Days Of Our Lives Exclusive: Cherie Jimenez On Gabi’s Future: ‘I’m Smiling More’
Now that she’s divorced from Stefan, a new Gabi will be emerging on Days of our Lives. Cherie Jimenez, who’s played nothing but heartbreak and grief since debuting in the role last June, spoke to Soap Opera Digest about her character’s new direction, how she’s enjoying every twist and turn, and, most importantly, finally getting the chance to smile more.
Soap Opera Digest: How would you describe the version of Gabi that will emerge as she moves forward from Stefan?
Cherie Jimenez: The new, divorced Gabi is interesting. It’s going to take some time to really understand her. [Stefan’s] not on the canvas and she’s absolutely heartbroken and I think in a way [will be] forever, because he left. But over time with focusing on her business, her relationship with her cousin, and other chance meetings, it’s going to open up the door for her to explore a different part of her life. New relationships and new people in her life are going to bring out different parts of Gabi. So there’s more opportunity for her, over time, to smile.
Digest: What are some of those “different parts” of her that we’re going to see?
Jimenez: There’s going to be a very career-driven Gabi. Now that the love interest has been taken out of the picture, she’s focusing and putting her attention towards her own life and what she wants for herself. Personally, she’s spending more time with family. Everything that’s happened since I’ve been on the canvas as Gabi… There hasn’t been much to be happy about, necessarily. She’s had little moments here and there, but it’s been a lot of misery, backstabbing, betrayal, sadness, tears and good-byes. With the family dynamic and with [Gabi’s cousin] Javi coming in, I’m smiling more. I’m laughing more. There’s lots of great banter. So it just allows for more personality to come through.
Digest: Speaking of the Hernandez family, I’ve noticed that there’s been a bit more Spanish in the dialogue. Has that been in actual scripts or is that something you and the other actors toss in?
Jimenez: We toss in a lot of it. I mean, I will still ask just to make sure, but I have the freedom now to change certain lines into Spanish. With Javi coming in there are some lines that are written in Spanish. Then sometimes in the middle of a conversation I’ll be like, “Can I just say this in the Spanish version instead of the English?” What’s so funny is that being a Spanish speaker, and Al [Calderon, Javi] as well, is that I grew up speaking Spanglish with a lot with my cousins. There would be Spanish words and English words. It’s nice to bring little elements of that in and not just have Gabi speak Spanish when she’s angry. It’s nice to have it here and there in the middle of a conversation. It allows for the dynamic to be fun and free, and it’s nice to bring a little bit of my culture into it.
Digest: Although you were sad to see Gabi/Stefan end, what are you looking forward to as she moves on solo?
Jimenez: It’s so funny because we film so far ahead, so it’s like I’ve had a whole other life since then. I am excited for everyone to see the next chapter of Gabi’s life, because I feel like her being able to close that door and move in a new direction is going to allow for new things to come into her life.
Digest: It sounds like you’re optimistic about what’s to come.
Jimenez: I am. Honestly, just everything since I stepped on set has been awesome. I’m always so excited for each new script and whatever storyline is coming. I’m always game. I’m always down [for it] and like, “Okay, let’s do this.” I’m never like, “Really? You’re taking it there?” I’m like, “Okay, fun. This is amazing.” I will say since the new writers [Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford, who succeeded departing head writer Ron Carlivati and whose material will begin airing in the spring of 2025] have come in, what they’ve brought into Gabi’s life I’m very happy with. I’m like, “Oh, wow.” They’ve taken things in just a really beautiful direction, and I’m just excited for it all.
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