Going Her Way

Arianne Zucker reveals why the time is right for her to leave DAYS.

- Stephanie Sloane

Arianne Zucker first joined DAYS as Nicole Walker in 1998, and enjoyed an eight-year run as she made her mark on the canvas. She left in 2006, then returned two years later, and now she’s preparing to say good-bye again. Here, Zucker opens up about her reasons for leaving, and discusses her real-life relationship with former co-star Shawn Christian (ex-Daniel) for the first time, as well as the videotape seen ’round the world last fall.

Soap Opera Digest: When did you start thinking about leaving? 

Arianne Zucker: Two years ago, I was contemplating making the shift. The first time I left, I didn’t even know if I wanted to act. So this time, I finally figured out who I am and what I am and what I want to do, and I absolutely love acting. I thought, “Well, I have a great job,” but you always want to have a backup plan. I just want to go off and try new things. So I made sure I dotted all my i’s and crossed my t’s and had a plan to leave the show. I’m [coughs] in my 40s, but I still have dreams, so why not live them? As scary as it is, and respectfully, I know there are a thousand girls who would take my job in a second, for me, it is my time to go. 

Digest: When did you inform the show? 

Zucker: Right before Thanksgiving of 2016, we had a big, two-month break. So I wanted to let them know, because when we came back [in January], technically I only had eight, maybe 10 weeks left of work, depending on our schedule.