Honestly, if you haven't been keeping up with Salem lately, you’ve missed a total overhaul of one of the show's most legacy-heavy characters. Stephanie Johnson on Days of our Lives isn't just the "sweet daughter" of Steve and Kayla anymore. Since Abigail Klein took over the role in 2022, we’ve seen a version of Stephanie that’s more career-driven, romantically messy, and—frankly—a lot more interesting than the racecar driver era of the mid-2000s.
But as we kick off 2026, things are getting weird. Really weird.
Most fans think they know Stephanie’s deal: she’s the PR whiz who balances out the chaotic energy of the Kiriakis and DiMera men. But if you're watching the current January 2026 episodes, you know she’s currently trapped in a storyline that feels more like a classic 90s thriller than a standard soap romance.
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The Stalker Situation and the "Liam" Mystery
Right now, the big talk in the fan groups is the stalker. For weeks, Stephanie has been looking over her shoulder. It’s a classic Days trope, sure, but the way it's playing out is actually pretty chilling. Recent spoilers for the week of January 12, 2026, suggest she is about to take a massive risk to catch whoever is hounding her.
She isn't waiting for her dad, "Patch," to save her. She’s taking charge.
There is a lot of chatter about a character named Liam. Some fans on Reddit and soap forums are convinced Liam has some sort of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or is being manipulated into targeting Stephanie. Whether he's the actual culprit or just a red herring remains to be seen, but the "crisis" mentioned in recent previews has her parents, Steve and Kayla, absolutely losing it. It’s high stakes, and it’s forcing Stephanie to move away from the boardroom and back into the line of fire.
Why the Alex Kiriakis Engagement is So Divisive
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Alex Kiriakis.
If you saw the Salem Spectator headline in the January 9th promo, you know they are officially engaged. Some people love this. Others... not so much. The history between Stephanie Johnson and Alex is basically a masterclass in "it's complicated." Remember when Alex intercepted that call from Chad, which led to Stephanie missing her final goodbye to her mother, Kayla (back when we thought Kayla was dead-dead)?
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That was a huge betrayal. It felt like they could never come back from that.
Yet, here they are. Abigail Klein and Robert Scott Wilson have this undeniable "vibe" on screen, but the writers are clearly testing the audience's patience. The 2026 preview explicitly mentions "existential challenges" for the couple. In soap-speak, that usually means a secret is about to blow up or an ex is about to walk through the door with a bombshell.
Is Chad DiMera Really Out of the Picture?
Many fans are still hung up on "Stad"—the Stephanie and Chad pairing. For a long time, it looked like Stephanie was going to be the one to finally help Chad move on from Abigail. They lived together, she helped with his kids, and it felt very... domestic.
But it lacked heat.
The transition from Chad back to Alex was jarring for a lot of viewers. Chad is currently dealing with his own kidnapping aftermath and the arrival of a new actor in the role (Conner Floyd is set to take over as Chad in April 2026). With a new face for Chad on the horizon, don't be surprised if the writers decide to revisit that triangle once the "New Chad" settles into Salem.
The Evolution of Abigail Klein’s Stephanie
It’s worth noting how much Abigail Klein has made this role her own. Taking over from Shelley Hennig was no small feat. Hennig’s Stephanie was iconic, but she was a product of her time. Klein’s version feels like a modern woman. She’s a professional. She runs her own PR firm. She handles the egos of Titan and Basic Black without breaking a sweat.
It’s refreshing to see a legacy character who isn't just defined by who she's dating, even if her love life is currently a train wreck.
What’s Actually Happening This Week?
If you're watching the episodes airing between January 12 and January 23, 2026, keep your eyes on these specific beats:
- The Risky Plan: Stephanie is tired of being the victim. She’s setting a trap, but Steve and Alex are both dead-set against it. Watch for the tension between her fiancé and her father—it’s going to get ugly.
- The Liam Reveal: A "dark secret" about Liam is scheduled to drop toward the end of the week. This is likely the catalyst for the next phase of the stalker plot.
- The Kiriakis Pressure: With Xander making moves at Titan that upset Maggie, Stephanie’s position as a PR buffer is becoming impossible. She’s caught between her loyalty to family and her future with Alex.
Final Verdict on Stephanie's Path
Stephanie Johnson has survived kidnappings (remember Owen Kent?), plane crashes, and the "death" of both her parents. She’s tough. But 2026 feels different. The show is leaning into her vulnerability while giving her more agency than she’s had in years.
Whether the engagement to Alex lasts or she ends up back in the arms of a DiMera, Stephanie remains the heart of the Johnson family. And in Salem, that heart is always under attack.
Next steps for fans: Keep a close eye on the "Liam" character in the coming days. If you're skeptical about the Alex engagement, look for the subtle cues in their scenes this week; the writers are definitely planting seeds of doubt that will likely bloom by February sweeps.