‘I Held Her One Last Time’: Y&R Star Camryn Grimes Opens Up About Heart-Wrenching Goodbye

Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Genoa City is no stranger to heartbreak, but this time the pain reaches beyond the screen. Camryn Grimes — the Emmy-winning actress beloved for her role as Mariah Copeland — has opened up about a deeply emotional farewell that has left both her and fans shaken. In a candid and vulnerable interview, Grimes revealed the intimate details of a goodbye that has been as heart-wrenching as anything written in soap scripts.

A Goodbye That Was Real, Not Scripted

Grimes, who has played Mariah for over a decade and remains a cornerstone of the Y&R family, spoke tearfully about saying goodbye to someone incredibly close to her. While her words echoed the drama of Genoa City’s endless twists and turns, this wasn’t a fictional storyline. This was real life.

“I held her one last time,” Grimes shared, her voice breaking as she described the final moments. “You never think you’ll have to let go until the moment is right there in front of you. And when it is… you realize nothing can prepare you for it.”

The actress did not shy away from her grief, choosing instead to share it with fans as both a catharsis and a tribute.

Camryn’s Journey With Y&R

Since first joining The Young and the Restless in 1997 as Cassie Newman, Grimes has been tied to some of the soap’s most iconic storylines. Cassie’s tragic death in 2005 remains one of the most memorable moments in daytime television history, and years later, Grimes’ return as Cassie’s long-lost twin, Mariah, cemented her as an irreplaceable part of Genoa City’s fabric.

Through Mariah, Grimes has portrayed resilience, vulnerability, and groundbreaking LGBTQ+ storylines that have won her both acclaim and a devoted fan base. Her bond with the show has always been more than professional — it has been deeply personal, woven into her life for nearly three decades.

The Emotional Weight of Loss

This latest goodbye, however, belongs not to a scripted arc but to Grimes’ own story. While the actress kept some details private out of respect, her words painted a vivid picture of profound grief. Fans were quick to interpret her message as a farewell to a loved one — perhaps a close family member, a mentor, or even a cherished pet who had been her companion behind the scenes.

Regardless of the specifics, the core of her message resonated: love, loss, and the unbearable silence that follows when someone you treasure is no longer by your side.

Fans Rally Around Her

The Y&R fandom is known for its passion, and within minutes of Grimes’ statement going public, an outpouring of love and support swept across social media.

One fan wrote: “Camryn, you gave us Cassie, you gave us Mariah, and now you’re giving us your heart. We love you and we’re here for you always.” Another added: “I lost someone close recently too. Thank you for putting into words what so many of us feel.”

This wave of compassion underscores how deeply audiences connect not only with Grimes’ characters but also with her as a person.