Soap Hub Performer of the Week for DAYS: Raven Bowens

Raven Bowens had an unenviable task: assume a Days of our Lives role previously inhabited by another actress, exude the same amount of chemistry with a whole array of fellow thespians, and immediately jump into storylines concerning familial strife and a same-sex crush. She did all that, and more – hence the Soap Hub Performer of the Week award.

Raven Bowens – Performer of the Week

If there was one thing that Chanel Dupree did not want to do, it was to talk with her estranged mother, Paulina Price (Jackée Harry). If there was a second, it was to talk about the kiss that she shared with gal-pal Allie Horton (Lindsay Arnold); but talk the young ladies did.

Much to Chanel’s surprise, Allie admitted that she’d wanted the kiss to happen. “Me too,” came her excited reply. Both admitted that they might be developing romantic feelings for one another – but Allie wasn’t at all ready to give up her pursuit of Tripp Johnson (Lucas Addams), especially when Chanel pushed the issue.

Johnson’s subsequent arrival resulted in Chanel heading for the metaphorical hills, but she immediately regretted her decision to ramble when she ran smack dab into Paulina.

She was pleased that her mother had been worried sick over the disappearing act that she’d pulled, and she was disgusted by Paulina’s suggestion that they incorporate the bakery that meant so much to her into Paulina’s eponymous big box store.

After fleeing the scene, Chanel returned to her refuge – just in time to hear Allie enticing Tripp to come to her room for a romantic rendezvous. Come the next morning, the trio shared an awkward cross.

Bowens wrapped Chanel’s broken heart up in a layer of bravado as she flippantly dismissed her and Allie’s mutual affection for one another, and made a swift exit from the apartment – but she proved just how desperate her character was to connect with another person when she made a forceful play for ex-beau Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson).

Chanel may be a confoundable piece of work, but we believe her to be safe in Raven Bowens’ oh-so-capable hands.

Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Salem, check out all the latest that’s been posted on DAYS spoilers.