After Madison Bailey and her longtime girlfriend Mariah Linney unfollowed one another on Instagram, there has been a noticeable increase in conjecture regarding her relationship status in recent days. The two, who are frequently regarded as a symbol of openness and queer joy in young Hollywood, hadn’t shared anything about each other on social media in weeks. As perceptive as ever, fans started to associate the lack of birthday tributes, tags, and photos with a possible breakup, implying that the digital separation was deliberate rather than unintentional.
With their silent removal of one another from their virtual timelines, the couple has effectively communicated without speaking. Silence can be surprisingly loud in the age of story-soft launches and carefully curated feeds. Bailey’s recent solo red carpet appearances, unfollows, and untags have only fueled rumors that a split has taken place.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Madison Lilly Bailey |
| Born | January 29, 1999 |
| Age | 26 |
| Profession | Actress |
| Famous For | Kiara Carrera on *Outer Banks* |
| Relationship (Rumored Past) | Mariah Linney (2020–2025) |
| Sexual Orientation | Pansexual |
| @madisonbaileybabe | |
| Source | Us Weekly |
From Red Carpet Regulars to TikTok Romance
In 2020, a period characterized by digital connections and social distancing, Madison and Mariah started dating. They became real-life partners after meeting on TikTok and connecting over similar values. Former collegiate basketball player Linney frequently accompanied Bailey to important occasions, such as the Outer Banks premiere or Paris Fashion Week. Together, they represented a relationship that was refreshingly open and grounded.
Their love story was notable for being remarkably similar to real-life ones: playful, impromptu, and flawed. Additionally, Madison and Mariah’s chemistry felt natural, unforced, and noticeably unscripted in a field where celebrity couples are frequently packaged for public consumption.
Getting Past the Posts
Their social media feeds were still replete with romantic captions and date nights by the middle of 2024. However, the tone drastically changed in the months that followed. The two haven’t been seen together in pictures since Bailey’s birthday in February. Since then, Bailey has been seen by herself at high-profile events, such as the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards and the Billboard Women in Music event, both of which were notable for lacking Linney.
Linney’s Instagram stories, meanwhile, have become notably more sentimental. She provided oblique hints about her emotional state by sharing quotes such as “Send love to everyone whose year has not gone to plan.” The posts seem especially in line with the quiet heartbreak of a private breakup made painfully public, despite their ambiguity.
Digital Silence’s Weight
An unfollow is more than just a click in the context of social media culture; it’s a signal. The act has emotional currency for public figures, particularly those in prominent queer relationships. Bailey and Linney may be reclaiming their space by deliberately disengaging. However, their choice—whether short-term or long-term—reflects a more general reality: sometimes, love ends with a quiet farewell rather than a messy headline.
Perhaps unwittingly, their silence has sparked discussions about identity, digital boundaries, and the costs of public life. The social media indications suggest that the relationship has at least entered a new stage, even though the split is still unconfirmed.
Impact on Culture and Queer Visibility
Madison Bailey has always been outspoken about her pansexuality and has used her position to promote acceptance and inclusivity. She once said to fans, “I feel lighter, I feel happier that I can just be so open and honest.” For a generation desperate for authentic representation, that candor helped normalize queerness. Her relationship with Linney was obviously queer and deeply personal; it was not a performative one.
Audiences are reminded that queer love, like all love, is complicated by their reported breakup. It changes. It’s over. It starts over. Additionally, it should be handled with the same consideration as any other relationship. This serves as a reminder that vulnerability, not perfection, is still incredibly effective in changing the culture, especially for fans and followers who found their relationship to be especially inspirational.
A Tradition of Transparency—Combined or Divided
Madison and Mariah have significantly increased public awareness of queer intimacy, regardless of whether they are parting ways or ending a chapter. They made room for others to live more authentically by being willing to share their journey, which was joyful, messy, and unscripted. An unfollow doesn’t make that impact go away.
They might decide to make their status clear in the upcoming weeks, or they might say nothing at all. In any case, many people already hold a special place in their hearts for their story. After all, love endures beyond the removal of tags. Sometimes it just manages to stick in people’s minds in a different way.
