DAYS Exclusive: John-Paul Lavoisier on Philip’s ‘Ride or Die’ Belle, Protecting Sarah

Philip’s relationship with Xander is in the gutter on Days of Our Lives now that Xander has learned that his brother has been duping him for months about his claim to the Kiriakis fortune. Fortunately for him, Philip still has two women in his life that he can count on: his longtime friend and ex-wife, Belle, and Xander’s wife, Sarah. John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip) spoke to Soap Opera Digest about his alter ego’s special friendship with Belle, Philip’s determination to protect Sarah (who knew all about his inheritance scam), and his hopes of eventually reconciling with Xander.

Soap Opera Digest: Philip has taken a big fall, but were you happy to see that his relationship with Belle is still intact?

John-Paul Lavoisier: Oh, yeah. Belle and Philip have this very tight friendship bond. So he always hopes and kind of expects Belle to be in his corner, just because they’re such good friends and really care about each other. If she was ever not, if that would ever happen, I think he could find a way [to accept it]. He’s got room for Belle to turn her back on him, but gosh, he doesn’t want her to. He’s hoping she doesn’t. He needs a friend. I kind of put Belle in Philip’s “ride or die” seat in his life, and I just love shooting scenes with Martha [Madison, Belle]. I love running lines with Martha, too. She brings out the child [in me], just my youthfulness. I keep a youthful playfulness in my scenes with Martha. It’s a, “We’re still kids together” kind of thing. Belle still knows where Philip hid his Playboy [magazine] in the tree house. There’s still a kind of, “Don’t tell on me, and I won’t tell on you,” between them.

Digest: Xander is another story. He demanded that Philip leave town after running into him at the hospital fundraiser.

Lavoisier: There was a funny moment in that scene. Philip and Xander bumped into each other, and JJ intervened. Xander said something about Philip having broken the law or that he’d done something and that JJ needed to arrest him. Anyway, kudos to the writers; whoever came up with this was funny. Xander lied to JJ about something that Philip had done. I think it came out that Xander was making up a lie as it was coming out of his mouth. He was inventing this improv line as it was coming out of his mouth. It was very funny. I remember in rehearsal, I said to Paul Telfer [Xander], “Is that your line?” And he said, “Yeah, that’s my line.” I loved it, because it was a really funny line. The fact that [the writers] had Xander inventing this idea, as he was saying it, I, John-Paul, personally enjoyed it.

Digest: Did your amusement over the dialogue affect how you played the scene?

Lavoisier: Yeah. I thought to myself, “Wait a second. Will it be appropriate if I play it that Philip is also enjoying it?” And I went, “Yeah, I think Philip would also enjoy it.” I didn’t know what was going to be seen or how they would edit it together, because it’s live theater; you don’t know who’s looking where sometimes. But I remember while we were filming it, and as I was listening as Philip to Xander saying this lie to JJ, I smirked and I enjoyed myself. [As Philip] I was actually proud and happy about what Xander was doing. I was like, “Oh, Xander, you got this in you. Look at you. That’s kind of sneaky. Good for you.” So Philip was really impressed and I was impressed with Xander in that moment. It was fun for me.

Digest: Did Philip ever consider leaving Salem as Xander demanded, or is he adamant about sticking around and trying to make things right with his brother?

Lavoisier: Philip is adamant about staying for the sake of the blood and his dad and the company and doing things that Victor never could. Philip would not leave town for Xander, but he would do a lot of other things. At this point in the story, he would do almost anything Xander asked of him that wouldn’t jeopardize his position at Titan.

Digest: How is the DiMera takeover affecting things between Philip and Xander?

Lavoisier: Well, they have to keep it together for the sake of the DiMera takeover. So despite the lies and who knows what about whom, they have to, for the sake of the company and its future, keep pretending [that they’re still aligned]. It’s like, “Keep your mouth shut. The ink’s not dry.”

Digest: Is Philip hoping that while they’re putting on this united front, they could possibly mend some fences?

Lavoisier: Well, yeah. We’re going to keep it together for the sake of this takeover. And along the way, maybe we can mend some fences. That’s a good phrase.

Digest: There’s still another shoe to drop in this story: The fact that Sarah knew about Philip’s duplicity and kept mum. Why do you think Philip is so committed to protecting Sarah and keeping her secret?

Lavoisier: Philip’s still a man, and he respects and understands the importance of people’s romantic relationships and love. It’s very important for Philip that Sarah and Xander are together and are a family. They’ve got a child. Family is important, and Sarah’s holding a lot of cards. Philip looks up to Sarah. He pedestals her. She’s a strong, important and powerful woman. He cares about her and about her and Xander. Keeping them together, not letting them fall apart, is important to him.