Okay, buckle up, entertainment lovers! Ever wonder what goes on when the cameras stop rolling on your favorite soaps? We picture glamour, maybe some line-flubbing laughs, but genuine fear? Usually not. Yet, that’s exactly what Days of our Lives star John-Paul Lavoisier experienced during what was supposed to be a quick, fun video shoot.
Get ready for the inside scoop on the behind-the-scenes moment that had Philip Kiriakis himself saying “never again!”From Screen Rivals to Social Media Duo: The Kiriakis Bromance We Needed
Let’s set the scene. On Days of our Lives, the Kiriakis family drama is legendary. Philip Kiriakis (played by the charming John-Paul Lavoisier) and Xander Kiriakis (the delightfully roguish Paul Telfer) often find themselves tangled in power struggles, romantic rivalries, and general Salem mayhem under the watchful eye (or portrait) of patriarch Victor Kiriakis.
Their on-screen relationship? Let’s just say “complicated” is an understatement.
But off-screen? That’s where the magic happens! Heather Smith, the genius social media manager for Days, cooked up a brilliant idea for a short, funny video clip starring these two Kiriakis gents. The concept was simple, relatable, and perfectly played on their characters’ dynamic: adjusting the ever-important portrait of Victor.
Fans went wild for it – it was the unexpected “DAYS bromance we never knew we needed,” showcasing a lighter side to these often-intense characters.
Lights, Camera, … Near Panic? The High-Speed Shoot
Now, you might imagine filming even a short clip for a major show involves big lights, multiple takes, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Think again. Lavoisier spilled the tea to Soap Opera Digest about the whirlwind nature of this particular shoot.
“It was very fast,” Lavoisier admitted. The vibe wasn’t exactly Hollywood glamour; it was more like guerilla filmmaking. “It almost felt like we were filming on a street without a permit.
‘Okay, let’s go over here and shoot this real quick.’ Then, ‘Okay, now let’s go over there and shoot this.’”
Forget multiple attempts to get it perfect. Lavoisier revealed, “There weren’t a lot of outtakes. It was kind of a one and done thing.” They were squeezing it in whenever they had a spare moment, using only natural light.
Heather Smith had to quickly find the right phone angle, block the scene roughly, and hit record. Talk about pressure! It sounds more like a student film project than a piece of content for a network soap opera, highlighting the fast-paced, adaptable nature of creating social media content even for established shows.
The Moment That “Really Scared” Lavoisier: Up on Shoulders We Go!
Everything was zipping along until one specific moment in the script – or rather, the blocking. To reach Victor’s portrait and give it a straighten, the plan required one Kiriakis to get a little… elevated. And Paul Telfer had the perfect idea.
“When we got there, Paul told me to get up on his shoulders,” Lavoisier recounted. Simple enough, right? Wrong. This seemingly small stunt request hit an unexpected nerve for Lavoisier. “I said, ‘No, I don’t want to do that.’”
Lavoisier mused, “I don’t really have a fear of heights, but it might be a control thing.” Think about it – suddenly, your balance, your safety, it’s all literally in someone else’s hands (or, well, on their shoulders). He added, with a touch of bewildered humor, “I’ve never been on somebody’s shoulders before — not since I was a baby!”Imagine the internal monologue: Trust Paul? He plays Xander! Okay, he’s Paul, he’s cool. But still… shoulders? That high up? What if I fall? What if HE falls? This wasn’t in my contract! It’s a relatable moment of unexpected vulnerability. Here’s an actor used to performing dramatic scenes, maybe even some stage combat, but this simple, almost childlike action tapped into a genuine sense of unease.
Sticking the Landing (Sort Of) and Swearing Off Shoulder Rides
Despite his reservations, Lavoisier, ever the professional (and perhaps not wanting to hold up the lightning-fast shoot), went through with it. He conquered the initial fear and got up there. But the ordeal wasn’t over.
Getting down proved to be another challenge. While the exact details of the dismount struggle weren’t elaborated on, it clearly wasn’t smooth sailing.
Adding to the spontaneous nature of the shoot, an unscripted moment occurred during the descent: Lavoisier’s jacket accidentally fell over Telfer’s face.
Did they yell “Cut!” and reset? Nope! In the spirit of the quick-and-dirty filming style, they just went with it, adding another layer of unexpected comedy to the final product.
But make no mistake, this wasn’t an experience Lavoisier is keen to replicate. His final word on the shoulder-stunt? Emphatic and crystal clear: “I don’t want to do that again in my entire life,” he declared. You could almost hear the shudder!
Why We Love These Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses
So, what’s the takeaway from this little slice of behind-the-scenes drama? It’s a fantastic reminder that the actors we watch navigate complex, often dangerous fictional lives are real people, with their own quirks, anxieties, and unexpected fears. It’s refreshing to see that even a seemingly simple physical gag can cause genuine apprehension.
This story, coming straight from Lavoisier via Soap Opera Digest, gives us:
Authenticity: It’s a real, candid admission, not some PR spin.
Relatability: Who hasn’t been unexpectedly scared by something seemingly minor?
Humor: The image of a grown man’s first shoulder ride since babyhood, coupled with the jacket mishap, is just funny.
Appreciation: It highlights the spontaneity and sometimes surprising challenges involved in creating even the briefest moments of entertainment content.
The resulting video might have been all laughs and Kiriakis camaraderie for the fans, but now we know the secret story behind it – the moment of genuine fear that John-Paul Lavoisier bravely (and hilariously) overcame, all for the sake of a good social media clip. And honestly? Knowing that makes the original video even more fun to watch. Just don’t ask him to do it again!
