After more than 13 years playing Gabi Hernandez, Camila Banus left Days of Our Lives in late 2023, citing a desire to explore new roles and take creative risks. Her departure saddened many fans, as Gabi had become one of the most iconic, passionate, and volatile characters on the show—largely thanks to Camila’s unforgettable portrayal.

Not long after, the show recast the role with Cherie Jimenez, a talented but relatively unknown actress. At first, it seemed like a standard recast transition—until social media revealed something far messier.

In November 2024, fans noticed that Camila Banus had liked several comments on Instagram and Facebook posts criticizing Cherie’s performance. Some of the comments were brutal, stating that Cherie lacked the spark, emotional weight, or “edge” that Camila brought to the role. While Camila didn’t make any public statements, her subtle support of these negative comments spoke volumes. It was a quiet move—but in the passionate soap opera community, it landed like a bomb.

Screenshots of the “likes” quickly went viral among DOOL fan groups, with heated discussions breaking out across Reddit threads and Facebook communities. Was Camila simply expressing her disappointment? Or was she shading her successor?

As the drama built, Cherie Jimenez responded—not with a direct statement, but with a pointed Instagram story. “Some people leave but can’t let go,” she wrote. “I guess Gabi wasn’t just a role for them—it was their entire personality.” Though she didn’t name anyone, the message was unmistakably aimed at Camila. It was bold, icy, and instantly sparked more division among fans.

Some loyalists defended Camila, arguing she had every right to be upset. After over a decade of building Gabi’s identity, it was painful to watch someone else take over—especially without a grand farewell storyline. Others rallied behind Cherie, saying she deserved a fair chance without being publicly undermined by her predecessor.

Insiders began leaking new details. According to one anonymous crew member, Camila had hoped for a dramatic exit storyline—a death, a final redemption, something worthy of closure. Instead, the show moved on quickly, slotting Cherie into the role without much transition. That may have fueled Camila’s quiet resentment, the source claimed.

At the network level, NBC has remained silent, offering no comment on the rising tension. But within the fandom, it’s a full-blown civil war. #TeamCamila vs #TeamCherie. Gabi Hernandez might exist only in the fictional town of Salem, but the emotions tied to her role are very real—and now spilling far beyond the screen.

What happens next? No one knows. But one thing’s for sure: in the world of soap operas, even the actors can’t always leave the drama behind.