ENTERTAINMENT'Outer Banks' Star Madison Bailey Quashes Kiara-Rafe Romance Hopes With 3 Words
Madison Bailey shut down hopes that Kiara and Rafe might end up together.
July 13 2025, Published 9:00 a.m. ET
In the ever-evolving landscape of teen drama on Netflix, the fervent discussions around Outer Banks have taken a new turn.
Madison Bailey, who portrays the spirited Kiara Carrera, recently put the brakes on the rumored romance between Kiara and Rafe Cameron, played by Drew Starkey.
This revelation has left fans questioning the dynamics of the show's upcoming fifth season, which is currently filming.
Madison Bailey shut down rumors via TikTok.
On July 2, Bailey took to TikTok to connect with eager fans while on set. One viewer expressed their desire for Kiara to explore a romance with the show's antagonist, Rafe, declaring, "Maddie tell Kiara I want her with Rafe now!"
However, in an unexpected twist, Bailey responded decisively, stating, "She said no." This succinct response sent shockwaves through the fanbase, many of whom had speculated about the burgeoning chemistry between the two characters.
The anticipation surrounding Season 5 has already heightened, as viewers hoped to see Kiara navigate complicated relationships following recent tragic developments.
As Kiara mourns the loss of her boyfriend JJ, portrayed by Rudy Pankow, it seems unlikely that a swift pivot to a romance with arch-nemesis Rafe would align with the narrative direction of the show. Fans pointed out the emotional turmoil that Kiara is experiencing, making the prospect of a Kiara-Rafe coupling seem implausible amidst her grief.
Rudy Pankow plays JJ, a fan-favorite in 'Outer Banks.'
Creator Josh Pate weighed in on the speculation in an interview with Cosmopolitan in November 2024, noting that it would be "a hard turn to go straight to a Rafe and Kiara 'ship given where they've been in the past."
He acknowledged the undeniable chemistry between Starkey and Bailey, stating, "We also know how great Drew and Madison are as actors and how great they are together. So we're definitely going to explore that relationship."
However, the potential for a romantic storyline between Kiara and Rafe remains clouded in uncertainty.
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Outer Banks debuted in 2020, introducing audiences to the class divide in a picturesque coastal town in North Carolina, pitting the wealthy Kooks against the working-class Pogues.
The intricacies of teenage relationships and ongoing feuds serve as the backdrop for riveting drama. Kiara and Rafe's conflict is deeply rooted, particularly as Rafe's character has historically antagonized Kiara's friend group, culminating in violence that has left its mark on the storyline.
Drew Starkey plays the intense Rafe in 'Outer Banks.'
As the plot unfolds, fans are grappling with the fallout from JJ's unexpected death — an impactful event confirmed by the show's writing team despite initial backlash from the audience.
The decision to eliminate the beloved character was deliberate, and executive producer Jonas Pate elaborated on the choice, stating, "It's been kind of lurking in his DNA from the beginning. He's really a tragic figure, and the idea of mortality... it's also a theme of the show."
The impact of this tragic twist is expected to reverberate through the narratives and character arcs moving forward.
Shannon Burke, another executive producer, provided further context for the decision, emphasizing that the plan was always to take the characters on a tumultuous journey.
"One of them was going to end up dying... we wanted to begin in a place of innocence and then go to a place that at least one point to go is really dark for them," Burke explained.
The show is crafted to evolve alongside its characters, exploring deeper themes of love, loss and resilience.
Jonas, Josh, and Shannon Pate are the creators behind 'Outer Banks.'
As filming progresses, fans remain split on the potential for new romantic developments. Some echo Bailey's sentiments, asserting that a relationship dynamic between Kiara and Rafe would detract from the emotional depth the show has worked to cultivate. Others continue to hope that the creators will find a way to weave this unexpected pairing into a riveting storyline.
