Underutilized Young & Restless Heartthrob Lands On His Feet
Saturday, February 12th, 2022
From the drama of daytime, former soap actor sets the stage for an electrifying performance.
The last time we saw Jason Canela’s Arturo (Abby’s ex) in Genoa City was when he returned to attend his brother Rey’s wedding to Sharon in December 2020 — and for those who don’t recall, the character left prior to that to live in Miami with Mia (Rey’s ex) and their son Mateo. Though we would’ve much rather seen Arturo stay in town to face new drama-filled obstacles, we are glad to report that the actor is currently part of an exciting musical and playing a high-profile name.
Fans can now see Canela on stage in Florida as Emilio Estefan, the husband of music sensation Gloria Estefan. On Your Feet is based on the true story about heart, heritage and the couple’s rise to the top and will include the iconic songs “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “Get On Your Feet,” “Don’t Want to Lose You Now,” “1-2-3” and “Coming Out of the Dark.”
More: Melissa Ordway enjoys time with family after loss
Of the role, Canela expressed, “It is truly an honor to have been selected to bring the character of Emilio to life… the fact that we get to do this in my hometown brings me the feeling that I can’t even put into words.” However, he teased, “Get ready my people! This is Tasty!”
Prior to the musical’s opening night on Wednesday, February 9, Canela shared a video to show how he was warming up for the exciting role.
And if you’re in the Coral Gables area and want to see him on stage, the production runs through Sunday, March 13, and tickets can be purchased online.
Canela’s Genoa City character was just one of the many loves in Abby’s long line of romances. Take a look back at how Arturo meet Abby, who he had been having an affair with at the time, and what caused their relationship to go downhill in our photo gallery below.
Video: Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre/YouTube
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Image: Aaron Montgomery/ JPI
1/23
<p>Baby Abby was born to Ashley Abbott on screen in November 2000. Her birth took place the same day Ashley was supposed to marry Brad. She was totes adorb right from the get-go!</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
2/23
<p>Ashley claimed her old friend, Christian, was Abby’s biological father, but this being a soap,<em> that</em> was a lie. Brad adopted Abby and they remained close until his death, even after her true father was revealed.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
3/23
<p>As a child, Abby overheard that Victor Newman was her biological father. It turned out there was a whole scandal involving stolen sperm surrounding her conception. Abby was the one to break the news to the Mustache, who proceeded to start doting and doling out ponies.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
4/23
<p>As a youngster, Abby hung out with her cousin on the Abbott side, Kyle, who was her Uncle Jack’s son with Diane Jenkins. Kyle and Abby are still close today.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
5/23
<p>As a child, Abby moved with her mother to Hong Kong, and then to L.A. after Ashley’s divorce from Brad. In a crossover storyline, Ashley began dating Ridge Forrester and worked at Forrester Creations, so Ash and Abby spent a Fourth of July hanging out with <em>The Bold and the Beautiful’s</em> Forrester clan.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
6/23
<p>Abby returned to Genoa City as a young teen and mourned the death of the man who was like her father, Brad Carlton, after he drowned. A Jewish ceremony was held and Brad’s daughter, Colleen, and Abby comforted one another. Abby would later lose Colleen too.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
7/23
<p>As a teen, Abby got mixed up with Ryder Callahan, who was working at Crimson Lights. She followed him to the abandoned zoo and amusement park where Lauren and Jana were held prisoner.</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI
8/23
<p>Abby went through a phase where she courted publicity and used the Newman name to garner attention for social causes. She rode a horse naked through the Genoa City Athletic Club as The Naked Heiress in one stunt. Daniel Romalotti, her boyfriend at the time, videotaped the event.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
9/23
<p>Abby attempted to run down Tucker, believing he wasn’t good enough for her mother, while drunk behind the wheel. Ashley, who was in the car during the incident, switched positions with her and claimed to be the driver to protect Abby. Ashley later married Tucker in the hospital.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
10/23
<p>Abby dated both Detective Alex Chavez, and Carmine Bosco. Carmine went on to become Lauren’s stalker.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
11/23
<p>Abby began dating Tyler Michaelson, who was the roommate of her nephew, Noah Newman. They got serious and were even engaged, but she ended things when it became apparent he wouldn’t cut off his connection to his ex, Mariah Copeland.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
12/23
<p>Abby had sex with Austin Travers, who was married to her niece Summer at the time. Austin later wound up dead in a macabre mystery that unfolded at the Abbott cabin.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
13/23
<p>One of Abby’s best friends through the years in Genoa City has been Devon Hamilton. They went on a date, and even kissed, but have remained firmly in the ‘friendzone’. Devon and Abby <em>did</em> end up parenting a child together, however.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
14/23
<p>Abby married Dr. Ben ‘Stitch’ Rayburn despite him also having an attraction to her mother. All was well until Stitch’s son from a previous marriage showed up in town. The kid had issues and caused Abby to miscarry their child after tripping her on the stairs. He was later diagnosed with a tumor, but Abby’s marriage was never the same and ended. Stitch later reappeared and wreaked havoc in Abby’s life.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
15/23
<p>Abby fell into a romance with dashing Zack Stinnett, who developed an app for her startup company. Unfortunately, Zack’s app was a front for a sex ring and he locked her in a storage unit.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
16/23
<p>Abby had sex with Lauren’s son, Scott, who was living with Sharon Newman. The pair was locked in a storage unit together by Zack Stinnett, Abby’s ex, when Scott was on the verge of exposing the sex ring he was running. Scott fell for Abby but they later parted ways overseas.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
17/23
<p>Abby fell for contractor Arturo, and decided to overlook the uncomfortable fact that he’d been having an affair with her stepmother, Nikki Newman. The pair became engaged but she later broke it off when he became entangled with his ex, Mia.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
18/23
<p>Abby began dating another doctor, Nate Hastings, and things went swimmingly for the pretty pair until her father dragged Nate into a scheme to fake his own death. Her family’s manipulation didn’t sit well with the straight arrow and he and Abby went their separate ways.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
19/23
<p>Abby was instantly attracted to Chance Chancellor when he returned to Genoa City, and the feeling was mutual. Abby and Chance quickly embarked on a committed relationship and began talking kids and a future together.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
20/23
<p>Abby married Chance (who was temporariy played by Melissa Ordway’s real-life hubby, Justin Gaston) in a lovely ceremony at the Chancellor Estate, which was to become their home. Abby then adopted the mouthful of a moniker Abby Carlton Newman Abbott Chancellor.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
21/23
<p>Abby became a mother when she and Chance decided to use a surrogate after facing conception issues. Devon volunteered to be the sperm donor and Mariah carried the child. The trio worked together to deliver the baby boy after Stitch took Mariah captive. All of this took place while Chance was away on a covert mission. He later went missing.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
22/23
<p>When Chance (now played by Conner Floyd) went missing and was presumed dead, it was his devoted wife Abby who tracked him down and brought him home. The pair were elated to be in one another’s arms again, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Chance was suffering from PTSD, which prevented him from bonding with their new son. They also grappled with Devon making a bid for shared custody, which they decided to agree to. Finally, Chance began undergoing therapy for his issues when an attempt to return to work at the GCPD went awry.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
23/23
