Honestly, if you’ve been watching Days of Our Lives for more than five minutes, you know that the Hernandez family basically owns the drama market in Salem. But lately? It’s been a total whirlwind. When Camila Banus left the role of Gabi Hernandez in late 2023, fans were genuinely devastated. She’d been the face of that character for thirteen years, through the prison stints, the Gabi Chic takeovers, and that messy, beautiful romance with Stefan DiMera.
Then June 2024 happened.
Cherie Jimenez stepped into the heels of Gabi Hernandez, and let’s be real—recasts are always a gamble. Some people hated it immediately because it wasn't "their" Gabi. Others saw the potential for a fresh start. Now that we're firmly into 2026, the dust has settled, and the version of Gabi we’re seeing is more calculating and, frankly, more independent than we’ve seen in a decade.
The Recast Drama: Is Cherie Jimenez Really Gabi Hernandez?
The internet was a mess when the news broke. People love to pit actresses against each other, but Cherie has been super classy about the whole thing. She’s gone on record—multiple times—saying there’s no "war" between her and Camila Banus. They haven't even met!
💡 You might also like: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
It's kinda funny because Jimenez actually auditioned for Gabi back when she was 22. It didn’t work out then, but 15 years later, the universe (and the casting directors) decided she was ready. She isn't trying to do a Camila impression. She’s playing a woman who spent a year in prison for a crime she didn't commit—the murder of Li Shin—and that changes a person. This Gabi is a little harder, a little more guarded.
She’s basically reclaiming her life.
What Happened to Stabi?
We have to talk about Stefan. The "Stabi" pairing was the lifeblood of the show for years. When Gabi got out of prison, everyone expected them to just fall back into bed and start plotting against EJ again. But 2025 threw some massive wrenches in that.
📖 Related: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
- The EJ Betrayal: Gabi admitted to sleeping with EJ, which, as you can imagine, went over like a lead balloon with Stefan.
- The Business Chess: Gabi spent months fighting to get Gabi Chic back. She’s finally CEO again, and honestly? She seems to love the power more than the romance right now.
- The Philip Factor: This is the one that’s catching people off guard. Heading into 2026, we’re seeing a "burgeoning relationship" between Gabi and Philip Kiriakis. It’s weird, it’s new, and there’s a massive secret hanging over them that hasn't fully dropped yet.
The JJ Deveraux Rumors
For a minute there, it looked like we were getting a "JJabi" revival. JJ (Casey Moss) came back to Salem, and the chemistry with Cherie’s Gabi was actually pretty fire. They reconnected, and fans were split. Half the people wanted her back with Stefan, and the other half wanted the nostalgia of her first real love.
But then came the "Who Shot EJ?" storyline.
JJ had to investigate Gabi. You can’t really have a cozy date night when your boyfriend is trying to pin a felony on you. Gabi is still holding a massive grudge over that. Cherie Jimenez mentioned in a recent interview that Gabi needs to learn to forgive if they’re ever going to work, but if we know Gabi, she doesn't do "forgiveness" very well.
👉 See also: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
Why Gabi Still Matters in 2026
So, why are we still obsessed with her? Because she’s the ultimate underdog who acts like a villain. She’s a mom to Arianna, a sister to Rafe, and a constant thorn in the side of the DiMera family.
There’s a "something big" twist coming soon that Jimenez teased recently. She said when she got the script, she was in total shock. It involves "Gabi's world," which could mean anything from her daughter Ari (played by Marissa Reyes) to more Hernandez family drama with her cousin Javi.
If you’re trying to keep up with Gabi’s current arc, keep these points in mind:
- Gabi Chic is back: She’s the boss again, and she’s not letting go of that title for anyone, not even a DiMera.
- The Stefan Split: They aren't the "endgame" everyone thought they were right now. The tension is there, but the trust is gone.
- Recast Reality: Stop waiting for Camila Banus to walk through the door. Cherie Jimenez has officially moved into the role and she’s not leaving.
The show has changed a lot since moving to Peacock. The pacing is faster, and the stories are a bit grittier. Gabi fits perfectly into this new landscape because she’s never been a "perfect" character. She’s messy. She makes mistakes. She wears amazing shoes while doing it.
If you've been on the fence about the new Gabi, give the current Philip/Gabi/Stefan triangle a chance. It’s leaning into the old-school soap tropes of business rivalries and secret betrayals that made the show famous in the first place.
Next steps for the fans: Keep a close eye on Gabi’s interactions with the DiMera brothers over the next few weeks. The power shift at the mansion is far from over, and with a "huge twist" on the horizon, Gabi is likely the one holding the match that starts the fire. Check the latest Peacock episodes on Thursdays—that’s usually when the biggest cliffhangers for her storyline tend to drop.