Madeleine Maiya was raised on a farm, where animals were her first companions, while also growing up immersed in dance and creative movement. Splitting her childhood between farm boots and leotards, she developed a grounded, tomboy spirit paired with a deep love for physical expression, fitness, and performance — qualities that continue to shape her presence on screen today.

She is now the caretaker of her own small sanctuary, home to senior rescue horses and her beloved chickens, and is the founder of Earthlings Uncaged, a YouTube channel and brand dedicated to animal education, storytelling, and celebration.

Madeleine also served six years in the Air Force National Guard as a military photographer. As a veteran, she brings discipline, adaptability, and a strong documentary eye to her work. Her curiosity for life extends beyond animals into people, where she finds deep connection to the emotional truths of characters across a wide range of worlds and circumstances.