Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Franco Lo Presti Gushes Over Working with Alison Sweeney as Sami’s Fiancé!
Sami Brady is bringing a brand-new romance back to Salem, and the actor behind her new fiancé is already captivated by the iconic hurricane that is Alison Sweeney. Franco Lo Presti has officially burst onto the Days of Our Lives canvas as Dante Vitali, stepping straight into one of the most talked-about storylines on the Peacock soap opera. Sitting down with SoapSteph’s Daytime Dish newsletter, the handsome newcomer opened up about joining the daytime drama family, his experience working alongside soap royalty, and the overwhelming joy in his personal life.
Settling Into Daytime Drama Life in Salem
Stepping into Salem can be a whirlwind for any actor, but Lo Presti is thoroughly enjoying every moment of his journey on Days of Our Lives. Reflecting on his time on set so far, the actor expressed how much fun he is having bringing Dante Vitali to life. Working alongside daytime powerhouses such as Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), and members of the core Brady family has proven to be an unforgettable highlight for him.
For Lo Presti, connecting with Dante goes beyond standard script readings—it hits close to home on a deeply personal level. Being of Italian descent, he noted that playing a character with roots that mirror his own heritage feels incredibly special. He shared that it is always fulfilling to play roles that feel close to the heart, adding that he particularly thrives on the intense dramatic beats embedded in the show. He expressed confidence that viewers will enjoy watching these emotional moments unfold just as much as he enjoyed performing them.
The Sami Brady Factor and Working with Alison Sweeney
While fans have already seen Dante make his grand entrance, the romantic pairing everyone is waiting for has not yet graced our television screens. Dante Vitali is officially Sami Brady’s new love interest and fiancé, setting the stage for major romantic drama down the road. According to SoapSteph, Lo Presti and Alison Sweeney have already filmed their shared scenes behind the scenes, but fans will have to wait a while before witnessing their electric chemistry onscreen. Viewers will likely not see the couple together on air until 2027, presumably coinciding with Sami’s highly anticipated, splashy hometown return to Salem rumored for June of that year.
Despite the long wait for fans, Lo Presti had nothing but glowing praise for his dynamic co-star. When asked what it was like to share scenes with Sweeney, the actor called the experience simply “incredible.” He praised her immense talent and professionalism, calling her “super kind” and marveling at how effortlessly she steps back into her legendary alter ego.
Lo Presti admitted that watching Sweeney seamlessly transform into Sami Brady was so captivating that he occasionally had to catch himself in the moment. He confessed that at times he would think to himself, “Okay, I’m in the scene, but she’s freaking amazing, but I’m in the scene.” Describing her as gracious, kind, and immensely talented, Lo Presti highlighted what a true privilege it was to work side by side with one of daytime’s most celebrated leading ladies.
Balancing a Full Plate: New Roles and Fatherhood
Offscreen, Lo Presti’s world is moving just as fast as his character’s onscreen life. In addition to securing his high-profile new daytime drama gig, the actor recently celebrated a major milestone in his personal life: becoming a first-time father. This past August, Lo Presti and his wife, Emily Alatalo, joyfully welcomed their baby daughter, Stella, into the world.
Between navigating his fast-paced shooting schedule at Days of Our Lives and adjusting to the beautiful demands of caring for a newborn baby girl, Lo Presti definitely has a full plate. However, the actor expressed immense gratitude for this incredible chapter of his life, sharing that he feels deeply blessed by everything coming together all at once. He admitted that with so much happiness surrounding his work and family, he sometimes finds it hard to process whether all of this magic is actually real.
As the countdown begins for Sami Brady’s eventual return to Salem in 2027, anticipation will only continue to build surrounding Dante’s true motives and how their fiery engagement will shake up the DiMera and Brady family dynamics.
How do you think EJ DiMera and the rest of Salem will react when Sami finally returns arm-in-arm with her new Italian fiancé, Dante?
