Bailee Madison
Discover the journey of Bailee Madison — American actress, singer, and producer born October 15, 1999. Explore her early start, breakout roles, TV & film work, and her evolution into mature and musical ambitions.
Introduction
Bailee Madison (born October 15, 1999) is an American actress, singer, and producer whose career began in early childhood and has matured into a versatile portfolio of roles in film and television. Starting as a child performer, she has steadily transitioned into more complex characters in dramas, fantasy, horror, and series work. Her trajectory illustrates how early success, adaptability, and ambition can sustain a long-term career in entertainment.
Early Life & Background
Bailee Madison was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kaitlin Vilasuso (née Riley) is also an actress.
Her entry into performing was extremely early: she appeared in a commercial (for Office Depot) when she was just two weeks old.
Career & Breakthroughs
Film Debut & Early Success
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Her film debut was in Bridge to Terabithia (2007), where she played May Belle Aarons.
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She gained wider attention with Brothers (2009), in which she played Isabelle Cahill, and earned a Critics’ Choice Movie Award nomination for Best Young Performer.
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Madison continued with roles in films like Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (2010) as Sally Hurst, and starred in Just Go With It (2011) as Maggie Murphy.
Transition to Television & Diverse Roles
Over time, Madison expanded into television and roles with more emotional and narrative depth:
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She had recurring or guest roles in shows such as The Haunting Hour, Once Upon a Time (young Snow White), The Fosters, and Trophy Wife.
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From 2015 to 2021, she portrayed Grace Russell on the Hallmark series Good Witch.
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More recently, she starred as Imogen Adams in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (2022 onward), a horror / thriller TV series, marking a shift to more mature, darker roles.
Other Creative Ventures
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In 2018, Madison co-wrote her debut novel Losing Brave (a YA psychological thriller) with Stefne Miller.
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She also co-hosts a podcast, Just Between Us, with her sister Kaitlin.
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In 2024, she made a move into music: she released her first single, “Kinda Fun.”
Style, Strengths & Evolution
Bailee Madison exhibits several traits that have sustained her career:
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Versatility: From child roles to fantasy drama, comedic films to horror, and both film and series work, she adapts across genres.
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Emotional maturity in roles: Her later roles, especially in Original Sin, show more complexity, darkness, and psychological nuance.
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Creative ambition: Beyond acting, she is branching into writing, producing, and music — signaling a multi-pronged creative identity.
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Public engagement: She balances public life (interviews, social media presence) with personal growth, often reflecting on faith, authenticity, and humility. (See her interviews about Original Sin and career trajectory.)
Selected Filmography & Highlights
Here are some key works in Bailee Madison’s career:
| Year / Medium | Title | Role / Notes | |||||||||||||||
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| 2007 | Bridge to Terabithia | May Belle Aarons | 2009 | Brothers | Isabelle Cahill (critics’ nomination) | 2010 | Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark | Sally Hurst | 2011 | Just Go With It | Maggie Murphy | 2015–2021 | Good Witch (TV series) | Grace Russell | 2022 – present | Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin | Imogen Adams
Challenges & Public PerceptionTransitioning from child actor to adult roles is notoriously difficult in entertainment. Madison’s successful shift into more mature and darker storylines (e.g., horror / thriller) indicates resilience and careful career planning. Her willingness to explore new creative domains (writing, podcasting, music) also helps her avoid being typecast solely as a former child star. She has generally maintained a positive public image, expressing gratitude, faith, and humility in interviews. Lessons & Takeaways
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