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DAYS Lauren Koslow Interview: Will's Coming Out from Grandma Kate's Perspective!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NBC

Courtesy/NBC

It’s Will Horton’s “official” coming out week on Days of our Lives!  And to mark 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 (Kate), Deidre Hall (Marlena) and DAYS co-executive producer Greg Meng.

Throughout the week, On-Air On-Soaps will be bringing you our one-on-one interviews from the night, 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.

We kick it off with the other grandma in Will’s life, Grandma Kate, played deliciously and to perfection by soap favorite Lauren Koslow!  On the red carpet, Lauren filled us in on the tremendous pride and joy she feels to be involved in this storyline, and gave us a preview of some things to come between Kate and Sami!

We love that Kate’s reaction is that she knew all along that her grandson Will was gay.  How did you feel about Kate’s intuitiveness and the fact that, thank God, they did not make you play a homophobe!

LAUREN: It was exactly what it should be!  I was so excited.  I was a little afraid they might make Kate the homophobic character, and I would yell, “Don’t make it me. Don’t make it me,” because it would never be me.  Of anyone in the town of Salem who would understand what is going on with Will, it would be Kate.  It’s beautiful.  I love that they wrote that Kate always knew!  It was like, “Honey, it’s OK.  Let’s go shopping.” (Laughs)  That is what it is, because years ago when all these stories were being thrown around, I thought it would be perfect that Kate would be fine with it.  It’s sort of like Auntie Mame.  It’s OK! And for Kate her motto to Will is: “It’s OK if people don’t like you.  A lot of people don’t like me.  A lot of people may not love you, and a lot of people certainly don’t love me,” but I think that is what Kate brings into this.  She is an outsider and she does not conform, and it’s OK.  And, just as long as you are OK with yourself, that’s what is important.

Courtesy/NBC

Let’s talk about Sami and Kate! Now these two rivals may have to band together to help Will.  We can only assume, since Kate is fine with it, and we know Sami won’t know how to deal with it, that Kate might help Sami sort out her feelings on Will’s news?

LAUREN: Well, that is what is happening.  I think it’s brilliant that it is happening that way, and I just love it.  With the dynamic between Kate and Sami, it’s like they are smashing up against each other all the time over everything! However when it comes to Will, it goes back into the family mode, and that is her ex-daughter-in-law and as such, Kate has a grandson.  Actually, I can tell you that you can look forward to Kate advising Sami on this, and it’s really great.

How great that of all people, Kate is trying to be the common ground between Sami and Will, despite their long-standing feud with each other!

LAUREN: Absolutely.  We did some scenes recently together and we just loved them.  It was so much about family, and this horribly dysfunctional family, and we are coming together because of Will.

You must be excited that finally Will be coming out on the April 4th episode and that you have had some key scenes, in this first for Days of our Lives after 46 years on the air?

LAUREN: I have been waiting and waiting for this part of the story to play out.  I cannot tell you how much I wanted to be part of the story and it finally happened.  I hope there will be more.   I think it’s wonderful how they are doing it, and how the writers are threading the story throughout Salem, and every reaction is a little different.  Will and Kate were together a lot.  It makes sense now, that there would be more interaction.

How is working with the man of the hour, Chandler Massey (Will)?

LAUREN: Chandler is just really delightful.  We had our scenes together and I am like, “YES” and for him it’s like he realizes that, “Oh, now she is getting her chance!”  (Laughs) I love working with him.

Courtesy/NBC

It is great that Outfest and the LGBT community along with Days of our Lives had this coming out celebration for a character on a daytime soap and to raise awareness of an very important issue for anyone, young or old, who tries to come to terms and accept who they are.  How do you feel DAYS handled the writing of Will’s story?

LAUREN: I think it’s really wonderful that the more attention that is paid to this, the better it is.  I am excited that we are doing this story, and I am excited that we are doing it this way.  It’s a very human way, and not an overly dramatic story.  I mean, that it is a simple story about a young man coming of age and finding out who they are, and loving themselves, and being OK, and moving forward, and everyone embracing that.  It’s important!

 

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I love this woman!

Thanks, Michael, for another great interview. I love Lauren, and I have to agree with her, Days has done a good job with this story. I like the way it’s unfolding.

Great interview I just LOVE Lauren Koslow and I can’t wait to see this story continue to play out.

Lauren & Kate,

I Love You–Yes! 😀

I like kate,good interview,and great story.

Great interview! I love Lauren and love Kate! I can’t wait to see the scenes with Kate and Will, I love their scenes together and I hope they have a lot more coming up! I love that Kate isn’t always nasty. I like seeing her also being sweet (as well as nasty like she is with Sami!) and also showing her vulnerable side like when she thinks Stefano is after marlena again.

well maybe she could calm down about the nasty side to Sami..it is getting old..Sami could destroy for once !

Thank you, yet again, Mr. Fairman for another well done interview!!!!

I really hope DOOL does this story line justice. It’s really needed, IMO, on daytime story telling!!!!!

Looking forward to the other interviews as soon as you can please!!!!

I LOVE this storyline. Will’s struggle is very authentic and well written. I really hope that the storyline continues with more of the dynamics and complexities of the coming out process. It would be very dramatically viable if, just as Will starts to accept himself, he experiences backlash from some homophobic characters in Salem. So far, the storyline has been SURPRISINGLY realistic. I hope the writers don’t drop the ball after a “coming out” announcement. I hope they realize that there is so much potential and inherent dramatic conflict that could be explored by continuing with this story.

Why Sami is the one who won’t know how to deal with it ? Why Sami is the scapegoat once again !! So not in character for her to no accept it..wrong decision Days, WRONG !

Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

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Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

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Conner Floyd

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?

Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

EJ and Chad

Photo: JPI

DIMERA RIVALRY

After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”

As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Belle and Chad

Photo: JPI

BELLE OF MY HEART

With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”

Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart.  I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”

But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”

MAKING CHAD HIS OWN

Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Photo: JPI

ICONIC

When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.

“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know?  We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.

“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”

Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.

Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.

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