Celeste was portrayed by Tanya Boyd from 1994 to October 2007. In 2012, it was originally confirmed that Boyd would reprise the role of Celeste later that year however, it was then confirmed that, due to scheduling conflicts, Beverly Todd would take over the role for a seven-to-ten episode arc. Todd debuted April 3, 2012. A first look of Todd's appearance on the drama was released on January 23, 2012, by Soap Opera Digest. Fellow actress Renée Jones praised Boyd's appearance and has stated she is very happy to work with her.
Storylines
Celeste was introduced in April 1994 as Stefano DiMera's confidante and former lover at the Maison Blanche plantation in New Orleans. Celeste is a Creole woman whose past was originally shrouded in much secrecy. Later, it was revealed that Celeste was Lexie Carver's "Aunt Frankie." In 1996, however, Lexie found out that Celeste was her mother, and that she had been adopted by her "Aunt Frankie's" sister, Grace. Taking a break from Salem, Celeste traveled the world. During her travels she spent time in Tibet, becoming in tune with the spiritual world. It was here she honed her psychic powers and through premonitions of Lexie's health and happiness, Celeste returned to Salem. Celeste stood by helpless, as Lexie was consumed by her devotion to her son Isaac and her DiMera heritage. Celeste tried to bring Lexie and her husband Abe back together, but her attempts seemed futile as Abe wanted no part of his DiMera wife. When Zack and Hope were kidnapped, Celeste believed her daughter had fallen far enough to be part of this ugly crime, however Lexie wasn't. Hope had been kidnapped by her former husband, Larry Welch. Since then, Celeste has largely reformed and stayed out of Stefano's grip, but falls back from time to time due to her psychic abilities, and is very much in demand to help solve police cases. She was instrumental in predicting who the Salem Stalker would victimize in 2003 & 2004. Celeste hadn't been seen for years when in the spring of 2012, she ran into the Carver living room, urging Lexie to see a doctor right away. Celeste told her daughter to have the tests done that day because she was in terrible danger. It turned out that Celeste's fears were founded. Lexie had an inoperable brain tumor. But, before Lexie died, Celeste had a piece of good news to share. It turned out that Celeste had recently reconnected with her long-lost son, Cameron Davis. Celeste explained that Cameron had been taken away from her when he was five years old, and she had not mentioned him before because the situation was too painful to talk about. Lexie was happy to meet and spend time with her new brother, even if it was just for a short period. When Lexie died, Celeste, Cameron and the rest of Lexie's family gathered to mourn their loss and celebrate Lexie's life. After the funeral, Celeste moved back to Chicago, but continued to visit Salem from time to time.
