Madison Bailey Calls Out 'Outer Banks' Over Lack Of LGBTQ+ Storylines

As *Outer Banks* reaches its fifth and final chapter on Netflix, series regular Madison Bailey is looking back at the sun-soaked teen adventure with complete candor. The actress, who has portrayed fan-favorite character Kiara Carrera since the show first captured viewer attention, recently opened up about one key area where she feels the smash-hit drama fell short during its run. Reflecting on the popular series wrapping up, Bailey pointed out the overall lack of LGBTQ+ storylines throughout the show’s five-season run. While the core group of characters spent years navigating high-stakes treasure hunts, dangerous rivalries, and plenty of dramatic hookups, the star felt the overall narrative overlooked a vital opportunity to include meaningful queer representation.

Is Kiara from Outer Banks queer?

Bailey, who is openly pansexual off screen, revealed that she personally harbored hopes that her character would explore an LGBTQ+ narrative before the story concluded. Throughout the show's lifespan, fans frequently discussed Kiara’s romantic trajectory, and the performer admitted that having her character come out would have been a deeply meaningful moment for both herself and the audience. Although that specific character arc never came to fruition on screen before the series called it a wrap, Bailey remains appreciative of her time on the project while keeping her focus firmly on the future. She made it clear that bringing authentic queer stories to life has become a major objective as she enters the next phase of her acting career.

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What project is Madison Bailey doing next?

With the fifth and final season now available for streaming fans, Bailey is taking proactive steps to land roles that align with her personal identity. The actress disclosed that she has been actively putting out positive energy and manifesting explicitly LGBTQ+ characters for her upcoming acting gigs, eager to take on fresh challenges. The final curtain call for the hit Netflix series represents a major turning point for its talented young cast. After spending half a decade in the worldwide spotlight as a core member of the show's tight-knit central crew, Bailey is prepared to expand her professional repertoire and pursue creative work that resonates on a deeper level. As the final chapter for the island crew officially comes to an end, audiences are bidding farewell to the hit show while eagerly anticipating Bailey's next big move. If her manifestations pay off, her subsequent projects will deliver the screen representation she felt was missing from her signature television role.