She might have landed the coveted role of Gabi DiMera on a hit daytime  television show like Days of Our Lives, but Cherie Jiminez admits that getting where she is right now has not been easy.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Cherie Jimenez’s Journey Has Not Been Easy

The actress recently opened up to Soap Opera Digest about her long journey to getting where she is now and some of the obstacles that she had to face. In fact, Cherie says that she first auditioned for Days of Our Lives back in 2009.

Cherie recalled, “I moved out to Los Angeles when I was 19 years old. Then, at the age of 22, my first audition ever came in. It was for the role of Gabi on Days of our Lives. I went in and got a same-day callback. I made it to producers, but it didn’t go any further.”

“However, that role has always stayed on my mind, because, at the time, there weren’t really many opportunities for Latin females that were substantial. And Gabi is an incredible character.”

“So I was like, ‘Okay. I didn’t get it. It wasn’t meant to be.’ I was so happy for Camila when I found out that she got it, even though I don’t know her.”

“Because in this industry when one Latin actress books something, that’s opening the door for more opportunity for all of us. I always thought of this role, but I moved on. I’ve had a wonderful career booking things here and there.”

Thankfully, her experience auditioning for the show last year was completely different.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Cherie Finally Made It

Cherie said, “I had just finished filming the movie Guns & Moses. That’s where I really got to see what it was like being a mother and a working actor. As incredible as it all was, it was also very difficult.”

“Then the actors’ strike happened, and we moved to Texas. The first audition that I took was for Days of Our Lives. When the role came about, it wasn’t for Gabi. It said another name. I thought they were hiring a sister for Camila.”

“I did the audition over Zoom, then got a callback. They sent me the screen test audition, and on the contract it said Gabi Hernandez. I realized Camila was leaving the show, and was like, ‘Oh my God. What are the chances that 15 years later, this role that I really wanted in my twenties, is coming back around?’”

Of course, fans will have to tune in each and every day to find out what will happen next. Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on the Peacock streaming network.