Justin Gaston was first introduced to daytime audiences in 2014 when he joined the show as Ben on Days of Our Lives. He then went on to play Chance on The Young and the Restless during the pandemic, filling in for Donny Boaz. He and his wife, Melissa Ordway, who recently revealed that she was on recurring status with the show, reside in Tennessee with their daughters, Olivia and Sophie. Check out the exclusive interview below, where we chat about his new Christmas single, “Wrap You Up,” — which will be out on November 29th — as well as his love of all things Christmas, his career, and life as a dad!
How It Started
Bryan: How did you first get into acting, and was it always something you wanted to pursue?
Justin: I got into acting almost by accident. Growing up in Louisiana, my real passion was music. I signed with a modeling agency in New York mainly as a way to get closer to the music scene in New York and L.A. Acting was something I was drawn to but also scared of, so I kept resisting it.
Even when I first got to L.A., I only wanted to model. My agents couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t try acting, too. Then, I got a call about a last-minute casting for Nashville Star. I showed up to a room full of guys who looked like me, all holding guitars. Somehow, I got picked, which led to signing with an agent and landing acting gigs.
It was a back-and-forth between music and acting after that. My first big role was as a musician, and eventually, I signed a record deal too. Over time, I started feeling more confident on set and grew to love acting as much as music. There’s still a bit of nerves before performing, but I think it’s a healthy excitement that helps me connect with the moment.
Bryan: Was your first professional credit the Taylor Swift video for her song “Love Story”?
Justin: Yeah, I guess you could say Nashville Star was my first credit, though that was just me being myself, not really acting. I wasn’t in the union back then, and I’m honestly not sure if those videos are even under union rules.
I had just finished Nashville Star when she reached out through a friend at CAA who’d seen me on the show. I think she either performed the week I was eliminated or the week before. We connected, and I got the opportunity to work with her. It was a fun experience.
Bryan: Do you think being on Nashville Star directly led to that opportunity?”
Justin: Yeah, that’s what she said, at least. I don’t know how else she would’ve seen me, so, short answer, yes.
Bryan: Was Escapee your first film role?
Justin: Yeah. That’s where I met Melissa. At the time, I was focused on music—I’d signed a record deal with Simon Fuller, but after two years of working on an album, that fell through when Simon restructured his company. Right after that, I got a call from Faith Ford, who’s from my hometown, about a movie she was producing. I auditioned and got the role.
I met Melissa during the chemistry read on set, and we hit it off right away. When we started filming back in Louisiana, she didn’t have a car, so I drove her around, and things moved quickly between us. She met my family almost immediately, and everyone loved her. We got engaged 14 months later and were married within two years of meeting.
Bryan: Now, your relationship survived that movie, but did your characters?
Justin No, we didn’t. The joke is that we got murdered and hung in a tree together—very romantic. But we did get pretty close during that scene, no pun intended.
Bryan: In 2014, you joined DAYS as Ben Rogers. Was that meant to be a long-term role?
Justin: That was a strange experience. By that time, I’d tested for the show about four times. My reps even suggested not testing again, but I wanted to work, so I went for it. They’d actually written the role for me as a Southern musician but then decided not to cast me, which was confusing.
About a month later, I got the call that they wanted me after all. I started, but the character didn’t turn out to be musical at all, which felt odd in hindsight. Being new to soaps, I was just trying to keep up. Then, around Christmas, I got the call that they were recasting and going in a different direction with Rob [Scott Wilson, who currently plays Alex on the show], who’s a great guy. I was disappointed but happy for him.
Bryan: You didn’t stay out of work for long. The following year, you were cast in the The Unauthorized Full House movie, playing John Stamos. What was it like jumping into that role? Did it boost your confidence after leaving DAYS?
Justin: Matt Kane, who’s over at Y&R [the show’s publicist], suggested me for the role because they were struggling to cast Uncle Jesse. Within a week of auditioning, I was in Vancouver filming, so I binge-watched Full House to prepare.
Getting the part did help boost my confidence after DAYS. I took that experience pretty hard—it’s tough to get let go so soon, and I felt embarrassed. When you’re younger, it’s easy to let work define your self-worth. Looking back now, I see it as part of God’s plan, guiding me to what’s next. So, yes, taking on that role was uplifting and gave me a sense of direction.
Bryan: After working steadily over the years, you rejoined daytime on Y&R. What was it like returning to the soap world and even marrying your wife again on-screen?
Justin: Yeah, that was during COVID. Donny [Boaz], who was playing Chance at the time, got COVID, and I was in Nashville when they reached out. Everything happened fast because they were about to shoot their 12,000th episode and couldn’t delay it. At that time, they had strict rules—no on-screen kissing unless it was a real-life couple. So, I flew out and ended up filming for a few weeks, and we got to get married again on-screen. It’s funny now that she’s about to marry Bryton’s [James, Devon] character on the show!
Bryan: How was your experience filming God’s Country Song, especially playing a character rooted in faith, which resonates with your own journey?
Justin: Filming God’s Country Song was an incredibly personal experience for me. I really connected with my character, Noah, especially as he embarks on a faith journey. Like Noah, I can relate to the idea of parenthood, especially having kids around the same age as his son, JJ. It felt natural portraying a dad figuring things out, and, in a way, it brought out a side of me I hadn’t fully explored in the past. The character also struggles with addiction, a theme that’s tied to Noah’s tragic past, which felt authentic to me as well. His journey of hitting rock bottom, finding faith, and reconciling with family mirrored a lot of real-life themes, making it easy to step into his shoes.
What really stood out, though, was the music. As a musician, it was a dream role. We filmed almost every song like it was a music video, which was a surreal experience. I’ve always loved country music, but it’s not quite the style I normally do, so getting to dive into that genre—really channeling Brooks & Dunn, Randy Travis—was a blast. We recorded all the music before even starting the film, which shaped how I developed the character alongside Johnny, the director. Working with Andy and Melissa Sheridan on the music was a great experience. I fully embraced the twang, and honestly, I could have done that in every movie if I could! It was just the perfect blend of what I love most: music and storytelling.
How It’s Going
Bryan: What was it like playing Aiden in Santa Boot Camp and stepping into a Christmas movie?
Justin: We decorated for Christmas on November 1st, so it’s already feeling festive at our house! Honestly, if I could do a music movie or a Christmas movie for every role, that would be ideal for me. I love Christmas so much. In fact, the Christmas song we’ll talk about was one I co-wrote with a buddy I grew up with in Louisiana. He’s now a producer in Nashville, and we mostly write Christmas and Christian songs together because we’re both so passionate about the holiday.
The Santa Boot Camp role came about in an interesting way. At the time, we were living in LA, but I had a place in Nashville. A mutual friend of mine and Melissa Joan Hart suggested I audition for the role of Aiden, so I sent in a tape and booked it. It felt like one of those lucky moments where a friend knew a friend. The cast was fantastic, and working with Melissa as a director was amazing—she’s a pro. And filming in Pasadena, where it was warm, made it feel more realistic than the usual cold, snowy Christmas movie set. I was glad I didn’t have to wear a heavy coat in the heat! All in all, it was such a fun project, especially getting to be in Nashville.
Bryan: You’re both based in Nashville now. Does Melissa have a set filming schedule where she’s on location for a week at a time, or how does that work for you all?
Justin: It’s changed a bit for her recently. She’d get her filming schedule and fly in to shoot. When we were living in LA, we had a place here in Nashville during COVID, but it got too difficult, so we eventually went back to LA. Now, with her work schedule, we can be in Nashville more, and the girls are in school here, which works out well.
Melissa and I also did another Christmas movie, Christmas Sitters—though I think the title changed a few times! Originally, we were supposed to be the leads, but because of her schedule with Y&R, it didn’t work out. There’s a song in the film called “Wish For You,” which I co-wrote with the same friend I mentioned earlier. It’s still in the movie, and Nathan, who played the lead, sings it. It was a short shoot in Denver—Melissa and I flew in for a couple of days, and honestly, it felt like a little getaway. Not that we wanted to get away from the kids, but it was a fun weekend!
Bryan: Talk about the music, your new Christmas single—when it’s coming out, what it’s called, and why you made it.
Justin: It’s called “Wrap You Up,” and I wrote it with my buddy Ben [Schofield], who goes by Mylen. He’s the producer, and it’s under a band name, B.L.G. The song is a big departure from anything I’ve done before. It has this ‘80s big band feel—kind of Wham meets Hall & Oates—with big horns and a fun vibe. Every time I play it for the girls, they go crazy and start dancing, which is the best part!
I’m really excited for it to come out on November 29th. Christmas music is something I absolutely love, and this song’s ‘80s band vibe is a fun twist for me. I’ve always loved that era— Hall & Oates is one of my all-time favorite bands—and getting to experiment with something different was a blast. Normally, I’m more of a singer-songwriter, James Taylor-type, so it’s fun to step outside of that and celebrate Christmas in a new way. I can’t wait for people to hear it!
It will be available wherever you normally get your music – iTunes, Apple, Spotify etc.
Bryan: We talked a little about your spirituality and your relationship with God, which is so important to you. You mentioned writing Christian music—do you see yourself focusing more on that? Do you want to continue acting and writing music? What’s the future look like for you?
Justin: I definitely feel like I’m leaning more into Christian music right now. Everything I’ve written recently has been faith-based. I released a song called “The One” when God’s Country Song came out, and it’s all about my relationship with God. That was my step into Christian music. I’ve recorded two more songs that are essentially worship songs, though they’re produced with a bit of a country twist—slide guitars and that kind of vibe. I’d consider it Christian country music.
As for acting, I’m not sure. Melissa and I have been developing a few concepts we’d love to create, and we’ve got about four ideas we’re working on. But honestly, things have been moving slowly on the acting front for me. Luckily, being in Nashville lets me focus more on music, which is where I’m currently putting most of my energy.
Bryan: What is it like being a girl-dad to Olivia and Sophie?
Justin: Being a dad to Olivia and Sophie is the greatest pleasure of my life. They are amazing girls and are at such a fun age. Melissa and I were just talking about this with each other because they have been staying up so late recently, but we both just enjoy hanging out with them so much, and it’s not really like you’re taking care of them as much as you are just hanging with them. They have such a good sense of humor and are so funny that by the time we realize it, it’s almost midnight. All that to say, I love them more than anything in the world and am sad they are growing up, but each phase of life seems to come with a new kind of joy.
Bryan: You mentioned earlier that you and the family decorated for Christmas on November 1st. What do you love most about the holiday?
Justin: We have moved decorating for Christmas up slowly over the years, so this year, it was the 1st of November. There is so much I love about Christmas. It’s so nostalgic in so many ways and it’s fun to pass down all the things we did as children on to our own family. One of the things we look forward to most as a family is going to the Christmas Service at our church. I know that sounds cliche, but being in Nashville, you get the most amazing musicians, and the performance they put on for the service is something special. But seeing the girls’ faces on Christmas morning, and the joy and innocence they still possess is something I hope they never lose and a memory I will never forget.
Bryan: What would you like to say to your fans?
Justin: I think I have serious imposter syndrome because it’s so hard for me to think someone would be a “fan.” I honestly would just say thank you and I would just pray that God blesses you and your family, especially in this Christmas season.
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