Mariah Linney, a prominent figure in the fashion and social media spheres, has gained widespread acclaim as a fashion model, blogger, Instagram influencer, and social media personality. Her global recognition stems from the captivating fashion content she shares on various social media platforms, with a notable presence on Instagram.
Apart from her contributions to the fashion industry, Mariah is also recognised for her prowess as a basketball player, having played for the Charlotte 49ers at the University of North Carolina.
Who is Mariah Linney really and what kind of career has she been building for herself? Join us as we find out by taking a closer look at her life and professional journey until now.
Early Personal Life
On 26 February 1999, Mariah Linney was born the daughter of OJ Linney and Amanda Short; she grew up in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Her father is a professional basketball player, but it’s not known what her mother’s profession is.
Her upbringing included her younger siblings, David and Jordyn, both of whom have made a mark as social media influencers. While some reports suggest the existence of older siblings, their names remain unknown.
Her diverse ethnic background comprises Spanish, Mexican and Italian roots, but Mariah holds American citizenship. There are limited reliable details available about Mariah’s childhood.
Education
Mariah pursued her high school education at Goose Creek High School. Her association with basketball began during childhood, and her dedication to the sport earned her recognition.
Throughout her high school basketball journey, she accumulated several accolades, including being named the USA Today High School Sports State Player of the Year and receiving Charleston’s Post and Courier Player of the Year, among other distinctions. In her senior year of high school, Mariah was honoured with the title of Miss Basketball in the state of South Carolina by the High School Sports Report.
Continuing her basketball journey, Mariah played as a guard for the University of North Carolina, Charlotte basketball team until her graduation in 2021. During her time at University, she majored in sociology with minors in American studies and women’s and gender studies.
Following her final season with the 49ers, she made the decision to retire from basketball. In an Instagram post, she expressed her unexpected feelings about the end of her career, emphasizing that while it was her childhood dream to play professionally, she was now eager to explore new passions in the next chapter of her life.
Career
Mariah, recognised as a blogger, Instagram influencer, and social media personality, has gained prominence online as a fashion model, showing her fashion content across various social media platforms. Particularly on Instagram, where she boasts a following of 490,000, she’s carved a niche for herself.
Mariah is also an active participant on TikTok, where her popularity extends to over a million followers. On this platform, she predominantly shares dance videos and content related to sports, along with showcasing her newfound passion for photography, to which she’s currently, directing her focus, hinting at a potential career path in this creative direction.
Interesting Facts
Mariah frequently offers glimpses into her family life through her Instagram and TikTok profiles. Her social media is adorned with numerous photos featuring her blended family, highlighting the importance of familial bonds in her life. In a caption accompanying a picture of herself and Madison Bailey alongside both sides of her family, she wrote, ‘family is home,’ emphasising the profound significance that her loved ones hold for her. According to Mariah, nothing brings her a greater sense of completeness than the presence of her family.
Mariah is notably passionate about fashion, having crafted a distinctive signature look. Her go-to ensemble typically includes jeans, chinos or shorts paired with a graphic or white T-shirt, complemented by a fitted hat, and finished off with either Converse or Nikes. Her Instagram serves as a platform for showcasing her fashion sense, regularly featuring posts that highlight her sporty-casual style for her followers to enjoy.
Clarifying misconceptions about her gender, Mariah affirms her identity as a woman and not a man. Proudly representing the LGBTQ+ community, she embraces the pronouns ‘she/her.’
The athlete also has an impressive collection of hats and sneakers. In December 2022, she showed off her extensive hat assortment on Instagram, revealing that she’d been diligently expanding it for over 18 months by that time.
In an unfortunate sporting setback, Mariah faced a broken ankle during a game. An attempt at a layup resulted in an awkward fall, causing her to exit the match.
56.4 4Q | CLT: 75 MAR: 54
Mariah Linney checks out with 5 made three-pointers, one more than the entire Marshall roster! pic.twitter.com/Hsq0nWMFkf
— Charlotte Women's Basketball (@CharlotteWBB) January 9, 2021
While Mariah is recognised as a basketball star, she also excels in the realm of gaming. Having been immersed in the world of video games since childhood, she frequently live-streams her gaming sessions on Twitch.
Engaging in both basketball and rugby brings Mariah immense joy and satisfaction.
When it comes to holiday destinations, Australia holds a special place in her heart.
Blue and black are her preferred colours of choice.
Among her favourite pastimes, Mariah finds pleasure in travelling, capturing moments through photography, immersing herself in work, and exploring the outdoors through cycling.
Additionally, Mariah has a refined palate for Spanish, Mexican and Italian cuisines, embodying her appreciation for diverse and flavourful culinary experiences.
Later Personal Life
Mariah and actress Madison Bailey are romantically involved, with their relationship announced in a charming TikTok video shared by the actress a month after confirming her pan-sexuality in May 2020.
In the endearing clip, Madison, lip-syncing to a voiceover, humorously conveyed the feeling of falling before bringing Mariah into the frame for an affectionate hug. Since their social media debut, the couple has been openly sharing moments from their relationship, offering glimpses into their everyday life, including shopping excursions, vacations, and casual hangouts.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Bailey emphasised the seriousness of their relationship and expressed no hesitation in sharing their love story on social media. Describing Mariah as loving, gentle-hearted and kind, she offered insights into the depth of their connection.
Their relationship, sparked by a TikTok video, began with Madison discovering one of Mariah’s videos, and tracking her down on Instagram. After engaging in direct messages, the couple eventually met in person, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The couple continues to seemingly thrive in their relationship, with their love story unfolding in the public eye.
Madison Bailey started her acting career by portraying Caroline in the DC superhero series “Constantine” in 2015. After this, she contributed to various projects such as “Murder Chose Me,” “Two Roads,” “Swamp Murders,” and “Nightclub Secrets.”
From 2018 to 2019, Madison took on the role of Wendy in multiple episodes of the series “Black Lightning.”
She further expanded her repertoire in 2019, by joining the cast of the series “Creepshow.” In 2020, she made a brief appearance as a bowling alley girl in “Impractical Jokers: The Movie.”
However, it was her portrayal of Kiara in the 2020 Netflix series “Outer Banks” that catapulted her to widespread recognition. The series had its first episode aired in April 2020, received acclaim, and turned out to be a major success. As of late 2024, the eagerly awaited fourth season of the series is scheduled for release.
Physical Characteristics
Mariah is 5ft 7ins (170cms) tall and weighs about 119lbs (54kgs), with vital statistics of 34-24-36. She has long dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.
Net Worth
Mariah’s basketball career may have been short, but it was very lucrative, according to estimates. As of early 2024, she has an impressive net worth of $5 million.
