Sadie Sink: From Small-Town Roots to Hollywood Spotlight

From the bright lights of Broadway to the screens of Hollywood, Sadie Sink has captivated audiences with her compelling performances. Best known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, she has proven her versatility through critically acclaimed projects like The Whale alongside Brendan Fraser and Taylor Swift’s All Too Well: The Short Film.

Born in Brenham, Texas, into a family of educators, Sadie grew up in an environment that fostered both discipline and curiosity. With a father who taught math and a family that prioritized education, she learned early on the value of hard work. But beyond academics, another passion was quietly taking root—one that would eventually lead her far beyond the classroom.

Her journey from a small-town upbringing to Hollywood’s biggest stages is a testament to her dedication and talent. As she continues to challenge herself with new and diverse roles, Sadie Sink remains a name to watch in the entertainment industry.

Born into a Family of Educators

Sadie Sink was born on April 16, 2002, in Brenham, Texas, into a family with a strong academic background. Her father, a math teacher, played a crucial role in shaping her early education. She recalled how his teaching helped her during a crucial math placement test at age 13:

“My dad is a math teacher. And that really came in handy. When I was 13 going back to school, I had to take a math placement test. So then my dad, like, sat me down in one week, and he’s like, ‘Alright, I’m going to teach you everything you need to know.’ And then I went in on Monday and I tested average.” (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jan 2023)

From ages 9 to 13, Sadie was homeschooled to accommodate her Broadway commitments before transitioning back to traditional schooling. A Broadway director advised her to experience regular school life, a decision she later appreciated as it allowed her to form friendships and enjoy a more typical teenage experience.

Sadie has a strong connection to Texas culture and fondly recalls attending a rodeo at around three years old, describing it as her “natural habitat.” She has also expressed her love for Blue Bell ice cream, particularly the mint chocolate chip flavor, a choice she acknowledges is controversial.

Being the fourth child in a family of five, Sadie has mentioned that her baby photos were somewhat limited, as her parents were busier with their growing family.

Her mother, particularly fond of her long hair, was shocked when Sadie cut it off for a movie role:

“My mom was very shocked… but moms are weird with hair. With their girls and their hair, they love it long, and she’s always been very protective of it.” (Variety, Aug 2024)

A Large, Supportive Family

Growing up in a large family with three older brothers and a younger sister, Jacey, Sadie has always had strong familial support. She has spoken fondly of her close bond with her siblings, particularly her brother Mitchell, whom she calls her “musical theater partner in crime.”

“When I got the role of Max, he was the first person I told. He just cried because he was so happy for me.” (Teen Vogue, Jun 2022)

Her younger sister, Jacey, even played a younger version of Sadie’s character in The Whale:

“Darren [Aronofsky, the director] had added this flashback sequence where they’re at a beach and they needed an 8-year-old version of me. So they asked for Jacey. And then, yeah—we did it.” (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jan 2023)

Her older brother, Spencer, is a lawyer. He provided direct feedback on her The Whale character, telling her she was “a dirtbag” in the role, which she initially defended but later accepted.

“My brother Spencer at the end of the screening was like, ‘Your character’s a dirtbag, you’re awful in it.’”
(Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live, Dec 2022)

Early Career : Broadway Beginnings

Sadie’s passion for acting began at a young age, fueled by her love for movie musicals like The Sound of Music and High School Musical:

“I think when I was younger, I strictly only watched movie musicals. The Sound of Music was like my favorite thing ever, and I think it still is.” (Variety, Dec 2022)

Her talent led her to Broadway at just 10 years old, where she played the lead role in Annie:

“I think I was 10 when I did Annie.” (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jan 2023)

She was interested in Matilda the Musical but did not receive a callback due to not being a dancer. However, her Broadway journey led her to work alongside Dame Helen Mirren in The Audience, where she portrayed a young Queen Elizabeth II at age 12.

She reminisced about the unique culture of Broadway kids, recalling how they would gather at a specific playground in Times Square:

“On two-show days, everyone would just go [to the playground]. But it didn’t look like a normal playground. There was always some kind of musical number happening, or like, they were teaching the choreography to each other. And there were cliques. Like, the Matilda kids were always much cooler than everybody else.” (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jan 2023)

Initially Envisioning a Career in Broadway, Not Film

Initially, Sadie had no interest in television or film, believing her career would remain on stage:

“I never like… film and TV acting was never something that I… I hadn’t tried that or I wasn’t really interested in it, and it was only the stage and musical theater that I loved.” (Collider Ladies Night, Jun 2022)

However, at around age 13, she began auditioning for television and film roles, transitioning from theater to the screen. Along the way, she encountered some challenges, including an embarrassing audition mishap:

“Low would be… oh god, I had a really awful audition. I was probably 14… I had my phone in my bag, and I forgot to turn it on silent, and my group chat was blowing up the whole time. It was so distracting and incredibly unprofessional.” (Collider Ladies Night, Jun 2022)

Transitioning from Broadway to Television

Coming from theater, Sadie was struck by the differences in screen acting. Unlike live performances, film allowed for mistakes:

“The thing that shocked me the most when working on a film set or a TV set was that you can mess up… like, you don’t mess up on stage, you have to do it right every single time.” (Collider Ladies Night, Jun 2022)

Adjusting her acting style was a learning experience, especially after coming from an energetic show like Annie:

“Especially coming from a show like Annie, which is the ultimate ‘kids doing jazz hands and tap dancing,’ and there’s a dog… you had to ‘reel it in’ for screen acting.” (Collider Ladies Night, Jun 2022)

Her first television role came in The Americans (FX) in 2013, but she felt completely lost on set:

“I honestly had no idea where I was or what I was doing. I didn’t even know what ‘rolling’ meant.” (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jan 2023)

She later appeared in Blue Bloods (CBS) and American Odyssey (NBC), setting the stage for her breakthrough role in Stranger Things.

Growing Up in the Spotlight

Sadie Sink has spent much of her life in the public eye, navigating the unique challenges of growing up in the entertainment industry. Having joined Stranger Things at just 14, she has acknowledged that her journey into adulthood has been very different from most people her age.

“Yeah, it’s been eight years for me, I think 10 years for the whole show. But I don’t know. We grew up on it, grew up with each other. Like, our audience grew up watching us.”
(The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jan 2025)

Even in earlier interviews, Sadie had spoken about how intimidating those first few years in the industry felt. Looking back on her early career, she admitted that stepping into major productions at such a young age was overwhelming.

“I think I was really timid when I first started out because everything was really new and scary, so it’s been nice to kind of, as I grow up, start to focus more on the things that really matter.”
(People, April 2022)

By the time she turned 20, she had already begun to feel more self-assured. In 2022, she reflected on her personal and professional growth, recognizing how much more comfortable she had become over time.

“I’m proud of how much more comfortable I’ve just become in not only my personal life but also in my professional life as well.”
(People, April 2022)

She also spoke about how she had learned to embrace the industry without as much fear or stress, allowing herself to trust her instincts more.

“And I feel like I’ve relaxed in a way… just trusting myself more and not overthinking everything.”
(People, April 2022)

Now, with years of experience behind her, Sadie continues to evolve, carrying the lessons she learned in her early career into her future projects.

Stranger Things and Meteoric Rise to Fame

Casting and Audition Process

Sadie Sink’s journey to landing the role of Max Mayfield in Stranger Things was anything but easy. She auditioned for over a month, and at one point, casting directors thought she might be too old for the part. But she refused to give up.

“I was at a speech and debate practice when my mom called, telling me she needed to pick me up immediately. I had no idea why. Then the Duffer Brothers called and told me I got the role.”
(Teen Vogue, June 2022)

With just a month before filming began, she quickly relocated to Atlanta. Her first scene on set was the Halloween episode in Season 2, where Max jumps out in a Michael Myers costume.

Another challenge came with learning to skateboard—something she had never done before. The intense training required daily practice for months.

“They sent a skateboard to my house the next day and had to learn how to do that … I really didn’t like it because the first day I took a pretty hard fall.”
(Jimmy Kimmel Live, December 2022)

Handling Fame

With Stranger Things came immense popularity, and strict secrecy surrounded the show. However, Sadie admitted to occasionally bending the rules when it came to her family.

“Oh yeah, I mean, I’m bad, and I’ll just give my family the scripts.”
(Late Night with Seth Meyers, January 2023)

She also adapted to working with CGI-heavy scenes, a necessary skill for the sci-fi series.

“You get really used to working with tennis balls on sticks and men in green suits.”
(Late Night with Seth Meyers, January 2023)

Beyond Stranger Things, the show served as a launchpad for her career, leading to roles in other major projects—including The Whale.

“What I am so grateful for Stranger Things for is just like allowing me this platform to get other opportunities. Darren [Aronofsky] saw me on Stranger Things, and that’s how he wanted me for this.”
(Variety, December 2022)

Saying Goodbye to Stranger Things

On December 21, 2024, Sadie Sink officially bid farewell to Stranger Things with an emotional Instagram post, marking the end of a defining chapter in her life.

“That’s a series wrap on Stranger Things. This show, character, and every person involved made me who I am. It gave me the most amazing childhood. It brought me to my best friends. Saying goodbye is so painful, but I leave with memories and love to last a lifetime. I’m eternally grateful ❤️”

Alongside the heartfelt message, she shared several behind-the-scenes pictures from her time on the show, offering fans a glimpse into the moments that shaped her experience.

Beyond Stranger Things

The Whale

Sadie was excited to join The Whale because of its powerful storytelling, talented director, and exceptional cast.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sadie Sink (@sadiesink_)

The film, based on Samuel D. Hunter’s play, provided her with the opportunity to step into a deeply emotional role alongside Brendan Fraser.

“Well, I mean, you see Darren Aronofsky and A24 and Brendan Fraser—I think that’s definitely going to pull you to want to do a project for sure.” (The Film Experience, Dec 2022)

Ellie, the character she portrays, is complex, filled with anger and pain. Sadie saw Ellie’s rage as a shield for deeper emotions.

“That rage is… I think it’s pain that’s turned into that rage. But really, at the heart of it, I think there’s just a deep amount of pain and hurt.” (The Film Experience, Dec 2022)

She worked extensively with Aronofsky to ensure that every emotional moment in Ellie’s story was justified and authentic.

“Darren and I worked on just really justifying every moment that we possibly could.” (The Film Experience, Dec 2022)

The experience of filming The Whale pushed Sadie’s boundaries as an actor, allowing her to explore more dramatic and mature roles.

Taylor Swift’s All Too Well

A longtime Swiftie, Sadie was personally handpicked by Taylor Swift to star in All Too Well: The Short Film.

“I think it was my brother who was like, ‘What if she’s making an All Too Well music video and like you’re the girl in it?’ I was like, ‘Mitchell, shut up, that’s not happening!’ But he was right.” (Variety, Dec 2022)

Life Beyond Acting

Sadie is private and enjoys simple hobbies like watching movies. Her childhood favorite is The Sound of Music, and she loves Broadway musicals, especially Wicked and High School Musical.

She also has a hidden talent—singing. Although she grew up in musical theater, she prefers not to perform publicly.

“I mean, I do, I can sing. I grew up doing Broadway, like musical theater, that’s where it all started. So I definitely still have that.” (Variety, Dec 2022)

When asked why she doesn’t sing anymore, she joked:

“I pushed it down.”

She also plays the guitar and bought a vintage Martin guitar from 1963 for a role.

Cooking & Food Preferences

During the pandemic, Sadie tried to learn cooking but still prefers easy meals due to her busy schedule. When exhausted, she’s fine with eating cereal for dinner.

“I travel a lot for work, which is a huge luxury… but I’m not really a vacation person.”

Love for Animals

Sadie is a huge dog lover and adores her 120-pound dog, Nora.

“She’s two years old… 120 pounds… adorable.”

Collecting Stranger Things Memorabilia

Sadie likes keeping props from her projects, especially Stranger Things. Her collection includes:

• Max’s skateboard (a gift)
• All of Max’s Vans sneakers
• Kate Bush cassettes and Walkmans

She joked that her house is starting to look like a museum because of all the items she has collected over the years:

“Every shoe that she’s worn, I have.”

First Big Purchase

For her 18th birthday, she bought a Tesla but later sold it because she wasn’t using it enough.

What’s Next?

With Stranger Things coming to an end, Sadie is set to return to Broadway in John Proctor is the Villain. She’s excited yet nervous, as performing on stage as an adult feels different:

“I’m so excited. Returning to theater has been at the forefront of my mind, especially with the end of Stranger Things approaching.”
(Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jan 2025)

Sadie is also exploring more film roles, seeking complex and challenging characters that allow her to step beyond her teenage persona. After earning widespread acclaim for The Whale, she is committed to choosing roles that resonate with her evolving artistic identity.

She remains determined to take on more mature, thought-provoking projects, stating:

“I won’t be a teenager forever.”
(Variety, Dec 2022)

As she continues building her career, Sadie also hopes to experiment with directing at some point, expressing a keen interest in the creative process behind the camera.

Beyond acting, Sadie is passionate about staying fearless and bold in her approach to auditions and roles. In a Teen Vogue interview (June 2022), she shared valuable advice for aspiring actors:

“Go big, make choices, throw it all out there.”

She explained that playing it safe in auditions can hold actors back, encouraging young performers to embrace their instincts and individuality:

“You get a little stiff, just doing things the way you think they want. That can work, but don’t be afraid to mix it up and put yourself out there.”
(Teen Vogue, June 2022)

With her growing career and passion for storytelling, Sadie Sink’s journey is only just beginning. As she steps into this next chapter, one thing is certain—she is just getting started.

Sources:

• Late Night with Seth Meyers (Jan 2023) – YouTube
• Teen Vogue (Jun 2022) – YouTube
• Variety (Dec 2022) – YouTube
• Variety (Aug 2024) – YouTube
• The Film Experience (Dec 2022) – Interview
• Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (Jan 2025) – YouTube
• People (April 2022) – Interview
• Collider Ladies Night (Jun 2022) – YouTube
• Jimmy Kimmel Live (Dec 2022) – YouTube
• Sadie Sink Instagram (Dec 2024)- Instagram Post