If there’s one undeniable truth in the soap world, it’s that taking on a role as a recast can be quite the challenge—fans certainly have their opinions! However, Days of our Lives’ Cherie Jimenez, who now plays Gabi Hernandez, is handling the criticism like a pro. In a recent interview with Women’s World, she reflect on her remarkable journey to landing the role of Gabi 15 years after her initial audition, her move to L.A., her life with Hallmark star Sean Faris, and the backlash she has encountered as a recast.
There’s no doubt that Jimenez is a remarkable talent—she’s a valuable asset to the Peacock soap. While her arrival on Days of Our Lives in June wasn’t met with the warmest welcome from viewers, she faced the challenges head-on. Jimenez shared with Women’s World, “I’m not going to sugarcoat it I cried a bunch in the beginning. The fanbase was basically bullying me. People miss Camila and even though I tried to bring elements of her to the role, I’m not Camila. I was getting ripped apart in so many different ways—and people were reaching out to do it. It really hurt.”
Cherie Jimenez: “Bullying is not Okay…”
She added, “Bullying is not okay, in any form. And I choose to change the narrative and what I acknowledge. My life is very full. I’m blessed. I’m so thankful,” she shared. “I’m also proud of my work. My producers and bosses let me know that I have exceeded their expectations, and now, I have some fans. I’d say it’s 50/50, so I’m focusing on the viewers that are giving me a chance and showing me love.”
With that said, Cherie Jimenez is set to attend her first fan event this week—the annual Day of Days event on Saturday, November 2 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. She shared, “I’d chosen not to go to any events prior to this because of the amount of resistance I’ve gotten as Gabi. I didn’t feel it was the right time to be introduced into this world. Now, I’ll see how I’m perceived – and people may tell me they love me or not. Either way, I’m looking forward to it. I hear it’s so much fun, and it’s such an honor to be a part of such an iconic show.”
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