DAYS Exclusive: Al Calderon on Javi’s Dilemma and Dream Bachelor Party
Catching “Rafe” with the stripper from his bachelor party in his hotel room on the morning of his wedding to Jada left Javi in a major quandary on Days of our Lives, torn between exposing his cheating cousin or keeping mum per “Rafe’s” request. Al Calderon spoke to Soap Opera Digest about Javi’s dilemma, ultimate decision to speak up and where he would have preferred to host that wild bachelor party.
Soap Opera Digest: Javi was in bind when he found out “Rafe” slept with the stripper. Why did he decide to keep quiet?
Al Calderon: Javi was definitely in a tough spot. Family means everything to him, and protecting Rafe is so important. Even though Javi knows that his morals might not always align with Rafe’s, it wasn’t his place to make decisions or pass judgment. He values Rafe’s opinion and respect deeply. When Javi started noticing Rafe’s strange behavior, it definitely rose his eyebrows. It’s one of those moments where Javi felt suspicious but didn’t want to jump to conclusions and risk embarrassing himself if he was wrong. He was a bit cautious in that way, but also protective of Rafe.
Digest: What was it like playing those scenes opposite Galen Gering (Rafe, Arnold)?
Calderon: I have to say, it’s always the best time shooting with Galen. He has this big brother/father figure like quality to me. He’s just that guy — the best to work with and always makes me smile and feel safe to make choices that take us out of the scene. It almost feels real!
Digest: Once the wedding got underway, Javi decided to come clean about “Rafe’s” tryst. Was it because he couldn’t cope with the guilt or felt Jada deserved to know the truth?
Calderon: For Javi, it was one of those moments where he felt like he’d be a bystander if he didn’t speak up. How could he look at Jada, especially with his mom’s ring on her finger, and not say anything? Javi is a pretty honest and noble guy at heart. Being a part of this wedding — planning this wedding, knowing what he knows — was really eating away at his conscience. I think Javi also saw this as holding Rafe accountable. He tried to consider all the options, including Rafe’s feelings, but sometimes we have to do what feels right, even if it means hurting the ones we love. That was the hardest part of this decision for him.
Digest: Did Javi kind of breathe a sigh of relief when “Rafe” stopped him and called off the wedding himself?
Calderon: I’m not sure I’d call it that. He knew he was about to blow up his cousin’s life by dropping this bomb. And doing it in front of a whole crowd of family, friends and townspeople… That’s definitely not the kindest way to do it. Javi’s whole argument was pretty simple: “If you don’t want to marry Jada, then just don’t.” It’s that simple. But it’s never that simple in Salem, ya know?
Digest: You were pretty involved in this storyline as both the wedding planner and bachelor party planner. Were there any funny moments, particularly from the bachelor party, that you can share?
Calderon: One thing I thought was pretty funny was that, at the time, Javi hadn’t really met all of Salem on camera yet. So here he is planning Rafe’s bachelor party at the Brady Pub, but honestly I think Javi would’ve preferred to get everyone on a plane to Mexico or Paris or something a little more extravagant. What cracked me up, though, was how quickly he seemed to know everyone in town to invite to the party. It was one of those moments where we just had to fill in the relationship gaps and make it all work. The guys all together were a vibe, though, and we had some good laughs that day. I mean, with Javi’s energy and the great chemistry between the cast, it was hard not to have fun while filming those scenes.
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