Welcome back to Drama Digest, your home for everything Salem — the twists, the secrets, the betrayals, and the behind-the-scenes whispers fans crave. Today, the rumor mill is shaking the soap world to its core as whispers grow louder that Cherie Jimenez may be preparing to exit Days of Our Lives… and the fallout could lead to the iconic return of Camila Banus as the one-and-only Gabi Hernandez.

If true, this storyline shift could be one of the biggest casting earthquakes Salem has seen in years — and the emotional, dramatic, and narrative consequences could ripple for months.

Buckle up. We’re diving deep.

How Cherie Jimenez Became a Power Player in Salem

When Cherie Jimenez stepped into the stilettos of Gabi Hernandez in 2023, fans were divided — Gabi is not just any character. She’s a legacy of fire, passion, vengeance, and unapologetic ambition. Originally portrayed by the unforgettable Camila Banus for more than a decade, Gabi became one of the most complicated anti-heroines in the show’s history.

Taking over a character like that isn’t easy.

Yet Jimenez surprised everyone. Her version of Gabi was sharp, grounded, and emotionally layered. She brought a vulnerability to Gabi’s rage, a softness beneath her schemes. Her chemistry with Brandon Barash’s Stefan DiMera felt electric, and she handled Gabi’s constant tug-of-war between love, revenge, and corporate warfare with real finesse.

Which is why fans are stunned by rumors that the actress may be preparing for a major exit.

The Rumor: Cherie Jimenez Leaving DOOL for a Major New Project

Industry insiders have been whispering for weeks that Cherie Jimenez has been offered a high-profile role in a dark, prestige-level streaming drama — a project reportedly bigger, bolder, and career-changing. Sources describe it as a “career elevating opportunity she can’t ignore,” with a production schedule that may conflict with the grueling pace of daytime television.

While nothing is confirmed yet, the buzz is growing… and fans are nervous.

If Jimenez leaves, what happens to Gabi?

And that’s where the rumor becomes even more explosive.

The Comeback Fans Never Stopped Wanting: Camila Banus Return?

Soap social media — Twitter/X, Reddit, Facebook groups — has been a wildfire of speculation.

Because the moment whispers of Jimenez’s potential exit began, one name immediately dominated the conversation:

Camila Banus.

The original Gabi.
The storm.
The fire.
The chaos.
The blueprint.

Banus left DOOL in 2023 to pursue broader opportunities, but she has remained beloved by fans and strongly tied to the character she made iconic.

And now? The speculation is that if Jimenez steps away, the door is wide open for Banus to re-enter.

This wouldn’t just be a recast. It would be a seismic return — one that could reshape alliances, tear open old wounds, and catapult Gabi Hernandez back to the center of Salem drama where she belongs.

Why Gabi’s Return Matters Now More Than Ever

Let’s talk story.

Gabi’s absence has been felt deeply in multiple storylines:

• Stefan is spiraling, torn between loyalty, power, and unresolved heartbreak.
• EJ DiMera’s reign is shaky. Gabi’s return could topple him completely.
• Nicole, Kristen, and Ava are all engaged in power struggles that Gabi would gleefully exploit.
• The Hernandez family has no anchor in Salem, and Gabi has always been the hurricane at its center.
• The corporate landscape at DiMera Enterprises is unstable, and no one wages corporate war like Gabi.

A Gabi comeback — especially with Banus — could ignite rivalries that haven’t burned in years.

Imagine Gabi confronting EJ.
Imagine Gabi walking in on Stefan.
Imagine Gabi storming back into the corporate arena, reclaiming everything taken from her.

Fans are salivating.

What a Realistic Exit for Jimenez Could Look Like

If Jimenez does leave, the writers have several explosive options:

1. Gabi Is Kidnapped — Again

Gabi’s enemies are everywhere: the DiMeras, the Vitalis, corporate foes, political foes.
A kidnapping would allow the character to exit temporarily… setting up a later recast return.

2. Gabi Goes on the Run

A major crime, a setup, or a threat to her daughter Arianna could force Gabi to flee.
This would give the writers space to bring her back at the perfect moment.

3. A Prison Sentence Twist

Gabi has a habit of landing behind bars — sometimes for crimes she committed, sometimes for crimes she didn’t.
A wrongful conviction arc would create maximum emotional chaos.

4. A Big Explosion — Literally

DOOL loves a dramatic, cliffhanger ending.
Gabi “dies” in an explosion… only for Banus to return months later in true soap fashion.

Any of these options would deliver drama, heartbreak, and suspense — while keeping Gabi’s future wide open.

Why Camila Banus’s Return Would Shake the Show

Banus didn’t just play Gabi — she defined her.

She brought:

• razor-sharp energy
• explosive emotional breakdowns
• fiery confrontations
• a seductive charm
• ruthless ambition
• genuine vulnerability beneath the bravado

Her chemistry with Stefan and Abigail was legendary.
Her battles with Lani were unforgettable.
Her corporate takedowns and revenge plots? Iconic.

Bringing Banus back wouldn’t simply be nostalgia — it would be a power move to rebuild DOOL’s core identity during a critical era.

The Emotional Fallout — What This Means for Stefan

No character would feel Gabi’s exit — or return — more deeply than Stefan DiMera.

His marriage.
His obsession.
His weakness.
His downfall.

Gabi is the love of his life.
His partner in crime.
His equal.

If Jimenez exits abruptly, Stefan could spiral into:

• rage
• obsession
• self-destruction
• revenge

And if Banus returns?

Expect:

• explosive reunions
• violent confrontations
• seduction
• betrayal
• and a power struggle that could destroy DiMera Enterprises from the inside out.

Fans React: Chaos in the Fandom

Social media is already a battlefield:

“Cherie has been great, but Camila IS Gabi.”
“No one can match Banus’s fire. Bring her back!”
“Cherie deserves this movie role — but don’t take Gabi from us!”
“Imagine a dual Gabi storyline… WE NEED THIS.”

The fandom is divided but passionate — which is exactly where DOOL thrives.

Final Thoughts — A Storm Is Coming to Salem

Whether Cherie Jimenez leaves or stays, whether Camila Banus returns or not, one thing is clear:

Gabi Hernandez is heading toward a major turning point.

And Salem will never be the same.

As always, stay tuned — the hourglass is turning, secrets are brewing, and nothing in Salem stays quiet for long.