Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Jen Lilley Posts Clarification After Controversial Tweet: "Theresa Could Kick Maxie's Ass …"
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
As fans know yesterday a Twitter firestorm/misunderstanding erupted between Days of our Lives and former General Hospital star, Jen Lilley and General Hospital’s Kirsten Storms who have both portrayed Maxie Jones on the ABC soap. Lilley took over for Storms when Kirsten was on leave from the series. Storms has thus returned for quite some time now.
In tweeting about her new DAYS character, Theresa, Jen Lilley stated that,“I feel like Theresa could kick Maxie’s ass with one hand tied behind her back.” Next thing you know, a fans brought the tweet to attention of Kristen Storms who then tweeted “Maybe her Maxie. But not mine.” And from there we were off to the races, with Kirsten’s friend, former One Life to Live star, Farah Fath getting into the mix, and Lilley tweeting that she kept Maxie alive and from being killed-off while Storms was not well-enough at that point to return.
Attempting to get things to calm down, Lilley posted this message on her Twitter page to clarify her original tweet below.
Jen Lilley: “Please untag me if you are posting negative tweets. This whole thing has been blown way out of proportion. I simply wrote a tweet, which was only intended to be funny regarding my portrayal of two characters. I wasn’t commenting about Kirsten or her performance as Maxie at all. Those who follow me or have even read one article of mine know that I would never say something negative about another person, especially not Kirsten Storms. Life is too short to be mean-spirited.”
“I am sincerely delighted that she is well enough to resume her rightful place a Maxie Jones on GH. And I am having the time of my life as Jeannie Theresa Donovan on Days; there’s no place I’d rather be. But even if I didn’t have a job, i would be happy for her. Good health is worth more than any job, and there’s no role in the world worth being bitter over.”
“All I meant was based on what’s written, I think Theresa is one tough cookie. The fact that I need to even clarify this is beyond me. Some people live to make mountains out of molehills. If you are a fan, I am asking you to help extinguish this rumor mill and respond with grace and love. We can’t control how others respond, only ourselves. Choose love and grace. If haters will hate no matter what, then lovers should love no matter what.”
So what do you think about the controversial tweets between Jen and Kirsten? What do you think about Jen’s clarification tweet? Is this another example of how social media can go awry and hurt people’s feelings which ever side you are on? Share your thoughts below!
soap star vs soap star, let the girl fight begin, lol, relax everyone, it looks harmless, still fun though. both characters are prob simillar, both have dads who were spies.
I do think that’s a fun coincidence between the two characters…both have Dads who are international spies! Though Shane was much more present in Theresa’s life, one assumes–not that it did much good. Theresa seems bad to the bone.
and, The Shane Donovan… is still oh so Sexy. Savory!
I’m not buying what Jen Lilley’s trying to sell. She should have never tweeted it in the first place. Subtly trying to bash a fellow actor then claiming everybody else blew it out of proportion shows her maturity.
I’ve seen Maurice Benard asked who would win in a fight between Nico on AMC and Sonny on GH (he said Sonny) and Laura Wright asked who was hotter, Cassie on GL or Carly on GH (she said Cassie). I’ve even seen Chris Evans asked whether Johnny Storm from THE FANTASTIC 4 would beat up Captain America. It’s a pretty standard question. And If Laura Wright had said “Carly” it would not have been a dig on the recast who took over Cassie, any more than her choosing Cassie was a dig at her own looks. Instead, LW chose Cassie because of her original profession and MB chose Sonny because of his current profession. JL no doubt chose Theresa because she is clearly a bad girl who has been in a heap of trouble and Maxie is a fashionista who gets stressed at the thought of broken nails, manual labor, and stretch marks. No dig at Kirsten Storms at all. That’s the answer I would have given as well.
Brilliant post, BR!
I get what you are saying. I’m glad that Laura Wright mentioned Cassie from GL and said that she was sexier. That is definitely true!
Makes me wonder if you saw Kirsten Storms during the time georgie was murdered. Her performance was brilliant and in no way one dimensional. That said, I think Jen did a great job of filling in and I really don’t think she meant anything negative towards Kirsten. She was talking about the character, not the actress. It definitely got blown way out of proportion.
I think she was just making a comment about the CHARACTERS & not of the actresses involved.
I think the same Chloe.. She does not have a bad bone in her body. Fara Faith jumped in to quickly..
yep! we get so involved with the characters, and by extension the actors – we, as fans need to just chill too… this is pretend people… at the same time, remember to think before you type, consider if you would say the same thing if the person were in front of you and just kick back and enjoy
Jen showed her true colors. There was no need for her to say she saved Kristen’s job. All her talk about positivity and grace please. Actions speak louder than words.
I meant role of maxie was going written off gh
This is an example of how things get blown out of control via media sites or in real life! Jen Lilley was ONLY referring to the characteristics of the 2 VERY different roles in which she has/is playing! I agree that “Theresa” could kick girly-girl “Maxie’s” ass in a heart beat. We (the fans) have NOT seen a “Maxie” in any other form besides the fashion queen that she is & Kirsten Storms plays that role VERY well and I personally wouldn’t like to see her in any other way than the sweetheart that she is. As for Farah Fath, of course, she is going to chime in on the situation because of the BFF status she has with Kirsten. However, it doesn’t necessarily make it right but I understand was she went on the defensive side.
I LOVE, ADORE & RESPECT ALL 3 OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED ACTRESSES!!!!
These girls need to think before they Tweet. They seem to be so caught up in themselves. There are many more important things in this world. They all seem very immature.
Wise words
I love that Mimi and Bell are still close. Though this twitter thing is dumb.
Isn’t Jen Lilly the one who whined on twitter because everyone was being “mean” to her. Perhaps she tweets too much!
artists in this profession… vulnerable… thick-skinned…
intelligent… imaginative… reaching her creativity….
she’s well on her way.
I applaud her gumption… shutz pa for standing on her own.. as it were.. with all the GH hoe down….
I like her dance.
I wonder what the original Maxie would say about all this….you know the one who was Maxie before Kirsten Storms took over the role years ago. I don’t remember the actresses name.
This was all simply ridiculous.
Jen Lumley should keep her mouth shut!!! She’s so full of herself.I can’t stand her she sucked as Maxie & she sucks as this new Days character!! She’s a HORRIBLE ACTRESS!!!I know some other people will disagree with me!!!! Days needs to get rid of her & that stupid character that she’s attempting to play!!! 🙁
attempting to play…. ?
She’s Jeanne Theresa Donovan. ’nuff said.
She’s on like gangbusters and loaded and pulling the trigger.
Sounds to me more like a publicity gimmick…
You might be right now that I think about it didn’t Michael Muhney & Eric Braeden pull the same stunt several months ago to jumpstart Y&R?
I meant Jen Lumley!!!! My fingers r bigger than my phone keyboard!!!Lol
Lilley!!!!
ditto to Jules.
it was as bout there characters not about them it got all twisted TTF h as ybshould just move on and forget what was said already and just enjoy there jobs and grow up
Why was it stupid for Jen to post that tweet? Granted, things got blown WAY out of proportion-but all she was doing was making a humorous comparison between characters she played-which she had EVERY right to do
RIGHT. I see Kirsten Storms and Farah Fath differently after taking various comments they’ve said on Twitter and in interviews (which seemed kind of petty or mean) over the years and then filtering them through what I saw (though obviously heightened by producers) on DIRTY SOAP. I’ve appreciated their work tremendously, but never seen them the same way as people. If that’s how you act when you KNOW the cameras are rolling…
I have to say….
Jen Lilly is cuter in Salem.
Thankfully… gone is the “blond” long hair… and bright too red lipstick.
she’s more appealing.
As actresses, I enjoyed Ms. Lilley’s portrayal of Maxie more so than Ms. Storm’s. I thought maybe they had tweaked the character with different writing but, seeing Ms. Storm’s current portrayal I no longer think so. I just felt JL brought a bit more depth and maturity to Maxie.
JL’s tweet was a comparison of the characters, however. And, so far, Theresa is a much different character than Maxie. It seems like Theresa will be a younger version of Sami (something even Sami commented upon). Depending on how far they go she could even me the younger generation’s Kristen.
As a viewer, I am much more interested in Theresa. Maxie has grown stale only because they have not allowed her to grow as a character.
Just a misunderstanding that should have been clarified with a phone call before it got out of hand. I’ve loved Kirsten and Farah for years, but in this instance, I’m TEAM JEN!!!!!
It was fairly clear what Jen meant in her tweet. The fact that fans and even Kirsten would blow it out of proportion and comment on it in a negative way is absurd.
I say bring KS back to DAYS and let the games begin!!!
HELL TO THE NO!!!!!! Martha Madison is the one and ONLY true Belle.
I thought this bac and forth was all in good fun until Jen Lilley made the accusation that she “saved” Maxie. I think her original tweet was harmless fun, same with Kirsten’s reply. However, Jen saying that Frank Valentini kept Maxie alive “because of her” is absurd. No executive producer, especially not one as seasoned and serious as Frank, would take the advice of a one year, TEMPORARY replacement actress of what to do with a legacy character. Jen sounded incredibly childish saying that, it was as if she was telling Kirsten and her fans that they should be thankful to Lilley. Twitter should be a place where you can have your own opinions and have fun, but if this girl is going to be in the business much longer, she needs to learn when not to insert her foot into her mouth, especially not in such a public format.
She did get him keep character andif Jen is childish then kristien. Must. Be whiner and immature.
I agree with Jen 100%. When I initially read the initial comment, I didn’t think she meant anything by it. And when I read Kirsten’s reply, I didn’t think she meant anything by it either. It sounded as if they had just both made tongue-in-cheek remarks. I think it was people after that who blew it all out of proportion. It’s crazy.
JJ and Theresa Donovan.
Theresa – “Aren’t you a lil’ rebel”
JJ – “I’m not little”
Theresa – “I’m not lookin’ for babysitting money”
LOL..
scene ends…. w/ Theresa to JJ…. “see you in the candy store”
LOL… how sumptuous and delectable is all this?
I have to press Farah Fath.
She was in fact so good on DAYS and OLTL….
DAYS. as Mims.
OLTL. as Gigi w/the ooh la la temptor Drool Cutter.
I think… if any ‘bad” press and/or negativity happened for her… it was after the fact that her stints-acting gigs ended….
I think she and Kirsten got caught up in the press for that since cancelled reality show… and their supposed fall-out… and I in fact lay blame on Kirsten’s lack of immaturity at the time… and it’s been awhile… and they’ve since mended fences.. and should be bff’s? I hope this.
I hope Farah isn’t languishing her star. I think she has the professionalism to get back on the ride.
I feel for Jen… it was a poor choice of ways of defining her new character. I am a HUGE Kirsten Storms/Maxie Jones fan and I thought Jen did a good job filling in for Kirsten. I would try to not compare acctresses or characters in that context… but social media does ignite crazy behavior and responses and this one appears to have been incredibly magnified and negative based. It is unfortunate that people have to be so mean! I think her response was well crafted and I wish her well on DOOL. Kirsten Storms and Maxie are fabulous and we don’t get enough of her!!!
I don’t think Jen Lilley meant anything negative toward Kristen Storms by any means. Frankly, I preferred Lilley to Storms (mind you I started watching GH while Lilley was in the role), but Storms has grown on me. As for Lilley she is knocking it out of the park at DAYS. I love that they did make her a Donovan after all. Truth be told Lilley should be happy to be at DAYS. Creatively DAYS is on top of its game and the show that has me glued to my set and DVR! I am loving it and Teresa has actually made everything with Jenifer and Daniel and JJ enjoyable these DAYS!
Loved yesterday when Sami told Jennifer “Theresa reminds me of a younger me” The look on Jennifer’s face! Love this new character.
I know! That was priceless!
DAYS all the way baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maxine is not tough cookie character like Jeanne, sami, Alexis,Carly,dkristien, Phyllis, and other female characters
Characters are not the real people , actors portray them. Some people can not tell the difference
It got so blown out of proportion. It was obviously meant that Theresa is a bad ass whereas Maxie is not. People need to grow up and chill.
Seriously???? OK, I think the character Theresa (not the actress) but the character of Theresa is a mean spirited bratty bitch who has no feelings for other human beings. The character Maxie (again not the actress) is much more gentile and kind. She would think twice before deliberately hurting a soul. So yea, the comment Jen made certainly fits the bill. Assuming we ARE speaking of the two characters. Theresa is a bitch. Maxie is sweet and very remorseful for her misgivings. Theresa is a user.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom Talks Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and What’s Behind Katie’s Deep-Seated Issues with Dylan (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Did Brook Lynn Deserve Chase Walking Out on Her?
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
-
News7 days agoVivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
-
News1 day agoJess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
-
General Hospital7 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
-
General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
-
News4 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Drops First Look 40th Anniversary Opening Title Sequence
