The actress has opened up about her journey in vertical dramas, as well as the highs, challenges, and unexpected moments of being part of the most-watched drama online.
Online storytelling has surged in popularity, with vertical series carving out a unique space in entertainment. Among the rising stars in this trend is Mariah Moss, who has been gaining recognition and reportedly went viral for her role in “The Divorce Billionaire Heiress.”
In an April 2025 Vertical Drama Love interview with host Jen Cooper, Moss shared candid insights about her journey in this fast-growing niche, offering fans a closer look at the realities behind the screen.
Who Is Mariah Moss?
Moss is an award-winning actress who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Trained in theater, television, and film.
On stage, she has taken on both classical and contemporary roles, including leads such as Miriam in “Wave Me Good-Bye,” Heather McNamara in “Heathers the Musical,” Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz,” and roles in “School of Rock,” “Grease,” “Hello, Dolly,” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Meanwhile, on television, she has starred in “New York Homicide” and appeared as herself on “Aqua Kids Syndicated Television,” with dramatic roles in “Forbidden Desires” and “The Substitute Bride.”
In film, Moss has led projects such as “Nuclear,” “Nothing Serious,” “Long Lost,” “Arcane Cryer,” and “Manic Pixie Dreamgirl,” as well as earning early recognition for “Moss Manor,” winner of the 48-Hour Film Festival.
Additionally, she is also a pianist and singer, with creative work extending into writing, directing, and producing.
Moss’s path into vertical dramas began in January 2024, when she auditioned for a werewolf-themed project with only $12 to her name while living paycheck to paycheck.
Having just left a desk job at a production company, she accepted the role simply to cover her rent. Filmed at a pace of 160 pages in eight days, the project unexpectedly went viral and became her introduction to the emerging medium.
That first experience led to more opportunities, including “Accelerating Love,” which she described as her favorite project to work on. But it was her portrayal of Isabella Moore in the mini series “The Divorce Billionaire Heiress” that marked her breakout moment.
The series follows Isabella, who discovers that her husband, Carson, wants a divorce because he plans to marry his lover the same day. With Lawrence Shagawat, John Morgan, and Hunter Kohl rounding out the cast, the drama quickly became a hit online.
Mariah Moss Reflects on Fame in the Most-Watched Vertical Drama
In the interview with Cooper, Moss reflected on the staggering reach of “The Divorce Billionaire Heiress.” The host told Moss that about 360 million people had watched the show.
“I cannot even wrap my head around that. That doesn’t make any sense to me, but that is amazing. And it has connected me with so many incredible people,” she said. At the time of filming, Moss was still early in her vertical career and had no idea the show would resonate so widely.
She spoke about the unconventional ways these dramas are marketed, often using clickbait-style titles and spliced footage. She explained that actors have “no control” over what happens to the series once filming is complete.
Moss added, “The titles are always changed, sometimes to something just so incredibly humiliating. And then the way it’s marketed, I couldn’t explain it to you, but for some reason it works because you guys click on it.”
Her fondest memories, however, centered on working with co-star Kohl, whom she described as one of her “favorite people on the planet.” Moss shared that working long, intense days on set created a strong bond between her and her co-star.
@mariah_moss Let’s get this bread 🥐🥖🍞 @Hunter Kohl
She described him as both funny and professional, noting that their easy connection helped them get through the demanding schedule. She added that audience support for their pairing allowed them to continue working together on future projects.
The success of the show and her connection with Kohl helped solidify Moss’s place in the vertical drama world while also shaping her view of the industry’s unique demands.
Inside the World of Vertical Dramas
Beyond her breakout role, Moss has embraced the unpredictability of vertical productions. She recalls extreme moments on set, from being buried alive in a rainstorm to being sprayed with fake blood mid-scene, illustrating how fast-paced and unconventional the shoots can be.
She is quick to credit the crews working behind every drama — especially the hair, makeup, and costume teams — for keeping productions on track under tight schedules.
“They create such a safe space for us. Amidst the chaos, that chair is often our only chance to sit, breathe, and reset throughout the entire day. As fast as they work, they’re also our rocks and confidantes, and our advocates as well,” she said.
@mariah_moss What happens in the trailer 🥰 I’m packing Aysun in my suitcase.
Looking to the future, Moss hopes for more diversity in casting, stronger dialogue, and higher production values, while moving away from recurring themes of violence and misogyny.
Still, she believes the space can deliver the romantic and dramatic stories audiences love, just with more depth and inclusivity.
Most importantly, Moss treasures the connections and growth she has found in the medium. “I’m proud that this has allowed me to never stop learning—I’ve lived a thousand little lives, each one expanding my understanding of the world beyond what I could ever experience in a single lifetime. That’s the greatest joy of being an actor,” she shared.