If you’ve spent any time on TikTok since 2020, you know these two. Madison Bailey, the Outer Banks star who made us all want to move to the coast, and Mariah Linney, the former basketball standout with the effortless streetwear style. For years, they were the blueprint. Their "meet-cute" was peak Gen Z, involving a TikTok crush that turned into a five-year romance.
But things have changed.
The internet is currently buzzing about where they stand in 2026. Fans noticed the silence first. Then came the "unfollows." Honestly, it’s a lot to process for anyone who followed their journey from that first viral "I'm falling" video.
Mariah Linney: More Than Just the Girlfriend
Most people recognize Mariah Linney as Madison Bailey’s gf, but she’s got a pretty heavy resume on her own. She wasn’t just a random social media personality. Mariah was a legitimate star on the court at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
A South Carolina native, Mariah played guard for the Charlotte 49ers. She wasn't just on the team; she was a starter who racked up serious minutes and accolades like the High School Sports Report’s Miss Basketball. She graduated in 2021 with a degree in sociology and minors in American studies and women’s and gender studies.
Basketball was her life until it wasn't.
After graduating, she pivoted. She became a major fashion influencer and a pro gamer, often streaming on Twitch. Her style? Impeccable. We’re talking oversized tees, fitted hats, and a sneaker collection that would make most hypebeasts weep. This authenticity is likely what caught Madison’s eye in the first place.
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The TikTok Meet-Cute That Started It All
The story of how they met is basically a modern rom-com. In May 2020, Madison saw a video of Mariah on her TikTok "For You" page. She didn't just scroll past. She tracked Mariah down on Instagram and slid into her DMs.
Madison once told Entertainment Tonight that they realized they lived only 20 minutes apart at the time. "I was staying in a hotel in Charleston and was like, 'Just come hang out. We can chat, chill,'" Madison recalled. It was lockdown. Everything was closed. So they just sat and talked.
Three days later, Madison met Mariah’s family.
By June 2020, they "hard-launched" the relationship. Madison posted a TikTok lip-syncing to a sound that said, "I'm not falling... OK, I'm falling," right as she pulled Mariah into the frame. It was the moment they became a "public" couple, and for the next few years, they were inseparable.
The 2025 Shift: Did They Actually Break Up?
For a long time, they were solid. They celebrated their four-year anniversary in June 2024 with sweet, low-key posts. Mariah called Madison "my heart in human form." Madison called Mariah her "safe place."
Then came April 2025.
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The vibes shifted. Fans—who are basically digital detectives at this point—noticed that both Madison and Mariah had unfollowed each other on Instagram. This is usually the universal sign for "it's over" in Celeb Land. They also reportedly untagged each other in several photos.
The Cryptic Social Media Posts
Mariah didn't release a statement, but her Instagram Stories started getting heavy. She shared quotes about things not going to plan and the pain of wanting to speak up but choosing silence. One specific post read, "Send love to everyone whose year has not gone to plan."
Madison, for her part, stayed mostly focused on work. Between filming Outer Banks and her music career—she released her debut single "The Grey"—she kept her personal business private.
Where Things Stand in 2026
As of early 2026, the status of Madison Bailey and Mariah Linney remains a bit of a grey area. While many outlets and Wikipedia entries list their relationship as having ended in 2025, neither has officially sat down for a "breakup interview."
It’s complicated.
Madison has always been open about her life, specifically her journey as a pansexual woman and her diagnosis with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) at age 18. She’s used her platform to be a "safe place" for others. Because of that transparency, the sudden silence regarding Mariah feels louder to the fans.
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Here is what we know for sure right now:
- They no longer follow each other on primary social platforms.
- They haven't been spotted together at major industry events recently.
- Mariah is focusing on her gaming and fashion content.
- Madison is deep into her acting and burgeoning music career.
Why Their Relationship Mattered So Much
It’s easy to dismiss celebrity dating as fluff, but for the queer community, Madison and Mariah were important. They were two women of color who were unapologetically in love. Madison often talked about how seeing couples like Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts inspired her.
She wanted to pay that forward.
"I've received messages from people saying that just by seeing me and my girlfriend, they were able to come out," Madison told Elite Daily. That’s a heavy legacy to carry. Whether they are together or apart now, that impact doesn't just disappear.
Moving Forward: What to Keep an Eye On
If you're looking for closure on the Madison Bailey gf saga, you might have to wait for the next press cycle. Celebrities often wait until they are promoting a new project to address personal changes. With the latest season of Outer Banks and Madison’s music taking off, she might eventually open up.
If you want to stay updated without falling for clickbait, keep an eye on these specific signs:
- Direct Tags: Check if they re-follow each other or tag one another in "throwback" posts, which often signals a reconciliation.
- Verified Interviews: Look for upcoming features in Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, or Elle, where Madison typically does her most vulnerable long-form storytelling.
- Music Lyrics: Madison’s songwriting is deeply personal. If she drops a new EP, the lyrics will likely tell the story that her Instagram captions won't.
Relationships in the spotlight are exhausting. Five years is a lifetime in "Hollywood years," especially when you start dating in your early 20s. Whatever the current status, both women seem to be thriving in their respective lanes, proving that life goes on after the "unfollow."
Actionable Insight for Fans: Avoid harassing either party in their comment sections. If a split did happen, both have hinted at it being a painful transition. The best way to support is to engage with Mariah's Twitch streams or Madison’s new music on its own merit, rather than just looking for clues about their private lives.