(Photo Credits: Screengrab from Jacob Martinez‘s Instagram Account)

Keep your eyes on Jacob Martinez. The actor, singer, and stage performer is stepping into the role of Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, replacing actor Al Calderon in one of the show’s most talked-about LGBTQ+ storylines. Since the casting announcement dropped, viewers across social media have been calling Martinez “cute,” “a total hottie,” and “the internet’s newest soap crush.” Suffice to say that yes, soap fans are already obsessed with him.

The Nebraska-born actor officially joins the long-running Peacock soap on June 30, and fans are already excited to see how he handles Javi’s emotional return to Salem after the character’s breakup with Leo Stark and a family health crisis involving his father. Early teasers suggest the show plans to dive deeper into Javi’s relationships and personal growth, giving Martinez a strong dramatic introduction to daytime television.

Before landing his biggest television role yet, Martinez built his résumé in theater and independent productions. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, he appeared in productions like In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub and also worked on the short film Memory Swim and the stage play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.

Part of what makes Martinez stand out is how open he’s been about his personal journey. In an interview with Out Magazine, he reflected on growing up as a closeted gay Christian kid in conservative Nebraska before finally coming out at 22 while living in New York City.

“You can probably imagine what it was like growing up as a closeted, gay, Christian boy in a conservative red state, with a preacher for a grandfather and a dash of Hispanic intolerance,” Martinez revealed. “Needless to say — not ideal. I tried very hard to play the role of the perfect child, but anxiety has a way of slipping through the cracks. I experienced panic attacks, stomach problems, and sleep apnea — all because I was hiding one of the most beautiful parts of who I am.”

Further, he shared the powerful realization that changed his perspective on faith and sexuality, saying, “I used to think that being gay and loving God couldn’t coexist, but since coming out, my faith and my joy for life have only grown, allowing me to feel freer than ever before.”

Martinez’s honesty and vulnerability have made him especially relatable to LGBTQ+ fans who see parts of their own experiences reflected in his story. Beyond the undeniable good looks and rising television profile, it’s his authenticity that truly sets him apart. As he prepares to make a splash on Days of Our Lives, many viewers are already rooting for him not just as an actor, but as someone proudly embracing every part of who he is. If his early buzz is any indication, Jacob Martinez may be on his way to becoming daytime television’s next breakout star.

You can follow Martinez on Instagram, where he shares behind-the-scenes photos, travel moments, fitness shots, and updates about his acting career. His official Instagram account is @mclovinmartinez, and don’t forget to follow Adam4Adam as well for more hotties like Jacob Martinez!

 

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