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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

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?

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2 hours ago

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October 2, 2026

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Days of our Lives Preview

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.

Kristen and Sophia Diner

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.

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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

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1 day ago

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October 1, 2026

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Tajh Bellow

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.”

Tyler Joseph Andrews and Cherie Jimenez

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.

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Days Of Our Lives

REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract

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2 days ago

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September 30, 2026

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Days of our Lives cast

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.

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