In the upcoming November 21 and 24 episodes of The Young and the Restless, Danny and Cricket finally head back to the altar — a moment three decades in the making. In an exclusive interview with Soap Hub, Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian opened up about the emotional experience of filming the wedding, their long history with the characters, and how the fans helped shape the celebration.
Key Takeaways
- Lauralee Bell says the wedding only started to “feel real” once fans began counting down online.
- Michael Damian describes emotional surprises on set that gave them “extra goosebumps.”
- Both actors credit longtime viewers for keeping the Danny and Cricket romance alive for over 30 years.
What Happened During Filming
Bell admitted that the reality of the moment didn’t hit her right away. “Today was the first morning where I was like, oh my gosh,” she shared. “We have incredible fans who are counting down, and when you start seeing behind-the-scenes photos, you realize it’s real.”
Damian said the experience carried a weight he didn’t expect. “Walking down the aisle to her just feels like it’s the way it should be,” he said. “There were a couple of surprises — some music things and a few other touches — and in the moment it became extra emotional.”
The fun side of Danny and Cricket also resurfaced in a way viewers will appreciate. “People forget we were always jokey, ticklish, running around,” Bell laughed. “Cricket is sassy. I love that we’ve had some of those silly scenes before the wedding.”
Damian, who received a strong reaction to a recent episode, added, “People texted me saying how funny it was. It threw them off in a good way.”
Why It Matters to Fans — and to Them
Bell has always believed in the couple. “I always felt like Danny and Cricket were meant to be together,” she said. “Even when there were hardships, it felt like we were connected.”
Damian says the slow build is what created their staying power. “It was all done in agonizingly slow, fantastic real time,” he explained. “You can’t start a show and have two people fall madly in love two weeks later and expect a supercouple. Viewers lived and breathed Danny and Cricket’s relationship for years.”
Both actors praised the fan-driven wedding dress vote. “I wanted it to be totally legit,” Bell said. “Some fans even offered to vote for the one that would be easiest for me to eat in. But I wanted them to vote for what they wanted.”
Damian joked, “I voted a thousand times. My choice didn’t win.”
The Fallout: What’s Next for Danny and Cricket
Bell wants the couple to bring stability to Genoa City. “In a world with so much uncertainty, we want to be that solid couple,” she said. “Not boring, not shaky — fun and steady.”
Music will also remain part of Danny’s story. “They’re teeing up great ways to bring music in organically,” Damian revealed. “If the fans want it, the music is coming.”
And now that Cricket is officially joining Danny’s family, which includes Daniel (Michael Graziadei), Lucy (Lily Brooks O’Briant), and even Phyllis (Michelle Stafford)? Bell laughed. “Whatever problems are brewing in Danny’s world… they’re my problems too.”
