When Madelyn Cline stepped onto the screen as Sarah Cameron in Netflix’s Outer Banks, few people knew she’d drive cross-country at 19 in a Toyota 4Runner nicknamed “Dory” with nothing but audition dreams and determination. That risk paid off spectacularly. What started as a small role in a streaming show became a cultural phenomenon that made her a household name practically overnight.
Madelyn’s popularity stems from more than just her acting. She’s relatable in ways most celebrities aren’t. She’s opened up about eating disorders, body image struggles, and imposter syndrome—the real stuff that audiences connect with. Between her breakthrough role, high-profile relationships, and honest conversations about mental health, she’s become someone Gen Z watches both on screen and off.
What makes her truly special is her authenticity. She didn’t pretend her path was easy or that success came instantly. Instead, she’s shared the messy middle parts—the rejections, the self-doubt, the breakups played out in tabloid headlines. That vulnerability, combined with genuine talent, has turned her into more than just another Netflix star. She’s a voice for her generation.
Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Madelyn Cline |
| Known As | Madelyn Cline, Sarah Cameron |
| Born | December 21, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Goose Creek, South Carolina |
| Age | 27 years old (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5’6″ (167-168 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 119-130 lbs (54-58 kg) |
| Profession | Actress and Model |
| Active Years | 2007-Present |
| Famous For | Outer Banks, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery |
Who Is Madelyn Cline?
Madelyn Cline isn’t your typical Hollywood story. She grew up in Goose Creek, South Carolina—a small town of about 49,000 people where entertainment careers weren’t exactly the norm. Yet somehow, this girl from the Lowcountry managed to become one of Netflix’s biggest stars and a fashion icon in the process.
Her journey to fame started young. She began modeling at age 10 with Millie Lewis Models & Talent Agency, appearing in commercials for brands like Chuck E. Cheese, Sunny D, and American Girl. While other kids her age were playing outside, Madelyn was on set learning how to work a camera. These early gigs taught her discipline and how to handle the entertainment industry’s demands.
Before Outer Banks made her famous, Madelyn appeared in various TV shows and films. She had a role in Stranger Things in 2017, played Jessica in The Originals, and worked on Vice Principals. She even appeared in the film Boy Erased. None of these roles made her a household name, but they built her skills and her resume. Every audition, every small role, every set she worked on was preparing her for what came next. When the Outer Banks audition landed on her agent’s desk, she was ready.
Early Life and Education
Madelyn grew up as an only child in South Carolina to parents Pam and Mark. Her mom worked in real estate while her dad was an engineer. They supported her entertainment ambitions even though it wasn’t a typical career path for their family. When Madelyn decided acting was her dream, her parents backed her decision, even though they worried about her leaving college to pursue it.
She started modeling young, which meant growing up differently than most kids. Instead of typical childhood experiences, she had call times and auditions. The camera became familiar territory. She also spent time homeschooled, which gave her flexibility to attend auditions and work on set. That early exposure to the entertainment industry made her comfortable in front of cameras in a way many people never develop.
Madelyn attended Coastal Carolina University, but she didn’t stay long. After just six weeks, she made a bold decision. She left school, climbed into her Toyota 4Runner, and drove cross-country to Los Angeles at 19 years old to pursue acting full-time. Her parents weren’t thrilled initially—what parent would be? But they eventually understood her determination. That 4Runner, which she nicknamed “Dory,” became part of her origin story, representing the moment she committed fully to her dreams.
The early audition years were rough. She faced constant rejection, the kind that makes you question your choices at 2 AM. But she kept showing up, kept trying, and gradually landed bigger roles. Moving back to Charleston for Outer Banks felt like the universe was giving her something she’d been working toward for years.
Career and Professional Life
Madelyn’s breakthrough came when she landed the role of Sarah Cameron in Outer Banks. The show premiered on Netflix in 2020 and became an instant hit with audiences. Sarah Cameron wasn’t just any character—she was the wealthy Kook princess who became a Pogue, joining the treasure-hunting adventure. Her chemistry with co-star Chase Stokes was undeniable, and viewers couldn’t get enough of their on-screen dynamic.
What made the role perfect for her was that the show filmed in Charleston, close to her South Carolina roots. She was working with a talented ensemble cast including Rudy Pankow, Madison Bailey, and Jonathan Daviss. For the first time, her big break was also bringing her home, filming near her family. The show became a cultural phenomenon, especially with Gen Z audiences who connected with its adventure, humor, and heart.
The success of Outer Banks opened doors. In 2022, she landed a role in Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, playing Whiskey, an influencer girlfriend. This wasn’t a main role, but it put her alongside Hollywood legends like Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, and Kate Hudson. Working with those names intimidated her initially—she struggled with imposter syndrome on set. But the experience proved she could hold her own in prestige cinema.
Since then, Madelyn has continued expanding her filmography. She appeared in This Is the Night (2021) and The Map That Leads to You (2025) with actor KJ Apa. She starred in I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) as Danica Richards, showing her range in horror-thriller territory. An upcoming project called Day Drinker will feature her alongside Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz.
Her awards and recognition reflect her rising status. She won an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Kiss with Chase Stokes in 2021. She received recognition for her ensemble work in Glass Onion and continued praise for her Outer Banks performance from publications like Variety. These accolades matter, but what matters more is that casting directors, producers, and audiences take her seriously as an actress.
Net Worth and Work
Madelyn’s estimated net worth sits around $14 million as of 2025. That’s impressive for someone in her late twenties, but it reflects years of consistent work. Her primary income comes from acting—especially her salary from Outer Banks, which paid well given the show’s massive success.
Beyond acting, modeling remains a significant income source. She’s worked with major brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Revlon, Stella McCartney, and Versace. In 2023, she became a Tommy Hilfiger brand ambassador, which comes with endorsement deals and collaboration opportunities. These brand partnerships aren’t just about money either—they align with her personal style and aesthetic.
Her social media presence has also become valuable. With 16 million followers on Instagram and 7 million on TikTok, Madelyn has become an influencer in her own right. Brands pay for sponsored content, and her posts reach millions of people. That kind of reach translates to real earning potential.
She owns property in Los Angeles, having lived in Malibu at various points in her career. Living in expensive LA neighborhoods costs serious money, but her income supports that lifestyle. She’s made smart financial moves by diversifying her income through acting, modeling, and brand partnerships rather than relying on one source.
Personal Life
Madelyn’s family remains important to her even with all her success. Her parents still live in South Carolina, and she visits regularly to stay grounded. Being an only child meant she had close relationships with her mom and dad, and she’s maintained those bonds despite living across the country.
Her love life has been public in ways she didn’t always want. She dated her Outer Banks co-star Chase Stokes from June 2020 to November 2021. They met on set, went public with their relationship, and their breakup played out in tabloid headlines. The hardest part? They had to keep working together on the show. She’s spoken about how that experience taught her that inviting everyone into her relationships wasn’t worth it. Some parts of life deserve privacy.
After Chase, she briefly linked with DJ Zack Bia. Then she dated musician Jackson Guthy from July 2022 to July 2023. They lived together in Malibu, made it Instagram official for her 25th birthday, then quietly split. Following that, she was in a low-key relationship with comedian Pete Davidson from September 2023 to July 2024. They kept things private, which she appreciated. That breakup was reportedly amicable.
As of late 2025, she’s been linked to Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece, though she’s kept those details mostly private. Madelyn doesn’t have children, and there’s no indication that’s a priority right now. She’s focused on her career and building a life that feels right for her at this moment.
She doesn’t have kids but has dogs she adores. Being a self-described “house rat,” she prefers cozy nights at home with her pets over wild nights out. Her close circle of friends matters deeply to her, though she’s learned to be selective about who gets access to her personal life.
Current Life
Madelyn is currently filming the final season of Outer Banks. Season 5 will wrap up the series, and filming is taking place in Charleston and Dubrovnik, Croatia. She’s posted emotional content about starting production, reflecting on six years with the same cast and crew. Those years felt like “unofficial college years”—intense, formative, and bonding. Sarah Cameron’s pregnant in the final season, which adds another layer to her character’s journey.
In summer 2025, two of her films were released. I Know What You Did Last Summer hit streaming platforms, giving her a horror role that showed her range. The Map That Leads to You arrived as a romantic film. She’s got Day Drinker coming, which pairs her with major Hollywood names.
Looking ahead, Madelyn wants to produce eventually. She’s interested in telling stories from behind the camera, not just appearing in them. She’s also determined to differentiate herself from Sarah Cameron—she doesn’t want to be stuck playing one character forever. That fear is real for actors who break through in a big way.
She’s juggling multiple projects and demanding travel schedules. Whether she should keep going constantly or take breaks is the eternal struggle. She’s learning to listen to herself about what she needs, which is its own kind of growth.
Quick Facts
- First major show: Outer Banks (2020)
- Favorite food: She makes lemon loaf at home
- Main hobbies: Photography, drawing, hiking, and road trips
- Pets: Multiple dogs
- Water sports enthusiast: Wakeboarding and beach volleyball
- Self-description: “House rat” who prefers cozy nights in
- Hidden talent: Beach volleyball (she claims to be “weirdly good”)
- Favorite show: Game of Thrones (watched after House of the Dragon came out)
- Dream role: She hasn’t publicly stated one, but she’s interested in diverse, challenging characters
- Best friend circle: Her close friends from Charleston and Los Angeles
Conclusion
Madelyn Cline’s best work remains Outer Banks, the show that introduced her to the world and gave her the platform she has today. But her greatest work might be how honest she’s been about her struggles. In an industry built on image and perfection, she’s talked openly about eating disorders, body image issues, and mental health. That takes courage.
Her life lessons center on authenticity and boundaries. She learned that not everything needs to be public, that her worth isn’t determined by likes or tabloid headlines, and that staying grounded in her South Carolina roots matters even when living in Hollywood. She’s shown young people that success doesn’t require perfection—it requires showing up, being resilient, and staying true to yourself.
Looking forward, Madelyn’s goals include continuing to grow as an actress, eventually producing, and building a career that makes her proud. She’s at a career inflection point with Outer Banks ending and new projects launching. Whatever’s next, she’s proving that a girl from Goose Creek, South Carolina, can absolutely make it in this industry—not by pretending to be someone she’s not, but by being unapologetically herself.
DISCLAIMER: All information here comes from trusted sources including IMDb, Wikipedia, entertainment publications, and Madelyn Cline’s official social media accounts. If you find any inaccuracies or need updates, please let us know so we can verify and correct them quickly.
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