Camila Banus

Camila Banus (born July 22, 1990) is an American actress. She is known for playing the roles of Lola Montez on the ABC Daytime soap opera ''One Life to Live'' (2008 to 2009), Gabi Hernandez on the NBC Daytime soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'' (2010 to 2014, 2015 to 2023), and Nina Ferrera on the Fox series ''Star'' (2018). In 2015, Banus was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for her work on ''Days of Our Lives''.

Early life

Banus was born in Miami Beach, Florida. She has a younger sister, Gabriela Banus, who is also an actress. She is of Spanish and Cuban descent. She was born pigeon toed and her mother signed her up for ballet classes when she was very young. Banus became a competitive ballroom dancer.

She was a very energetic child and when she was six years old, her mother looked in the Yellow pages for a talent manager. Banus signed with one and began acting in television commercials.

Career

Banus made her film debut, playing the role of Rainbow in ''Lenny the Wonder Dog'' (2005). In 2006, she guest starred on ''Dexter''. In 2007 and 2008, she also made guest appearances on the Spanish language series' ''Seguro y urgente'' and ''Gabriel''.

Banus was cast on the ABC soap opera ''One Life to Live'', playing Lola Montez. Her first airdate was October 16, 2008. The character was the daughter of Ray Montez (A Martinez). In April 2009, it was reported that Martinez had decided to leave the show and Banus had been dismissed from her role. Her final airdate was May 15, 2009.

In 2009, Banus co-starred with Amy Smart in ''See Kate Run'', an ABC pilot that didn't go forward. In 2010, she guest starred on the Disney XD series' '' I'm in the Band'' and ''Zeke and Luther''.

In August 2010, it was announced that Banus had been cast as Gabi Hernandez on the NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives''. The role had previously been played by Gabriella Rodriguez. Banus' first airdate was October 4, 2010.

In 2011, she appeared on the web series ''ACME Saturday Night''. Banus played Talia Portillo in the action film ''Counterpunch'' (2013). She announced in August 2013 that she had decided to leave ''Days of Our Lives'' to pursue other opportunities. Her last airdate was June 12, 2014. Banus guest starred on ''Matador'' in 2014. She played Simone Funicello in the comedy film ''Wishin' and Hopin. She returned to ''Days of Our Lives'' for a few episodes during the holidays, first airing December 22, 2014.

In 2015, Banus was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for her role on ''Days of Our Lives''. She guest starred on '' Hawaii Five-0''. In August 2015, she announced that she would be returning to ''Days of Our Lives'' on a long-term basis. Her first airdate was September 17, 2015. Banus was cast as Lucia Villanuevo in the original pilot for the FX series ''Snowfall''.

In April 2016, Banus landed a recurring role on the ABC series ''Mistresses''. She starred as Nella in the film ''Speak Now'' (2016). She also starred in the romantic comedy film '' Almost Amazing'' (2017), co-starring with Eric Roberts, and in the film '' Marigold the Matador''.

Banus starred in the Lifetime television film '' Killer Caregiver'' (2018). In August 2018, she was cast in a recurring role as Nina Ferrera on the Fox music drama series ''Star''. In 2021, Banus co-starred with Brittany Underwood in the Lifetime television film '' A Bride's Nightmare'' (also titled ''Fatal Fiancé''). She starred as Carmen in the Lifetime television film '' Sweet Navidad'' (also titled ''A Christmas & Postre''), directed by Brittany Underwood. Banus played Gabi Hernandez in '' Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas'', a holiday film streaming on Peacock.

In 2022, she played Gabi Hernandez in '' Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem'', a spinoff miniseries streaming on Peacock. She was cast in the horror film '' Bad Connection''. In April 2023, Banus was also cast in the LGBTQ romance film ''The Holiday Exchange''.

In May 2023, she announced that she would be leaving ''Days of Our Lives'' after thirteen years, saying that she was "ready for something different." The character of Gabi was sent to prison for murder and was later recast with Cherie Jimenez. In May 2024, Banus spoke out against her former co-workers on social media, saying "I will never understand all the people at my previous place of employment that are friends with snakes." She also said, "I remember times where everyone just stayed quiet, knowing what was happening was wrong. Men and women."

Banus played Willa in the film '' Final Heist'' (2024). In July 2024, she was cast in the film ''Cake.''

Personal life

When she was 15, Banus had cosmetic surgery to have her ears pinned back. She has said that she continued to feel insecure about her ears after the procedure, but she now feels confident about her appearance.

When she was 19 and just starting her work on ''Days of Our Lives'', Banus' father died from suicide. She has said that she buried her grief at the time. Working with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention helped her heal. She has stated that her father's death made her "a more empathetic person."

She began dating actor Marlon Aquino in 2012. In December 2020, he proposed to her at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. Banus and Aquino were married on August 28, 2021 at The Castle House Estate in Joshua Tree, California.

Filmography

Film

Television

Web series

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Banus, Camila
1990 births
American film actresses
American television actresses
Living people
Entertainers from Miami Beach, Florida
Hispanic and Latino American actresses
American entertainers of Cuban descent
American people of Spanish descent
American soap opera actresses
21st-century American actresses