From martial arts world champion to breakout SI Swimsuit model, Rayna Vallandingham shows us how to celebrate milestones with equal parts glamour and relatability. Her stunning debut shoot in Jamaica and down-to-earth Instagram celebration perfectly capture the essence of this multi-talented superstar
A champion’s new chapter: SI swimsuit debut
Rayna Vallandingham’s star continues to rise in 2025, as the 13-time Tae Kwon Do World Champion, actor, and athlete officially joins the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit family. Her debut shoot, captured by renowned photographer Yu Tsai against the sun-drenched backdrop of Jamaica, has fans buzzing — and rightly so. With a growing résumé that spans world championships and hit TV shows, this new accolade shines brightly in Vallandingham’s already glittering career.
The SI Swimsuit Issue has long been a platform for celebrating beauty, athleticism, and personality, and Vallandingham fits right in. Her presence brings a fresh, powerful energy to the iconic publication, reflecting her unique blend of strength, grace, and authenticity.
The most relatable celebration
While the photos from Jamaica exude radiant glamour and confidence, Vallandingham’s follow-up Instagram post shows a celebration that’s refreshingly real. She shared a candid two-photo set captioned simply, “celebration girlled cheese,” featuring herself lounging on a plush white bed, clad in a cozy white robe, hair tousled yet flawless makeup intact. The 3.9 million followers on her account were treated to a perfectly imperfect moment — Rayna enjoying a grilled cheese sandwich alongside crispy fries and a juicy pickle, with the SI Swimsuit Issue open in front of her displaying her own stunning image.
This slice-of-life moment struck a chord. There’s something undeniably charming about a superstar who pairs high-profile success with the humble joy of comfort food. Vallandingham’s post was a gentle reminder that even at the peak of achievement, simple pleasures hold their place.
Cheers from fans and fellow stars
The comment section of Rayna’s Instagram post quickly filled with praise and playful banter. Fellow SI Swimsuit 2025 model Penny Lane applauded with a string of clapping emojis and fire icons, while Cobra Kai co-star Lewis Tan chimed in with enthusiastic support: “Lets go 🔥.”
Fans showed equal enthusiasm — with one notably asking the vital question, “Ok but where is the grilled cheese from?” It’s this mixture of admiration and relatability that fuels Vallandingham’s ever-growing fan base.
From Martial Arts Mat to Hollywood set
Rayna Vallandingham’s journey is anything but typical. Beyond her recent modeling debut, she’s an established presence in the entertainment world, best known for her role on Netflix’s hit series Cobra Kai, a sequel to the beloved Karate Kid films. Earlier this year, Vallandingham spoke with Self magazine about what it was like to return to the martial arts mindset while filming the show’s sixth season. “You’re doing [the scene] over and over and over again, different camera angles, different lenses, different intensity,” she explained. “It’s really so much fun, but definitely very intense.”
For Vallandingham, the rigorous filming process rekindled her competitive spirit and brought her closer to her core identity as a martial artist. “That competitive mindset really took over again, and I got back to who Rayna really is at the core,” she said. “I was really immersed in this world, and I truly became this character […] I feel like we all kind of felt like we were truly in this world. It was definitely a cool energy in the air.”
What’s next for Rayna Vallandingham?
With martial arts titles, acting roles, and now an SI Swimsuit cover under her belt, Rayna Vallandingham’s career is a fascinating fusion of strength, talent, and charisma. Her down-to-earth attitude combined with fierce dedication to her crafts makes her a role model for aspiring athletes and entertainers alike.
Fans and critics alike are eager to see where she goes from here. Whether she’s stepping onto the mat, the set, or the runway, Vallandingham continues to prove that success is best celebrated on your own terms — sometimes with a side of grilled cheese.
