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DAYS Shawn Christian Interview: Why he disappeared from Salem! Now that Jenn/Daniel are OUT … Are Billie/Daniel IN?

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NBC

Courtesy/NBC

Days of our Lives fans were wondering where did soap heartthrob Shawn Christian (Daniel) disappear to after the Daniel/Jennifer/Jack triangle was getting a bit murky, and Daniel was having some health issues that were impacting his surgical prowess?   Well, we finally got some answers when On-Air On-Soaps chatted with Shawn to get the lowdown.

In addition, Shawn reveals his thoughts on the dissolution of the Daniel/Jennifer romance and previews the next gal on the dashing doc’s long list of female admirers in Salem … and it may turn out to be the just returned, Billie Reed!  Check out what Shawn had to say on a myriad of Salem and DAYS hot topics, as we welcome him back to the screen!

So we were wondering what happened to you on-air! All of a sudden it was like “Poof” you were gone!  Did they decide to give the character a rest so they could figure out where do go next with him?  Daniel admitted to Jennifer he went off surfing! But, of course! (Laughs)

SHAWN: First off, Daniel was off the canvas searching within. (Laughs) And as for me, yes I was off the show while they were figuring out what were they going to do with Daniel this “wild card”.  You can do anything with him, and somehow he will survive.  I think they needed to rethink what is the best way to utilize this character?  And I think they are exploring that, even still.  His stories do not run linear. Who is going to have a kid with a one-night stand with Crystal Chappell’s character of Carly? Daniel! And, people will buy it.  Who could have an affair with a girl when he is also sleeping with her mother? Daniel!  He could do that and still survive! (Laughs)

At least they did not pink-slip you from the show!  The powers-that-be had gone through the entire Maggie and her egg story so that it gave you an anchor into the Horton family as her bio-son, and you already had been given a daughter in Melanie.  But there must have been a moment where you weren’t sure if Daniel might have a surfing accident off-screen never to return!

SHAWN: When the writers and producers come to you and say, “We don’t know which direction we want to take the character,” you immediately either think, “I am replaced or I am gone.”  But they were very kind and immediately said to me that they want to re-work and recreate him.  It isn’t that they wanted to get rid of him which was refreshing, coming on the heels of possibly being written-out.  Look its work. I get it. They are working with the history of the show, and it’s not as if Daniel has a whole lot of history … in fact he would probably take the history and put a twist to it.  If you look at how he was brought on and how his character has interacted, besides from Maggie which gives me great roots on the show, whatever you thought historically such as if you thought Phillip and Chloe were going to be the be all and end all, well wait a minute?  Here’s a curve ball.  Daniel is going to screw that up! (Laughs)

Courtesy/NBC

Have you had any scenes with Molly Burnett (Melanie) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie) since you have been back?

SHAWN:  No, I have not had scenes with them.  Molly is in story right now and the show is about family. They did have Daniel pick up a picture of him and his daughter, Melanie.  So, I don’t think it has been forgotten.

What did you think about how Jennifer and Daniel’s ill-fated love story came to an abrupt end?

SHAWN: It was a story about, do you fight for the family that you raised and grew up with and known to love?  Or is it, do you pursue a new love and a new life?  It was put to the test and it was very well-done and the answer was, “No, I am going to stick by my family.”  For the character of Jennifer it was a wonderful choice.  I loved working with Melissa Reeves (Jennifer).  I got it.  It made sense to me in the end.

Your closure scene aired yesterday.  Daniel told Jennifer something to affect that when he looks at her, he doesn’t feel that strong pull anymore to her!  Do you like how this was resolved?

SHAWN: I do explain to Jennifer some of the clarity I experienced while I was away and that I have come too.  Melissa was so present as an actress in those scenes, but I come off looking like an ass, which is great. (Laughs)  I mean, in a good way.  It was two characters doing what they felt was right.  For Daniel, Jennifer was one of the purest people he had ever met.  There were no lies, no cheating, and no deceit with them.  It was, “My cards are on the table if you want me great, if you don’t, I understand that.”

Looks like Daniel’s “shaky hands” are also gone! 

SHAWN: Yeah, it’s not really formally addressed, but the idea being that he is a surgeon and there was no other medical way to treat it, Daniel traveled the world and found alternative medicine to heal this shaking.  Now, what I will do from time to time, if you notice, is massage my hand as a way to suggest this is part of the healing process. There is no longer a story point of course (Laughs)  But for me as an actor, I at least try to maintain history to it, but I don’t want to make it a story point, because we are no longer pursuing that.  I also don’t want to leave the viewers wondering what happened with that as the front man of that beat of the story.

Courtesy/NBC

Lisa Rinna (Billie), who we recently spoke with and who has been making the rounds promoting her return to DAYS (officially airing today), has been hinting at a romantic entanglement with Dr. Daniel! What can you tell us?

SHAWN: Yeah, she may no more than I do.  What is great about this dynamic with Billie is she calls a spade a spade saying, “You slept with my mother and you were with my daughter!”  Even though I did not sleep with her, that is not brought up yet!  I was romantically linked enough to Chelsea to be taken aback.  So Billie calls him on it right away and that is great! Billie makes no bones about where she stands with anything which is a wonderful quality.  Beyond that, I don’t know what ends up happening.  But knowing Daniel’s life, anything can happen.

Daniel upon his return to Salem has been taking care of a pregnant Nicole as his patient in the hospital.   Seems like this could also be a good story choice having Daniel paired with Nicole!  After all, she loathes EJ right now and Daniel never knew about the daughter Carly had, so he never got to raise a child.  I think it would be interesting to see perhaps Nicole and Daniel form a close bond!

SHAWN:  I don’t know where that goes, but I can guarantee you if I am in a scene with a woman, something is going to go wrong, and Daniel is going to screw up somebody’s life! (Laughs)

Do you like working with Arianne Zuker (Nicole) in scenes? She is a Daytime Emmy nominated actress and again a Pre-Nom this year, you know! Would you welcome the opportunity to work more with her?

SHAWN:  She is very talented and she can spar with me and is wonderful. There is an unwritten history there, because her best friend, Chloe was the love of Daniel’s life.  It lingers in the air and it does not even need to be addressed and that does exist.  These are two people who have battle wounds from years of being knocked around, pushed around, and kicked around, but both have survived.  To what extent you explore their relationship I don’t know.  I think Daniel probably feels he is not worthy of love at this point in his life, or a relationship, quite honestly, considering his track record.  Nicole lived with Daniel for awhile.   I think that is an interesting dynamic and there is a lot there.

Courtesy/NBC

In the conversation, when DAYS told you they were going to bring you back to the show and re-tool the character a bit, did they elaborate or give you any hints what they were going to do with Dr. Daniel in regards to the bigger picture?

SHAWN: I don’t know if I got a straight up plan.  However, they got on the phone and told me when I was coming back.  As to what would happen, I don’t know because I have not had a new conversation with anybody.  Now, they may have a genius plan for Daniel already.  But the way they have tampered with everything thus far, I am finding quite intriguing, and the way people have just come into his life.  He is a local doctor for one which is why he gets involved with so many people in Salem, but also he is a man who has so many broken tentacles that it’s plausible he could be involved with anyone.  I guess I would say, they are trying him out with different characters on screen, which is good, right?  And, from a business and marketing perspective for this show it’s about, what is going to sell tickets? (Laughs)  I do think that the writers have story points well thought out in advance, and I don’t think it’s as random as I expressed it.  I think they check for fertile ground to write with.

 

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It seems like there is confusion at Days. Jack saying he and Jen aren’t meant for each other is a bunch of garbage. Anyone who has watched the show for years KNOW that Jen and Matt Ashford’s Jack are soulmates. Quit screwing us around and put them back together. Geez….

I totally agree!!

Another great interviewMichael, I really enjoyed reading it and hope Daniel will wind up with Billie. Lisa and Shawn are amazing actors and I think they will great together. I can’t wait to see what happens.

im just glad he is back on days a big fan of his

Glad Shawn is back but so disappointed that Jenn and Dan are over. I stopped watching Days 15 years ago. The Jenn and Dan pairing was the only reason I tuned back in. I will not watch to see Jenn and Jack reunite; I never liked them together! I also will not watch to see Dan and Billie get together. She is so annoying and I wish she and Jack didn’t come back to the show. It was better when they added new characters to the mix. Ever since the show re-launched I have been extremely disappointed. At least this interview confirmed that Jenn and Dan are truly done. So long Days of Our Lives.

I love Dan and Jen together!! They have chemistry. Nicole/Daniel worst pairing ever. Nicole is so pathetic they are so boring together. Get Dannifer back together. Only reason I watched because of Jen and Dan they were so good togther. Loved watching when they were going on their dates together.

I hope they don’t get rid of Daniel/Shawn. I liked the Dan/Jen pairing. Loved it actually. I also love Matt Ashford and was so happy when he was brought back. I just wish this show would do something different for once. After watching Jen pine over Daniel, now we are supposed to believe that she loves Jack again. Makes no sense.

The Billie pairing is sort of gross since he’s been with her daughter and her mother. Ewww. They should have just left him w/Carly/Crystal Chappell if they were not going to go with Dan/Jen. This show is in a constant state of confusion.

Jennifer and Daniel are so fun together. Such a lovable couple! Get them back together. I am so sick of seeing Nicole and Daniel together. She should just focus on having a healthy baby and stay away from Daniel.. What a loser!!

I’m glad Shawn Christian is back, and I hope Daniel gets paired with either Nicole or Billie!

daniel is so boring. time to get rid of him right now. days producers fire him. bring back vivian alamain and ivan. they were so much fun to watch.

Great. Jack and Jen were destroyed so Daniel could have a storyline, so now that it’s over when are they going to fix THAT mess? I don’t really care what they do with Daniel next.

Exactly.They’re trying too hard to save a worthless character.No matter if I like Shawn,too many long time fan favorites and supercouples were ruined to prop Daniel,especially Chloe.They should get rid of Daniel,Melanie,Madison,…and bring back the REAL CHLOE, not DH’s version.Philip,Shawn,Belle,.

Why not just get rid of this fail of a character already? He’s such a bland character, and he has been for years now! Just let him go! I am angry that Jack and Jennifer have been thrown to the dogs for this character, and that they’re getting so little screen time for a good reunion story, but Daniel gets to come back and be reset and front and center. And poor Jennifer! I don’t understand why they couldn’t let her do the dumping with finality, as in telling Daniel that she picked Jack, even if Jack said no. She didn’t pick Daniel, and that means something. Why couldn’t they give her back her spine since Dannifer is down the toilet anyway? I guess we just couldn’t have any woman completely resist Daniel. I am so sick of him. I see no difference in him since his return. All woman fall to his charms. He’ll be the miracle doctor with Bo. He gets to save Nicole. It’s the same over pushing that caused me to go from just ignoring this character to actively disliking him, only more so. I’m disgusted at the way Dan’s getting the focus as they try to salvage him while I almost never get to see Jack, and when a character who’s been loved for so many years, Jennifer, and one of the show’s most beautiful love stories, Jack and Jennifer, are the things in need of salvaging.

I don’t think you can blame the character of Daniel for Marlene and Darrell not writing for Jack, it appears like Marlene and Darrell couldn’t care less what the fans want. Just look at the characters always on sceen, Bradison, Rafe, and Daniel. We want Jack and Jennifer what do we get Jennifer flip flopping between two men, we want to see more legacy characters what do we get, an overdose of Madison and Rafe. We could have more Jack on Days if the headwriters would just write for him but they won’t do it. Blame Marlene and Darrell, they are the ones refusing to write for Jack.

Now as for Daniel I hope they write him getting in trouble for banging his patients and he ends up losing his job, someone else that has not been his patient falls in love with him. Some one like maybe Sami HA!

Dami foreva

Please do not pair Dan w/ Billie. He does not need another failed relationship and I just dont see Lisa Rinna sticking around long!

LOVE Shawn Christian and DAYS needs to make this work. There are compelling stories to tell other than romances, dubious parentages, and vague corporate boardroom games. Maybe there could be a plot about health care issues, a crisis of confidence, a medical mystery with Doc at the forefront.

I don’t understand why the show is “recreating” Daniel, when he wasn’t “created” in the first place. Daniel has zero substance, zero depth. He needs to be created, not recreated. In fact, why not just reduce his airtime and let those characters that already have substance have more of a spotlight?

It seems rather interesting to me that now the epic love of dannifer is%

Great interview with Shawn, love him he ‘s great. Hope he finds love soon preferably with Chloe, who he has always said is the love of his life.Thank god Dannifer is over, couldn’t stand him with Jen ,she is extremely boring and fickle. Not interested in Billie, with her recent comments I don’t expect her to last long on the show.I like Nicole, she and Daniel would be interesting since her BFF was Chloe. Glad the show loves him to write for him. Thanks Michael.

No no no …p[aese keep hypocritical heartless Daniel away from Chloe.Don’t waste her on him.If Nadia accepts to come back,give us the real Chloe and Broe/Phloe ,now they are adult and she has a kid with Philip.It would be way more interesting.Iwould rather have Chloe dead than back with Daniel after the way he treated her,.She deserves better.

will not watch days anymore. you all had a good thing going with daniel and jen. then you had to go and do something really stupid and hook up john and hope. why cant you all have made bo and hope the next tom and alice? possible that you could bring back eric for nichol? i mean theres so much confusion and always going back to the same old stories. get with some new stuff.

Although he was with Kate and Chelsea before, I think Dillie would be a nice couple. Daniel and Nicole would be alright if it happened years ago, but EJole is meant to be, and so is Janiel (Dannifer).

Daniel and Billie never happened :(…Dannifer is better anyway. Thank goodness Dicole is coming to an end.

Daniel and Jennifer all the way, I think those two should get married its about time they’ve been together for a long time so they should get married. Days did the best thing in pairing them and keeping them together. what ever days does with the storyline please keep these dan and jen together

Days Of Our Lives

Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans

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If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.

It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.

In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.

Photo: NBC

There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.

DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.

Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.

Photo: JPI

THE LOVES OF MARLENA

Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.

TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME

While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!

The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!

Photo:JPI

The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.

The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.

The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.

In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)

Photo: NBC

Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.

It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.

THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA

In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)

In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.

Photo: JPI

One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.

Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.

Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.

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Days Of Our Lives

Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’

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It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.

In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.

Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.

Photo: JPI

“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”

Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”

Photo: NBC

Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.

NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.

So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Christopher Sean and Colton Little Make a Return to ‘Days of Our Lives’

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Next week, Days of Our Lives welcomes back fan favorites Colton Little (Andrew Donovan) and Christopher Sean (Paul Narita) when they reprise their roles for an upcoming special episode which contains Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena Evans.

Circle Monday, June 22 when the married couple comes back to Salem. Paul is the son of Marlena’s beloved and late husband, John Black (Drake Hogestyn). Andrew is the son of iconic couple Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy) and Kimberly Brady (Patsy Pease).

According to the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of June 22-26, Andrew scolds Cat (AnnaLynne McCord).  Let’s remember Andrew is ISA. Meanwhile while Marlena thinks back on her fifty years in Salem, Paul arrives back in town.

Photo: JPI

ANDREW AND PAUL

Christopher Sean began playing Paul Narita back in 2014. He has come and gone from the show over the last decade. He was last on-screen back in November of 2025, when Paul arrived back in Salem for the dedication of the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the Days of Our Lives 60th anniversary celebration.

Colton Little, first began playing the all grown-up Andrew Donovan in 2022 on the Peacock limited series, Beyond Salem: Chapter 2. Little eventually moved to the mothership and Days of Our Lives in 2023. He was last seen on the soap opera back in March of this year in scenes with Peter Porte (Dimitri Von Leuschner) and Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark).

In story, Andrew and Paul tied the knot in front of family and friends on June 24, 2025, which followed the heartbreaking funeral of Paul’s father, John Black, who had passed away several weeks earlier from injuries sustained in an explosion.

Photo: JAnchondoIG

Michael Fairman TV also confirmed the romance exclusively of Colton Little with former General Hospital actor, Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco Rios) at the end of  December of 2025.

Anchondo shared at that time, “I reached out to him (Colton) when I got the job on GH. We knew of each other through mutual friends; so I knew of him for a long time. I started asking Colton about what his experience was like on soaps and asked about SAG health insurance, etc. We met up one night and were hooked from then on.”

So, are you excited to see Andrew and Paul back on your screens? Share your thoughts and if you would like to see them stay longer in Salem in the future, with a story all of their own via the comment section. But first, check out the just released promo for the action on Days of Our Lives entitled “Conspiracy” below featuring Christopher and Colton.

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