Months after it was revealed that she had dropped to recurring status at “Days of our Lives,” actress Elia Cantu announced on Wednesday that she has officially exited the daytime drama series as Jada Hunter.
“As I say goodbye to ‘Days of our Lives,’ I’m excited and looking forward to the next chapter,” said Cantu. “Leaving ‘DAYS’ is bittersweet, but I step away full of gratitude and joy for what’s ahead.”
“Jada Louise Hunter. It’s been an honor. She is bold, layered, and I’ll forever cherish bringing her to life,” continued the actress, speaking about her character, whom she portrayed for the last four years, having begun her run in 2022. “She remains a staple in Salem, and I’ll carry everything she taught me as I go. Jada, you will always be my girl.” The character is the daughter of the legacy character Marcus Hunter, played by the late Richard Biggs from 1987-1992.
In March, when word broke that Cantu and co-star Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez) were no longer on contract, a spokesperson for the show noted, “We never comment on actor contract status, but rest assured, Rafe and Jada are still in Salem.” The change in their status wasn’t cause for concern at the time, as a number of cast members were not under contract but involved in hot storylines, including Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady) and Casey Moss (JJ Deveraux).
Though the situation may have since changed for Cantu, there’s no indication at present that Gering will also be exiting the show. Cantu’s exit from the show reportedly won’t be felt until at least spring 2027, as the daytime drama series tapes episodes roughly 10 months before they are released on Peacock, the exclusive streaming home for the series in the U.S.
“To the cast & crew – Thank you for your hard work and long hours. What a journey it has been,” said Cantu, continuing her statement on social media. “To the ‘DAYS’ fans – Thank you. You are incredibly supportive, caring, and dedicated. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. There’s more to come, and I hope you’ll come along with me for what’s next. Love, Elia Cantu.”
On Instagram, Cantu shared a short video of her taking her final bow with the caption, “Godspeed” and a “heart’ emoji.
Co-star Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez) responded to Cantu’s announcement, saying in the comments, “I am so lucky to have shared the stage with you in so many wonderful scenes. You are a light & so incredibly talented. Can’t wait to see what magic comes your way.”
Before joining “Days of our Lives” as a series regular, Cantu made appearances in such shows as “Criminal Minds,” “Black-ish,” “Lucifer,” “This is Us,” “Lethal Weapon,” “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “9-1-1” and “Mom,” among others.
