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DAYS John-Paul Lavoisier Talks on Philip’s Return and Upcoming Love Story, His Co-Stars, Final Scene with TV Dad, John Aniston, and If Ever a OLTL Reboot 3.0 Were in the Making

By Michael Fairman

Published

2 years ago

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Photo: JPI

On Days of our Lives, Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) recently arrived back in Salem, and this time he wants to take over the Titan empire permanently and run it the way he thinks his late father, Victor Kiriakis (the late John Aniston) would, plus have the legacy that he sees as his birthright. This has puts him at immediate odds with his half-brother, Xander (Paul Telfer), and the story has taken off from there.

John-Paul Lavoisier re-emerged on the DAYS canvas last month reprising the role of Philip for a third time. The former One Life to Live alum (where he played Rex Balsom from 2002-2012), first played Philip from 2015–2016, then returned for a brief run in 2023, and now is back on the Peacock streaming soap opera for a much longer run in 2024 and into 2025, and possibly beyond.

In a new sit-down conversation on You Tube’s  Michael Fairman Channel, Lavoisier opened up about Philip’s machinations, his upcoming love story, his memories of working with his TV dad, John Aniston, and co-star, Drake Hogestyn (John Black) who passed away back in September of this year from pancreatic cancer.

Photo: JPI

In addition, Lavoisier gives his thoughts on his DAYS co-stars from: Paul Telfer, Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Lauren Koslow (Kate), Louise Sorel (Vivian), Abigail Klein (Stephanie) and more. Of course, any interview with Lavoisier would not be complete with discussing his time in Llanview, wrapping up Rex’s final moments and if he would be on-board for a One Life to Live reboot 3.0.

JP recalls working with the TV legend John Aniston who passed away on November 11, 2022 at the age of 89. “Anytime he invited me to come to his room to run lines, it was good,” he shared. “It’s chaotic in the hair and makeup room and in the hallways and things like that. But anytime I was gifted the time to be in his (dressing) room, and just sitting there talking man to man, telling stories with a closed door, and then we get to our lines, was good. John’s the greatest. He felt like my dad. You can’t hate John Aniston. So, any anger that Philip would ever have towards Victor, that was acting.”

Blindsided by the news when he learned of Aniston’s passing while at a social gathering, JP expressed, “Unfortunately, I was in a room with 200 people, and a stranger told me. I was speechless. It was just shocking. It just punched me in the face. I went home and I thought about it a lot. Then, of course, I was like, ‘What’s the show going to do?’ There’s such a big gap between writing and filming and shooting and all that, and airing all this stuff.  But, I’m so lucky. We meet a lot of people in this life. He really is one on that short list of, ‘I’m so glad I got to know him, at least for a little bit.’ I’m just so happy with the memories.”

Photo: JPI

In an emotional moment, Lavoisier recalled his final scenes with Aniston. “The last time I worked with John (was a scene where) Philip is saying goodbye to Victor. I’ll probably get a little teary (telling this). We were having a heart to heart in a doorway and we hugged. I remember for some reason, we had to hold the hug much longer than you would normally hold a hug ever on set, and that was the final time that I saw him. The scene was something along the lines of, “I love you. I love you, too. You’ll always be my son. Thanks, dad.’ It was kind of a nice closing instead of just like seeing somebody and saying ‘Bye.'”

Photo: JPI

Lavoisier also shared memories of his time knowing Drake Hogestyn, which paralleled the experiences of so many of his co-stars. “When I had come back for Victor’s memorial, there was a scene where actors were rehearsing in the Brady Pub, and Drake looked up and he walked past everybody and came over to me and said, “Hey man. Thanks for coming and playing with us again’. He shook me and gave me like a bro hug. That was my last interaction with him. It was cool because I hadn’t been here in a while and he made me feel welcome.”

Photo: JPI

As for how Philip views Xander and if he would like there to be some kind of brotherly love, JP answered, “I think Philip wants it there to be. It’s a Ying and a Yang. I think that if Philip could wave a magic wand, he would wish Xander would be a little more like him and levelheaded. In a perfect world, Philip would like Xander, genuinely. But for the sake of story, hopefully not!”

Photo: JPI

Coming up in the new year, it has been teased that Philip and Stephanie will reignite their former relationship and seemingly fall back in love. JP shared, “When I learned about the past that Philip had with Stephanie (in the way I portray it) I decided that Stephanie is the one that Philip really wants to be with, like ‘I really have the hots for this one. I really want to make this one work again.’ And I mean, to put it bluntly, like ‘I want us to have babies.’ That was the decision that John-Paul made for Philip going into our stuff.”

Photo: JPI

According to JP, working with TV ‘mom’, Louise Sorel, has been one of the greatest experiences he has had thus far on DAYS. He shared what happened when Sorel and him met for the first time. “We had never really spoken. And long story short, we have so much in common. I didn’t know that she was a New Yorker. We know a lot of the same people in real life. My second favorite all-time show is The Golden Girls, and her (late) husband, (Herb Edelman) was on the show, which I had no idea. Louise is one of my favorite kinds of human beings to spend time with. We ran our lines over and over, and it was just so pleasant and wonderful.  When she told me where she lived, my mind immediately went to Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian, OLTL, ex-Vivian, DAYS) because Robin kind of lived in that area. So, when Louise told me where she lived, I went, ‘Do you know Robin Strasser?’ Swear to God, and we went from there, and then there you go.”

Photo: JPI

In January of 2012, One Life to Live aired its final episodes on ABC, and, in story, Rex and his family, wife, Gigi (Farah Fath), and son Shane (Austin Williams), decided to move to London, thus ending Lavoisier’s 10-year run on the ABC soap opera. JP opened up on if he felt closure for him and the character that made him soap-famous. “I will say in hindsight, now I’m satisfied, I’m fulfilled. I’m good with closing that book. However, if there wasvolume two, I would absolutely be intrigued. l’ll tell you, a table read with 25 of the One Life to Live people, I would be grinning from ear-to-ear. It would be so fun. We wouldn’t be able to get through, like sitting around and you just have all the memories coming back.”

Photo: JPI

As to what DAYS fans should look forward to with Philip’s story as the months roll on, Lavoisier previewed, “I would say it’s going to be quite exciting, and it doesn’t stop. It keeps going, and going, and going …”

Check out our full conversation with John-Paul Lavoisier below.

Now let us know, are you enjoying JP back as Philip? Do you hope he takes down everyone in his path and Philip takes over Titan for a long time? Are you here for a Philip/Stephanie redux romance? Would you like to see a One Life to Live reboot somehow, somewhere? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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I’ve never watched him on Days, but I so enjoyed him as Rex on One Life To Live! One gorgeous guy! I miss One Live so much- my all time favorite!

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I like him on both shows. But don’t want him to take over Titan and don’t want him with Steph. I’m a Zander and Alex fan Love those two. Only watch the show because of them

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I like Steph n Alex and Phil is ok but not being an ass and taking over the family business it’s Zander let it alone let him be Kate problem

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Philip needs to Go don’t care for him. End Body & Soul. And Step & Alex get back together. Joy also needs to go and Clyde

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I like Phillip for the most part but not the crooked, a**hat Phillip. I do not want him with Stephanie, she needs to be with Alex! I wish he wouldn’t be so smarmy. Let Xander have the company, you had your turn and screwed it up, do something else.

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I will miss doig, Roman, and John. GOOD GUYS. They have been on Days.Of.Our lives for decades, will be Soley missed.

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Glad Hope is returning wish Eli would stay and his wife. Hope Alex get with.tjw new.girl andchanel.and Johnny stay.together and.chamel not.find out.what Johnny did.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali

Published

1 day ago

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September 11, 2026

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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.

Dante Vitali

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.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals ‘Class of Season 62’

Published

4 days ago

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September 9, 2026

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Days of our Lives

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.

 

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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

Published

1 week ago

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September 5, 2026

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Chad and Belle

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.”

Deidre Hall

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.

Philip, Belle and Sydney

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.

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