Days Of Our Lives
Former DAYS Star Gloria Loring on Joe Gallison, Don Diamont, & The Coincidences That Shaped Her Life!
Fans of the 80’s heyday of Days of our Lives, fondly remember Gloria Loring’s portrayal of Liz Chandler Curtis. And now the former soap star, and still singer and author, has released her autobiographical new memoir, Coincidence Is God’s Way Of Remaining Anonymous, available in book stores everywhere today and through Gloria’s website. And while this is Gloria’s very personal account of her life, the book looks at how a series of coincidences can change, alter, or shape one’s life.
Loring who was married to entertainer Alan Thicke, and is the mother of R&B/Pop singing sensation, Robin Thicke, discusses her decision to exit her long-time marriage to Thicke, as well as her relationship with soap star, Don Diamont, currently Bill Spencer of The Bold and the Beautiful, then Carlo on Days of our Lives. Plus, she reveals a backstage fight with long-time co-star Joe Gallison (Ex-Neil Curtis) that has the two on-screen lovebirds not speaking until they hit the set to tape their scenes!
On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman interviewed Loring this past weekend for a special feature on her new book for Frontiers LA.com that incorporates as Loring puts it, “Coincidence—where it comes from, what it can be for us, what it can do for us and how we can use it for our good. ” Here are a few soapy excerpts after the jump from the chitchat with Gloria!
Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas
Gloria on her off-screen relationship with Don Diamont and how it impacted her: “Don and I were together for three years. He came from a family that was very respectful and schooled in the old ways. His mother and father were just the finest people and they raised their children to be that way. I didn’t respect myself very much. I used to call myself names, and when my marriage ended I felt guilty for breaking up the marriage to Alan. I felt all the powerlessness of my childhood come up. I was on DAYS at that point and earning a six-figure income. I was supposedly a celebrity and all of that, and I supposedly had all this talent, but I felt like a beaten up child. So, all my powerlessness came up and Don came in and treated me with such kindness and respect, and paid attention to everything I was thinking or doing. He was so attentive. I had not been paying attention to what I need. So he taught me how to pay attention. Don is a really nice man, and family is number one with him. He has really great qualities. I have been very blessed to have him and others in my life. When we parted, because he knew he had to go off and have a family of his own, because family was so important to him after the passing of his own father, I said, “What is the most important thing he gave me?” I realized it was the respect and the attentiveness. I knew I had to start doing that for myself. It’s taken me a long time. I could still do better, but Don was an important person in that process.”
Gloria on a kink in her relationship with longtime co-star Joe Gallison as beloved couple Liz and Neil Curtis on DAYS: “I have a story in the book about Joe Gallison (Ex-Neil Curtis)! I got mad at him one time while I was going through my divorce, because he was spiky, and I was spiky. I raised my voice to him, and you don’t raise your voice to a man like Joe Gallison. He is very proud, and rightfully so. He did not talk to me for weeks! (Laughs) We did not run lines, and we just showed up and did our scenes. We would have to do scenes in bed together, and we would enter the set from the opposite sides of the bed, turn and do the scene, and get out and then go our separate ways. And I did not know how to fix it! Finally, I wrote Joe a note and shoved it under his dressing room door saying that, “I do apologize for raising my voice to you; you so did not deserve that.” It took me all that time to realize that I need to be the one here to apologize. I respected him so much, and he is a wonderful actor. It was inappropriate anger that came up in the wrong way at the wrong time. Nothing more was ever said about it, and one day Joe walked up to me in the hallway and said, “do you want to run lines?’ I said, “Yes.” We just started back again. Liz had a few love interests though on DAYS. She was married to Don Craig (Jed Allan) for like a minute and half. (Laughs) And there was Carlo (Don Diamont) and then Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis). I loved working with Thaao. He is fabulous, and all the men were great to work with, and I got a great education.”
Gloria on if she ever thought she would end up on a soap after being known for so many year as a singer: “No. I never thought that, but I had studied acting for ten years and could not get an agent who would send me out on acting calls very often, because every knew me as a singer. Finally, I had an agent who sent me out three times in one week, and so I got over my nervousness. I finally was all revved up and ready to go, and knew how to not talk to the other actresses in the waiting room, and put my attention where it needed to be! I just went in for the DAYS audition and did it. I did it strongly, and then they had me back to read with the producers, and then they had me back with three other actresses, and then I got the role.”
Gloria on what she hopes readers and fans will come away with after reading, Coincidence Is God’s Way Of Remaining Anonymous: “I want them to know that there is a goodness in the world that they are always connected to. That it is theirs to have, if they look for it. Here is the deal: the more we look for the good, studies have shown the happier we are, and the more benefit we can be to the people around us. ”
So soapers, what do you think of Gloria’s comments on her soap life on and off-screen? Make sure to read the rest of the interview at Frontiers LA.com!
Days Of Our Lives
Sheri Anderson, 3-Time Emmy Winner and Former Co-Head Writer of ‘Days of Our Lives’ to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
Sheri Anderson, the three-time Emmy-winning soap opera writer is set to be the special guest on Thursday, June 11 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm ET for a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
The veteran soap opera writer has previously been the co-head writer at Days of Our Lives along with an impressive list of writing credits and tenures at: General Hospital, Santa Barbara, Guiding Light, Another World and primetime’s Falcon Crest.
Throughout her decades long career, Sheri has been involved in every aspect of the writing process including long-term storyline, daily episode breakdowns, dialogue writing and editing and more. She is widely recognized as one of the creative forces behind the high romance era of soap opera super couples in the 1980s.
Photo: JPI
ARE SOAP MORE RELEVANT IN 2026?
With the daytime soaps being mentioned in the mainstream of late, including a recent New York Times essay, Ryan Gosling’s high praise of Days of Our Lives icon Deidre Hall (Marlena), Late night host, John Oliver asking to be cast on a soap after doing a bit on his show, it seems daytime drama may be culturally relevant again, or is it really?
During the chat not only will we get Sheri’s takes on all the series she wrote for, but also ask, “Why soaps? Why now?” Why are audiences rediscovering/missing emotionally-connected storytelling? What did our genre provide viewers emotionally? And what has current programming gained technically but lost emotionally?
Join us with your comments and questions for Sheri in the live chat, as we talk the pros and cons of today’s daytime soap opera and daytime television landscape and delve into Sheri’s soap writing history and the characters she created or had a penchant for and learn about her new endeavors and outside projects.
Photos: JPI
If you are unable to make it to the live chat, but have a question or comment for Sheri that you would like us to ask on the broadcast, please drop it in the comment section below and we just might pose it on-air.
For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams and special event coverage, make sure to subscribe to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, did you enjoy Sheri’s writing for Days of Our Lives and the other soaps she’s credited for? What do you think of the current state of the soap opera? Healthier than its been in awhile? Costing along? Relevant or not socially relevant in mainstream culture in 2026? Weigh-in and share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Elia Cantu, who has played Jada Hunter, the daughter of Marcus Hunter, played by the late Richard Biggs from 1987-1992, has confirmed that she wrapped run her run on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives.
Cantu first arrived back in Salem in 2022 and a few months back was moved to recurring status with the long-running soap opera along with Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez).
Now, Cantu took to her Instagram on Wednesday, June 10 to share the news of her departure and some heartfelt goodbyes. As DAYS fans know, because the series tapes ten months ahead of dropping new episodes, Cantu will be seen well into 2027.
Photo: JPI
A BITTERSWEET GOODBYE
Along with the following heartfelt words, Elia also taped a “final bow” to punctuate her time on the beloved soap opera. She wrote, “As I say goodbye to Days of Our Lives, I’m excited and looking forward to the next chapter. Leaving DAYS is bittersweet, but I step away full of gratitude and joy for what’s ahead.”
Speaking on playing the daughter of legacy character, such as Marcus Hunter, Cantu added, “Its been an honor. She is bold, layered, and I’ll forever cherish bringing her to life. She remains a staple in Salem and I’ll carry everything she taught me as I go. Jada, you will always be my girl.”
As she concluded her message, Elia gave a major shoutout to everyone at Days of Our Lives and most importantly the fans. “To the cast and crew — Thank you for your hard work and long hours,” Cantu shared. “What a journey it has been. To the DAYS fans — Thank you. You are incredibly supportive, caring, and dedicated. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. There’s more to come, and I hope you’ll come along with me for what’s next.”
Recently in story, DAYS had been building the on-again off-again romance between Jada and Shawn Brady (played by Brandon Beemer). No word yet how the series plans to write-off Jada, which we will not see revealed until next year.
You can check out Elia’s touching post below as she wraps her run at Days of Our Lives.
Now let us know, will you miss seeing Jada Hunter on you screens? Did you enjoy the performances of Elia Cantu? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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Beyond the Gates
2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration
The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.
This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.
In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.
Photo: JPI
WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?
The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.
Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.
Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:
Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series
Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones
The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III
Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz
General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen
The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann
So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.
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I have such great memories of Liz and Neil when I was a kid watching Days. That takes a lot of class to say such nice things about an ex like she did with Don Diamont. I hope my exes would say such kind and respectful things 25 years later. Its nice to hear she’s doing well and has such great advice to impart to her fans. Days should bring her and Neil back for a short story arc. Neil Curtis does have a past with Maggie Horton if I remember correctly 😉
I would love to see her [and Neil] come back to Days. I’ve been a fan of hers since I saw her perform at one of the Disney World restaurants way back in the early 70s.
I loved the characters of Neil and LIz. They were one of favorite couples during that time frame. I didn’t realize Gloria is the mother of Robin Thicke. But after all singing is certainly in the genes.
Fascinating woman!
I don’t know how I overlooked this! Bring Gloria back as Liz!!!
There’s a mistake in the second to last paragraph of the interview.
“No. I never thought that, but I had studied acting for ten years and could not get an agent who would send me out on acting calls very often, because every knew me as a singer.”
Just letting you know that you forgot “One” in the sentence above. It says …because every knew me as a singer. I think it’s better to say …because everyone knew me as a singer.
🙂 Great Interview, hope she will come back to DOOL someday!
Gloria, I truly remember u on Days but most of all I remember u on one of the talks shows many years ago tell the host that u were giving up your rolls of acting too work with diabetes when u learned that your oldest son was diabetic, I thought at that time what a great mother u are, do hope your son is doing fine. I see u are a grand mother now, good for u.