Who Really Is Arianna? Days Fans Stunned by Dark Secrets Revealed!
A familiar face is back in Salem—but not quite the way you remember her. Arianna Horton, daughter of Gabi Hernandez and Will Horton, made her Days of our Lives return on May 20, 2025, now a teenager played by Marissa Reyes. Longtime fans might need a refresher on Ari’s complex history, especially with the major changes since her last appearance.
Who Is Arianna?
Arianna was born on May 21, 2013, after Gabi had a one-night stand with Will (Chandler Massey). At the time, Gabi was dating Nick Fallon (Blake Berris), who insisted on being named the baby’s legal father.
The truth came out at Nick and Gabi’s wedding, but he blackmailed Will into giving up his rights. Shortly after, Will and his boyfriend, Sonny Kiriakis, saved Gabi and Nick from a kidnapping.
In a dramatic moment, Sonny helped deliver the baby in a shed. Gabi named her daughter Arianna Grace, honoring Arianna Hernandez (Lindsay Hartley) and Grace DiMera, and officially listed Will as the father.
From the beginning, Arianna was raised by Gabi, Will, and Sonny in a unique co-parenting household. The trio’s bond only deepened when Sonny and Will married. But Ari’s childhood was marked by heartache—Gabi went to prison for Nick’s murder, Will was presumed dead, and Sonny left town.
When Will resurfaced alive but with amnesia in 2017, he eventually resumed his role as Ari’s father. During another stint where Gabi was wrongfully imprisoned for Andre’s (Thaao Penghlis) murder, Will and Sonny lied to Ari about her mom’s absence, saying she was away for work. Arianna felt abandoned, leading to tension when Gabi finally returned.
In 2020, Ari moved to Phoenix with Will and Sonny but later split her time between her parents in Salem. By December 2022, she had given her blessing for Gabi to marry Li Shin (Remington Hoffman)—after he won her over with cookies—but spent New Year’s Eve with Sonny after falling ill. When Sonny left for New Zealand to join Will in early 2023, Arianna went with him.
Hitting The Ground Running
Fast forward to May 2025, and Arianna is back in Salem—older, independent, and with a rebellious streak. She reunited with Gabi and cousin Javi (Al Calderon) just in time for her birthday.
Though only Marlena showed up to the party Gabi threw, Ari didn’t seem to mind. She claimed she wanted to skip graduation in Arizona and spend the summer in Salem. But the night took a turn when Ari snuck off to Small Bar and ended up sleeping with Doug III (Peyton Meyer)—shocking her mother and viewers alike.
A Relative Newcomer
Reyes, originally from Houston, Texas, brings both classical training and modern screen presence to her growing list of credits. She sharpened her craft through the prestigious Juilliard Complete Singer/Actor Program and UCLA’s TV/Film Summer Institute, setting a strong foundation for her career.
Before hitting screens, Reyes got her start on stage, appearing in theatrical productions such as Into the Woods and Matilda, showcasing her range and versatility as a performer. Her professional on-camera debut came in 2022 when she landed the role of Cami Rivera on Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home, where she appeared through 2023.
That same year, Reyes jumped into the horror genre, playing Kate in the spooky feature Spirit Halloween alongside Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That) and DAYS alum Marla Gibbs (Olivia).
She currently recurs in Netflix’s sports dramedy Running Point, starring Kate Hudson. Next up, Reyes will appear in the upcoming supernatural thriller The Evilry, sharing the screen with a powerhouse cast that includes Faye Dunaway, Dylan Walsh, and Teri Polo.
Are you excited about Arianna’s return? Sound off in the comments below!
