You met in 2017 at SoapFest, a charity event on Marco Island in Florida. Did you click right away?
Camryn Grimes (Mariah, Y&R): It was instant. Right away, we got into super-deep conversations and bonded and had so much fun. The last day we were there, we went out on a boat with this really nice family and dolphins were playing in the wake of the boat. It was just the most magical thing I’ve ever seen in my life. So, I proposed to Hayley. I don’t know where it came from, but it was totally genuine and I meant every word [laughs].
Hayley Erin (Kiki, GH): Camryn and I were, like, jumping up and down and holding each other’s hands and crying. Everyone else was like, “Dolphins, cool,” and Camryn and I were like, “Yes, I will marry you!”
Grimes: We kind of lost our minds. But it really was the perfect romantic scenario. And the more we got to know each other, the more we realized how well we match up.
Erin: When we got back from that trip, we started hanging out immediately. I felt like I had known her for a long time.
Grimes: I can’t even really imagine a time without Hayley in my life because it feels like we should have known each other for our whole lives. We always comment on, “Wow, I guess we’ve only known each other for a year, how weird is that?”
How would you say that your friendship has enhanced your lives?
Erin: Camryn already knows this, but I have never known such genuine, loving, female friendship. Getting to know Camryn and us absorbing each other into our lives has shown me what real, true friendship is. I trust her with my life and I know that no matter what I am dealing with or going through, I have someone. If I need an ear, she’s an ear. If I need advice or guidance, she has never led me astray. I consider her a soul mate. Not all soul mates are romantic love; I feel like what Camryn and I have is a once-in-a-lifetime, special relationship.
Grimes: I totally agree. It surprises me that it took us so long to meet because I feel like we were meant to be in each other’s lives. As we’ve gotten to know each other’s personal stories, they have either been complementary or completely parallel, and we’ve been able to be great sounding boards for each other. In the past year, Hayley and I have both gone through a lot, and although we were going through different things, I learned from her experience and I hope she learned from mine. There is an ease between us, and a willingness to be forthcoming and to give because you know the other person isn’t just taking; they are giving right back.
Erin: That is so perfectly said.
Grimes: It was also just special to meet another person who did the child actor thing and grew up in Los Angeles, but didn’t turn out to be a [jerk]!
Erin: I know! What are the odds?
Grimes: I’ve had a set group of friends for a bit now and I feel like we’ve come together because we avoided the stereotypical L.A. scene. And when I met Hayley, I instantly knew that she was going to get along with all of my friends. I was like, “You’ve got to meet her, guys!” And finally, they did and, big shocker, everybody loves her!
Erin: And I love them, which is awesome. You talk about dating in the big city? No, finding friends in this city — it’s not easy!
Grimes: It’s way harder.
Erin: Camryn and I have really spent this last year together growing, and we’ve been there for really big life events, and there is no one else I would rather have by my side. And can I just say how amazing it was to get to be in the audience when she won her most recent Emmy [for Supporting Actress in April]?
Grimes: And we drove there together.
Erin: Yeah, we carpooled and it was so sweet, but in the audience, we were seated by show, so Camryn was sitting with Y&R and I was sitting with GH. When they called Camryn’s name, I don’t know what came over me. I shot out of my seat, yelling and crying. Everyone sitting around me was really confused, like, “You know she’s not on GENERAL HOSPITAL, right?” Luckily, there hadn’t been anyone from my show nominated in that category, so I didn’t have to apologize to anyone after the fact for freaking out! But we spent the whole night together and it was just a magical evening.
Grimes: At the CBS after-party, I looked at Rob Adamson [ex-Noah, Y&R] and said, “Do you want to get Hayley and go to Residuals?” That’s the bar where we play darts. So I texted Hayley, “Here’s the game plan. I’m picking you up, we’re going to my house, we’re changing into jeans and we’re going to Residuals for darts.” Every so often I would look over at Hayley and she would start crying. I was like, “Stop!”
Erin: I could not tell you the last time I cried tears of joy. I have never been so proud! It was just a beautiful night.
Grimes: You know you have a good friend when overall, you cry more tears of joy together than tears of sadness.
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