Exclusive Interview: Days of Our Lives Star Stacy Haiduk Bids Salem Farwell — For Now

Stabbing Victor for his role in letting her think that her daughter, Rachel, had died may have felt good at the moment, but it led to Kristen leaving Salem on Days of Our Lives. Stacy Haiduk, Kristen’s portrayer, spoke to Soap Hub about her emotional farewell.

Stacy Haiduk On Her Salem Exit

Soap Hub: Kristen went from being a villainess to a leading lady who wanted a family. It was so emotional when she finally got Rachel back.
Stacy Haiduk: [The scenes] were so touching. Linsey [Godfrey, Sarah] and I were both so emotional. I can’t imagine having a child, being with that baby for a year, and then having to give it up. During one of the takes, [Linsey] said, “Can you just hold me?” I remember holding her. I remember that mother’s pain. I think Kristen did, too. She understood all of what Sarah had gone through.

It was so ironic that Kristen got her baby back, but had to leave.
Yes. Finally, Kristen has what she’s wanted her whole life. I always wished they would have let Sarah and Kristen raise the baby together! That didn’t happen. The passion she built up with Brady [Eric Martsolf] and him falling back in love with her and then, finally, learning the baby was still alive. It was a rollercoaster.

Why Kristen Did What She Did

Was Kristen in her right mind when she stabbed Victor (John Aniston)?
We know Kristen has a temper and when she gets emotional and passionate, she sometimes reacts in not the best way. For her, the whole past with Victor has not been easy at all. In that moment, it happened. She was in that place where you’re in a dream-like state and you just do it. She just wanted to get her baby back. What an amazing journey the writers gave Kristen! I was so blessed to be able to do it.

Had you ever met Ron Carlivati, Days of Our Lives head writer?
Not before [I joined the show]. The first time I met him was when I was on DAYS and he had come out for the Daytime Emmys. He said to me: “When Eileen [Davidson, ex-Kristen; Ashley, The Young and the Restless] couldn’t do it, I thought of you. I wanted you for the part.” I thought, “Well that‘s pretty wonderful!”

The Emotional End

The heavy climatic scenes must be exhausting.
I think I had one day where I wasn’t feeling anything; I was so frustrated with myself. [The emotions] still came across on screen. I have to focus when I’m acting. If it’s a light scene, that’s fine, but when I have a scene I have to get into – especially this most recent journey – I have to be focused so that I can stay in character until it is over. I know Linsey, after all the weeks of crying, was exhausted as well. But we love our art. That’s what our job is. I love it. I love it so much.

And, hopefully, there is more to come.
It would have been nice to have a moment with all three of them [Brady, Kristen, and Rachel] cuddled together in the bed. You never know what is going to happen in Salem. People come and go all the time.

Do you want to see Kristen return one day? Tell us more in the comments below. Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.