Kristian Alfonso didn't just play Hope Williams Brady. She was Hope. For nearly four decades, fans watched her evolve from a rebellious teenager into the definitive leading lady of daytime TV. Then, in 2020, the unthinkable happened. She left. No fanfare, no "happily ever after" for the fans, just a sudden exit that felt like a breakup. Honestly, the soap world hasn't been the same since.
But things change. Fast. If you've been keeping up with the headlines lately, you know that the "then and now" of Kristian Alfonso is a story of coming full circle. It isn't just about a career; it’s about a legacy that refused to stay buried in the archives of NBC.
The Early Days: Apple Boxes and Clumsy Auditions
Before she was a soap icon, Kristian was a world-class figure skater. A gold medalist at the Junior Olympics. An injury ended that dream when she was only 13, pushing her toward Wilhelmina Models. By 15, she had been on the cover of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Here is a funny bit of trivia most people forget: she’s actually 5'4". In the modeling world, that's tiny. She literally had to stand on apple boxes to reach the height of her co-stars during her early shoots.
When she finally landed the role of Hope in 1983, she didn't get it because of a perfect, polished performance. She actually tripped and fell down the stairs of the Horton house during her screen test. The producers loved it. They thought the clumsiness made her relatable. That "clumsy" girl ended up forming one half of "Bope," the legendary supercouple with Peter Reckell’s Bo Brady.
👉 See also: The Entire History of You: What Most People Get Wrong About the Grain
The Shocking Exit that No One Saw Coming
For years, Alfonso was the glue of Days of Our Lives. She stayed through the 80s, left for a stint on Falcon Crest and Melrose Place, and came back in 1994 to stay for another 26 years. So when she announced her departure in 2020, the reaction was pure shock.
Why did she leave? It wasn't about the money. Not really. It was about the respect. The writers wanted to take her off-camera for several months to "reset" the character. Kristian basically said, "No thanks." She felt she had given too much of her life to the show to be sidelined like a benchwarmer.
She told Entertainment Tonight at the time that the chapter was closed. Done. Finished. She even sold her jewelry line, Hope Faith Miracles, in 2016 to William Jobbins, signaling a move away from the "Hope" branding that had defined her professional life.
Kristian Alfonso Then and Now: The 2025-2026 Revival
Fast forward to right now. If you’re watching Days of Our Lives (now on Peacock), you’ve seen the impossible. Hope is back. Not just for a cameo, and not just for a "ghost" appearance.
✨ Don't miss: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
The 60th anniversary of the show in 2025 changed everything. The writers finally gave her what she wanted: a story worth telling. Throughout late 2025 and into early 2026, the "Bope" reunion has been the centerpiece of daytime television. Seeing her on screen with Peter Reckell again—now that he's 70 and she's 62—is a masterclass in chemistry. It’s different now. It’s more mature. Less "motorcycles and leather jackets," more "soul-deep connection."
What is she doing outside of Salem?
Kristian hasn't just been sitting around waiting for a script. She’s been incredibly active:
- The Ruby Series: She played Gladys in the V.C. Andrews Ruby series on Lifetime, proving she can do "dark and twisted" just as well as "heroic detective."
- Lifestyle & Fitness: Fans constantly ask about her "secret." She’s a big advocate for hiking and cycling. She hasn't been shy about the pressure to stay young in Hollywood, but she credits her look to a rigorous skincare routine and being a "clean" eater.
- Family First: Her Instagram is now a mix of professional throwbacks and very real, unpolished family moments. She’s been married to Danny Daggernhurst since 2001, and their blended family—Gino, Spartan, and Jack—is clearly her real-life priority.
Why the Return Actually Matters
It’s easy to dismiss soap operas as "fluff." But for the millions who have watched Kristian Alfonso since 1983, she represents a constant. In a world where everything is digital and fleeting, "Hope Brady" is a anchor.
The 2026 storylines have been particularly heavy, dealing with the passing of Bill Hayes (who played her father, Doug Williams). Kristian’s performance during the tribute episodes was some of the most raw, gut-wrenching work of her career. It wasn't "acting." It was a woman mourning a man who had been her TV father for four decades.
🔗 Read more: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
The Verdict on Her "Now"
Kristian Alfonso has mastered the art of the pivot. She left on her own terms, proved she could survive without the "Hope" safety net, and then returned when the timing—and the story—was right.
She isn't just a "then and now" comparison photo. She’s a blueprint for how to handle a long-term career with dignity. If you're looking to catch up, the best thing you can do is dive into the Peacock archives for the Beyond Salem chapters. They bridge the gap between her 2020 exit and the current 2026 arc.
If you're a long-time fan, keep an eye on the 60th-anniversary special episodes airing through the spring of 2026. The writers are leaning heavily into the nostalgia, and rumor has it we might see even more "lost" Horton family members returning to join Alfonso in the coming months.
To stay current, follow her official Instagram for the most authentic updates. She often posts "Day in the Life" stories from the set that give a much better look at the Days production than any official press release ever could.