You’ve probably seen Madison Bailey as the fierce Kiara Carrera on Netflix’s Outer Banks, but the story behind the actress is just as compelling – off-screen, she’s become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ visibility, and in 2024 she added musician to her résumé. Here’s what we know about her life, relationships, and the diagnosis she’s turned into a platform for change.
Age: 26 (born January 29, 1999) ·
Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m) ·
Ethnicity: Biracial (African-American and white) ·
Birthplace: Kernersville, North Carolina, USA ·
Known For: Outer Banks (2020–present) ·
Instagram Followers: 8 million
Quick snapshot
- Born January 29, 1999 in Kernersville, North Carolina (IMDb (industry database))
- Plays Kiara Carrera on Outer Banks since 2020 (IMDb)
- Height 5’6″ (1.68 m) (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Identifies as pansexual (came out 2021) (Entertainment Tonight (celebrity news outlet))
- Exact details of past relationships — no reliable public records (Entertainment Tonight)
- Net worth — not officially verified (Wikipedia)
- Future career plans beyond Outer Banks and music (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade))
- 2018: First major role on Black Lightning (IMDb)
- June 2021: Publicly came out as pansexual via TikTok (Entertainment Tonight)
- 2022: Revealed borderline personality disorder diagnosis (Entertainment Tonight)
- 2024: Released debut single “The Grey” (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Outer Banks season 4 expected with “different pairings” (E! News (celebrity news))
- Continued music career — debut single already out (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Ongoing mental health advocacy (Entertainment Tonight)
Eight key facts at a glance, from her biracial background to her public diagnosis.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Madison Lilly Bailey |
| Date of Birth | January 29, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Kernersville, North Carolina, USA |
| Height | 5’6″ (1.68 m) |
| Ethnicity | Biracial (African-American and white) |
| Profession | Actress, producer |
| Known For | Outer Banks (Kiara Carrera) |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship with Mariah Linney |
| Sexual Orientation | Pansexual |
| Diagnosis | Borderline Personality Disorder |
Who is Madison Bailey in a relationship with?
Madison Bailey’s girlfriend Mariah Linney
- Madison Bailey is currently in a relationship with Mariah Linney, a former UNC basketball player (Entertainment Tonight (celebrity news outlet)).
- The relationship became public in 2022 (Elite Daily).
- Linney played college basketball at UNC Chapel Hill (ESPN (sports authority)).
How they met
Bailey has shared in interviews that they met through mutual friends and bonded over shared interests. In a 2022 Entertainment Tonight interview, she described Linney as a grounding presence in her life.
Relationship timeline
- 2022: Confirmed relationship publicly via social media and interviews (Elite Daily).
- 2023–present: The couple regularly appears together at events and on social media, with Bailey crediting Linney for support through her mental health journey.
The pattern: Bailey’s relationship with Linney has become a stable anchor in her public narrative, especially as she navigates the pressures of fame and BPD management.
Who is Madison Bailey’s ex?
Madison Bailey’s previous relationships
Bailey has been private about her dating history. She has mentioned dating a basketball player before Linney, but the person’s name has not been confirmed in reliable sources (Entertainment Tonight).
Ex-basketball player girlfriend
In a 2022 interview, Bailey alluded to a past relationship with a female basketball player, but she did not share identifying details. The breakup she described as amicable, and she maintains that the specifics are private (Entertainment Tonight).
What this means: Bailey carefully guards her privacy around past relationships, preferring to let her current partnership define her public love life.
What is Madison Bailey’s diagnosis?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Bailey turned a clinical label into a catalyst for advocacy — by speaking openly, she gives young fans a vocabulary for their own struggles without shame.
- Bailey was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder around age 17 (Entertainment Tonight).
- She said the diagnosis gave her a word other than “crazy” to describe what she was experiencing (Entertainment Tonight).
- She manages BPD using meditation and crystals (The Mighty (patient community platform)).
Her public revelation
Bailey publicly disclosed her BPD in a 2022 interview with People, saying she was finally comfortable talking about it. She also discussed how acting provides an escape: “It’s easier to be somebody else” (Entertainment Tonight).
Impact on her life and advocacy
Bailey has become a mental health advocate, working with organizations to destigmatize BPD. In 2024, The Hollywood Reporter noted that she continues to embrace being “unapologetically queer” and uses her platform to normalize mental health conversations.
The implication: By pairing her diagnosis with public candor, Bailey has built a reputation as an authentic voice — and a role model beyond her TV character.
Does Madison Bailey have a child?
Answer: No
Madison Bailey does not have any children (IMDb). She has not publicly discussed plans for parenthood, and no public records indicate she is a parent.
Her stance on parenthood
When asked in an interview about family planning, Bailey said she is focused on her career and relationship for now. She hasn’t offered further details (The Hollywood Reporter).
The trade-off: For a young star balancing fame, mental health, and a new music career, children don’t appear to be on the immediate horizon.
Is Madison pansexual?
Coming out as pansexual
By publicly identifying as pansexual, Bailey gave millions of young fans permission to explore a label that rejects binary thinking — and she felt “lighter” for it.
- Madison Bailey came out as pansexual in a June 2021 TikTok video (Entertainment Tonight).
- She described the label as loving people regardless of gender (Entertainment Tonight).
- Bailey noted she had always been open about her sexuality but only recently understood the term pansexual (Entertainment Tonight).
Definition of pansexuality
Pansexuality means attraction to people of all genders and gender identities. Bailey has explained that for her, gender isn’t a deciding factor — connection is (Elite Daily).
Advocacy and representation
Since coming out, Bailey has used Pride events and social media to promote LGBTQ+ visibility. In 2024, The Hollywood Reporter quoted her as embracing being “unapologetically queer” and speaking about the importance of representation both on screen and in real life.
The pattern: Bailey’s pansexual identity isn’t just a personal fact — it’s a pillar of her public advocacy, woven into the same authentic voice she uses to discuss BPD.
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place (IMDb, Wikipedia)
- Height and ethnicity (Wikipedia)
- Role in Outer Banks (IMDb)
- Pansexual identity (Entertainment Tonight)
- Relationship with Mariah Linney (Entertainment Tonight)
- Borderline personality disorder diagnosis (Entertainment Tonight)
What’s unclear
- Exact details of previous relationships (no reliable public sources)
- Net worth (not publicly verified)
- Future career plans beyond Outer Banks and music
- Parents’ identities and family background (private)
- Debut single “The Grey” (2024) – not yet independently corroborated
- No children – absence of evidence, not definitive
Quotes from Madison Bailey
“I’m pansexual. I don’t really care about gender. I just connect with people.”
— Madison Bailey to Entertainment Tonight, 2021
“I have borderline personality disorder. It’s something that I’ve struggled with for a while and I’m finally comfortable talking about it.”
— Madison Bailey to Entertainment Tonight, 2022
Bailey has said that acting helps her on difficult days because it’s easier to be somebody else (Entertainment Tonight). She also described feeling “lighter and happier” after coming out publicly (Elite Daily).
Bailey’s willingness to share her diagnosis and sexuality has turned her into a touchstone for a generation seeking authenticity. For the 8 million Instagram followers who watch her every move, the takeaway is clear: being open about who you are — even when it’s hard — builds a bond that no scripted role can match.
lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org, yahoo.com, instagram.com, brit.co, youtube.com, facebook.com, elitedaily.com
For a deeper look into Madison Baileys personal journey, including her openness about borderline personality disorder, this article provides additional context.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Madison Bailey?
She was born on January 29, 1999, making her 26 years old as of 2025 (IMDb).
What is Madison Bailey’s height?
She is 5’6″ (1.68 m) (Wikipedia).
Where was Madison Bailey born?
She was born in Kernersville, North Carolina, USA (IMDb).
What is Madison Bailey’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly verified. Estimates vary widely and no official source confirms a figure.
Is Madison Bailey on Instagram?
Yes, she has over 8 million followers on Instagram under the handle @madisonbailey (Instagram (official account)).
What is Madison Bailey’s role in Outer Banks?
She plays Kiara “Kie” Carrera, a central member of the Pogues friend group, since the show’s premiere in 2020 (IMDb).
Does Madison Bailey have siblings?
She has not publicly shared information about siblings. Her family background is kept private (Wikipedia).
What is Madison Bailey’s zodiac sign?
Born January 29, she is an Aquarius (Wikipedia).
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.