Camila Banus

American actress (born 1990)
Marlon Aquino
​
(m. 2021)​

Camila Banus (born July 22, 1990)[1] is an American actress. She is known for playing the roles of Lola Montez on the ABC Daytime soap opera One Life to Live (2008 to 2009), Gabi Hernandez on the NBC Daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives (2010 to 2014, 2015 to 2023), and Nina Ferrera on the Fox series Star (2018). In 2015, Banus was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for her work on Days of Our Lives.

Early life

Banus was born in Miami Beach, Florida.[1] She has a younger sister, Gabriela Banus, who is also an actress.[2] She is of Spanish and Cuban descent. She was born pigeon toed and her mother signed her up for ballet classes when she was very young. Banus became a competitive ballroom dancer.[3]

She was a very energetic child and when she was six years old, her mother looked in the Yellow pages for a talent manager. Banus signed with one and began acting in television commercials.[3]

Career

Banus made her film debut, playing the role of Rainbow in Lenny the Wonder Dog (2005).[4] In 2006, she guest starred on Dexter. In 2007 and 2008, she also made guest appearances on the Spanish language series' Seguro y urgente and Gabriel.[5]

Banus was cast on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, playing Lola Montez. Her first airdate was October 16, 2008.[6] The character was the daughter of Ray Montez (A Martinez). In April 2009, it was reported that Martinez had decided to leave the show and Banus had been dismissed from her role.[7] Her final airdate was May 15, 2009.[6]

In 2009, Banus co-starred with Amy Smart in See Kate Run, an ABC pilot that didn't go forward.[8] In 2010, she guest starred on the Disney XD series' I'm in the Band and Zeke and Luther.[1]

In August 2010, it was announced that Banus had been cast as Gabi Hernandez on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. The role had previously been played by Gabriella Rodriguez.[9] Banus' first airdate was October 4, 2010.[10]

In 2011, she appeared on the web series ACME Saturday Night.[11] Banus played Talia Portillo in the action film Counterpunch (2013).[12] She announced in August 2013 that she had decided to leave Days of Our Lives to pursue other opportunities.[13] Her last airdate was June 12, 2014.[10] Banus guest starred on Matador in 2014.[5] She played Simone Funicello in the comedy film Wishin' and Hopin'.[14] She returned to Days of Our Lives for a few episodes during the holidays, first airing December 22, 2014.[15]

In 2015, Banus was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for her role on Days of Our Lives.[16] She guest starred on Hawaii Five-0.[17] In August 2015, she announced that she would be returning to Days of Our Lives on a long-term basis.[18] Her first airdate was September 17, 2015.[10][19] Banus was cast as Lucia Villanuevo in the original pilot for the FX series Snowfall.[20]

In April 2016, Banus landed a recurring role on the ABC series Mistresses.[21] She starred as Nella in the film Speak Now (2016).[22] She also starred in the romantic comedy film Almost Amazing (2017), co-starring with Eric Roberts, and in the film Marigold the Matador.[23]

Banus starred in the Lifetime television film Killer Caregiver (2018).[24] In August 2018, she was cast in a recurring role as Nina Ferrera on the Fox music drama series Star.[25][26] In 2021, Banus co-starred with Brittany Underwood in the Lifetime television film A Bride's Nightmare (also titled Fatal Fiancé).[27] She starred as Carmen in the Lifetime television film Sweet Navidad (also titled A Christmas & Postre), directed by Brittany Underwood.[28] Banus played Gabi Hernandez in Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas, a holiday film streaming on Peacock.[29]

In 2022, she played Gabi Hernandez in Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, a spinoff miniseries streaming on Peacock.[30] She was cast in the horror film Bad Connection.[31] In April 2023, Banus was also cast in the LGBTQ romance film The Holiday Exchange.[32]

In May 2023, she announced that she would be leaving Days of Our Lives after thirteen years, saying that she was "ready for something different."[33] The character of Gabi was sent to prison for murder and was later recast with Cherie Jimenez.[34] In May 2024, Banus spoke out against her former co-workers on social media, saying "I will never understand all the people at my previous place of employment that are friends with snakes." She also said, "I remember times where everyone just stayed quiet, knowing what was happening was wrong. Men and women." [35]

Banus played Willa in the film Final Heist (2024).[36]

Personal life

When she was 15, Banus had cosmetic surgery to have her ears pinned back. She has said that she continued to feel insecure about her ears after the procedure, but she now feels confident about her appearance.[37]

When she was 19 and just starting her work on Days of Our Lives, Banus' father died from suicide. She has said that she buried her grief at the time. Working with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention helped her heal. She has stated that her father's death made her "a more empathetic person."[38]

She began dating actor Marlon Aquino in 2012.[39] In December 2020, he proposed to her at the Pérez Art Museum Miami.[40] Banus and Aquino were married on August 28, 2021 at The Castle House Estate in Joshua Tree, California.[39]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Lenny the Wonder Dog Rainbow
2013 Counterpunch Talia Portillo
2014 Wishin' and Hopin' Simone Funicello
2015 Ripples on the Water Linda Short film
2016 Speak Now Nella Also executive producer
The Broken Camera Carmen Short film
2017 Almost Amazing Taylor
2023 Marigold the Matador Marigold (Older)
Bad Connection Eva
2024 Final Heist Willa

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Dexter Girl Swimming Episode: "Crocodile"
2007 Seguro y urgente Tina Episode: "Cumpleaños feliz"
2008 Gabriel Vampirita 2008 2 episodes
2008–2009 One Life to Live Lola Montez Recurring role, 49 episodes
2009 See Kate Run Unaired pilot
2010 I'm in the Band Bianca Ortega Episode: "Annoying Arlene"
Zeke and Luther Big Sister Episode: "Local Heroes"
2010–2014, 2015–2023 Days of Our Lives Gabi Hernandez Contract role

1,127 episodes

2014 Matador Pretty Servant Girl No. 2 Episode: "Enter the Worm"
2015 Hawaii Five-0 Tori Onuma Episode: "Ho'amoano"
2016 Mistresses Kylie 5 episodes
2017 Snowfall Lucia Villanuevo Episode: Original Pilot
The Last Defectors Isadora
2018 Rhino Sophie Television film
Star Nina Ferrera Recurring role, 7 episodes
Killer Caregiver Tess Harper Television film
2021 Sweet Navidad Carmen Tirado Television film
A Bride's Nightmare Faith Television film
Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas Gabi Hernandez Television film
2022 Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Gabi Hernandez 3 episodes (season 2)
It's Complicated Mandy Television film

Also associate producer

Web series

Year Title Role Notes
2011 ACME Saturday Night Woman in Bed Episode: "Chandler Massey and Casey Deidrick"

Segment: "Waking Up with Brett Sheridan" (Uncredited)

Awards and nominations

List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
2009
 Young Artist Award Outstanding Young Ensemble in a TV Series
(shared with Eddie Alderson, Kristen Alderson, Carmen LoPorto and Austin Williams) 		One Life to Live Nominated
[41]
2015
 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series Days of Our Lives Nominated
[42]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Camila Banus [bio]". nbc.com. NBC. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  2. ^ "All About Camila Banus". About.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "#TBT - Camila Banus". Soap Opera Digest. September 22, 2022. Archived from the original on 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  4. ^ "Days Cast Trivia: First Roles". Soap Opera Digest. May 19, 2017. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Brounstein, Diane (July 23, 2018). "Days Star Camila Banus Celebrates Amazing Milestone!". Soap Hub. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Who's Who in Llanview: Lola Montez". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  7. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (April 13, 2009). "The Montez family will soon be leaving Llanview". Soap Central. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "One Life to Live's Camila Banus on See Cate Run!". soaps.sheknows.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  9. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (August 3, 2010). "Gabriella Rodriguez out as Days' Gabi". Soap Central. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Who's Who in Salem: Gabi Hernandez". Soap Central. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  11. ^ "About the Actors: Camila Banus". Soap Central. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "Counterpunch - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  13. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (August 23, 2013). "Camila Banus confirms Days exit later this year". Soap Central. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  14. ^ "Wally Lamb's Wishin' and Hopin' - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  15. ^ Clifford, Kambra (December 17, 2014). "Camila Banus Returns for a few Days". Soap Central. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  16. ^ "Daytime Emmy Winners: Full List". Variety. April 26, 2015. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  17. ^ "Credits: Camila Banus". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  18. ^ Clifford, Kambra (August 28, 2015). "Camila Banus confirms Days' Gabi will be back in Salem mid-September". Soap Central. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  19. ^ Hughes, Heather (August 31, 2015). "'Days of Our Lives' (DOOL) Spoilers: Camila Banus Returns September 17 – Gabi Leaves Prison, Reunites with Arianna". Celebdirtylaundry.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  20. ^ Pedersen, Erik (September 25, 2015). "Tim Matheson & Camila Banus Join FX Drama Pilot 'Snowfall'". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  21. ^ Giddens, Jamey (April 21, 2016). "Camila Banus Set to Recur on Mistresses". Daytime Confidential. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  22. ^ "Speak Now - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  23. ^ Fix, Christine (February 15, 2017). "Days' Camila Banus in three upcoming feature films". soaps.sheknows.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  24. ^ "Days Camila Banus Lifetime Movie 'Killer Caregiver' Set To Premiere July 13th". michaelfairmantv.com. July 5, 2018. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  25. ^ Petski, Denise (August 17, 2018). "'Star': William Levy Joins Fox Drama As New Series Regular In Season 3". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  26. ^ "Star". TV Guide. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  27. ^ Mistretta, Amy (May 24, 2021). "Days of Our Lives' Camila Banus Becomes a 'Fatal' Attraction in a New Thriller — Plus, Is That General Hospital's [Spoiler]?". soaps.sheknows.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  28. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 12, 2021). "'A Christmas & Postre': 'Days Of Our Lives' Camila Banus & Mark Hapka Lead Ninth House Holiday Indie Feature". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  29. ^ Cohn, Paulette (December 16, 2021). "Celebrate Christmas With the Hortons. Bradys & DiMeras! Here's Everything We Know About Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas, Including Alison Sweeney's Return". Parade. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  30. ^ Rice, Lynette (June 2, 2022). "'Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem' Adds Loretta Devine, Eileen Davidson, Vince Van Patten & More To Second Chapter". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  31. ^ Oddo, Marco Vito (August 18, 2022). "'Bad Connection' Adds Perez Hilton, SwagBoyQ, and More to Slasher (Exclusive)". Collider. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  32. ^ "Days Camila Banus Joins Ensemble Cast of LGBTQ Romance Film 'The Holiday Exchange'". michaelfairmantv.com. April 3, 2023. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  33. ^ Rossi, Rosemary (May 1, 2023). "'Days of Our Lives' Star Camila Banus Exits After 13 Years: 'I'm Just Ready for Something Different' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  34. ^ "Days of our Lives New Gabi, Cherie Jimenez, Debut Date Revealed; Shares She First Auditioned for Role 15 Years Ago". michaelfairmantv.com. June 21, 2024. Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  35. ^ Richards, Bailey (May 18, 2024). "Camila Banus Appears to Call Out Former Days of Our Lives Colleagues' 'Behavior' After Exit from the Show". People. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  36. ^ Mistretta, Amy (February 9, 2024). "First Look at Days of Our Lives' Camila Banus Back in Action: Consider the Jailhouse Rocked!". soaps.sheknows.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  37. ^ Eades, Chris (December 8, 2016). "Days of Our Lives Star Camila Banus Confesses Even Plastic Surgery Didn't Help Her Insecurities About Her Appearance!". Soaps in Depth. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  38. ^ Falcone, Dana Rose (May 19, 2023). "Camila Banus Opens Up About How 'Days of Our Lives' Helped Her Emotionally Heal from Her Father's Suicide". People. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  39. ^ a b Dodd, Sophie (September 2, 2021). "See All the Photos of 'Days of Our Lives' 'Camila Banus' Intimate Joshua Tree Wedding". People. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  40. ^ Moro Parkerton, Michelle (December 21, 2020). "Days of Our Lives Star Camila Banus is Engaged!". Soaps in Depth. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  41. ^ "30th Annual Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  42. ^ "The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). New York City: Emmys and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 31, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
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