
From NYC Roots to Soap Star & Supermom: Cherie Jimenez
03/27/25 • 85 min
Cherie Jimenez - born and raised in NYC. Mother, wife, actor. Gabi on Days of Our Lives
In this engaging conversation, Cherie Jimenez shares her unique experiences, from her unconventional wedding at Burning Man to her journey in the entertainment industry. She discusses the importance of family celebrations, her early life in New York, and the challenges she faced while pursuing her acting career in LA. Cherie's story is one of resilience, love, and personal growth, highlighting the beauty of embracing life's unexpected moments. In this conversation, Cherie Jimenez shares her journey in the acting industry, detailing her struggles and triumphs, particularly as a mother. She discusses the importance of relationships in the industry, her experiences with auditions, and how motherhood has reshaped her priorities and career. Cherie also reflects on her home birth experience and the support she received, emphasizing the balance between her roles as an actress and a mother. In this conversation, Cherie Jimenez shares her journey back to acting after a hiatus for motherhood, detailing her experiences with auditions, the challenges of balancing her career with being a mother, and her role as Gabby Hernandez on 'Days of Our Lives.' She reflects on personal growth, the importance of self-care, and the support she receives from her family and colleagues in the industry.
Takeaways
Cherie had her son the day before her husband's 40th birthday.
She never believed in marriage until she met her husband.
Their wedding at Burning Man was a unique experience.
Cherie found a spiritual awakening at Burning Man.
She grew up in a tough environment in New York City.
Cherie's journey into acting began at a young age.
She faced challenges in her acting career in LA.
Cherie was the youngest participant at the Sundance Filmmakers Lab.
She left everything behind to pursue her dreams in LA.
Cherie believes in the importance of staying true to oneself. Cherie's journey in acting began with supportive agents.
She learned to appreciate small wins in her career.
Motherhood changed her perspective on competition in acting.
Cherie believes in the importance of relationships in the industry.
She experienced a significant shift in her career after becoming a mother.
Cherie's home birth was a transformative experience for her.
She found support from other mothers in the industry.
Cherie realized that being a mother is her greatest role.
She learned to prioritize her child over auditions.
Cherie's experiences highlight the balance between career and motherhood. Cherie moved off the grid to focus on motherhood and acting.
She received an unexpected audition for 'Days of Our Lives.'
Cherie was initially unsure about returning to acting after a long break.
She emphasized the importance of being proud of her efforts, regardless of the outcome.
Cherie experienced postpartum challenges but sought to regain her confidence.
Her role as Gabby Hernandez has been a dream come true for her.
Cherie appreciates the consistent schedule that comes with working on a soap opera.
She has learned to balance her career and motherhood effectively.
Cherie has focused on self-care and personal growth during her journey.
She feels grateful for the support from her family and colleagues.
00:00 Introduction and Family Celebrations
05:38 The Unique Wedding Experience
10:46 Burning Man: A Spiritual Awakening
18:51 Cherie's Journey in Music and Acting
21:09 Cherie's Early Life and Acting Career
30:19 Challenges in LA and Breakthrough Role
31:18 Cherie's Journey in Acting
39:34 The Impact of Motherhood on Career
50:51 Home Birth Experience and Its Significance
01:01:43 Balancing Motherhood and Acting
01:04:55 Cherie's Journey Back to Acting
01:11:16 Balancing Motherhood and Career
01:18:01 Embracing the Role of Gabby Hernandez
01:25:21 Reflections on Growth and Gratitude
Cherie Jimenez - born and raised in NYC. Mother, wife, actor. Gabi on Days of Our Lives
In this engaging conversation, Cherie Jimenez shares her unique experiences, from her unconventional wedding at Burning Man to her journey in the entertainment industry. She discusses the importance of family celebrations, her early life in New York, and the challenges she faced while pursuing her acting career in LA. Cherie's story is one of resilience, love, and personal growth, highlighting the beauty of embracing life's unexpected moments. In this conversation, Cherie Jimenez shares her journey in the acting industry, detailing her struggles and triumphs, particularly as a mother. She discusses the importance of relationships in the industry, her experiences with auditions, and how motherhood has reshaped her priorities and career. Cherie also reflects on her home birth experience and the support she received, emphasizing the balance between her roles as an actress and a mother. In this conversation, Cherie Jimenez shares her journey back to acting after a hiatus for motherhood, detailing her experiences with auditions, the challenges of balancing her career with being a mother, and her role as Gabby Hernandez on 'Days of Our Lives.' She reflects on personal growth, the importance of self-care, and the support she receives from her family and colleagues in the industry.
Takeaways
Cherie had her son the day before her husband's 40th birthday.
She never believed in marriage until she met her husband.
Their wedding at Burning Man was a unique experience.
Cherie found a spiritual awakening at Burning Man.
She grew up in a tough environment in New York City.
Cherie's journey into acting began at a young age.
She faced challenges in her acting career in LA.
Cherie was the youngest participant at the Sundance Filmmakers Lab.
She left everything behind to pursue her dreams in LA.
Cherie believes in the importance of staying true to oneself. Cherie's journey in acting began with supportive agents.
She learned to appreciate small wins in her career.
Motherhood changed her perspective on competition in acting.
Cherie believes in the importance of relationships in the industry.
She experienced a significant shift in her career after becoming a mother.
Cherie's home birth was a transformative experience for her.
She found support from other mothers in the industry.
Cherie realized that being a mother is her greatest role.
She learned to prioritize her child over auditions.
Cherie's experiences highlight the balance between career and motherhood. Cherie moved off the grid to focus on motherhood and acting.
She received an unexpected audition for 'Days of Our Lives.'
Cherie was initially unsure about returning to acting after a long break.
She emphasized the importance of being proud of her efforts, regardless of the outcome.
Cherie experienced postpartum challenges but sought to regain her confidence.
Her role as Gabby Hernandez has been a dream come true for her.
Cherie appreciates the consistent schedule that comes with working on a soap opera.
She has learned to balance her career and motherhood effectively.
Cherie has focused on self-care and personal growth during her journey.
She feels grateful for the support from her family and colleagues.
00:00 Introduction and Family Celebrations
05:38 The Unique Wedding Experience
10:46 Burning Man: A Spiritual Awakening
18:51 Cherie's Journey in Music and Acting
21:09 Cherie's Early Life and Acting Career
30:19 Challenges in LA and Breakthrough Role
31:18 Cherie's Journey in Acting
39:34 The Impact of Motherhood on Career
50:51 Home Birth Experience and Its Significance
01:01:43 Balancing Motherhood and Acting
01:04:55 Cherie's Journey Back to Acting
01:11:16 Balancing Motherhood and Career
01:18:01 Embracing the Role of Gabby Hernandez
01:25:21 Reflections on Growth and Gratitude
Previous Episode

Founder of PRETTY PINK PICTURES, a female-focused production company - Susie Mendoza
SUSIE MENDOZA
Susie is a screenwriter, producer, founder, and mom with a puppet brain. She is a graduate of The Second City and was a finalist for the CBS Writing Fellowship in 2020. Her digital series, DICK BUNNY, produced alongside EP/director Katie Locke O' Brienn and EP/Star Kim Griffin, premiered at The Austin Film Festival, going on to win at SeriesFest and HollyShorts in 2024. (Best Digital Series)
Susie’s essays are published on McSweeneys, Scary Mommy, Mom.com, and The Pregnant Chicken. An adaptation of her McSweeney's essay, "The Biggest Challenge of Parenting is becoming a Human Meat Suit", is being developed for adult animation. Her recent article, "Simple, Not Contradictory Rules to Motherhood," echoes the impossible societal expectations seen in DICK BUNNY.
Susie’s picture book NATTY AND MO, an odd-couple tale with a mental health twist, marks her debut as a children's book author/illustrator. She also created all of the illustrations seen in the series, DICK BUNNY.
Susie is the founder of PRETTY PINK PICTURES is a female-focused independent film/tv production company. The company intends to take female writers and produce their work from script-to-screen. In today's uncertain landscape, they intend to cultivate hope, community, and opportunity by producing an entire season of indie TV. The indie film model, but for television.
For more info about PRETTY PINK PICTURES: www.prettypinkpictures.com, @susiermendoza
To watch DICK BUNNY: www.dickbunny.com
To see a read-aloud video of "Natty and Mo", voiced by actress Rachel Bloom where she gets pee'd on by a live hedgehog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpqN-8ZDM3U&t=16s
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