Inside Chase Infiniti’s life as fans confused over ‘famous parents’ | Films | Entertainment

Rising star Chase Infiniti has already become one of Hollywood’s most talked-about stars after just two big roles.

It’s hardly a surprise considering her unique name and stellar leading performance in One Battle After Another alongside industry giant Leonardo DiCaprio.

Whilst Leo and other cast members managed to bag nominations at this year’s Oscars, Chase didn’t receive a nod.

However, she is set to present an award during the ceremony, which airs on ITV1 tonight (Sunday, March 15) at 10.15pm.

As viewers tune into the long-awaited award show, we’re certain many will be curious to learn more about Chase’s background, reports the Mirror.

The 25-year-old actress was born Chase Infiniti Payne in Indiana, America. Her name was inspired by legendary films Batman Forever and Toy Story.

She revealed in an interview with the Today Show that her parents “had watched Batman Forever and they were obsessed with Nicole Kidman as Chase Meridian”. They decided to name their child, whether it would be a boy or girl, Chase.

When the couple were hunting for a middle name, they settled on Buzz Lightyear’s iconic catchphrase from the Toy Story series: “To infinity and beyond!”

Chase has reflected on her parents seemingly predicting she would have a career in movies, telling the Today Show: “It’s really crazy. I’m like ‘How did [they] predict that!'”

Chase’s parents are not film stars. However, new admirers may be puzzled by online speculation suggesting she is Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn’s daughter.

It is in fact a long-running internet jest that Chase is the love child of Kerry and Tony’s characters in Scandal.

The acclaimed political drama followed Tony as President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III. He embarks on a passionate affair with former White House Communications Officer Olivia (played by Kerry), which he is determined to conceal from the public.

The online jest emerged after viewers spotted a remarkable resemblance between Tony and up-and-coming actor Tyriq Withers, with others subsequently bringing Chase into the discussion.

It became even more widespread when leading star Kerry unexpectedly engaged with the social media conversation last month, sharing a lighthearted selfie with her ‘Scandal children’.

She tagged her co-star in the caption, writing: “It’s a family reunion at the @naacpimageawards (Missing you @tonygoldwyn).”

The emerging star is establishing an impressive career, having featured in Apple TV’s Presumed Innocence alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in 2024.

She subsequently appeared in One Battle After Another in 2025, and has been nominated for a BAFTA, Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe for her role as Leo’s on-screen daughter, Willa.

Her acclaim throughout awards season left cinema enthusiasts astonished when she didn’t secure an Oscar nomination, with many contending she was ‘snubbed’. The Gen Z actress is also due to appear in The Handmaid’s Tale sequel, The Testaments, which debuts on April 8.

The Oscars will air on ITV1 and ITVX tonight (March 15) at 10.15pm.

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