Arianne Zucker Opens Up About Trump Controversy

Days of Our Lives star Arianne Zucker was thrust into the mainstream media spotlight over the last week when a 2005 leaked Access Hollywood tape of Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump making questionable comments about women surfaced.

Trump was on his way to tape an appearance on the NBC soap and made a few comments some consider lewd about Zucker just before she greeted him and escorted him to the set.

Zucker took to Twitter last weekend to give a response to the tape that left her trending on Facebook. This morning, she appeared on NBC’s Today to address the controversy. After her appearance, real-life boyfriend Shawn Christian took to social media to offer praise.

When asked by Today how she feels about the last week, she admitted it’s all still unbelievable to her. “It feels very surreal,” Zucker said. “I’m not quite sure I believe it yet.”

Today asked if Trump’s words offended her and she said, “They were very offensive comments for women, period, yes.” However, she also admitted they didn’t shock her because she’s heard talk like that before by being in the entertainment industry for so long.

Zucker has a 6-year-old daughter with former co-star and ex-husband, Kyle Lowder (ex-Brady), and said she hopes her child can learn from this. “I want to teach my daughter that if she’s ever put in a situation like Mommy is right now, that she will hold her head high, as well.” She also said she believes young men can learn from this on how not to speak to and about women.

In the end, Zucker told Today she hopes to use what’s happened in a positive manner. “I’m ready to use it for women to step forward…and to do good things for my life, and for other people.”