Madison Pettis is the ultimate "grew up with your kids" celebrity—she’s successfully navigated the treacherous bridge from being the adorable 8-year-old ballerina in The Game Plan to becoming a Gen Z style icon and Netflix lead who is likely all over your teen's social media feeds.
TL;DR: The Madison Pettis Cheat Sheet
- The Throwbacks: The Game Plan (Movie), Cory in the House (Show)
- The Teen Era: Life with Boys (Show), He's All That (Movie)
- The Voice Work: The Lion Guard (Show), Phineas and Ferb (Show)
- The "Parental Warning" Shift: American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules (Movie) — definitely for the older crowd.
If you haven't thought about Madison Pettis since she was making Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson carry a pink tutu, you've missed a massive evolution. Born in 1998, Madison is now in her late 20s and has managed to stay relevant without the typical "former child star" meltdown.
She is a staple of the "Disney Renaissance" era, meaning she’s deeply embedded in the nostalgia of anyone born between 1995 and 2010. Today, she’s a powerhouse on Instagram and TikTok, where she balances acting roles with high-end fashion modeling and brand partnerships. For your kids, she’s not just an actress; she’s a "vibe."
Madison Pettis represents a specific kind of digital success. She’s transitioned from the "cute kid" roles into a sophisticated, curated online presence that appeals to Gen Z's love for 2000s nostalgia (the "Y2K aesthetic").
- Nostalgia Factor: Many Gen Zers literally grew up watching her. Seeing her succeed now feels like a win for their own generation.
- Fashion & Influence: She isn't just posting selfies; she’s a brand ambassador for major lines like Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty. This is where the "mature" shift happens—her social media content is often more swimsuit-and-lingerie focused than her Disney fans might expect.
- The Netflix Effect: Projects like He's All That kept her front and center for the streaming generation.
Madison’s filmography is a perfect case study in the "Disney-to-Adult" pipeline. Here is how to navigate her work based on your kid's age.
The "Safe for Everyone" Era
This is the classic. If you have younger kids, this is a top-tier family movie night pick. It’s wholesome, funny, and honestly, the chemistry between her and The Rock is great. It’s a 10/10 for the under-10 crowd.
Madison voiced Zuri in this Disney Junior staple. If you have toddlers or elementary-aged kids, they’ve probably heard her voice without even realizing it. It’s high-quality, educational-adjacent content that doesn't feel like "brain rot."
The "Teen Rom-Com" Era
Let’s be real: this movie is objectively not great. It’s a gender-swapped remake of She’s All That, starring TikToker Addison Rae. Madison plays the "mean girl" antagonist. It’s full of product placements and cringey dialogue, but for a 13-year-old girl at a sleepover? It’s exactly what they want. It’s harmless, flashy, and very "of the moment."
This is a solid middle-school show. It deals with the typical "girl in a house full of boys" tropes. It’s lighthearted and focuses on friendship and family dynamics.
The "Parents Only" (or Older Teens) Era
This is where the "Disney Daughter" image officially ends. While this spin-off tries to be a "female empowerment" version of the American Pie franchise, it still carries the R-rated DNA of the original. There’s a lot of sexual humor, drinking, and language. If your teen is asking to watch this because "the girl from Disney is in it," you’ll want to check the ratings first.
Check out our guide on navigating mature content in teen movies
If your teen follows Madison Pettis, they aren't seeing the girl from Cory in the House. They are seeing a 27-year-old woman who models for a living.
The Aesthetic: Her Instagram is highly curated. It’s a mix of red-carpet looks, bikini shots, and professional modeling. For some parents, this might trigger conversations about body image or the "perfection" of social media.
The "Savage X Fenty" Connection: As a brand ambassador for Rihanna’s lingerie line, her feed often features content that is very "mature" in terms of attire. It’s not "adult content" in a scandalous sense, but it’s a far cry from the Disney Channel. It’s worth noting if you have younger tweens who are starting to follow celebrities.
Madison Pettis is actually a great jumping-off point for a few important "digital wellness" talks:
- The "Personal Brand" Talk: "Madison has been famous since she was 8. How do you think her 'image' has changed as she got older? Do you think she feels pressured to look a certain way to stay famous?"
- The "Nostalgia Marketing" Talk: "Why do you think Netflix keeps casting actors from your childhood in these new teen movies? (Hint: It’s because they know you’ll click for the nostalgia!)"
- The "Reality vs. Instagram" Talk: "Her photos look perfect, but she has a team of hair, makeup, and lighting experts. How does that compare to the photos we post?"
Q: Is Madison Pettis's Instagram safe for my 12-year-old?
It depends on your family's boundaries. It’s a standard "influencer" feed—lots of swimsuits, modeling, and glamorous lifestyle shots. There’s nothing "inappropriate" by platform standards, but it definitely skews more adult than kid-friendly.
Q: What is Madison Pettis's most kid-friendly movie?
Without a doubt, The Game Plan. It’s a classic family comedy that holds up surprisingly well even decades later.
Q: Why is Madison Pettis so famous on TikTok?
She leans into the "nostalgia" trend. She often posts videos referencing her old Disney roles, which performs incredibly well with Gen Z and Millennials who grew up with her.
Q: Is "He's All That" okay for middle schoolers?
Yes, it’s rated TV-14. It has some mild language and teen partying themes, but it’s fairly tame compared to most modern teen dramas. It's mostly just a "brain rot" movie—harmless, but not exactly high art.
Madison Pettis is a rare success story in the world of child stars. She’s transitioned into a "Gen Z Powerhouse" by staying relevant on the platforms your kids use most. While her newer roles and social media presence are definitely more mature than her Disney days, she remains a relatively "low-drama" celebrity.
If your teen is a fan, use it as an opportunity to talk about how people grow and change their "digital identity" over time. And if you’re looking for a nostalgia hit yourself, just go re-watch The Game Plan—it’s still a delight.
Learn more about how to manage your teen's social media feed