Days of our Lives Performer of the Week: Stacy Haiduk as Kristen DiMera

On Days of our Lives, there's no biological connection between Kristen DiMera, played by Daytime Emmy nominee Stacy Haiduk, and her late father, Stefano DiMera, but you'd never know it. Why? Kristen is as passionate about family as her father was. For her performance as Rachel's protective and calculating mom, Soap Central is bestowing Performer of the Week honors on Haiduk.

Days of our Lives, Performer of the Week, Stacy Haiduk

Kristen promised not to hurt Sophia, but she might not be so sure on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

After turning in a tour de force or three when Kristen watched Rachel (Lorelei Olivia Mote), her daughter, be sent back to Bayview, Haiduk continued to showcase Kristen's passion when she confronted Sophia (Rachel Boyd).

Sophia had used Rachel as a courier to make sure her rival, Holly (Ashley Puzemis), took some anti-psychotic pills, painting her in a bad light. Last week, Sophia bumped into Kristen after failing to get Roman (Josh Taylor) to give her a job at the Brady Pub. Sophia said that she was sorry before she realized that she'd encountered Rachel's mom. "For a lot of things, I imagine," Kristen snarked at Sophia, regarding her apology.

And it was on! Forget crossing the devil's daughter. Sophia quickly realized she'd made a big error in crossing the Phoenix's daughter! Kristen told Sophia she was glad she had run into her, as she was just the person she was looking for.

Haiduk added a sinister tone to Kristen's proclamation. Instantly, Sophia wondered if maybe she'd be safer back at Bayview. Gently, but pointedly, Kristen took Sophia by the arm, ensuring that she wasn't going anywhere.

Kristen told Sophia that Brady had informed her that Sophia used Rachel as her drug mule. "You may have fooled the morons at Bayview, but I've been on to you from the jump," Kristen asserted, sending terror into Sophia's body.

Kristen can change on a dime on Days of our Lives

Sophia, Tate, Holly, and Kristen on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Sophia barely got a syllable out before Kristen blasted the young woman for her actions. Haiduk had Kristen look Sophia up and down, almost admiringly as she was able to stay out of Bayview, and snarked, "And something has to be done to rectify this situation!"

Sophia begged Kristen not to hurt her. The DiMera goddess laughed at the young girl, who didn't know that DiMeras had more finesse than that. "I wouldn't do that, Sophia," Kristen whispered, then raising her voice to add, "Because you are going to make it up to me."

To drive home her statement that she wouldn't hurt her, Kristen chuckled, "You're just a teenager. Being fallible comes with the territory!"

Kristen blasted Sophia for using Rachel, but claimed to hold Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) and EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) responsible for Rachel being sent back to Bayview. Before Kristen could elaborate on her plan as to how Sophia was going to help her, Tate (Leo Howard) and Holly approached.

Haiduk had her character shift gears, telling Tate and Holly that she was telling Sophia to stay away from her daughter. However, Haiduk had Kristen communicate to Sophia with her eyes, "Don't say anything. We'll talk more later!"

While relieved to be out of Bayview, we can't help but think there's a part of Sophia that might not mind being back there, as there'd be a barrier between her and the deceptive DiMera daughter.

Bravo to Haiduk (who is doing double-duty right now as Patty Williams on The Young and the Restless) for making Kristen DiMera a calculating antagonist whose wheels are always spinning!

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Peacock, NBC's streaming platform.