If you’ve spent any time on the corner of the internet that obsesses over 2010s TV, you’ve definitely seen the side-by-side photos. One is an Australian star with a penchant for indie films; the other is a former child prodigy from Florida.
They look like twins. No, seriously.
The Maia Mitchell and Bailee Madison connection is one of those Hollywood rabbit holes that never quite goes away. It started as a "doppelganger" meme and eventually turned into a meta-joke on one of the most beloved family dramas of the last decade. But for those who still ask, "Wait, are they sisters?" the answer is a little more interesting than a simple yes or no.
The Fosters Casting That Broke the Internet
Back in 2014, The Fosters was already a massive hit on ABC Family (now Freeform). Maia Mitchell was the face of the show as Callie Jacob, the rebellious foster kid with a heart of gold. Then, the producers did something genius. They cast Bailee Madison as Sophia Quinn.
Sophia wasn't just a random character. She was Callie’s biological half-sister.
It was a brilliant bit of "casting to type." At the time, fans were already tweeting about how much the two looked alike. Maia even admitted in interviews that she’d seen Bailee in movies for years and thought, "Wow, that girl kinda looks like me."
When they finally shared a screen, the resemblance was uncanny. Same dark hair, same expressive eyes, and even similar facial structures. It wasn't just a physical thing, either. Both actresses have this specific, grounded energy that made the "biological sisters" plotline feel 100% believable.
The Cameo We All Missed in 2024
Fast forward about a decade. The Fosters has ended, and its spinoff, Good Trouble, is wrapping up its final season in early 2024. Long-time fans were desperate for closure on Callie’s story, especially regarding her relationship with Jamie Hunter.
During the engagement party episode, we got a surprise. Sophia Quinn appeared again.
Because Bailee Madison was busy filming Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, she couldn't be there in person. But she filmed a FaceTime cameo. The show even leaned into the joke, with characters making meta-comments about how much the two sisters looked alike. It was a "wink-and-a-nod" to the fans who had been following the lookalike theories since the mid-2010s.
Are Maia Mitchell and Bailee Madison Related in Real Life?
Honestly, no.
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Maia Mitchell is from Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. Bailee Madison is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They don't share a drop of DNA.
The confusion usually stems from how well they played sisters on screen. In Hollywood, "looking the part" is everything, and these two were the gold standard. They’ve actually become friends over the years, often posting together or supporting each other's projects. It’s a wholesome "work sisterhood" that fans frequently mistake for a real-life family tie.
The Career Paths of the "Twin" Stars
While their faces might be similar, their career trajectories have been quite different.
- Maia Mitchell has largely moved into more mature, indie-leaning roles. After leaving Good Trouble to move back to Australia during the pandemic, she took a break from the Hollywood grind. But she’s back in a big way. She currently stars as Lady Belle Fox in The Artful Dodger on Disney+, a period piece that lets her flex her actual Australian accent.
- Bailee Madison has taken the "scream queen" route. After years of being the "sweet kid" in movies like Bridge to Terabithia and Just Go With It, she’s now the lead in the Pretty Little Liars reboot. She also does a lot of work behind the camera as a producer.
What’s Next for the Duo in 2026?
It’s currently 2026, and both actresses are hitting new peaks.
Maia is currently preparing for the release of The Artful Dodger Season 2, which is expected to drop in February. She’s also been seen filming a thriller titled Family Secrets alongside Hannah Dodd. She’s living mostly in the Byron Bay hinterland now, choosing projects that allow her to stay close to her roots.
Bailee, on the other hand, is leaning into her music career. She’s been dropping singles and working on an EP, proving she’s more than just an actor. She’s also still very much in the horror/thriller space, which seems to be where she feels most at home these days.
How to Keep Up With Them
If you're looking to follow their journey, here's the best way to do it without getting lost in the "are they related" rumors:
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- Watch The Artful Dodger: If you want to see Maia Mitchell’s best work to date, this is it. It’s gritty, funny, and shows a side of her we didn't see in The Fosters.
- Follow Bailee's Music: She’s been very active on TikTok and Instagram sharing her songwriting process. It’s a different vibe from her acting roles.
- Revisit The Fosters Season 2: If you want to see the peak of their doppelganger era, go back and watch the introduction of Sophia Quinn. It’s still wild how much they look alike.
Don't let the fan theories confuse you—they aren't sisters, but their friendship is arguably better because it was built on a decade of shared history in the industry. Whether they ever share a screen again is up in the air, but the "Maia and Bailee" lore is firmly cemented in TV history.
To see more of their work, check out Maia's latest project Until Dawn or catch up on Bailee's recent interviews where she discusses her transition from child star to producer.