Before Madeline Fuhrman became a singer, she spent much of her childhood preparing for a future in professional tennis. Her days were filled with training, schoolwork and long hours on the court. Music was something she enjoyed in her spare time, but she never imagined it would eventually become her main career. That changed when she travelled to France as a teenager and discovered how much she loved performing.
Born on 21 August 1993, Madeline is an American singer, songwriter and music producer known for her soulful voice and songs such as Something Beautiful, Fragile and The Mad Ones. She is also the older sister of actress Isabelle Fuhrman, who became famous for her roles in Orphan and The Hunger Games. Despite growing up close to Hollywood, Madeline chose to explore music rather than follow her sister into acting.
Her career has included live shows in Los Angeles, recording sessions with established producers and a songwriting credit for a Hollywood film. Yet one of the most interesting parts of her story remains the unusual way she found her passion for music.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Madeline Fuhrman |
| Date of Birth | 21 August 1993 |
| Age | 33 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter and Music Producer |
| Famous For | Music career and being Isabelle Fuhrman’s older sister |
| Mother | Elina Fuhrman |
| Father | Nick Fuhrman |
| Sister | Isabelle Fuhrman (Actress) |
| Early Life | Grew up in Georgia, United States |
| Music Genres | Soul, Jazz and Pop |
| Popular Songs | Something Beautiful, Fragile, The Mad Ones |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
Early Life and Family Background
Madeline Fuhrman was born in the United States and spent much of her childhood in Georgia. Her mother, Elina Fuhrman, worked as a journalist and CNN correspondent before becoming an author and businesswoman. Her father, Nick Fuhrman, worked as a business consultant. Madeline grew up alongside her younger sister, Isabelle, in a family that encouraged their different interests.
Her childhood was quite busy. She enjoyed musical theatre, played the piano and developed a serious interest in tennis. Although she liked performing, sport gradually became her main priority. She trained regularly and hoped that her dedication would eventually take her into professional competitions.
The family later moved to Los Angeles as Isabelle’s acting career developed. While her younger sister was beginning to appear in films, Madeline was still deciding what she wanted from her own future. She had several interests, but no clear plan to become a recording artist.
How Madeline Fuhrman First Fell in Love With Music
Madeline’s interest in music began when she was only five years old. She wanted to learn the piano, but one teacher believed she was too young to begin lessons. Another teacher decided to give her a chance after noticing that she could copy melodies simply by watching someone play.
She soon began learning songs by ear and developed a natural feel for the piano. Alongside her lessons, she appeared in musical theatre productions and explored singing. However, she later admitted that some of her childhood performances sounded rather embarrassing when she watched them again.
For several years, music took a back seat as tennis became more demanding. She eventually returned to the piano because she missed playing. While learning popular songs, she began singing along and noticed that her voice had developed. Her mother encouraged her to take singing more seriously, although Madeline was still focused on sport.
Her Dream of Becoming a Professional Tennis Player
Long before she performed at music venues, Madeline Fuhrman was a highly ranked junior tennis player in the southern United States. Growing up in Georgia, she spent years practising and competing, hoping to turn her talent into a professional career.
Her routine required considerable commitment. She would attend school, complete gym training and sometimes spend between two and four hours playing tennis each day. By the evening, there was little time left for anything else.
Tennis taught Madeline discipline and helped her develop confidence under pressure. But as she grew older, she began spending more time writing songs and exploring the piano. She still enjoyed competing, yet music was becoming increasingly important.
At the time, she had no idea that travelling abroad would change her career plans completely.
The Year in France That Changed Everything
When Madeline was 16, she joined the School Year Abroad programme and travelled to France. She had been studying French since childhood and wanted to improve her language skills. She also hoped to gain international tennis experience that could strengthen her sporting future.
Living with French host families allowed her to practise the language every day. She became interested in French poetry and started listening more closely to traditional French songs, particularly those performed by Edith Piaf.
Madeline began singing Piaf’s songs in local markets, sometimes performing without instruments. She recalled earning around €40 during two hours of singing. Although the money was welcome, the experience gave her something more valuable: the confidence to perform for people she had never met.
One evening, a woman who had heard her singing invited her to a piano bar called Le Pink. Madeline performed an original composition, and the musicians joined in with drums and bass. Hearing her own song played by a live band made a lasting impression.
By the time she returned to America, she was thinking seriously about music rather than tennis.
Building Her Music Career in Los Angeles
After leaving France, Madeline attended a five-week summer programme at Berklee College of Music. She learned more about vocal control and began developing the skills needed for professional performances.
Back in Los Angeles, she started booking shows at venues such as The Viper Room and the House of Blues. Performing regularly allowed her to meet other musicians and become more comfortable on stage.
During her final year of high school, she entered a Battle of the Bands competition despite not having a band. She decided to perform with her piano and voice instead. Her performance impressed the judges, and she won the competition.
The prize included 12 hours of recording time at Westlake Studios, a well-known recording facility in Los Angeles. This gave her an opportunity to record professional demos and begin developing her own music.
Madeline also turned to crowdfunding to support an early EP project. In a 2013 interview, she explained that the campaign raised approximately $23,000. The money helped her record songs and move forward as an independent musician.
Madeline Fuhrman’s Songs and Musical Achievements
Madeline began sharing original music during the early 2010s. One of her first songs was Should Have Known, which she developed with songwriter and producer Dan Dixon. The recording had a modest budget, but it helped introduce her music to listeners.
Her next major project was Something Beautiful, which gained attention when its music video premiered through Nylon in March 2013. The video was directed by her younger sister, Isabelle, marking their first professional collaboration on a music video.
A month later, Madeline released the video for Fragile, which premiered through Glamour. Filmed at Bar Marmont in Los Angeles, the video drew inspiration from classic Hollywood films. Isabelle returned as director, bringing a cinematic look to the song.
Madeline continued recording and released The Mad Ones on 3 July 2015 under the artist name MADELINE. The single became another important part of her music catalogue.
Her songwriting also reached the film industry. She co-wrote Can’t Have Me with Mathieu Carratier for the 2015 action film The Transporter Refueled. The track was performed by Dopplebanger featuring Vali.
Her Musical Style and Famous Inspirations
Madeline’s music draws from jazz, soul and contemporary pop. Her voice has a slightly raspy quality, which suits the emotional nature of many of her songs. Instead of following one fixed sound, she has enjoyed experimenting with different instruments and recording styles.
Her musical influences include Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald and Natalie Cole. She has also shown an interest in modern artists who combine strong vocals with personal songwriting.
In a 2014 interview with Nylon, Madeline described having a small recording studio in her bedroom. It included guitars, synthesisers, a microphone and a chalkboard wall where she could develop musical ideas.
Her songwriting process was flexible. Sometimes an idea came from a melody, while at other times she began with a rhythm or a few words. This freedom allowed her to explore different sounds without limiting herself to one genre.
Her Relationship With Sister Isabelle Fuhrman
Madeline’s younger sister, Isabelle Fuhrman, became internationally recognised through her acting career. However, the sisters have also shared a creative connection beyond their family relationship.
Isabelle directed Madeline’s music videos for Something Beautiful and Fragile. These projects allowed them to combine Madeline’s songwriting with Isabelle’s interest in filmmaking.
Speaking to Glamour in 2013, Madeline praised her sister’s creativity and explained that working together had become easier as they learned more about each other’s styles.
Their collaboration showed how two siblings with different careers could support each other’s work. Isabelle continued pursuing acting and directing, while Madeline concentrated on recording and performing music.
Is Madeline Fuhrman Married?
Madeline Fuhrman has not shared much information about her romantic relationships in major public interviews. There is no reliable public confirmation that she is married, and details about a husband or children have not been established.
Much of the information available about her personal background comes from conversations about her childhood, education, family and music career.
Outside performing, Madeline has shown a strong interest in languages. She learned French from a young age and also grew up hearing Russian through her mother. These experiences helped shape her appreciation for music from different cultures.
What Is Madeline Fuhrman Doing Today?
Madeline’s best-documented career achievements include her early Los Angeles performances, original songs, collaborations with music producers and songwriting work for The Transporter Refueled.
As of October 2026, there is limited verified public information about her latest professional activities. No major new album or international tour has been reliably confirmed.
Although her recent work has received less public attention, her earlier recordings remain an important part of her story. They show how a young tennis player developed the confidence to become a songwriter and recording artist.
Conclusion
Madeline Fuhrman’s career took an unexpected direction when she discovered her love of singing during a year in France. What began with piano lessons and childhood performances eventually became a serious interest in songwriting and music production.
From competing on tennis courts in Georgia to performing in Los Angeles and writing music for a Hollywood film, she has followed a path shaped by changing ambitions. While her younger sister Isabelle found success in acting, Madeline explored her own talents through music.
(FAQs)
Who is Madeline Fuhrman?
Madeline Fuhrman is an American singer, songwriter and music producer. She is known for songs including Something Beautiful, Fragile and The Mad Ones. She is also the older sister of actress Isabelle Fuhrman.
How old is Madeline Fuhrman?
Madeline Fuhrman was born on 21 August 1993. As of October 2026, she is 33 years old.
Is Madeline Fuhrman married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Madeline Fuhrman is married. She has kept information about her romantic relationships largely out of public interviews.
Why did Madeline Fuhrman stop playing professional tennis?
Madeline was a competitive junior tennis player who hoped to become a professional athlete. However, while studying in France at 16, she discovered a stronger passion for singing and songwriting and decided to pursue music.
Who are Madeline Fuhrman’s parents?
Madeline’s parents are Elina Fuhrman, a former CNN journalist and author, and Nick Fuhrman, a business consultant. Her younger sister is Hollywood actress Isabelle Fuhrman.
