Camila Banus Shares How She Feels Bringing Hispanic-American Culture To Days Of Our Lives
"Days of Our Lives" fans know that the backbone of the soap opera has always been family. Whether it's the Hortons, Bradys, Kiriakis, or DiMeras, Salem's family units have been at the heart of all storylines. One of viewers' favorite families is the Hernandez crew. Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) was the first member of the family to come to Salem when he was assigned to protect Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) during her time in the witness protection program, per Soaps in Depth.
Later, fans met Rafe's family members, including sisters Gabi and Arianna, his brother Dario, and his parents Eduardo and Adriana (via Soap Central). However, Gabi is the only one to have become a staple in Salem alongside Rafe — and she is certainly a character you'd hate to know in real life.
Meanwhile, Gabi's portrayer Camila Banus takes her representation of Latinas on television very seriously. "It makes me feel so powerful and so strong that ["Days"] accepts me," the actress told People en Español in 2021. "I'm the only Latina [on the show], and to be taken seriously, for them to understand me and pressure me to want more, that's what makes me feel like I'm very lucky and blessed to represent Latina women," she added.
Recently, Banus opened up more about her heritage in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Camila Banus opens up about what her Hispanic roots mean to her
Although October is commonly associated with Halloween and the autumn season, it's also a very important month for those with Hispanic roots. Recently, "Days of Our Lives" star Camila Banus sat down for a conversation with her mother on the soap's official YouTube channel. The two explained what their heritage means to them in addition to sharing their family history of hard work and overcoming difficult circumstances.
Banus also shared a heartfelt message about how proud she is to represent the Hispanic community on the soap opera. "It just means that people that come from any kind of situation can make their dreams come true," the actress said. "Anytime I can, I try to put in a small word in Spanish into a scene or incorporate something. It's important to me to represent," she added.
Fans know Gabi as a complicated and emotional person who is ruthless in business and sentimental when it comes to her relationship with Stefan DiMera. The multi-faceted character is among the most beloved on the soap and has given viewers much entertainment over the years. It's clear that the actress is very proud of her heritage and is happy to share it with her fans as Gabi Hernandez on "Days of Our Lives."