The latest Days of Our Lives tribute to John Black is heartbreaking, but Sami’s absence raised eyebrows. Alison Sweeney, who plays Sami Brady, is now breaking her silence and explaining why she couldn’t be there—and why her later return matters even more.
Sweeney Couldn’t Be There for John’s Farewell
The week of June 10 delivers an emotional blow to Salem, with everyone mourning John Black. While viewers may have expected Sami Brady front and center, Sweeney was notably missing. In a candid interview, she revealed scheduling conflicts kept her from filming the funeral scenes. However, she assured fans that she would return soon—and her absence actually fits the story’s emotional tone.
According to Sweeney, grief doesn’t follow a script. “They arranged for me to come in a little later,” she explained. “I do have scenes about John.” The plan gives her character a moment to process the loss more intimately, rather than at a crowded memorial.
Days of Our Lives: A Tribute Beyond the Screen
For Sweeney, the tribute to John was also personal. “It was hard not being with my Days of Our Lives cast,” she admitted. Watching the previews stirred intense emotions, and reliving those moments has been challenging. She acknowledged how surreal it felt to grieve again months after filming.
“I’m watching these scenes on TV,” she shared, “and we’re reliving it. That’s really hard.” Her voice echoed the feelings of many longtime Days fans still mourning Drake Hogestyn’s real-life passing. The show’s heartfelt handling of his legacy continues to resonate, even weeks later.
Sami Returns to Share Quiet Grief
Sami’s return won’t be loud or dramatic—it will be quiet, raw, and deeply human. Sweeney believes this approach brings authenticity. “Mourning doesn’t always happen all at once,” she said. Sharing that grief with Marlena after the funeral allows for deeper, more emotional scenes.
John wasn’t just a figure in Sami’s life—he was her second father. Though their early history was rocky, he became someone she deeply respected. Her reunion with Marlena in the wake of John’s death might just be the closure viewers need, too.
Sweeney ended with a heartfelt note: “I’m really glad I got to be part of it the way I was.” Her words speak volumes about the bond between the cast and fans—and how Days of Our Lives continues to honor not just its characters, but the actors who made them iconic.
Stay tuned for Sami’s return and more emotional moments ahead on Days of Our Lives. For more exclusive updates, keep following Soap Opera Daily.
