Days Of Our Lives
Days of Our Lives: Tamara Braun’s Ava Says Goodbye as Salem Loses Another Resident
Days of Our Lives spoilers reveal Ava Vitali’s dramatic exit after her failed romance with Brady and the Rachel kidnapping aftermath. How will Salem react to losing the reformed villain?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: AVA’S SHOCKING EXIT LEAVES BRADY CONFLICTED
Salem is about to lose another resident, and this one’s hitting differently! Tamara Braun has confirmed that Ava Vitali’s time in Salem is coming to an end this week, with her final appearance set for Thursday, April 3rd. The bombshell announcement has fans wondering how the reformed villain will exit—and what this means for Brady Black’s already complicated love life.
THE RELATIONSHIP THAT NEVER HAD A CHANCE
Let’s be real—Brady and Ava’s romance was doomed from the start. Between Kristen DiMera’s jealousy, Rachel Blake’s hostility, and the absolute trainwreck of family drama surrounding them, these two never stood a chance at happily ever after.
During Tuesday’s episode, Brady finally explained to Kristen why things fell apart with Ava. After the shocking kidnapping orchestrated by Rachel Blake, Kristen, and EJ DiMera, the writing was on the wall. When Ava couldn’t even press charges against her kidnappers (seriously, only in Salem!), their relationship crumbled under the pressure.
The most heartbreaking part? There was genuine potential between these two damaged souls. Brady seemed to appreciate Ava’s reformed personality, while she brought a different energy to his life than the chaos that usually surrounds him. But Salem relationships are rarely built to last, especially when the DiMera family has other plans.
FROM VILLAIN TO VICTIM: AVA’S EVOLUTION
Remember when Ava first arrived in Salem as a full-blown mafia princess with revenge on her mind? Those days feel like ancient history now. Since her 2020 return, Braun has portrayed a kinder, gentler version of Ava—one who’s been trying desperately to outrun her villainous past.
Instead of plotting revenge schemes, we’ve watched Ava build genuine connections and attempt to create a normal life. Her relationship with Brady represented a fresh start—a chance to be with someone who wasn’t constantly waiting for her to revert to her old ways.
But even reformed villains can’t escape the soap opera curse of heartbreak. Ava’s transformation from vengeful mob princess to sympathetic victim completes her character arc in a strangely poetic way. She entered Salem causing pain, and she’s leaving having experienced it herself.
THE KIDNAPPING THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The kidnapping storyline provided the final nail in the coffin for Ava and Brady’s relationship. When Rachel Blake (with help from Kristen and EJ) held Ava captive, it was the ultimate test of Brady’s loyalties—one that he ultimately failed.
The fact that Ava couldn’t even get justice through legal channels speaks volumes about the power dynamics in Salem. When your kidnapper is related to half the powerful families in town, good luck getting anyone to believe you! The frustration and helplessness Ava must have felt knowing her tormentors would face zero consequences likely factored heavily into her decision to leave town.
And let’s be honest—with Kristen still hovering around Brady like a designer-clad vulture, did Ava ever really stand a chance? The DiMera women don’t just fight dirty; they practically invented the concept.
BEHIND THE SCENES: TAMARA BRAUN’S FAREWELL
Tamara Braun dropped the exit bombshell herself, posting a heartfelt message to Instagram that confirmed Thursday will mark her final appearance. The most surprising revelation? Braun actually filmed her final scenes way back in July 2023—that’s the magic of DAYS’ advanced filming schedule!
“I miss being with my Days pals,” she wrote. “They are a really good group of caring individuals and being with them was a joy.”
This isn’t Braun’s first Salem departure—she previously played Nicole’s sister Taylor Walker in 2011 before taking on the role of Ava in 2015. She left in 2016, returned in 2020, and now exits again in 2024. That’s practically standard procedure for soap veterans! Her performance as Ava earned her Daytime Emmy nominations for Supporting Actress in 2021 and Lead Actress in 2023.
Fellow cast members quickly responded with their own tributes. Julie Dove (who played Connie) thanked Braun for her “love and support,” while Kennedy Garcia (Felicity) expressed hope they might work together again someday. The outpouring of support shows just how beloved Braun was among the cast.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BRADY?
With Ava leaving town, what’s next for perpetually unlucky-in-love Brady? His track record with relationships is about as successful as Salem’s security systems—which is to say, completely ineffective.
The timing of Ava’s exit couldn’t be more suspicious, with Kristen lurking in the wings, ready to pounce. How long before she sees this as her opportunity to reclaim Brady’s heart? And will Brady be vulnerable enough to fall back into that toxic pattern?
One thing’s certain—Brady needs serious therapy more than he needs another relationship. His pattern of jumping from one complicated romance to another suggests he hasn’t learned anything from his past mistakes. Maybe Marlena could squeeze him in for a few sessions?
WILL AVA RETURN SOMEDAY?
In Salem, exits are rarely permanent. How many characters have “died” only to reappear years later with amnesia, a twin, or some other soap opera explanation? Ava herself has already left and returned multiple times, proving the old saying that in Salem, goodbye really means “see you later.”
Without spoiling exactly how Ava leaves town, let’s just say the door remains wide open for a future return. Will she eventually come back to settle unfinished business with Kristen? Could she return if Brady finds himself in trouble? Or might she reappear with a classic soap revenge plot?
Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—Tamara Braun’s portrayal of Ava Vitali has left an indelible mark on Salem, evolving from one-dimensional villain to a complex character with depth and heart. Salem won’t be the same without her.
How do YOU think Ava will exit Salem? Will Brady regret letting her go? And how long before Kristen makes her move? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
