Exclusive: Al Calderon (Javi) Says His DAYS Family ‘Truly Changed My Life’
Fitting into the Hernandez family and Days of our Lives as a whole has been relatively effortless for Al Calderon, who joined the cast as Javi last year. And a large part of the credit goes to two of the actor’s co-stars, Cherie Jimenez (Gabi) and Galen Gering (Rafe/Albert).
Forever Family
“I’ve got the two best given family members I could ever ask for,” raves Calderon. “Cherie and Galen are literally my family now. ‘Sorry, guys. I ain’t going nowhere. You’re stuck with the kid,’ ” he adds with a laugh, saying that he couldn’t be more grateful for the way the two “embraced me from the start. While I’m responsible for how I show up, they’ve really shown up for me, too. Their openness, their willingness to play and have fun in scenes together… It created this real, historic family feel.”
Calderon notes that that the depths of Javi’s relationship with his two cousins “is largely off-screen. We had to bring that history to life and fill in the gaps, not just for the audience but for ourselves, as well.” Grins Calderon, “I’m just lucky to work with two incredibly talented humans and get to call them my family.”
Calderon feels pretty fortunate that he has been welcomed into the cast so warmly by his other colleagues, as well. “I’m having such a great time,” he notes. “I really feel embraced, not just by the fans, but by everyone at DAYS. I’m honestly so lucky. These people have truly changed my life. I don’t mean just in terms of my career — though, of course, that’s amazing, too — but on a personal level. Whether they know it or not, my DAYS family has had a huge impact on me. From my personal therapists — the hair and makeup team, Karen [Dahl] and Corina [Duran-Rabichuk] — to my beautiful scene partners, and even the people I don’t get to work with as much but cross paths with, everyone has shown me so much kindness. This year has been a wild ride, and I’m forever grateful.”
Last, but certainly not least, Calderon is thankful for the soap’s devoted fan base. “They’re incredible,” he declares. “They are hands down the funniest, most loyal and creative people, and they don’t even realize it. I get the sweetest messages, and while they might make my head a little bigger [laughs], I hope I’m leaving a positive impact on them, too. Whether they love Javi or not, I’m just thankful to be here.”
Calderon has even learned to embrace, and even have some fun with, those on social media who haven’t welcomed Javi into the Salem scene with open arms. “I’ll admit, I have a guilty pleasure: Responding to the not-so-nice comments with a fun, maybe slightly snarky anecdote or two,” winks Calderon. “We all have to laugh at ourselves, right? Not everyone’s going to like us or what we do.” Listen, I can’t sit here and say that it doesn’t sting a little. I’m human. I want people to like me. But when things are funny, you’ve got to give credit where it’s due. The comment section is a goldmine. Someone posted that Javi needed a bra, and I lost it. ‘Get him a Victoria’s Secret brand deal ASAP!’ That’s funny!”
The actor concludes, “All in all, I couldn’t be more blessed to be on such a monumental show. Days of our Lives is my forever family now.”
Conversation
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