Mariah Zernik is one of the six participants in the third season of Netflix’s reality show, ‘The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On,’ which premiered on December 4, 2024. At 24, she is a podcaster and social media marketing professional who knows exactly what she wants with her boyfriend, Caleb Storm, a 29-year-old mortgage broker. Despite their five-year age gap and two years of dating, Mariah is all in for marriage and kids, but Caleb thinks they should wait before taking the plunge.
The show, hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, puts couples at a crossroads. One partner is ready for marriage, the other isn’t sure. To figure things out, the couples break up and try a “trial marriage” with someone else from the cast to see if they’re ready to marry their original partner or move on.
Fans Seem Confused About Mariah Zernik’s Ethnicity—‘The Ultimatum’ Star Has Chamorro Roots and a Connection to Guam
Mariah Zernik’s ethnicity is a mix of different cultures and genetic influences, reflecting both her family’s heritage and the diversity of the modern world. People online, especially on Reddit, have noticed her unique look, with one user writing, “Mariah looks like part East Asian but with blue eyes? I thought those were contacts at first.” Her background is actually more complex and interesting than it might seem at first glance.
Mariah recently gave us a peek into her heritage on Instagram, sharing her visit to Guam, her family’s homeland. She wrote: “Visiting my family’s homeland and reconnecting with my roots is a core memory I’ll cherish forever 🩵🦋 Si Yu’os Ma’åse’, Guam 🇬🇺.”
“Si Yu’os Ma’åse’,” meaning “Thank you” in Chamorro, ties her directly to Guam’s indigenous culture. Chamorros are Guam’s indigenous people and are part of the larger Micronesian region. They have a unique ethnic identity with Austronesian roots, connecting them to other Pacific Islander groups. Over the centuries, Guam has seen influences from Spanish colonization, Filipino migration, and later American presence, creating a unique cultural blend.
Mariah’s comment about reconnecting with her family’s homeland displays her pride in her Chamorro heritage and her emotional connection to her roots. For her, Guam is more than just a place on the map; it represents her identity, history, and family.
Viewers are, unsurprisingly, curious about Mariah’s ethnicity, especially if they aren’t familiar with the diversity of Pacific Islander genetics. Her long, dark hair and almond-shaped eyes might make some think she’s East Asian. However, these features are common among Chamorros, showing the overlap between Pacific Islander and East Asian traits due to ancient migrations and shared Austronesian roots.
What really intrigues people are her striking blue eyes, which some think might be from contacts. But this can be explained by Guam’s history of colonization and genetic mixing. When the Spanish colonized Guam in the 17th century, Europeans intermarried with the local Chamorro people. Over time, Guam’s population became a blend of Chamorro, European, Filipino, and later American influences. So, blue eyes, though rare, can naturally occur in people with mixed Pacific Islander and European ancestry.
The Ultimatum: Are Mariah and Caleb Still Together?
Mariah and Caleb’s journey on ‘The Ultimatum’ puts the microscope on the main issue in their relationship: they carry different ideas about when to get married. Mariah gave Caleb an ultimatum, not to push him, but to show she was ready to start a committed life together. She wants to experience as much love as possible, while Caleb worries that rushing into marriage might lead to regrets or a mid-life crisis.
During the experiment, Mariah and Caleb found themselves single and exploring connections with other cast members. Caleb hit it off with Aria De’Westbrooks, who impressed him with her independence and career ambitions. Meanwhile, Mariah struggled at first but found some comfort in her trial marriage with Micah Hardeman. However, Micah suddenly left the show after secretly meeting his original partner, leaving Mariah confused and alone.
Despite the challenges, Zernik stayed committed to the experience, using the time to reflect on her relationship with Caleb. She told Caleb she loved him and wanted a future together, even though the trial marriages tested their bond. Caleb, on his part, sympathized with Mariah but continued to deepen his connection with Aria, leading to a potential romantic entanglement.
By the end of the first five episodes, Mariah and Caleb’s future is still up in the air. However, their open communication and respect for each other suggest their bond might survive the show’s trials. Off-screen, both are doing great personally and professionally. Mariah is becoming a health and beauty influencer and plans to release a podcast called “Healing is Hard.” Caleb, from Maui, Hawaii, works as a mortgage broker and runs an events staffing company. They both live in Los Angeles, where they continue to pursue their passions and adventures together.
