Madison Bailey was born on January 29, 1999, in Kernersville, North Carolina12. She was adopted into a large family, becoming the youngest of seven siblings, five of whom were also adopted through foster care1. Bailey grew up in a predominantly white household and community, which shaped her early experiences as a mixed-race individual1.

Bailey attended East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, where her interest in performing arts began to flourish1. It was during her freshman year that friends persuaded her to audition for the school musical, an experience that sparked her passion for acting3. Tragically, Bailey's adoptive mother passed away in 2018, leading her and two of her sisters to get memorial tattoos in her honor1. This loss occurred just as Bailey was beginning to navigate her emerging career in the entertainment industry.

Madison Bailey's journey to stardom began with a passion for singing, but stage fright redirected her path towards acting. From ages 5 to 12, Bailey dreamed of becoming a singer, but developed severe nervousness about performing in front of others1. This unexpected obstacle led her to explore acting as an alternative creative outlet.

At 15, Bailey reluctantly attended an acting class at her agent's suggestion and found it surprisingly liberating1. She discovered that acting provided a natural channel for her emotions and quickly gravitated towards it1. This pivotal moment set her on the path to her breakout role as Kiara in "Outer Banks," which catapulted her to fame. Despite her initial stage fright, Bailey hasn't completely abandoned her musical aspirations. She still enjoys singing privately and has even purchased recording equipment to explore music as a hobby1, demonstrating her ongoing passion for performing arts in various forms.

Madison Bailey's personal life has been marked by openness and advocacy. She was born in Kernersville, North Carolina, and was adopted into a family with six older siblings12. In 2020, Bailey publicly came out as pansexual and introduced her girlfriend, basketball player Mariah Linney, whom she met through TikTok13.

Bailey has been candid about her mental health, revealing her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder at age 173. She manages her condition through meditation, crystals, and self-awareness of her triggers3. Bailey's openness extends to her social media presence, where she shares aspects of her life with millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok14. Despite her rising fame, she remains close to her family and often expresses missing her hometown5.

Madison Bailey's journey of self-discovery has been shaped by her experience as a mixed-race individual adopted into a predominantly white family. Raised in Kernersville, North Carolina, Bailey is the youngest of seven siblings, five of whom were also adopted through foster care1. This unique upbringing has influenced her perspective on identity and representation in the entertainment industry.

Bailey has been open about the challenges of navigating her racial identity, particularly after moving away from her small hometown. She has spoken about the process of finding her footing and understanding how she is perceived when not standing with her adoptive parents2. This personal experience has informed her portrayal of Kiara in "Outer Banks," allowing her to bring authenticity to a character who also grapples with fitting in across different social groups3. Bailey's advocacy for mental health awareness, including her openness about her borderline personality disorder diagnosis, further demonstrates her commitment to using her platform to address important issues and promote understanding24.