Days Of Our Lives
Martha Madison Leads Days of our Lives “Hogey’s Home Runners” Team To Surpass Goal At PanCAN Purple Stride Walk for Pancreatic Cancer (PHOTOS)
The rain did not damper a major show of love and support for the late, great Drake Hogestyn (John Black) yesterday in Los Angeles, as members of the cast of Days of our Lives and more participated in the PanCAN Purple Stride walk for Pancreatic Cancer which saw the event conclude at the Santa Monica Beach Pier in Santa Monica, California.
The ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. PurpleStride took place nationwide in nearly 60 communities on April 26, 2025, bringing together survivors, supporters, celebrities, and special guests to raise funds and awareness for one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
Drake Hogestyn passed away last year on September 28th, 2024 at the age of 70 from pancreatic cancer, and as DAYS fans know, the series will finally address the character of John Black’s fate and honor Hogestyn in upcoming episodes that should air in late May/early June.

Photo: JPI
Martha Madison, who for years played Drake’s on-screen daughter, rallied the Salem troops along with team co-captain, Eric Martsolf (Brady), who also lost his mother to pancreatic cancer. Joining Martha in the cause was her current co-star Dan Feuerriegel (EJ). Also appearing and participating were former DAYS star and two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Tamara Braun (ex-Ava), Raven Bowens (Chanel), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas) and his family, and Drake’s longtime dear friend and co-star, Stephen Nichols (Steve).

Photo: JPI
In addition, DAYS stars: Ashley Puzemis (Holly), Rachel Boyd (Sophia), Tina Huang (Melinda), Alice Halsey (Rachel), Kennedy Garcia (Felicity) and Cherie Jimenez (Gabi), Louis Tomeo (Aaron) and She Ni Nelson (Amy) were also on-hand. Newest DAYS cast member, Marissa Reyes (Arianna Grace) also walked in the event. In an extremely touching appearance, Drake Hogestyn’s real life daughters: Whitney Hogestyn, Alex Hogestyn also participated in tribute to their father. (See photo below)

Photo: JPI
In a video on her Instagram story following the walk, Madison took to the stage and shared that on behalf of all those who loved Drake Hogestyn that they had raised as of Saturday morning $57,808 which exceeded their initial goal of $50,000. Now below, take a look at some additional snaps and moments from the event.

Photo: JPI
Kennedy Garcia, Louis Tomeo, She Ni Nelson and Rachel Boyd strike a pose.

Photo: JPI
Ashley Puzemis and Marissa Reyes offer up smiles for a good cause.

Photo: JPI
Tamara Braun and Brandon Beemer brining awareness to the event PanCAN Purple Stride for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Photo: JPI
Dan Feuerriegel walked in memory of Drake Hogestyn.

Photo: JPI
Martha Madison takes to the stage, and let everyone know the tally they have reached in their efforts to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer in the name of their beloved co-star, and Martha’s TV dad, Drake Hogestyn.

Photo: JPI
The Hogey’s Home Runners take a group pic!
What do you think of the DAYS turn out and funds raised by the soap opera’s Hogey’s Home Runners team in honor of Drake Hogestyn? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
The legendary Sherry Anderson was also there. ❤️
I was very fortunate to meet Sheri at the event. She was extremely gracious and kind. She was one of the best writers Days has ever had.
I think this was great. Thanks to all participants. Keep swinging for the fences.
It was a very touching event. I felt privileged to take part as a way to honor Drake. Kudos to all the Days Cast, especially the team captains Martha and Dan. All their hard work was much appreciated. I just know Drake would be so proud.
I think it was such a great tribute to Drake. Thank you to Martha and Eric for making all of us aware of this event. I was able to contribute thru the theDrake Ladies Group lead by Priscilla Reyes. God Bless you all. RIP Drake knowing how much you were loved and are missed.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.

Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.

Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”

Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
Former Y&R favorite, Conner Floyd made his debut as the recast Chad DiMera on Days of our Lives last week on the April 21 episode of the Peacock streaming soap opera
Floyd replaced Billy Flynn in the role who is firmly cemented in his old stomping grounds of Genoa City and The Young and the Restless as Chad DiMera. For the last year or two of Chad’s story, he believed his wife, Abigail Devereaux DiMera could be alive, he even thought Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) was Abigail until the story turned.
Now with Floyd taking over the role and Lexie coming back to life after years of being dead, and Chad noting how Dr. Rolf (Richard Wharton) and his brother, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel), could resurrect somehow they all love, he thinks, how about Abigail? The part of Abigail was played by Kate Mansi and then Marci Miller.

Photo: JPI
Speaking with Stephanie Sloane for her new Daytime Dish Newsletter on the matter, Conner shared, “Any kind of idea that she could possibly be coming back, as farfetched as that may seem, he’s stuck on it. The idea gets in his head, and he’s locked in on it.”
CHAD WRESTLES WITH THE FATE OF ABIGAIL
Floyd added that Chad, “He’s asking Theo (Joseph Tyler Andrews) about it. He’s asking EJ about it. It’s one of those things where he loves her so much that the peace in his mind that he’s made with this kind of comes unbroken. So the fact that that she might be able to come back, he’s so bent on it, he thinks it’s going to happen and he kind of spirals away.”
A NEW ABIGAIL ON THE HORIZON?

Photo: ABC
That begs the question, with Days of Our Lives taping ten months in advance, which is already taking them into the beginning of 2027, is it possible that the soap has already recast Abigail and its being kept top secret?
Recently, it was revealed that former General Hospital favorite, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha) has joined Days of our Lives. Back on March 30 it was reported that Mattsson is now taping all-new episodes that will be seen in 2027, but her role was being hush-hush! Could she the new Abby?
If not, the question is, since it seems that Kate Mansi is not coming back as she is firmly entrenched in her role as Kristina Corinthos-Davis on General Hospital and other outside projects, and Marci Miller has also been away from soaps for awhile working on other TV and film roles and indie motion pictures, who should play nuAbby?
Now below, let us know, who do you think would make the perfect leading lady opposite Conner Floyd as a recast Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Be our armchair quarterback casting director and drop your pick in the comment section.
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