Bailee Madison Bio
Bailee Madison (born October 15, 1999) is an American actress and singer who began her entertainment career as a child and has since expanded into mature roles across film, television, and music. She made an early screen impression with Bridge to Terabithia (2007) and gained wider recognition for Brothers (2009) and the supernatural horror film Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (2010), later becoming a regular presence on television series including Trophy Wife, The Fosters, Good Witch, and Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.
Early Life and Background
Bailee Madison was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Patricia Riley Williams and Daniel Hotte. She is the youngest of seven children and has an elder half sister, Kaitlin Vilasuso, who also works as an actress; family details identify Jordi Vilasuso as a brother-in-law. Madison holds United States citizenship and was introduced to acting and commercial work at an early age.
Her early exposure to the entertainment industry included national commercials and early onscreen work that set the stage for a transition to film and television. Public accounts note sustained involvement in acting from childhood into adolescence, with screen roles that developed as she matured.
Path to Celebrity
Madison moved from commercials and guest appearances into feature film with her screen debut in Bridge to Terabithia (2007). That role led to established supporting work, including the drama Brothers (2009), which brought broader attention to her dramatic range. Her first leading film role arrived with the supernatural horror Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (2010), where she portrayed Sally Hurst opposite established actors.
Television appearances and recurring parts followed, including episodic work and roles on family and network series. These early achievements created a steady career trajectory from child performer to a versatile screen actor able to take on drama, comedy, and horror projects.
Bailee Madison Career
Early Career (2005–2011)
Across the mid to late 2000s Madison built a film résumé that combined family drama and genre work. After Bridge to Terabithia (2007), she appeared in Brothers (2009) and moved into a leading role in Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (2010), showcasing an aptitude for emotionally complex and suspenseful material. These projects paired Madison with high-profile casts and introduced her to national audiences.
During this period she also began appearing on television in guest and recurring roles, gaining experience in sitcoms and family dramas. Early television exposure complemented her film work and helped establish Madison as a reliable young performer across formats.
Good Witch Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Madison joined the Hallmark series Good Witch in 2015 portraying Grace Russell, the on-screen daughter of Cassie Nightingale. She remained with the series through multiple seasons and contributed to the family-oriented storyline that became one of her longest-running television commitments. Her tenure on Good Witch reinforced her recognition with audiences who follow long-form network and cable series.
The role allowed Madison to balance recurring television work with film projects and to develop a steady television presence that lasted through the later 2010s. Her time on the series is often noted as a span of sustained, high-visibility television work.
Television and Film Variety (2012–2021)
Between 2012 and 2021 Madison worked across a range of television series and films. She appeared on series including Once Upon a Time and Trophy Wife, and she held a recurring role on The Fosters. In film she expanded into thriller and slasher material with a notable part in The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018), and she played the female lead in the Netflix musical drama A Week Away (2021), demonstrating a comfort with both dramatic and musical performance.
These choices illustrate a deliberate move into a broader set of genres and formats, allowing Madison to evolve from child roles into sustained adult work across streaming and network platforms.
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Era (2022–2024)
Madison received renewed critical attention for her portrayal of Imogen Adams in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, the HBO Max series that continued the franchise into a new generation. Her performance in the series drew notice from reviewers and returned her to serialized, high-profile television drama. The project marked a significant point in her transition to adult dramatic roles with genre elements.
Her involvement in the series helped reintroduce Madison to a wide streaming audience and aligned her career with contemporary serialized storytelling. The role highlighted her capability in ensemble drama and horror-tinged narratives.
Current Career Era (2022–Present)
In recent years Madison has combined television work with music initiatives and select film roles. In 2021 she led the Netflix musical A Week Away, and in 2024 she moved into recorded music with the release of the single “Kinda Fun” and an announced association with Red Van Records. These developments indicate a multi-disciplinary trajectory that includes acting, singing, and public engagements beyond scripted performance.
Madison continues to take on projects in film and television while developing a public music profile. Her recent output suggests a focus on both screen roles and recorded material as complementary elements of her career.
Acting Style and Strengths
Madison’s screen work is characterized by emotional clarity and versatility across family drama, horror, and comedy. She brings grounded performances to genre material, often balancing vulnerability with composure, and has shown adaptability moving between lead and strong supporting parts. Directors and co-stars have repeatedly cast her in roles that require both childlike vulnerability and adult restraint.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include Madison’s early film debut, leading role in Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, a multi-season presence on Good Witch, and a prominent role in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. She has also extended her public profile through published work and advocacy: a young-adult novel co-written with Stefne Miller and a long-term national youth spokesperson role for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Bailee Madison Family
Family Background and Entertainment Lineage
Madison comes from a large family and is the youngest of seven siblings. Her mother is Patricia Riley Williams and her father is Daniel Hotte. Her half sister, Kaitlin Vilasuso, works as an actress and co-hosts projects with Madison, creating a sibling collaboration in media and podcasts.
Personal Life
Madison has been in a public relationship with Blake Richardson of the band New Hope Club since 2019. Public accounts also note her support of the English soccer club Manchester United and ongoing involvement with charitable causes focused on pediatric cancer awareness and fundraising.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2024 Madison expanded into music with released singles and a record association, while maintaining film and television work that includes recent high-profile serialized drama. The available information does not list specific announced projects for 2025, but her recorded music releases and continuing television visibility suggest she remains active across both disciplines.
Prospective activity in 2025 is likely to build on her recent music releases and established screen roles; however, no confirmed 2025 projects were listed in the provided sources at the time of this profile.