True hearts

Rick and Maya’s love triumphs over scandal, shame and family rejection as they tie the knot in stylish fashion.

Actress Karla Mosley helped to choose her character Maya’s Monique Lhuillier gown during a Hollywood shopping spree for Maya’s wedding to Rick. Weekdays SABC3 (*193) 18:00

Rick Forrester and Maya Avant (Jacob Young and Karla Mosley) have had a rough journey on their trip to the altar. Her own father Julius (Obba Babatundé) walked her up the aisle at the Forrester mansion but stormed out on Tuesday 30 August after she confronted him about his inability to accept her identity as a transgender bride, calling the wedding a “freak show”. But on Wednesday 31 August, Maya and Rick put that anger and sorrow aside to exchange vows in front of everyone who didn’t leave – their true friends and loving family, as well as an audience of Bold viewers who have been cheering them along.

COURAGE & COMMITMENT

As awful as Rick and Maya’s bossy and belittling behaviour has been in the Forrester Creations offices, their love story has hit us firmly in our romantic hearts. It’s been impossible to deny the appeal of Maya’s courage and Rick’s steadfast support. “It’s been an honour to tell this positive story of love and acceptance,” says Bold’s (1987- current) executive producer Brad Bell. Karla adds, “Scott Turner Schofield [who plays Maya’s friend Nick] is a trans actor. He said when he read the script, he cried. To see a transgender relationship and to have a straight man accept a trans woman… and then for them to go on and get married has never been done before. It’s so revolutionary.”

THE RIGHT TO LOVE

While Rick and Maya’s story has revolved around accepting and understanding Maya’s identity as a transgender woman, Bold’s story about the right to marry for love and the pain caused by having to sometimes choose between love and family is timeless. “I think the Maya’s notorious portrait hangs over the proceedings as her dreams of marrying into the famous Forrester clan finally come true and she snaps wedding photos along with new motherin-law Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang), husband Rick, father-in-law Eric (John McCook) and sister-in-law Bridget (Ashley Jones).

FROM THE HEART

Maya’s father might have walked out but the bride isn’t alone when it comes to family support. Maya’s wedding day “readings” come from her loving mom and sister. Mom Vivienne Avant (Anna Maria Horsford) quotes Shakespeare’s sonnet 116 and tells the couple, “The love that brought you together will