Soap Opera Digest: How would you describe your time on the show since you announced that you were leaving?
Arianne Zucker: I really appreciate the work and how much I’ve learned, because working on other shows and other sets, people say to me, “Gosh, you do so much.” And it’s funny, because you don’t think of it that way. You just go to work, you work hard, you memorize your lines, you’re in and you’re out 60 pages later. You don’t realize how much work that is until you go somewhere else and start working on only four pages a day or nine pages a day. So the appreciation factor, I think, was enhanced in between the time that I spoke to you and now. I’ve been very fortunate to work in between the time that I spoke and now. I’ve done two TV movies and a thriller.
Digest: What are they and when are they coming out?
Zucker: LOST GIRLS, which is coming out in the fall, will be a Lifetime movie. The thriller is We Still Say Grace, with Bruce Davison [ex-Wilhelm, GH], and that is probably going more Sundance-y. I’m not exactly sure where they’re releasing that yet. And then this new one is called EYEWITNESS, which is also a Lifetime TV movie.
Digest: That’s great. How did it feel to already have things lined up before you left?
Zucker: Amazing. Wonderful. I was not expecting it. You plant seeds and you only hope that they start to grow. I think with my first TV movie for Lifetime, THE CONTRACTOR [in 2013], that kind of just planted the seed with this company, which is kind of awesome, so it’s a really good feeling to just continuously work. As an actor, I think this is really what you want. You just want to work. So it’s been a blessing, for sure.
Digest: After your interview came out in Digest, the fans were so vocal about how upset they are that you’re leaving. How has that made you feel to see that kind of reaction from people?
Zucker: I didn’t realize how important this character was to people. I really didn’t. I go to work and then I go home and be mom and do that whole thing. I guess as someone in somewhat of the limelight, you go, “I know I have a responsibility toward fans and bringing the story to touch people’s lives.” But I don’t think I really realized it until I started reading some of how the fans felt, how important Nicole was in telling those certain stories. So, of course, you get teary-eyed and mushy, and I think that’s why I wanted to do that little send-off video [on her website, ariannezucker.com]. Now I’m aware of how much the characters I play affect people, and it’s really important. If I can be any sort of inspiration — because I’ve had people influence my life so much — I want to be able to do that. So it really felt good. Really, selfishly, it really felt good to feel that.
Digest: In the time leading up to your exit, was there ever a moment where you questioned your decision?
Zucker: No. I didn’t. I think I’m at an age in my life where I’m just going and doing. I think when you’re going into college, you have a vision of what you want to be and what you want to do, and I’m circling back around in my life; that’s what I have now. It’s a confidence that falls out at a certain time in your life, and I got it back. I just have no doubt what I’m doing is right for me.
Digest: Without going into too much story detail, how would you describe your final months?
Zucker: I think through the whole process of where Nicole’s going, getting her baby back, there is some wonderful story that is told with some characters that I know fans have been wanting to see. It’s painful, but what I like about the story is that it’s a little more real. I know that DAYS can be kind of “out there” sometimes, but I like the fact that the story has some history to it and hopefully, the fans will like that, too. I know it’s kind of vague, but I think that it’s owed to these characters.
Digest: As you approached the end, what was your feeling about leaving?
Zucker: Well, I think the biggest thing is it’s never over. It’s not like I’ll never be back. You see characters come back all the time, so for me to be like, “Good-bye! This is it!” I just don’t feel that way. I was laughing in the makeup room because it’s so much fun in there. I said, “You know, someday I’m not going to know what to do with myself and I’m going to show up at the back door being like, ‘Hey! Somebody let me in [laughs]!’ ” So I think it didn’t make me sad because it’s just a “Bye for now” kind of thing. It’s sad in the sense of I won’t see these people pretty much on a daily basis, which I love. I love the crew, I love making them laugh, I love when they make me laugh, I love when I have a crying scene and one of the cameramen tells a funny joke. All of the little things matter so much on a day-to-day basis that bring joy to your life. Those are the things that I will miss and make me a little sad to go, but for the most part, I’m so excited. It’s almost like school’s out and I’m on to the next thing.
Digest: What was it like when you wrapped your last scene?
Zucker: Oh, you know, my character’s always crying, so there’s that [laughs]. I tried very hard not to cry. Because I have these wonderful relationships with the crew, and everyone was getting emotional, I tried to stay super-strong and just give my love.
Digest: I don’t know if you’ve taken any time for reflection, but what stands out to you about DAYS now?
Zucker: I just feel appreciation. When I tell people I’ve been on the show, working 18 years, they’re like, “You what?” It’s just a really long career on a show, and I know there are people that have been in it longer than me, but it’s a wonderful thing to reflect on, especially as an actor. I got to grow up there. There was so much of my life that I spent there, my personal life, that I have to just be grateful for. I think that is really the biggest thing. It’s how grateful I am for my learning experience there, and it set the bar pretty high for me as far as my standards and my work ethic. So all of those things combine together when I think about DAYS OF OUR LIVES. That’s how I feel. Appreciation, gratitude and love for the next steps in my life.
Digest: Do you have a favorite storyline or favorite period of time on the show?
Zucker: I left for a year or so, and when I came back in 2008, that journey was pretty incredible. During that time I took off, I really worked hard as an actress to grow in my work and my emotional capacity, and I just felt so much more confident coming back to the show. Whatever they threw at me, I felt like I could handle. It was always a challenge. So the year span from 2008 to now would be the best portion of Nicole. My favorite storyline used to be the baby switch with Sydney, but the storyline when Nicole and Daniel got engaged, and then, of course, when Daniel passed, and all through the aftermath, I really liked. It was heavy, but I found that to be probably the deepest emotionally I think I’ve dug.
JPI
Digest: Any least favorite?
Zucker: Well … it’s hard to remember all of my storylines. Probably a lot of the talking to myself. I like working with people. I had a span where I was just talking to me, like, “Who’s your favorite co-star?” “Me!” It’s so much better to work with someone.
Digest: From what we’ve seen on social media, you made your last day, June 14, really fun: leis for everybody!
Zucker: Yes. I just wanted everybody to be happy. Part of the leis thing is that we’d have little parties at hiatus time and make mai tais and have leis and all that kind of stuff, so I wanted it to be that sort of continuation of fun. When I was putting them on everybody, I said, “Aloha,” because it’s hello and good-bye. I wanted to go out with a good feeling, not sad, because the journey still continues for me. I wanted to make the last day light and bright.
Digest: Would you come back if you were asked?
Zucker: Yes, but I just don’t want to be on contract right now [laughs]. That’s the only thing.
Once More With Feeling
Nicole and Sami will have scenes before Zucker bids farewell to Salem. “It’s just like riding a bike,” Zucker says of working with Alison Sweeney (Sami) again. “You never forget, right? We have this funny chemistry, and it’s hilarious. It was short and sweet, but it’s funny. There’s just nothing like Nicole and Sami’s relationship. And we laughed. We’re saying these things to each other and then we laugh at them because we’re like, ‘How old are we now? We’re women and we’re still doing the same things?’ We enjoy that part of these characters very much. It was a lot of fun.”
JPI
