When Freddie Smith debuted as DAYS’s Sonny in 2011, he didn’t know if the gig would last beyond three months. “I was happy with every 13-week cycle that I went through,” he recounts. “It was like, ‘Okay, I’m still here. It’s still working.’ ”
One reason for Smith’s uncertainty at the time was the show’s decision to back-burner the proposed story for Sonny, who was slated to help Will through his sexual identity crisis (at the time DAYS was transitioning to a new writing team). Smith also recalls the learning curve he underwent being a Salem newbie, not just memorizing pages of dialogue every day, but digging in and boning up on how Sonny was connected to well-established, existing characters. “I didn’t know Sonny’s relationship with his parents, Justin and Adrienne. There was so much homework to do,” he remembers. “I went to acting coaches outside of work to make sure I was learning and understanding the character.”
But once DAYS decided it was time to focus on Sonny and Will, Smith reveled in the story as it unfolded. “DAYS took a huge leap, paced it and actually told a love story,” Smith praises. “I think it was brilliant to have Will and Sonny come from two of the most prominent families in Salem, rather than just bringing in two brand-new gay characters and putting them together. As their story progressed, you forgot they were gay, and instead, you were watching two people who loved each other and were living their lives. It’s so cool to be a part of that history.”
After playing Sonny for four years, Smith opted not to sign a new contract in early 2015. “I had a lot on my plate with other projects,” he notes, “with life in general, and also personal stuff.” But just months after Smith’s exit, the soap approached him about coming home. “It couldn’t have come at a better time. I didn’t even have to think about it, [my answer] was an absolute yes. It was a great moment and I’m so happy to be back. Even though I left for several months, in a sense, it felt as if it was a long weekend, everything just fell into place,” he smiles.
Smith now has the advantage of drawing upon his Salem knowledge when it comes to his performances. “When Sonny mentions Justin, there is no backstory I have to come up with,” he states. “I already know it, which makes it easier to memorize the scripts and know the story. I’m also not the new guy, so I can make different, creative choices. I feel like it took me a few years before I felt really okay about asking the executive producers and directors, ‘Hey, what do you think about this choice?’ I’m more comfortable now, like this is my home.”
Like Smith, his TV alter has also grown more confident. “They’re showing a mature part of Sonny,” the actor notes. “He’s always been mature, but when it comes to independence, and just growth as a person, it’s very entertaining to watch and portray, because he really is approaching, probably, around 30. He’s becoming a real adult, with real responsibilities.” However, Smith is also delighted that there is one part of Sonny that hasn’t changed. “He’s still the same Sonny when it comes to being super-romantic and following his heart.”
Smith is equally jazzed by the resurgence of the Kiriakis clan. “There’s so much history with the family,” he points out. “There has been a lot of business talk, but at its core the story is about family.” The shift of focus is most evident in Adrienne’s battle with breast cancer. “Sonny is there for his mom,” says Smith, along with Justin and Lucas. “If Sonny had his choice, he would like to see his mom and dad remarried. But Sonny also respects how well Lucas is taking care of his mom. She has three men who are really devoted to her.”
In terms of Sonny’s potential reunion with Paul, Smith teases, “Sonny and Paul are definitely rebuilding their friendship, making sure the wounds are healed as much as they can be. I think once Sonny is able to move on, if he and Paul want to rekindle their relationship, it would be amazing, because at one time, they really were in love. The only thing that stopped them from being together was that Paul wasn’t out yet. Now that Paul is out and proud, and their families get along, I feel like it would be a really good relationship.”
JPI
And should a new character come between the two? “When it comes to Sonny and Paul’s story, the drama and suspense of having a triangle, which is pretty much the foundation of soap opera, would be entertaining to watch, but at the same time, it could be disappointing, because people have been rooting for Paul since he first showed up [in Salem],” Smith reflects. “There has been a lot of buildup for two years…. So I think seeing them end up together could be very rewarding for viewers.”
As rewarding as Smith is finding his latest go-round as Sonny. “My new contract is almost up,” he discloses, “but I’m looking forward to extending [it and to continue] portraying this character. I’ve learned that DAYS is an iconic show and I just love what they’re doing. If it makes any sense, I need to be there.”
Parental Guidance
Freddie Smith has learned by example working with his TV parents, Wally Kurth (Justin) and Judi Evans (Adrienne). “The joy they have doing their job really shines through,” he says. “When I rehearse with Wally, we don’t rehearse just to get the lines out. He genuinely cares. He has a script and is writing things down, making different choices. The work that he puts into his role is very inspiring. It’s the same thing with Judi. When I started on DAYS, they’re kind of the ones who showed me the ropes, so we’ve always had that special connection. When I’m filming scenes as their son, some of that has developed into our real lives. I think they’re both talented actors and phenomenal people. I’ve learned a lot from them.”
JPI
Did You Know?
– In 2011, he appeared on the CW series 90210.
– He is an only child.
– His favorite TV show growing up was FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR.
Just The Facts
Birthday: March 19
Hails From: Ashtabula, OH
Lucky In Love: Smith’s real-life romance with Alyssa Tabit is going strong. “We’re approaching five-and-a-half years [together]. She’s my best friend and we’re definitely looking to take the next step very soon.”
Social Media: “Alyssa and I launched a website together, theflawless blogspot.com. It’s actually two websites that are linked together. There is also a Facebook fan
page, www.flawlessgiveaways.com. We’re doing weekly giveaways. People can go on and register. We’re going to be doing a lot of giving back in 2017, just because we’ve been very fortunate. In April, we’re going to give a two-day vacation to Atlantic, Florida.”
JPI
First Commercial: “It was for Taco Bell. It played for a really long time, which was nice, because as a struggling actor, I was able to get that money.”
Chemical Reaction: “I love doing scenes with Lauren [Koslow, Kate]. It’s both the chemistry of us as people, and also
the chemistry with our characters.”
