Cricket and Danny from 'Y&R' Are 'Finally' Getting Engaged — Here's How the Actors Reacted

After decades of drama, the beloved pairing from "The Young and the Restless" is set to take a major step in their relationship that has "been 35 years in the making."

Christine "Cricket" Blair and Danny Romalotti (played by Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian, respectively) are one of the most iconic couples on "The Young and the Restless."

Now, Cricket and Danny are getting engaged onscreen — and the actors portraying them couldn't be happier.

The engagement is set to air in the July 10 episode of the long-running show. Bell's initial reaction to the news, as told to People in an exclusive interview, was simply, “Finally.”

“We were super, super excited,” Bell added. “Because it’s been 35 years in the making.” Cricket and Danny were first married on the show in Hawaii in 1990, more than three decades ago. But their story goes back even further.

Their romance began as a teenage crush, with Cricket developing an infatuation with Danny. Over time, it blossomed into a full-fledged love story, culminating in their memorable Hawaiian wedding.

However, Danny's affair with Phyllis Summers (played by Michelle Stafford) ended their marriage — and resulted in the birth of his son, Daniel. Later, it was revealed that Daniel wasn’t actually Danny's biological child.

For Bell and Damian, the upcoming engagement feels perfectly timed. Longtime fans are now “in a different place in life,” and many want to revisit moments when they “felt safe and good,” Bell shared.

"And we were a part of that time for them, and now here we are coming back into their lives when maybe their kids are now moved out or at college or whatever," she added.

"We're reminiscent of those fun days where we all feel like we're still young and we'd give anything to go back to that time. So we're just very grateful that that group has stuck with us and is going to be so excited," she said.

Damian echoed her sentiments: "I think the nostalgia is really beautiful and that's what they're connecting to as [sic] well. I think that they're like, 'Oh, my God, finally.'"

Beyond the nostalgia, the timing also made sense for Bell in a more playful way. "We couldn't wait much longer because (...) if one of us has to get down on a knee, perhaps it's not going to be any prettier in 10 years," she joked.

On social media, Bell recently shared her excitement over the upcoming onscreen proposal.

On July 9, 2025, she posted a video of herself and Damian doing a goofy dance before stepping out of frame. They re-enter in character, smiling wide. The video ends with a headline announcing their upcoming engagement. Alongside the clip, she wrote:

"Tomorrow… a "New" beginning for #dannyandcricket after they met 41 years ago. I know so many of you were watching during the first proposal 35 yrs ago. So incredible how Soaps can link us all together for decades. ❤️#thejourneycontinues"

Last year, on June 24, Damian shared a throwback photo from the day he joined "The Young and the Restless" in 1981. He was just 19 and looked adorably fresh-faced in a striped polo.

"My 1st day The Young and the Restless🎂🎉🎊 Amazing memories and still making them! Thank you all!! ❤️🥰," Damian captioned the post.

Back in May, Bell had already teased the engagement without giving too much away. On Instagram, she posted a photo with Damian and Michael Graziadei (who plays Danny's son), writing:

"Happy to be back for guaranteed good days ahead with these two! #staytuned #yr @therealmichaeldamian @goodgriefcharliebrown"

“The Young and the Restless” debuted on television back in 1973. Set in the fictional town of Genoa City, it follows the lives, romances, and rivalries of families like the Newmans, Abbotts, Winters, and Baldwins.

Now, 52 years later, the show remains a staple in American households — a true intergenerational tradition. Its ensemble cast includes the likes of Peter Bergman, Eric Braeden, Tracey E. Bregman, and more than 30 other talented actors.