Actress Camila Banus recently shared a cryptic message on social media about her former Days of Our Lives costars, referring to them as “snakes” who mistreated her. After playing the role of Gabi Hernandez for 13 years, Banus decided to exit the show in November 2023, citing the move from NBC to Peacock and failed negotiations with producers as contributing factors to her decision. She expressed feeling like it was time to start a new chapter in her life and prioritized her well-being by requesting more time off, which was not accommodated by the show’s production team.
Following Banus’ exit, allegations of on-set misconduct surfaced regarding Days of Our Lives’ director and co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Reports claimed that Alarr had allegedly groped cast members and kissed a cast member without her consent, leading to an internal investigation and ultimately his departure from the show in August 2023. Around the same time, former Days star Arianne Zucker filed a lawsuit against the show’s production company and executive producer Ken Corday, accusing them of harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and wrongful termination. Zucker claimed that female employees were treated unfairly compared to male employees, and that Alarr’s behavior towards women on set was problematic.
In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Zucker detailed instances of mistreatment and discomfort experienced by female employees, including being yelled at by Alarr in the presence of other cast members, leading to tears. She also alleged that Corday was aware of the misconduct happening on set but failed to take appropriate action. Days of Our Lives denied the claims made in Zucker’s lawsuit, stating that they had offered her a contract renewal with a pay increase and that they promptly terminated Mr. Alarr after investigating complaints about his behavior.
The situation at Days of Our Lives has shed light on the challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding workplace harassment and discrimination. Banus’ comments and Zucker’s lawsuit underscore the importance of creating a safe and respectful work environment for all employees, regardless of gender. It is crucial for production companies and executives to address allegations of misconduct seriously and take appropriate action to ensure the well-being of their cast and crew members. Moving forward, there is an opportunity for positive change and accountability within the industry to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
