Camila Banus to Exit Days of Our Lives
Days of Our Lives star Camila Banus has decided to depart the show. Banus, who has played the role of spitfire Gabriella "Gabi" Hernandez DiMera for 13 years on the sudser, told The Wrap she made the choice to leave the show to "start the next chapter" of her life.
Banus told the trade site:
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.
She added that she and her husband, Marlon Aquino, are trying to start a family. But the decision to leave DAYS wasn't an easy one. She explained that one month before her contract expired, she underwent negotiations, but things didn't go as she hoped. According to Banus:
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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.’
Besides starting a family, Banus also revealed she would love to make the transition to the silver screen and can't wait for the next project. Banus stated:
I’m ready for pretty much whatever comes my way. My biggest desire is to work on films. I’m a huge film buff, and I would love to work on big budget films wherever, whenever that is. I don’t know, but 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 Emmy-nominated actress' last taping date was April 28 but no word on when her last airdate will be.
