In the ever-whirling universe of Days of Our Lives, where secrets explode without warning and relationships bend until they nearly break, few characters have stood the test of time like Julie Williams — and few actresses have embodied a role with as much love, spirit, and history as Susan Seaforth Hayes. Her presence has shaped decades of storytelling in Salem, making her one of the true pillars of the show. But today, the drama moves beyond the screen, because Susan herself has delivered news that has fans gripping their seats and wiping their eyes.

For weeks, online chatter has been buzzing like bees around the Horton Christmas tree. Was Susan Hayes preparing to say goodbye? Would Julie Williams be written out, given a tear-filled farewell, or perhaps whisked off to one of those mysterious soap-opera “vacations” characters take without warning? Fans re-watched iconic scenes, analyzed interviews, and whispered on social media, convinced a heartbreaking exit was looming.

But now, Susan Hayes has finally broken her silence — and the truth hits with the force of a Salem twist. It’s not Julie who’s stepping out of the spotlight. It’s Susan herself who admits she needs something deeply human: a break. Not a farewell, not a farewell forever — but a pause to breathe, reflect, and reconnect after one of the most emotionally challenging seasons of her real life.

And yet, what truly has fans talking is not the break itself… but the reason behind it, the emotional confessions it inspired, and the beautiful stories she shared about the cast members who helped carry her through her darkest moments.

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A Storm of Rumors — and the Truth Behind Them

Before unveiling her news, Susan acknowledged the tidal wave of speculation. The soap world knows all too well that nothing is ever simple: characters die, resurrect, disappear, and return with new faces. So when whispers grew that she might retire, viewers braced for a painful goodbye.

But Susan, with her trademark grace, eased those fears.

She isn’t leaving Julie behind.

She isn’t saying farewell to Salem.

But she is choosing to step back briefly, giving herself room to rest and reflect — especially after the devastating passing of her beloved husband and longtime co-star, Bill Hayes. The emotional toll of that loss cannot be overstated. Bill wasn’t just her partner in life; he was part of the fabric of DOOL history, intertwined with Julie’s story for decades.

Her announcement brought both relief and heartache. Fans were comforted knowing Julie will remain, but Susan’s raw honesty made the moment deeply poignant.

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A Love Letter to Her Co-Stars — Especially Lamon Archey

In opening up about her hiatus, Susan didn’t focus on worry or uncertainty. Instead, she turned the spotlight toward the people who helped her through this chapter — and at the center of that spotlight was Lamon Archey, the actor behind Salem’s resilient detective Eli Grant.

Her words weren’t just complimentary; they were glowing, heartfelt, and profoundly personal.

She described Lamon as beautiful inside and out, praising his sincerity, integrity, and warmth. While fans adore the onscreen dynamic between Eli and Julie, Susan revealed the real-life bond is even richer.

Their connection began years ago when writers unveiled the twist that Eli was Julie’s long-lost nephew — a storyline that instantly drew them together in emotional scenes filled with family secrets, reunions, and generational healing.

Offscreen, that relationship blossomed into mentorship, friendship, and shared emotional support.

But nothing captures their bond as vividly as Lamon’s gesture after Bill Hayes passed away. Susan recounted receiving a delicate wind chime from him — inscribed with the words:

“Every time this bell rings, remember me.”

She hung it in her garden, she said, and now every soft breeze becomes a whispered reminder of Bill… and of Lamon’s compassion.

“I thank him every time I walk past it,” she confessed. That one sentence alone sent shivers through the fandom, grounding this soap-opera universe in genuine human grief and kindness.

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And Then There’s Sal Stowers — Susan’s “Beautiful Goddess”

Susan couldn’t speak of Lamon without praising Sal Stowers, who plays Lonnie Price Grant — Eli’s fierce, loving, emotionally layered wife.

Sal’s presence on the show has always been electric, and Susan doubled down on that sentiment, calling her a “walking, talking, beautiful goddess.”

It wasn’t just flattery — it felt like a matriarch passing down her blessing. Susan added that she always feels happier when Lamon and Sal return to the set, describing them as one of DOOL’s most powerful, essential couples.

Fans agree. “Elani,” as the fandom calls them, has been one of the show’s most beloved pairings — navigating loss, love, parenthood, and identity through some of the most emotionally rich storylines of recent years.

Susan’s endorsement reignited hope that more scenes with Eli and Lonnie lie ahead — a comforting thread during her own temporary break.

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Reflecting on a Lifetime in Salem

Susan’s announcement also brought a wave of nostalgia. She has lived through nearly every era of DOOL — from the show’s early years to its recent renaissance after moving to Peacock. She’s seen plots shift from melodramatic to supernatural to heart-wrenchingly real, watched co-stars come and go, and shared screen time with some of the industry’s most iconic talents.

Her partnership with Bill Hayes wasn’t just a love story; it was a legacy, both onscreen and off. Their real marriage infused Doug and Julie’s romance with authenticity that transcended fiction. So when Bill passed away, the entire cast and fanbase mourned with Susan.

And that makes Lamon’s wind-chime gesture, Sal’s constant warmth, and the cast’s support feel all the more meaningful.

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Why This Break Matters — and Why It’s Not an Ending

Susan emphasized that her decision to take time for herself isn’t a retreat. It’s healing. Renewal. A chance to process grief while still cherishing the role and the show that shaped her life.

Soap actors rarely speak openly about the emotional toll behind the glamour of daytime TV — the grueling schedules, the emotional depth required, the challenge of pushing through personal pain while performing dramatic scripts.

Her honesty resonated deeply with fans, who flooded social media with love, calling her a legend, an inspiration, and the heart of Days of Our Lives.

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What This Means for DOOL Fans Moving Forward

Rather than signaling trouble, Susan’s break seems to be a reminder of what DOOL has always been — a family. A place where actors share real connection beyond the scripts. A space that evolves, adapts, and endures.

Julie Williams will remain part of Salem’s tapestry.

Susan will return refreshed, supported, and uplifted.

And fans now view Lamon and Sal through a deeper lens — not just as performers, but as pillars of kindness who helped a grieving friend stand tall again.

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A Final Message to Fans

Susan closed her revelation with gratitude — for the cast, for the fans, for the decades of storytelling, and for the chance to keep moving forward with the show she loves.

Her news wasn’t the dramatic exit many feared.

Instead, it was a reminder of resilience, love, and community — themes DOOL has always embodied.

And as viewers rewatch Eli and Julie’s best scenes, admire the wind-chime story, and celebrate Sal Stowers’ brilliance, one thing becomes clear:

This isn’t an ending. It’s a pause — a tender chapter in the life of a woman who has given Salem more heart than anyone else.

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