The internet has been running wild with rumours of a supposed feud between Outer Banks stars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey lately – here’s how Pankow’s girlfriend is involved
The internet has been running wild with rumours of a supposed feud between Outer Banks stars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey lately.
After Netflix released season four’s bombshell ending, which (spoiler alert) resulted in JJ’s death, fans took to social media to share their theories. According to JustJared, netizens believe that some drama must have occurred behind the scenes to write off such a key character, with many suggesting that Pankow and Bailey – whose characters are love interests on the show – may have had a falling out in real life.
Per JustJared, the dispute allegedly stems from a cast dinner last year, when Pankow and Bailey’s girlfriends – Elaine Siemek and Mariah Linney – were also present. Speculation is rife that something happened during the meal, because Bailey and Linney reportedly unfollowed Pankow’s girlfriend, Siemek, after the get together. She also reportedly removed them from her profile.
However, a source has told People magazine that the speculation isn’t true. What’s more, the show’s co-creator Shannon Burke told Cosmopolitan that Pankow’s character’s death was always in the works. “We were pretty sure early on that this was where it was going. We thought that one of the Pogues would die almost in the very beginning in season one, and we were pretty sure it was going to be JJ. We just weren’t sure when we were going to play that card. We knew this would be JJ’s season – this is JJ’s story. And we realised pretty early on, like, OK, we’re going to play this card now.”
Elaine Siemek has been caught up in Outer Banks fan drama. Photo: @elameeeee/Instagram
So, who is Rudy Pankow’s girlfriend, Elaine Siemek – who seems to be caught up in the middle of the fan theories?
What does Elaine Siemek do for a living?
Elaine Siemek in the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Photo: @elameeeee/Instagram
According to her own website, Elaine Siemek, 28, is a film photographer with a passion for taking environmental portraits.
Elaine Siemek has a passion for environmental portrait photography. Photo: @elameeeee/Instagram
“I use professional SLR and TLR cameras, point-and-shoots, Polaroids and Super 8s to capture the beauty in front of me,” her bio reads. “I’m available for local or personal projects as well as potential employment opportunities.”
What does Elaine Siemek do in Outer Banks?
Elaine Siemek is a photographer. Photo: @elameeeee/Instagram
According to People magazine, Siemek works as an assistant to showrunner Jonas Pate.
Elaine Siemek was an assistant to showrunner Jonas Pate on Outer Banks. Photo: @elameeeee/Instagram
In February 2023, she joined Poguelandia, an Outer Banks experience with music, food and games, with Pankow, People noted.
How did Elaine Siemek meet Rudy Pankow?
Elaine Siemek and Rudy Pankow met in 2019. Photo: @elameeeee/Instagram
The couple met on the job. According to Life & Style, they first crossed paths on the set of Outer Banks’ first season, which was filmed in 2019. The lovebirds made their relationship Instagram-official in November 2020 when Pankow shared a birthday tribute to his girlfriend. “You give me butterflies everyday … literally. Happy Birthday PBM,” he wrote in his caption.
Is Elaine Siemek close with the Outer Banks cast?
Elaine Siemek appears to get on with most of the Outer Banks cast, despite the rumours. Photo: @elameeeee/Instagram
It’s unclear whether Siemek sees eye to eye with all of the cast members, based on the recent rumours, but she certainly seems to get along with most of them – if her Instagram feed is anything to go by.
She regularly shares pics with the crew, including Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes, Jonathan Daviss – and even Madison Bailey.
What was Elaine Siemek accused of?
Elaine Siemek has been the subject of baseless online criticism. Photo: @elameeeee/Instagram
Outer Banks fans been relentless in the accusations they’ve aimed at Siemek over the years. According to InTouch Weekly, Siemek has been accused of selling photos of Pankow and being unfaithful – both of which she has denied.
As a result, Pankow has had to stand up for her. “I think a lot of people can intertwine a narrative and what they want to believe,” he told Cosmopolitan in October. “And they take it out on someone that doesn’t deserve it. That’s unfortunate and it’s hard. And what’s even more unfortunate is that it’s not in my control. That’s why I spoke up. No one should go through something like that.”
