Camila Banus announces exit from ‘Days of Our Lives’ after 13 years in Peacock's iconic soap opera
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actress Camila Banus who is popularly known for her character ‘Gabi Hernandez’ on the popular Peacock soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’ has announced that she will be exiting the show after being a part of it for 13 years. The actress joined the soap opera in 2010 as the character Gabi was created by Dena Higley and Christopher Whitesell, and originated by actress Gabriela Rodriguez on November 20, 2009. Banus stepped into the role on October 4, 2010.
The Emmy-nominated actress’ character on Peacock's popular soap opera has been through a lot of emotions on the show and Banus feels grateful that she has had such a wonderful opportunity to work on it. Gabi was initially portrayed as a sweet, naive, and loving girl, but a series of events, since she appeared on the show, have altered her personality. In 2012, the character underwent an alteration in personality that revealed her manipulative, 'crazy and obsessive side'.
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‘Ready for something different'
During a recent conversation with The Wrap, the actress shared that after being on the soap opera for 13 years, she is now ready for something different in her life. Banus said, “There’s definitely been a lot of changes at ‘Days’, the last couple of years, one being moving to Peacock. Although it’s been wonderful and we’ve had a super great reception, for me, I felt like that was kind of like the initial start for changes happening in general. And I kind of just saw that as a sign for me to start the next chapter in my life”.
The actress did not forget to point out that she has played the character for 13 years, which is an enormous amount of time, especially in an industry where there is such inconsistent employment. Camila Banus told the publication “I’ve been very blessed and very lucky to have been representing Latinas and Latinos as Gabi. And I’m just ready to see how I can represent further along in my career, you know, see what the next chapter of representing will be.”
The Emmy-nominated actress further revealed that she was ready to negotiate the terms with the makers, which best suited her but unfortunately, it did not work out in her favor. Banus explained “I was, honestly, open to renegotiating a certain type of shooting schedule where I would have a little bit more time off. But they didn’t go for it. And certain other factors that were involved that they didn’t go for. At first, it was just easy to say, ‘Well, if you can’t meet these demands, then I can’t,’ and move on with a new contract. But then, you know, I talked to producers and they had a call with me and they were like, ‘Well, what can we do?’ And I honestly, ‘I need to slow down. And part of that is, you know, you guys accepting this shooting schedule for me, and you won’t. So, you know, I have to respectfully bow out and say thank you, and that’s all I can do'.”
Camila Banus is married to Marlon Aquino are also looking forward to starting a family which is also one of the reasons why she decided to make her exit from the show. She mentioned, “And that’s another big factor in possibly just slowing down for a little bit and seeing kind of where this time takes me. But I’m also open to other opportunities and ready for big things. I’m just ready for something different.”
‘Just excited for cultivating new characters’
Camila Banus mentioned that saying goodbye to Gabi was surely bitter-sweet for her and she drove home with tears in her eyes on April 28, her last day of taping, but now she looks at the opportunity as something good role on the big screen. She told the publication that she is ready for whatever comes her way and her biggest desire is to work in films.
The soap opera actress added, “I’m just excited for cultivating new characters and possibly working on something comedic. I do think that I need to stretch that out because I think there’s a lot of potential there for me. I do feel like people are really receptive to my comedic timing and I think that would be wonderful. I’m just excited for this new horizon of whatever is to come because I just love characters. I love cultivating them. The most wonderful thing about acting is playing pretend every day. I love to do that, and I can’t wait to do that with a bunch of other people and make magic again.”
The actress lastly said a massive thank you to all her fans who have supported her throughout all these years adding that she feels grateful that they have loved her and Gabi the way they did.