Victoria Rowell is basically a force of nature. If you grew up watching The Young and the Restless, you know her as the sharp-tongued, fiercely ambitious Drucilla Winters. Off-screen, she’s an advocate, an author, and a mother who has navigated the complexities of Hollywood and high-profile parenting with a lot of grace—and a healthy dose of blunt honesty. But while fans have followed Victoria's career for decades, the spotlight on Victoria Rowell and daughter Maya Fahey has always felt a little different. It’s quieter. More private.
Maya Fahey isn't your typical "nepo baby" chasing TikTok fame or trying to land a leading role in a CW reboot. Honestly, she’s stayed remarkably low-key despite having a mother who is daytime royalty. Born in 1989, Maya is the product of Victoria’s first marriage to Tom Fahey, an airline pilot and actor. They divorced shortly after she was born, which meant Maya grew up in a world where her mother was rapidly becoming one of the most recognizable faces on television.
The Reality of Growing Up as Victoria Rowell’s Daughter
Living in the shadow of a soap opera icon isn't all red carpets and gift bags. Victoria has been very open about the fact that her own history—growing up in the foster care system—heavily influenced how she raised Maya. She wanted to provide the stability she never had, but she also didn't want to shield her daughter from the realities of the world.
There’s a famous story from Maya’s infancy that Victoria has shared in several interviews. When Maya was born, Victoria—who is of mixed heritage—was met with skepticism at the hospital because Maya was born with a very fair complexion, taking after her father. The nurses reportedly hesitated to hand the baby over, checking and rechecking wristbands. That moment stayed with Victoria. It became a teaching point about identity and how the world perceives race, something she passed down to Maya as she grew up.
Maya didn't just inherit her mother's looks; she inherited that "get it done" attitude. While she did some public appearances as a child—you can find old Getty images of them at the NAACP Image Awards or the Lady and the Tramp II premiere—she didn't seem bitten by the acting bug in the same way.
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Maya Fahey: A Career Away From the Cameras
Most people assume that the children of famous actors naturally end up in front of the lens. With Maya, that hasn't been the case. She’s navigated a career path that feels much more grounded. At one point, reports surfaced that she had worked in logistics and transportation—jobs like a forklift operator and a delivery driver. It’s a far cry from the glitz of Genoa City, but it speaks to a certain independence that Victoria clearly fostered.
It’s refreshing. In an era where every celebrity kid is launching a skincare line, Maya Fahey seems perfectly content living a life that belongs to her, not to the tabloids.
The Family Dynamic: Maya, Jasper, and Victoria
Victoria Rowell isn't just a mother to Maya. She also has a son, Jasper Armstrong Marsalis, from her long-term relationship with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis. Jasper is an artist and musician, recently graduating from Cooper Union. The dynamic between the siblings and Victoria is tight-knit.
Victoria’s Instagram often features "throwback" posts or snippets of her children’s achievements, though she respects their privacy. You’ll see Maya pop up in family photos during holidays, looking more and more like her mother’s twin as the years go by.
- Birth Year: 1989
- Father: Tom Fahey
- Brother: Jasper Marsalis
- Known for: Art director work and a private lifestyle
One thing that stands out about the bond between Victoria Rowell and daughter Maya is the mutual respect for their different paths. Victoria fought hard for diversity in the soap world—famously suing and later settling with Sony and CBS over allegations of retaliation and lack of diversity. That kind of battle takes a toll. Maya witnessed her mother being a trailblazer and a disruptor. Perhaps that’s why she chose a quieter life; she saw the cost of the spotlight firsthand.
Misconceptions About the Rowell-Fahey Bond
People often look at Victoria’s intense public persona and assume she’s a "stage mom." That couldn't be further from the truth. If you look at their history, Victoria has always championed Maya’s right to be her own person. There was never a push for Maya to be "the next Drucilla."
Another common misconception is that Maya is strictly "Hollywood royalty." Because her father was an airline pilot and her mother came from humble beginnings in Maine, Maya’s upbringing was a blend of elite Los Angeles circles and a very real understanding of hard work.
Victoria’s memoir, The Women Who Raised Me, gives a lot of insight into this. She credits the foster mothers who raised her with giving her the "blueprint" for how to mother Maya. She didn't have a biological roadmap, so she built one based on the kindness and discipline of the women in the Maine foster system.
Where is Maya Fahey Now?
As of 2026, Maya continues to maintain a private profile. She isn't doing the "Real Housewives" circuit or trying to land a spot on a reality show. She has worked behind the scenes in creative capacities, including stints as an art director on projects like The Rich and the Ruthless, the show Victoria created and stars in. This shows they still collaborate, but on Maya’s terms—behind the scenes, making the magic happen rather than standing in the center of it.
Lessons from the Rowell-Fahey Family Journey
If you’re looking for a takeaway from the lives of Victoria Rowell and Maya Fahey, it’s about the power of defining success for yourself. Victoria defined it by breaking barriers in an industry that wasn't always welcoming. Maya defines it by staying true to her private nature despite the doors her name could easily open.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Family and Career:
- Prioritize Privacy: Just because a parent is public doesn't mean the child has to be. Setting boundaries early helps maintain a sense of self.
- Value Labor: Maya’s history in non-entertainment jobs shows the importance of building a resume based on skill and effort, not just connections.
- Identity is Personal: Victoria’s lessons to Maya about her mixed heritage prove that parents should give children the tools to navigate their identity rather than dictating it for them.
- Support the Pivot: Victoria supported Maya’s move from being a "child of a star" to a behind-the-scenes professional and a private citizen.
The story of Victoria and Maya is still being written, but it’s one of the few Hollywood stories that feels genuinely grounded. They’ve managed to stay close without the drama that usually follows celebrity families. That, in itself, is a massive win.