like Sami and the rest of his family, he is not sure about.
Photo Credit: NBC
Many viewers have noticed this sexual undercurrent between EJ and Will? What is going on there? Do you realize this? (Laughs)
CHANDLER: James Scott (EJ) and I have also noticed the existence of that subtext. (Laughs) EJ and Will’s relationship is kind of a mentor or mentee sort of thing, which kind of already lends itself to a very close relationship. And I think, just the fact that James is British, sort of adds to it. (Laughs) And I will say, that they are not writing for that, but I am saying that any gay man working around EJ DiMera would think he is a handsome guy. You can’t help but be somewhat attracted to that.
So, as we head towards tomorrow’s coming out episode, can viewers expect to see an emotional purging from Will, when he finally can admit to himself he is gay?
CHANDLER: It is not an emotional purge and here is why: I read the scenes and they could have easily gone that way. But I think there has been so much of that already, and I like I said, it was kind of at that point where it would kind of be seen as repetitive, if it kept going with all this angst and conflict of “Will he say it? Or, won’t he say it?” So this time, it was much more cathartic. It was more of a fun afternoon with grandma that turns into this whole acceptance. Will just kind of slides into it. It’s not dramatic, but because of that, it will be very refreshing to see, I hope.
So soapers …. Are you excited about Will finally coming out on tomorrow’s episode of Days of our Lives? What do you think about Chandler’s comments about the storyline and Will’s relationships with many of the significant people in Salem? Let us know!
i see an emmy in chandler’s future!!!
A channel in Canada just aired tomorrows episode today. I just saw Will come out to Marlena today and was expecting a big huge scream of “I’m gay!” instead of the way Will handled his coming out Marlena (their chemistry on screen just gets better and better!) Look forward to seeing more of this storyline in the months and hopefully years to come (as long as the show is on!)
So great how Days has been treating this storyline. And sooooo much better than any other soap has so far! I am glad that it’s played out for a long time and I can’t wait to see the scenes of people finding out that Will is gay, especially the scenes with Will telling Marlena and Sami!
I only hope that after Chandler putting so much effort into this unique role; that the writers and TPTB of DOOL will not screw up this SL like the writers and TPTB of QAF and ATWT did, giving their gay characters disastrous endings.
Chandler Massey is a great find and he should win the Emmy this year. He has chemistry with every actor he shares a scene with. The guy has talent!
Hey guys that are watching this storyline their is a movie called Doing Time On Maple Drive it was made in 1992 about a guy who comes home from college with his fiancee and later the story unfolds and you learn he is really gay and the mother reacts off the charts if you have a chance rent it very well done but I have not watched DOOL but if I remember how Sami is I would say that the way this mother is portrayed in the movie the late Bibi Beasch played her I would say that would be how Sami would react. Lori Loughlin plays the fiancee in it who leaves him after she finds out it is very well done even though it was made 18 years ago.
I hope Sami doesn’t care too much or be mean to Will…
Actually i am in a way quite disappointed with how they will write Sami..self-centered, in denial..well actually she will be ‘the bad guy’ the homophobe one..imo it is not Sami, yep she is self-centered but the girl is above all the first to know how it is like to be an outsider, to be different to others, she was not the ‘perfect’ Brady, she was rejected lot’s of times because of it, she was the underdog, she even suffered of bulemia because of it..so she should more than anyone empathize with Will..but of course one character has to impose conflict to make a story and Sami (almost as usual) is the scapegoat..Kudos to Ali Sweeney to accept this difficult role of the ‘bad guy’, other actors (hey they even said on interviews) would not have the guts and courage to accept it..that being said i am sad about this decision and it is not in character for Sami Brady imho..sad..
And of course Sami will be again trashed by fans..Ali Sweeney you are a really brave actress..REALLY !
There’s all kinds of inappropriate chemistry going on ej and will see this video lolll
EJ & Will – I’m no good for you
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.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali on a Potential Kai/Trina/Gio/Emma Quadrangle, ‘I Don’t Think That’s Impossible, But That Would Be Messy’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: After Carter Blurts Out That ‘Implantation and Fertilization’ Has Begun to Daphne; Will Steffy Put the Brakes on His Scheme?
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali on a Potential Kai/Trina/Gio/Emma Quadrangle, ‘I Don’t Think That’s Impossible, But That Would Be Messy’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: After Carter Blurts Out That ‘Implantation and Fertilization’ Has Begun to Daphne; Will Steffy Put the Brakes on His Scheme?
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
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