“Days of Our Lives”' Cherie Jimenez says she was 'ripped apart' by fans for replacing Camila Banus: 'It really hurt'

"Bullying is not okay, in any form," Jimenez said about the fan backlash to her casting.

Cherie Jimenez is opening up about the rollercoaster ride that getting cast on Days of Our Lives became.

"When I got the contract and found out that I’d been auditioning for Gabi all along, I couldn’t believe it — because what are the chances?” Jimenez recently told Woman's World. She originally auditioned for the fiery part of Gabi Hernandez 15 years ago, but it went to Camila Banus. After Banus stepped away from the show, Jimenez was thrilled to finally take on the part — but some Days fans were eager to voice their disapproval.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” Jimenez said. “I cried a bunch in the beginning. The fanbase was basically bullying me. People miss Camila, and even though I tried to bring elements of her to the role, I’m not Camila. I was getting ripped apart in so many different ways — and people were reaching out to do it. It really hurt.”

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Banus announced her exit from the long-running soap after 13 years in May 2023. Almost as soon as Days tapped Jimenez as her official replacement the following summer, comments started stacking up against Jimenez on various official Days of Our Lives social posts and in fan forums.

“Bullying is not okay, in any form," Jimenez reflected. "And I choose to change the narrative and what I acknowledge. My life is very full. I’m blessed. I’m so thankful."

She added that she's "proud of my work" on the show, that her "producers and bosses let me know that I have exceeded their expectations, and now, I have some fans. I’d say it’s 50/50, so I’m focusing on the viewers that are giving me a chance and showing me love."

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Before Days, Jimenez had appeared on single episodes of series like NCIS and Pretty Little Liars, as well as the child trafficking dramas Angie: Lost Girls and Maya. She described the role on Days — which has been a TV constant since 1965 — as a chance for "stability in an industry where anything can happen."

While Days heads warm up to the new Gabi, Jimenez is signaling brighter days ahead for the character, who was recently released from prison and reunited with her beloved cousin Javi (Al Calderon). "Viewers will see Gabi laugh and joke around more. She's just happier."

Related: Drake Hogestyn, Days of Our Lives' John Black, dies at 70

In addition to JImenez, Days brought Alison Sweeney back to Salem this season as the irresistibly evil Sami Brady, but only for multi-episode run. Christine Clark also returns as Carrie Brady, and Victoria Konefal returns as Ciara Weston.

New episodes of Days of Our Lives stream each morning on Peacock.