Madison Bailey is one of the most talked-about young actresses on Netflix. Fans know her as Kiara “Kie” Carrera from the hit series Outer Banks. But who is she off screen? How old is she? How tall is she? Who is she dating? And how much is she really worth?
If you have searched for these answers, you have probably noticed a problem. Many websites still show old numbers, mix up facts and repeat the same myths. Some still list her age as 22. Others disagree on her height by five inches.
This guide fixes that. Below you will find a clear, updated profile of Madison Bailey, including her biography, age, career, height, education, family, boyfriend or girlfriend status and net worth. Where sources disagree, we tell you so, instead of guessing.
Madison Bailey Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Madison Lilly Bailey |
| Also known as | Maddie Bailey, Madison |
| Date of birth | January 29, 1999 |
| Age (October 2026) | 27 years old |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Birthplace | Kernersville, North Carolina, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, model, social media influencer |
| Known for | Playing Kiara Carrera in Outer Banks (Netflix) |
| Height | About 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| High school | East Forsyth High School |
| Current home base | Los Angeles, California |
| Relationship status | Dating Mariah Linney (publicly reported) |
| Estimated net worth | Roughly $2 to $3 million (2026 estimate) |
Who Is Madison Bailey?
Madison Bailey is an American actress, model and social media personality. She was born in Kernersville, North Carolina, and rose to fame as a young adult after joining the cast of Outer Banks, a teen adventure drama on Netflix.
In the show, she plays Kiara, a smart and loyal member of the Pogues, a group of friends from the working-class side of a fictional island town. Kie is the one who often keeps the group grounded, and fans quickly connected with her humor, strength and heart.
Off screen, Madison is known for being open about her life. She talks about her adoption, her identity and her journey from a small town to Hollywood. That honesty is a big reason her fan base keeps growing.
Madison Bailey Biography and Early Life
Madison Lilly Bailey was born on January 29, 1999, in Kernersville, a small town in North Carolina. She grew up there in a busy, loving household.
As a child, she was drawn to music and performing. Several biography sites mention that she posted music videos on YouTube when she was young. That early habit of performing in front of a camera helped her feel comfortable on screen later.
Like many young creatives, she dreamed of more than her hometown could offer. After finishing school, she decided to take her acting seriously and eventually moved to Los Angeles to chase roles.
A Quick Timeline of Her Life
- 1999: Born in Kernersville, North Carolina.
- Childhood: Grows up with her adoptive family and develops a love for music and performance.
- 2015: Makes her screen debut with a small role in the NBC series Constantine, at about age 16.
- After high school: Commits to acting full time and moves to Los Angeles.
- 2020: Outer Banks premieres on Netflix and Madison becomes a household name.
- 2021 to today: Returns for more seasons of the show, builds her social media following and expands into new projects.
Madison Bailey Age and Birthday
Madison Bailey was born on January 29, 1999. That means she is 27 years old as of October 2026. She turned 27 in January 2026.
You may see older websites say she is 22, 23 or 24. Those pages were written years ago and never updated. Her birthday has stayed the same, so you can always do the math yourself: take the current year and subtract 1999, then subtract one more year if her birthday has not happened yet.
Because she was born on January 29, her zodiac sign is Aquarius. Fans often point to her creative, independent and friendly personality as very Aquarius.
Madison Bailey Education
Education is one of the most thinly covered topics on other websites. Here is what is known.
Madison attended East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, North Carolina. One biography site also says she attended Goose Creek High School at some point, but this detail is less widely reported, so treat it with care.
There is no strong public record that Madison went to a traditional four-year college. After high school, she focused on acting and moved to Los Angeles. Like many working actors, she learned on the job through auditions, small parts and then a big breakout role.
Her story is a good reminder that there is more than one path to a creative career.
Madison Bailey Family: Parents, Adoption and Siblings
Madison’s family story is a big part of who she is.
Parents
Madison was adopted. Her adoptive parents are Alex Bailey and Mary Katherine (Kat) Bailey. Some websites describe her father as a businessman and her mother as a homemaker, but these job details come from fan sites and are not confirmed.
Siblings
She grew up in a large family and is the youngest of her siblings. Websites disagree on the exact number. Some say she has six older siblings, while others say seven siblings in total. Several of her siblings also joined the family through adoption.
Because the numbers do not match, the safest way to say it is this: Madison is the youngest in a big family with multiple siblings.
Talking About Adoption and Identity
Madison has spoken publicly about growing up as a Black child adopted by white parents in a small Southern town. She has shared that this shaped how she thinks about identity, belonging and representation. Many fans say her openness has helped them feel less alone.
Madison Bailey Career
The Early Years: Constantine (2015)
Madison began her acting career at about 16 with a small part in the NBC supernatural drama Constantine. It was a short role, but it opened the door to more auditions.
In the following years, she took on small parts in other television projects. Some websites list titles such as Two Roads, though details on these early credits are limited. Like most young actors, she spent a few years building her resume before her big break.
The Big Break: Outer Banks (2020)
In April 2020, Netflix released Outer Banks, and Madison’s life changed. She plays Kiara Carrera, the daughter of a wealthy family who chooses to hang out with her friends from the poorer side of town.
The show follows a group of teens known as the Pogues as they hunt for lost treasure while dealing with rich rivals, family secrets and danger. The main cast includes:
- Chase Stokes as John B
- Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron
- Rudy Pankow as JJ
- Jonathan Daviss as Pope
- Madison Bailey as Kiara
The series became one of Netflix’s most popular teen dramas and returned for more seasons. Madison’s character grew from a supporting friend into a central part of the story, and many fans now call Kie the heart of the Pogues.
Social Media Fame
Madison’s fame spread far beyond the show. She is active on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares behind-the-scenes clips, fashion looks, travel moments and funny videos with her castmates. That online presence turned her into a social media influencer as well as an actress.
What Comes Next?
As Outer Banks continues and ends its run, Madison is expected to branch out into new film and television roles. Her growing fan base, her fashion work and her brand partnerships all suggest she has plenty of room to grow.
Madison Bailey Height, Weight and Appearance
Fans search for Madison Bailey’s height more than almost anything else. Here is the answer.
Most sources list her height as 5 feet 8 inches (about 173 cm). One older wiki page lists her as 5 feet 3 inches, but that number appears to be an outlier and does not match most other reports or her look next to castmates on screen.
Some fan sites also publish body measurements and weight. These numbers are guesses and have never been confirmed by Madison herself, so we do not repeat them here. What is clear is that she has a tall, athletic look, dark hair and a bright smile that is easy to spot at premieres and on red carpets.
Madison Bailey Boyfriend or Girlfriend: Who Is She Dating?
This is the part where most websites get confused, so let us clear it up.
Why So Many Sites Say “JJ Hawkins”
Older articles claim that Madison’s boyfriend is a man named JJ or “JJ Hawkins.” There is no solid evidence for this. A likely reason for the mix-up is that her Outer Banks character, Kiara, has a romance with another character named JJ (played by Rudy Pankow). Some writers appear to have mixed up the fictional love story with real life.
In real life, Madison and Rudy are close friends and castmates, not a couple.
Madison Bailey and Mariah Linney
Madison is openly part of the LGBTQ+ community. Recent reports say she has been dating Mariah Linney, and some sources say the two have been together since around 2020. The two have shared photos together on social media, and fans often cheer them on.
So if you searched for Madison Bailey’s boyfriend, the most accurate answer is that she is publicly known to be in a relationship with a woman, Mariah Linney. As with any celebrity relationship, details can change, so it is wise to check her official Instagram for the newest updates.
Madison Bailey Net Worth
How much is Madison Bailey worth? The honest answer is that nobody knows the exact figure, and estimates vary a lot.
| Source type | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Older fan wikis (2020 to 2023) | $500,000 to $1.5 million |
| Updated 2026 profiles | $2 million to $3 million |
The higher number makes sense for 2026 because her income has grown over time. Here is where her money likely comes from:
- Acting: Pay from multiple seasons of Outer Banks and other projects.
- Brand deals: Partnerships with fashion and beauty brands.
- Social media: Sponsored posts on Instagram and TikTok.
- Appearances: Events, interviews and press tours.
Keep in mind that net worth figures for celebrities are estimates, not official numbers. A fair way to describe her wealth is a few million dollars, with a likely range of $2 to $3 million as of 2026.
Fun Facts About Madison Bailey
- She started acting professionally at about 16 years old.
- She shared music videos on YouTube as a kid.
- She is the youngest in a large adoptive family.
- She moved from North Carolina to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
- Her birthday is January 29, and she is an Aquarius.
- She is active on Instagram and TikTok and has a big young fan base.
- Her friendship with the Outer Banks cast is a favorite topic among fans.
Madison Bailey FAQs
How old is Madison Bailey?
Madison Bailey was born on January 29, 1999, so she is 27 years old as of October 2026.
How tall is Madison Bailey?
Most reliable sources list her height as 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm).
What is Madison Bailey net worth?
Her estimated net worth in 2026 is around $2 to $3 million, though older sites list lower numbers.
Who is Madison Bailey’s boyfriend?
She does not have a publicly known boyfriend. The “JJ Hawkins” claim appears to be a mix-up with her character’s storyline. She is reported to be dating Mariah Linney.
Is Madison Bailey married?
No. There are no credible reports that Madison Bailey is married.
Where is Madison Bailey from?
She was born and raised in Kernersville, North Carolina, and later moved to Los Angeles for her career.
What is Madison Bailey famous for?
She is best known for playing Kiara Carrera in the Netflix series Outer Banks.
Who are Madison Bailey’s parents?
Her adoptive parents are Alex Bailey and Mary Katherine Bailey.
Where did Madison Bailey go to school?
She attended East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, North Carolina.
Final Thoughts
Madison Bailey’s story is more than a Netflix success. She went from a small town in North Carolina to one of the best-known faces in teen television, all while speaking openly about adoption, identity and love.
To recap: she is 27, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, worth an estimated $2 to $3 million, and publicly dating Mariah Linney. She started with a small role in Constantine and became a star as Kiara in Outer Banks.