Bailee Madison

Bailee Madison Riley, born on October 15, 1999, is an accomplished American actress and singer. She garnered early acclaim for her portrayal of May Belle Aarons in the fantasy drama "Bridge to Terabithia" (2007), marking the beginning of her successful acting career. Madison further solidified her place in the industry with notable roles such as Isabelle in the war drama "Brothers" (2009), Sally Hurst in the horror film "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" (2010), and Maggie in the romantic comedy "Just Go with It" (2011).


Her versatility as an actress is evident in her diverse range of roles, including Harper Simmons in the comedy "Parental Guidance" (2012), Ida Clayton in the family film "Cowgirls 'n Angels" (2012), and Clementine in the fantasy film "Northpole" (2014). Madison also showcased her talent in the slasher film "The Strangers: Prey at Night" (2018) and the Netflix film "A Week Away" (2021), portraying Kinsey and Avery, respectively.


In addition to her success on the big screen, Madison has made significant contributions to television. She appeared as Maxine Russo in the fantasy sitcom "Wizards of Waverly Place" (2011), young Snow White in the fantasy drama series "Once Upon a Time" (2012–2016), and Hillary Harrison in the sitcom "Trophy Wife" (2013–2014). Madison's role as Sophia Quinn in the drama series "The Fosters" (2014–2016) further showcased her acting prowess.


From 2015 to 2021, Madison starred as Grace Russell in the Hallmark Channel comedy-drama series "Good Witch," earning widespread acclaim for her performance. In 2022, she embarked on a new role as Imogen Adams in the horror thriller series "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin," a spinoff of the popular series "Pretty Little Liars."
Throughout her career, Bailee Madison Riley has captivated audiences with her talent, versatility, and dedication to her craft, establishing herself as a prominent figure in both film and television.

Bailee Madison was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as the youngest of seven children. She grew up in a bustling household with four brothers and two sisters. Interestingly, her older sister, Kaitlin Vilasuso, also pursued a career in acting. Bailee's mother, Patricia Riley, supported her endeavors from the start.


Bailee's journey into the entertainment industry began at a remarkably young age. At just two weeks old, she made her debut in an Office Depot commercial. From there, she embarked on a successful career in commercials, landing roles in national ad campaigns for renowned companies such as Disney, SeaWorld, and Cadillac.


In addition to her acting pursuits, Bailee is passionate about using her platform for good. She serves as a national youth spokesperson for the childhood-cancer charity Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, dedicating her time and efforts to raising awareness and funds for this important cause. Through her work both on and off the screen, Bailee Madison continues to inspire and make a positive impact on the world around her.

In 2010, Bailee Madison took on her first leading role in the supernatural horror film "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark." Starring alongside Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, Madison portrayed the character of Sally Hurst, a lonely and withdrawn child sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend. The film received positive reviews, with Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praising it as "a very good haunted house film" and highlighting Madison's performance as a standout element.


Transitioning to television, Madison joined the cast of the TV sitcom "Trophy Wife" in 2013, playing the role of Hillary. She later took on the recurring role of Sophia Quinn in the ABC Family drama "The Fosters" in 2014. That same year, she began her portrayal of Grace Russell, the daughter of Cassie Nightingale, in the Hallmark series "Good Witch," a role she continued until the end of the fifth season in 2019.


In 2017, Madison's involvement was announced in an adaptation of Rachel Bateman's novel "Someone Else's Summer." The project showcased her versatility as an actress and expanded her repertoire.
Continuing her film career, Madison starred as Kinsey, a rebellious child, in the 2018 slasher film "The Strangers: Prey at Night." Alongside Christina Hendricks and Martin Henderson, she delivered a compelling performance that garnered praise, despite the mixed critical reception of the film. Additionally, "The Strangers: Prey at Night" achieved relative success at the box office, further solidifying Madison's standing in the industry.


In 2021, Bailee Madison took on the female lead role in the teen Christian musical drama "A Week Away," co-starring alongside Kevin Quinn. The film was released by Netflix on March 26th, garnering attention for its heartfelt storyline and engaging performances.
The following year, in 2022, Madison portrayed Imogen Adams in the HBO Max horror-thriller series "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin," a spin-off of the popular "Pretty Little Liars" franchise. Her performance received critical acclaim, further establishing her versatility as an actress.
In 2024, Madison expanded her creative pursuits by signing a deal with Red Van Records. She released her debut single titled "Kinda Fun" on January 12th, marking her official entry into the music industry. This venture showcases her multifaceted talents and signals an exciting new chapter in her career trajectory.

References

1.  "Bailee Madison celebrates her 13th birthday on October 20, 2012 in..." Getty Images. October 21, 2012.
2. ^ "Bailee Madison". Issue Magazine. Retrieved October 10, 2019. Where are you from? I was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida! I grew up in a town called Lauderdale by the Sea, and I still go home whenever I can.
3. ^ "Bailee Madison Talks To Us About Growing Up In South Florida, Her Career And More". Fort Lauderdale Daily. Archived from the original on October 16, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
4. ^ "Children in Film". Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
5. ^ Stacey Harrison (December 9, 2011). "Bailee Madison returns to The Hub's "Haunting Hour" with "Scarecrow"". channelguidemag.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
6. ^ I Am Second. "I Am Second Bailee Madison – Child Actress". youtube.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
7. ^ "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
8. ^ "Bailee Madison Trophy Wife". IGN. September 9, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
9. ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 3, 2019). "Good Witch Twist: Bailee Madison Exits Ahead of Just-Ordered Season 6". Archived from the original on July 3, 2019.
10. ^ McNary, Dave (May 5, 2017). "Bailee Madison to Star in 'Someone Else's Summer' Movie Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE)". Retrieved May 29, 2018.
11. ^ "Review – Strangers: Prey at Night is Why Some Films Don't Need Sequels". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. March 9, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
12. ^ "Film Review: The Strangers: Prey at Night is a Quick, Bloody Slasher Throwback". Consequence of Sound. March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
13. ^ DelRosario, Alexandra (July 27, 2021). "'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin' Sets Bailee Madison To Star In HBO Max Reboot". Deadline. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
14. ^ "Signed: 'Pretty Little Liars' Star Bailee Madison Inks Record Deal with Red van; Graham Barham to Sony Nashville". Billboard.