Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Chandler Massey on Will and EJ's Double Blackmail & playing a darker coming out story!
Photo Credit: Adam Campbell
In a brand new interview out today from On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman with Days of our Lives star, Chandler Massey (Will Horton) exclusively for Frontiersla.com, Chandler discusses Will’s internal struggle to come to terms with sexuality and all the dark twists and turns in Will’s coming out story. Plus, the actor chats on the importance of telling Will’s story to represent the LGBT community who are so under-represented at this point in time in the daytime soap genre.
And this week on DAYS, Will’s story kicks into high gear when he admits to Marlena that he saw EJ and Sami having sex! Then later in the week, things take another drastic turn when Will tries to blackmail EJ DiMera (played by James Scott), so he can get out of town, only EJ has his own plans for Will!
Here are a few interesting excerpts below from the interview!
Chandler on Will and EJ’s sudden double blackmail: “Will’s emotions and his disgust with his mom comes to a boiling point. His grandmother, Marlena, is there to try and diffuse that bomb, but she can only do so much. Will has all these different emotions going on inside him. So he goes to EJ because now he has dirt on him, and also Will wants to make him pay in his own way. And yes, Will could have gone to a different member of his family, but I think this is where he wants to make EJ suffer and really punish him for doing that. Will is hurt most by the fact that his mother betrayed his family, but also she wasn’t doing it by herself, you know what I’m saying? He tries to go to EJ and blackmails him for money to leave town. He wants to get away from his mom. He does not want to come to terms that he is gay yet, and of course, you can’t blackmail a DiMera, especially EJ, because they are going to turn the table on you immediately! And that is what happens. Will is in an emotional state and is not thinking very logically. EJ turns the table and then it turns into a very interesting relationship between the two of them! (Laughs) He now has Will under his thumb for sure, and he will be using that to make Will help him with his political campaign and aspirations to be the mayor of Salem.”
Chandler on DAYS approach to a darker coming out story: “They really want to tell a story that is unique and different from all the other stereotypical stories. I think they realize now is the time to take a risk and do a story like this where it’s not all PG, and not all happy, and everyone is loving and accepting. I think that is what makes this story so great; it’s twisted and dark and has so many facets to it. Another thing I like is they are not making Will the misunderstood goody-goody. He has some edge. He is going into a gray area instead of being such a clean character. I think that’s good too, because most of the storylines I have watched or read about involving a gay character, they seem to be afraid or hesitant to make the character bad. The lines are blurred here.”
Chandler on Will lashing out after Gabi breaks up with him and that kitchen scene! “This is another reason I love how they are writing the story. I just don’t have to play, “Oh man. I’m gay, but I want to hide it.” There are different ways it comes out, for instance, when Gabi broke up with him it came to the surface because Will wanted to keep Gabi and keep her as his safety net, and his pillar of support, and he wanted so bad to be with her and move in with her, and for her to be his beard! But when she broke up with him I was able to play losing his support system. That is much more specific, and that comes across, than just playing the angst that comes from not coming to terms with your own sexuality. And another thing; Will is funneling his denial into other things—like lashing out at his mom and trashing the kitchen.”
Chandler if Will and Sonny have a romantic future ahead of them: “I think anything is a possibility on a soap opera, but the feeling I get currently is that it is just a platonic relationship where ‘I am there for you.’ I don’t want to say “yes” to them as a couple and feed into that stereotype—that just because two guys are gay, and are the only gay guys on screen, that they are going to be together because that might not be it. Will has to do some soul-searching and really find peace within himself before he is ready to find love with someone else. He has to love himself before he can find someone to love him.”
Make sure to read the entire feature by clicking here! And then let us know, what do you think about Will’s storyline? Are you digging Chandler’s performance as much as we are?
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
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‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
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I am beyond excited for this storyline. I think Chandler is handling this challenging material with such a great sense of responsibility and attitude. I love the directions this coming out storyline is taking; that it isn’t “just” about him being gay, but rather, about the struggle of coming to terms with it. It makes for a complete, well rounded, well layered story. This is exactly what DAYS needs right now!
Chandler Massey is a good actor. But I am not interested in a gay Will Horton story (or any other gay story). Plan to skip over scenes as deemed necessary. Looking forward to watching other storylines on the show.
Producers and writers cannot force people to watch what they don’t want to watch on television (or in movies)!
Funny Gmbenet…that’s how I feel about straight love stories. Maybe soaps should just give up on any love stories all together. That way the homophobes and non-homophobes will have nothing to complain about.And while we are cutting any kind of reality out of soaps why don’t we take rape, unwed sex, teenage sex, any form of crime, extramarital affairs, evil twins, cousins having sex, brothers and sisters accidentally having sex, switched at birth babies, priest having sex, true love, love at first sight, Blacks, Latinos, Asians (except for servant roles of course)…or just any “unethical” stories that one or two audience members find “icky.”
On the other hand…I’m OK with you forwarding over the gay stuff…the soaps would be so boring without all of the above stories (reality or non-reality based) including the gay stories.
Like I said, no one can force anyone to watch what they do not want to watch on television. Fortunately there are plenty of television networks, as well as services such as Direct TV, Dish as well as cable companies to give people a nice variety from which to choose regarding television viewing. There are also DVDs and blu-ray discs of television shows and movies. So if a person doesn’t like what is playing on television, they can pop in a DVD or blu-ray disc (even VHS if you have the equipment). So people don’t have to watch what they don’t want to watch.
And if all else fails, they can turn off the television altogether. I am sure television advertisers would love that!
Adam, as far as you “being okay” about me forwarding over television content I deem objectionable, I don’t remember consulting you on that. What makes you think your opinion about my television viewing habits would matter to me one way or the other?
Great interview. Chandler is certainly one of the best actors on Days currently. Can’t wait for his parents to get involved in his coming out story. Sucks that EJ has to be part of it… He’s such scum and sucks the life out of everything he’s involved in.
I have really been impressed with Chandler’s acting. Not happy with Will being gay as I thought Will and Gabi made a nice couple, but at least Days is making the ‘coming out’ story interesting.
I love Will,his charecter has been on Days all his life,I will be soooooo
happy when Lucas and Sami get involved in his SL too.
I wish EJ would go away for about 5 years :((
Ej is maybe one of the best thing that happened on Days these last years..well when they write him as a grey character, not a one-note cartoon villian..Lucas is alright most of the time, he can be funny intentionally or unintentionally..lol but he stays above all a weak character, supporting character who whines a lot and abuse of self-righteouness, the actor is alright but never great, Sweeney outshines him in every of their scenes..i prefer more complex characters..to each his own of course.
that is your opinion,and I have my op,and stop emeiling me at home,I dont care what you think @@
I am sick to death of EJ myself. Am I the only person alive that knows he shot JOHN? Did I miss that fallout on the show or what? And this Rafe & his double thing-EJ & Stefano just completely got away with that? Seriously. And what about poor Fay? Nicole got over that in a hurry. I remember when EJ first came on-he was a race car driver, wasn’t he & then he dated Kate? Anyway, he has taken over the show & they need to balance things out & back burner him for a while.
I am sick of EJ too,he has to be in every story ,,,, not
I’ll be so happy when Lucas is back,and the writer better give he a GREAT story,for his fans miss him and he should have NEVER lift IMO
i love this story i’d bet my money on ej and will pairing as a gay couple
EJ and Will pairing,how sick is this 🙁
IF we have to have Will gay,make it with Sonny.
if it is not ej what about chad for will as a gay couple
since will is gay out and proud what about will and ej pairing they are so much alike in many ways they can both take it to new lows and heights and will can have some fun with sami to the hilt and to provoking her in many ways in every way possible