On the long-running daytime drama The Young and the Restless, few romances have resonated quite like that between Mariah Copeland and Tessa Porter. From the sparks of their first stolen moment to their historic same-sex wedding, the journey has captivated viewers—but perhaps even more compelling is the off-screen friendship between the actresses who bring them to life.

On-Screen Magic That Broke New Ground
Mariah, portrayed by Camryn Grimes, and Tessa, portrayed by Cait Fairbanks, didn’t just appear as love interests—they became emblematic of groundbreaking representation on the soap. The two women’s romance was crafted with care, evolving organically rather than exploding overnight—a deliberate choice by the writers to honour the emotional complexity of Mariah’s and Tessa’s journeys.

Their first on-screen kiss in 2017 came with the usual soap-opera turbulence: Mariah had been involved with Devon, Tessa was dating Mariah’s brother, Noah, and the emotional terrain was rife with complication.  This layering of dynamics—the betrayal, the longing, the hesitation—gave their eventual union a weight that felt earned.

As the relationship progressed, viewers watched Mariah and Tessa not only fall in love, but face pitfalls together: stolen lyrics, identity issues, trust struggles, and life-altering decisions. Tessa helping Mariah find her musical voice, Mariah supporting Tessa when she was homeless—those moments deepened their connection beyond typical soap romance.

Then came the milestone: in 2022, Mariah and Tessa married—the first same-sex wedding in the show’s history.   Their wedding was no ordinary affair either—a vibrant, ’70s-themed celebration that reflected both characters’ free-spirited energy, complete with feathers, sequins, and an absolute tidal wave of emotion (so much so that Camryn Grimes later joked she found feather confetti behind her couch for weeks!). For many fans, the wedding was more than just a storyline—it was a moment of cultural significance and representation.

Off-Screen Chemistry That Elevates the Story
What makes Mariah and Tessa’s story truly shine is how well Camryn and Cait carry their selves into the narrative. In interviews, both actresses have spoken about their real-life friendship—how they share hooks of humour, mutual respect, and a genuine bond that transcends their characters. As Fairbanks said, “Just because you’re romantically paired with someone on a soap doesn’t necessarily mean you’re friends… But I got really lucky because we really connected.” That real-life foundation shows up in the scenes where Mariah looks at Tessa, or where Tessa offers a supportive silence—it gives their on-screen moments authenticity.

Grimes, reflecting on the relationship’s pacing, emphasized how important it was for the story to unfold gradually, to allow the characters to grow into each other rather than rush the romance. “I like that it was slow… you gotta take your time and do it right,” she explained.  That sense of intention—both in writing and performance—is part of why the pairing earned such passionate fan support.

And the fans? They answered back in spades. On social media and beyond, the couple—affectionately dubbed “Teriah”—became a beacon for representation and authenticity. Grimes herself acknowledged hearing from viewers whose lives had been touched by Mariah and Tessa’s story: “I’ve been so moved over the years about how many different stories I’ve heard… our love helped them come out.”

Why This Resonates So Deeply
Beyond the surface of the romance, what makes this storyline resonate is the layering of personal growth, emotional honesty, and social impact. Mariah is no blank-slate heroine; she’s a woman with a complicated past, secrets, and a vulnerable heart. Tessa brings her own history, trauma, and artistic drive. Together, their union isn’t just a romance—it becomes a partnership of healing and empowerment. Fairbanks remarked that Tessa brought “an innocence…” into Mariah’s life, while Mariah challenged Tessa to open up—not the usual dynamics in daytime storylines.

Their journey also amplifies the significance of representation. In a genre where same-sex relationships have long been rare or sidelined, Mariah and Tessa stood center stage—not just as side characters, but as fully realised protagonists whose love mattered. They weren’t tokenised—they were beloved. That matters.

Looking Ahead: Still More Drama to Unfold
Of course, in Genoa City drama never takes a holiday. Their story continues to evolve. In recent storylines, Mariah returns from a business trip emotionally shaken, revealing to Tessa that she’s been grappling with a trauma that could upend everything.  There is tension, uncertainty and the promise of new conflict—and for viewers, that means there’s still more depth to come from this couple’s journey.

Beyond that, their real-life friendship continues to feed into their on-screen magic. The banter, the off-camera clips (such as their Instagram holiday sing-alongs) and the shared respect between Camryn and Cait all reinforce why the Teriah dynamic works so well. It’s one thing to act chemistry—it’s another to live it.

Why Fans Should Absolutely Rejoice
For viewers of The Young and the Restless who’ve cheered for Mariah and Tessa, the off-screen reality is the cherry on top. The knowledge that behind the cameras there’s genuine friendship, respect and joy adds an extra layer of warmth to their story. It makes the highs higher and the emotional moments hit harder.

Whether you discovered the couple midway through their arc, or have loyally followed them from that first hesitant kiss in 2017, this remains one of daytime’s most textured, moving romances. It isn’t perfect—it had detours, heartbreak, obstacles—but maybe that’s why it feels so true.

So here’s to Mariah and Tessa: to their on-screen love story that changed the narrative, and to the real-life bond between Camryn Grimes and Cait Fairbanks that keeps it grounded, rich and full of heart. For fans awaiting the next twist in Genoa City—you’re in for more. For those who just want to rewind and savour what has already been—go ahead. This isn’t just soap opera—it’s something special.