What Happened to Chase Infiniti Payne?

Chase Infiniti Payne, professionally known as Chase Infiniti, was born on May 5, 2000, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her unique name is inspired by Nicole Kidman's character Chase Meridian from "Batman Forever" and Buzz Lightyear's catchphrase "To infinity and beyond" from "Toy Story." She cultivated her passion for performing from a young age, attending a school for musical theatre in Indianapolis and later graduating from Columbia College Chicago in 2022. While in Chicago, she also worked as a kickboxing trainer and co-founded a K-pop cover dance group, Duple Dance Crew.

Infiniti's career began to take off in February 2023 when she was cast in the Apple TV+ limited series "Presumed Innocent," which premiered in 2024. Her true breakout, however, came with her role as Willa in Paul Thomas Anderson's critically acclaimed 2025 film "One Battle After Another." In this action-thriller, she starred opposite Hollywood heavyweights like Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, a role she secured after a six-month audition process that included intensive karate training. Her performance garnered significant praise, with many critics highlighting her poise and intensity alongside established actors.

The success of "One Battle After Another" propelled Infiniti into the 2026 awards season, where she received nominations for an Actor Award (formerly SAG Award), a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her role. She was also named one of Variety's "10 Actors to Watch" in October 2025 and became part of BAFTA's "Breakthrough U.S." cohort in December 2025. Despite her critical acclaim and multiple nominations, her omission from the 2026 Oscar nominations for Best Actress was widely considered a "snub" by many, sparking debate about whether her role was perceived as leading or supporting.

Beyond her acting roles, Infiniti's rising profile led to her being named a Louis Vuitton House Ambassador in December 2025, embodying the brand's "powerful and timeless femininity." She made several high-profile red carpet appearances in custom Louis Vuitton gowns throughout the 2026 awards season, including the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Actor Awards, and the Oscars, where she also presented an award. As of April 2026, Infiniti is starring as Agnes in "The Testaments," the television adaptation of Margaret Atwood's sequel to "The Handmaid's Tale," which began streaming in April 2026. She also has the coming-of-age drama "The Julia Set" in post-production, where she will lead as the heroine Julia. Her rapid ascent in Hollywood, often booking projects through remote self-tapes from her base in Chicago, highlights a shift in industry dynamics.