Madison Bailey: Partner, Diagnosis, Age, and Outer Banks Facts

Madison Bailey’s name keeps popping up on your feed for a reason—she’s the actress behind Kiara Carrera on Netflix’s Outer Banks, and she’s been open about her personal life in ways that resonate with millions. She came out as pansexual in 2020 and has spoken publicly about living with borderline personality disorder.

Age: 26 (born January 29, 1999) ·
Known for: Outer Banks (Netflix) ·
Instagram followers: 8 million+ ·
Sexual orientation: Pansexual ·
Diagnosis: Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

The snapshot above surfaces the key facts and gaps about Bailey, which the sections below explore in more depth.

Who is Madison Bailey in a relationship with?

Current partner Mariah Linney

• Madison Bailey has been in a relationship with Mariah Linney since 2020, as confirmed by social media posts and multiple interviews (ELLE).
• Linney is a former basketball player at UNC Charlotte, now living with Bailey in Los Angeles (Entertainment Tonight).
• The couple went Instagram official in June 2020 (The List).

Relationship timeline since 2020

• Bailey and Linney have been together for over five years, frequently appearing together at events and on social media (Capital FM).
• They live together in Los Angeles and share a dog, according to Bailey’s Instagram posts.

Public appearances and social media

• The couple attended the Outer Banks season 3 premiere together in 2023.
• Bailey often posts about Linney, calling her “my person.”

Is Madison Bailey pansexual?

Definition of pansexuality

• Pansexuality means attraction to people regardless of gender identity. Bailey has used the term in her own words.

Madison Bailey’s public identification

• In 2020, Bailey posted a TikTok video stating “I am pansexual,” which was widely reported (ELLE).
• She has consistently identified as LGBTQ+ in interviews since then.

Impact on her career

• Bailey has said she feels “lucky” to work in an industry that’s becoming more accepting, but she also acknowledges the pressure of being a visible queer actress (Entertainment Tonight).

The pattern: authenticity comes with trade-offs.

What is Madison Bailey’s diagnosis?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

• Bailey has borderline personality disorder, a condition characterized by emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and relationship challenges (Entertainment Tonight).
• She was diagnosed around age 17, according to both ELLE and The List; a Wikipedia entry notes the diagnosis came at around age 18, showing some source variation (Wikipedia).

She began speaking about it in 2021

• In a 2021 interview with Nylon, Bailey opened up about living with BPD and how it affects her daily life.
• She has since used her platform to reduce stigma around mental health (Entertainment Tonight).

How she manages symptoms

• Bailey has said she uses therapy, medication, and practices like meditation and crystals to cope (The Mighty).
• She credits her partner Mariah Linney with being a stabilising force.

Who is Madison Bailey’s ex?

Past relationships

• Bailey has not publicly named any ex-partners before Mariah Linney. She has said she prefers to keep her dating history private.
• Some unverified social media speculation suggests she may have dated a few people in high school, but no confirmed information exists.

Known ex-partners

• No named ex-partners have been reported in reliable sources.

Privacy around earlier dating

• Bailey has stated that she values her privacy and does not feel the need to share every chapter of her life publicly.

The pattern: Bailey’s transparency about her current relationship contrasts with her silence about the past. That boundary is deliberate.

Does Madison Bailey have a child?

No children

• Madison Bailey does not have any children. She has never mentioned being a parent in any interview or social media post.

Focus on career and relationship

• Bailey is focused on her acting career, producing projects, and her relationship with Mariah Linney. She has not indicated any immediate plans for children.

Future family plans

• In a 2023 interview, Bailey said she “might want kids one day” but is in no rush.

Is Madison Bailey related to Zendaya?

No family relation

• Madison Bailey is not related to Zendaya. They are both actresses, but there is no family connection (Capital FM).

Internet rumor origins

• The rumor may stem from the fact that both have curly hair and similar facial features, and that both are young actresses of color. No evidence supports a biological relationship.

Differences between the two

• Zendaya is a Grammy-winning singer and Emmy-winning actress; Bailey is primarily known for one Netflix series. Their careers are at different stages.

The implication: This is a classic internet rumor that has no factual basis. Fans can dismiss it.

How old is Madison Bailey and what is her background?

Age and birthday

• Madison Bailey was born on January 29, 1999, making her 26 years old as of 2025 (IMDb).

Ethnicity

• Bailey’s ethnic background is African-American, Italian, and Native American, according to multiple sources (ELLE).

Birthplace: North Carolina

• She was born in Kernersville, North Carolina, and raised in the state (Spanish Wikipedia). She is the youngest of seven siblings.

Timeline

• 1999: Born January 29 in North Carolina.
• 2018: Appeared on Black Lightning.
• 2020: Outer Banks premieres on Netflix; came out as pansexual; began dating Mariah Linney.
• 2021: Publicly discussed BPD diagnosis in interviews.
• 2025: Continues acting in Outer Banks season 4+ and other projects.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Madison Bailey is pansexual.
• She has borderline personality disorder.
• She is in a relationship with Mariah Linney since 2020.
• She has no children.
• She is not related to Zendaya.
• She was born January 29, 1999.

What’s unclear

• Whether she has other ex-partners beyond what is publicly known.
• Exact future career moves beyond Outer Banks.
• Specific details of her BPD treatment regimen.

Quotes from Madison Bailey

“I am pansexual.”

— Madison Bailey, TikTok video, 2020 (ELLE)

“I have borderline personality disorder, and I’m not ashamed of it. I want people to know that it’s okay to talk about mental health.”

— Madison Bailey, Nylon interview, 2021 (Entertainment Tonight)

Madison Bailey’s willingness to speak openly about her identity and health has made her a trusted voice for young audiences. The pattern is clear: she uses her platform to normalize conversations that were once taboo.

Related reading

• Rain Spencer: Age, Relationship, Movies, and TV Shows
• Debby Ryan: DUI, Cameron Boyce Tribute, and Life Updates

For a deeper look into Madison Baileys personal journey, including her relationship with Mariah Linney and her openness about borderline personality disorder, this article covers all the key details.

Frequently asked questions