It feels like just yesterday we were watching a tiny, wide-eyed girl break our hearts in Bridge to Terabithia. But if you’ve seen her lately leading the charge in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin or heard her new music, you know that little girl is long gone. So, how old is Bailee Madison exactly? As of right now in early 2026, Bailee Madison is 26 years old.
She was born on October 15, 1999, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It’s wild to think about, but she’s basically been working since she was two weeks old. Yeah, you read that right. Two weeks. Her first "gig" was an Office Depot commercial, and she hasn't really stopped for air since.
Why Everyone Is Asking How Old Is Bailee Madison Right Now
The reason people keep Googling her age is because she has one of those faces that hasn’t changed much, yet her roles have shifted dramatically. We spent years seeing her as the "go-to" younger version of every major actress. Remember when she played a young Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) in Once Upon a Time? Or when she played the younger version of Hilary Swank in Conviction?
Because she stayed in that "younger version" niche for so long, it's a bit of a shock to realize she’s well into her twenties. She’s not just the kid sister anymore; she’s a producer, a singer, and a "Final Girl" in the horror genre.
The Timeline of a Lifelong Career
To really get why her age is such a talking point, you have to look at the sheer volume of work she’s squeezed into 26 years. Most people her age are just getting their footing in a career. Bailee, honestly, has the resume of a 50-year-old veteran.
- The Early Years (Ages 7-12): This was the Bridge to Terabithia (2007) and Brothers (2009) era. When she was only 10, she was holding her own in scenes with Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire. That’s not normal. She was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award before she could even see a PG-13 movie without a parent.
- The Hallmark Transition (Ages 15-19): For a long time, she was the face of Good Witch on Hallmark. She played Grace Russell for years. This era solidified her "girl next door" image, making it even harder for audiences to imagine her growing up.
- The Rebrand (Ages 21-Present): In 2022, when she was 22, she took on the role of Imogen Adams in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. This was a turning point. Dealing with dark, mature themes and teenage pregnancy on screen was a loud signal that the child-star era was officially over.
Is She Related to Madison Bailey?
Here’s a fun bit of confusion that happens all the time: people mix her up with Madison Bailey from Outer Banks. Despite the names being nearly identical flips of each other, they aren't related. Madison Bailey is actually a few months older than Bailee, born in January 1999. It’s just one of those weird Hollywood coincidences that keeps the search engines busy.
The "Child Star" Trap and How She Escaped It
Usually, when we talk about how old a former child star is, there’s a bit of "where are they now" sadness involved. Not here. Bailee Madison is one of the few who managed to transition without a public meltdown or a complete career stall.
She’s been very open about the struggles, though. In recent interviews, she’s talked about the burnout that comes with being on set since infancy. Imagine not remembering a time when you weren't "on." By the age of 12, she had more credits than most actors get in a lifetime. That kind of pressure is heavy.
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Expanding into Music and Producing
At 26, Bailee isn't just waiting for the phone to ring. She’s making the calls. She’s moved into producing—working on projects like A Week Away for Netflix—and has even started releasing her own music. If you haven't heard "Kinda Fun" or "Chiller," they're a massive departure from her Hallmark days. It’s synth-pop, it’s edgy, and it’s very much the sound of someone who finally knows who they are outside of a script.
What's Next for Bailee Madison?
Now that she's firmly established in her mid-twenties, the "how old is Bailee Madison" question will probably shift toward what she’s doing behind the camera. She’s expressed a lot of interest in directing and continuing to produce content that she actually cares about, rather than just taking every role that comes her way.
She’s also been in a long-term relationship with Blake Richardson (from the band New Hope Club) since 2019. They’ve basically grown up together in the spotlight, which, in Hollywood years, makes them a "veteran" couple at this point.
Key Takeaways for Fans:
- Current Age: 26 (Born October 15, 1999).
- Career Length: 25+ years (started at 2 weeks old).
- Major Current Project: Pretty Little Liars franchise and her music career.
- Defining Feature: One of the most successful transitions from child star to adult actor in the industry today.
If you’re looking to keep up with her latest moves, the best place is honestly her Instagram or her music releases on Spotify. She’s moved past the era of being "the kid from that one movie" and is now a multifaceted creator in her own right. Watching where she goes in her late twenties is going to be a lot more interesting than just looking back at her childhood roles.
Check out her latest singles on streaming platforms to see how much her "vibe" has evolved since her Disney and Hallmark days.