Amid rumors of Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey having a falling out, a source exclusively tells Life & Style what things were like behind-the-scenes of Outer Banks season 4.
“Apparently there were times when filming together was difficult,” the source reveals, adding that the tension is “not something they’re ever going to admit to because it just reflects badly on the show and on everyone.”
However, “There were a lot of whispers that things soured between them,” the insider continues. “They were very close friends at one point and something did seem to happen to break that bond, which obviously would make filming together a struggle at times. They’re both super professional so it didn’t cause issues on the set or with their performances, but there was a lot of gossip flying around about how strained things were between them the moment the cameras were off.”
Madison Bailey Gets Choked Up Praising Rudy Pankow Amid Rumored Drama
Rudy, 26, and Madison’s Outer Banks characters – JJ and Kiara – were a couple on the show. However, their onscreen romance didn’t start until season 3 after fans noticed their chemistry and begged writers to have them get together. Passionate shippers have blamed Rudy and Madison’s real life girlfriends, Elaine Siemek and Mariah Linney, for their apparent falling out, claiming that jealousy got in the way of the actors’ friendship.
“The really awful part for both of them is the way their girlfriends got dragged into the drama,” the source admits. “The horrible things that their fans have said online and the comments they’ve left on social media have been brutal. That has caused the most hurt by far and it did make them both quite defensive and protective.”
The Rumored ‘Outer Banks’ Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Drama Explained
Both Netflix stars stood up for their significant others on social media in 2021 when the negative comments first started flooding in.
Rudy and Madison, 25, have never addressed the widespread rumors of a falling out, but theories intensified after JJ was killed in the season 4 finale. Many fans have speculated that the actor asked to leave the show because he didn’t want to work with Madison anymore.
Life & Style’s source reiterates what cocreator Shannon Burke previously said about the shocking death: It was “always” the plan. “The writers felt like this was the right time,” the insider explains. “That doesn’t mean there weren’t tense times between him and Madison, but it would be unfair to say that was the reason he’s leaving.”
‘Outer Banks’ Fans Think Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Aren’t Friends
Days after the finale aired, Rudy took to Instagram to reflect on his time on the show. “Being grateful doesn’t begin to explain it,” he wrote, along with a series of photos that Madison was tagged in. “Honestly words in general explaining 5 years of memories, blood, sweat and passion with this special cast, crew, writers, producers, artists aren’t possible. So for now, giving a huge THANK YOU, thank you to all them and to YOU for the treasure hunt of a lifetime. And lastly to my pall JJ Maybank, thank you. I’ll love you forever.”
While fans were devastated that JJ was killed, there have been hints that he could return in some form for season 5, which will be the last season of the show. “Never say never,” cocreator Jonas Pate teased.
