Days Of Our Lives
(INTERVIEW) DAYS Arianne Zucker & Greg Vaughan Talk Baby Switch, Ericole, and the Passing of Tyler Christopher
On Days of our Lives, viewers have been in the middle of one of soap operas enduring tropes, a baby switch. Watching a mother being duped when her baby is alive and being raised by her nemesis is always a lightning rod for fan response that often has many fed up with the entire situation in how cruel it is to the mother. Given that soaps viewership, in large part is female, it can make for emotional story with huge payoff or, leave fans screaming, “enough is enough!”
Ironically, this time the switch was pulled on Nicole Walker DiMera, who pulled off her own baby switch in a despicable and deceitful move against Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) years ago. Now, it’s come back around and the situation is reversed. Nicole’s baby was taken by Sloan (with a major assist from Melinda Trask) and Sloan is passing it off as her and Eric’s adoptive baby, also knowing full well that Eric is the biological father of Nicole’s baby.
So, how does the long-time Salem star-crossed duo, played by Arianne Zucker (Nicole) and Greg Vaughan (Eric), feel about the baby switch storyline and more? The popular stars appeared together for a video interview on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel to share their thoughts and insights into the story, and what’s next. In addition, Greg pays tribute to his former GH and DAYS co-star, Tyler Christopher (ex-Nikolas, ex-Stefan, respectively) who recently passed away at the end of October.
Photo: JPI
In what seems like definite ‘karma’ for Nicole, Arianne shared how she feels about the 2023 baby switch. “I’m a little biased towards the ‘one and only’ baby story storyline I have been in because it’s the classic one. It played really well,” Zucker said. “It was almost two years long, and it involved so many characters and it was really great. I thought that was such a really wonderful storyline. So, I was very interested to see where this was going to go. Plus, now with my character, it’s the opposite, right? So you can call it ‘karma’ or whatever, for the character. It is hard to write these stories different than the next. As it’s been unfolding, I’m like, ‘OK. I didn’t see the car accident coming, etc.'”
Zucker shared this is a different space and time for her character and how she deals with this devastating situation. Ari expressed, “Nicole has changed a lot since the last baby switch storyline. Nicole getting pregnant at this time is even, pretty amazing. And the fact that she’s carried the baby. There’s so many processes in my head that I’ve gone through, that I know a lot of women that struggle with in real life. I really try to take care of other women’s viewership with what are they watching and how are they feeling about it. When you’re losing a baby, I’m connecting to other women. And with that being said, it’s hard, because having a baby is such a miracle, and it is such a wonderful thing in life.”
Photo: JPI
For Greg, he did not see where the story was heading when he first came back to the show in 2022, “When I re-joined the canvas and the team here at DAYS, Eric was trying to see if he could salvage the relationship with Nicole, but knowing that she had moved on with Rafe (Galen Gering). Then, Eric became some kind of ‘American Gigolo”, if you will, and he started bouncing around from bed to bed, and I was like quite confused.” He added, “The kid story just came out of the blue and I had no idea what they were setting up, obviously. I didn’t see the whole Eric and Nicole and the Quadrangle coming that they eventually created. They were a determined to make Eric a father.”
On this week’s episode of DAYS, Nicole took baby Jude when Sloan (Jessica Serfaty) left the baby stroller alone in Horton Town Square, but after convincing from EJ, she gave the baby back, but not without massive pause.
Photo: JPI
Zucker explains Nicole’s mindset: “She totally knows that it’s her Jude. I think Nicole is just like, ‘I, for once and for all, I got to make sure this baby is mine. This is my kid.’ This is what she believes. She says to herself, ‘This is my child. And this woman (Sloan) just runs off and leaves the baby all alone in Horton Town Square. Who does that?”‘
During the interview, Greg also opened up about the death of his dear friend, Tyler Christopher. Vaughan had recently shared on his Instagram touching photos with Tyler’s children following a memorial gathering in Ohio, where Tyler was laid to rest next to his mother.
Photo: JPI
Vaughan expressed: “It’s been a very difficult journey, as many know. My relationship with Tyler started 25 years ago, when I was on Charmed. Tyler has made a rock and foundation from being on General Hospital and leaving to venture out and do other things. And then our paths just continued to be tied together as we were reunited at General Hospital and then back at Days of our Lives. The friendship that we created was special. We were a brotherhood amongst many other special people in his life and his family. His kids are beautiful. They’re special. Their mother is an incredible woman who’s been on a journey that nobody can see, or that is going on behind closed doors. It was a terrible, terrible tragedy to lose somebody as special, and so young, as Tyler was. You can’t even expand on with words how gifted he was, his commitment to the craft, and what he did on a day-to-day basis. Tyler brought so many people together and in all spaces; from work to his personal life. He was also so close and guarded, so you felt very special to be in his inner circle.”
Tyler’s struggle with addiction became very public, but also was very private. Greg shared his emotions on learning the news of Christopher’s death: “I was very angry and I was sad. I was tremendously sad. I felt like there was a lot of effort that we were personally engaged with, and that others contributed with, and that we failed him. But, it is a disease and it takes a lot of strength and courage and continuous effort. I went back and I watched so many of his acting scenes on YouTube, or what posts were being said, whether it was positive, whether it was negative, that was heartfelt. It was a tough one for all of us in so many different ways.”
Photo: JPI
As to where does Eric and Nicole’s story, and the baby switch story go from here? Arianne teased, “Just hang tight. You will always need a tissue when these two characters are involved in any kind of story. For Nicole, this girl’s gotta keep this train rolling to try and get people to believe about this child.” Greg added,”There’s still a lot to be shared in the next few weeks, and that’s what we’re kind of coming to, if you will, a conclusion. It has been an hell of a journey. It’s been a good story and there are a lot of tearjerker moments. I think a lot of people will be excited to embrace what the journey will be and we’ll find out what’s going to happen and where it’s going.”
Watch the full interview with Arianne and Greg below.
Then let us know, what have you thought about this 2023 baby switch storyline on DAYS? Do you want Eric and Nicole back together with baby Jude in tow? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
These two are the reason I started watching Days.
Their chemistry is off the charts.
I like Nicole and EJ as a couple. They have a lot of chemistry and accept each other the way they are. Eric is too judgmental with Nicole. Coparent the baby but don’t become a couple again.
I am I’m total agreement! Those two belong together.
I really loved this interview. Hoping that Nicole and Eric can eventually find their way back to each other. I also very much appreciated Greg’s beautiful words of tribute to the memory of Tyler Christopher, who so many of us greatly admired and will always miss.
I like EJ and Nicole.
I like EJ and Nicole, but I love Eric and Nicole. Eric and Nicole have had a long, bumpy ride. They are soul mates. Isn’t it ironic that the baby she does not miscarry is the one fathered by Eric! To me, that rings destiny!
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.
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
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
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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