IN CONVERSATION WITH RAYNA VALLANDINGHAM

interview by JANA LETONJA

Rising action star and record-breaking athlete Rayna Vallandingham is about to embark on a major breakout year. First, we’ll be seeing her return in the third part of the final season of Netflix’s ‘Cobra Kai’, premiering on 13th February. Besides acting, Rayna has already become the youngest 13x Tae Kwon Do World Champion by 22-years-old.

trench and bodysuit MONCLER
earrings PAULA MENDOZA

You’re playing the villain, Zara Malik, in the final season of ‘Cobra Kai’. How does it feel to take on such a high-profile role in one of the most beloved shows of the last few years?

When I found out that I booked the role of Zara, I was overwhelmed by the honor of being a part of this iconic franchise, especially having been a martial artist for my entire life. Filming it was indescribable because the passion in the air from the whole cast was palpable, so it felt like we really all were a part of this world, competing on the biggest stage. From production to it now being released, it’s been such an incredible and full-circle experience for me. 

dress GIORGIO ARMANI
earrings MISHO

trench and bodysuit MONCLER
earrings PAULA MENDOZA

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pants, vest, jacket DHRUV KAPOOR
earrings PAULA MENDOZA
shoes FRANCESCA BELLAVITA

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shirt STRIKE OIL
shorts PDF CHANNEL
cardigan ZEYNEP ARCAY

How do you prepare for such physically demanding roles, especially in ‘Cobra Kai’?

It feels like I’ve been preparing my whole life for these roles with constant training, and fortunately due to that competitive mentality, I’ve always strived to stay prepared. For 'Cobra Kai' specifically, I went back to my roots of Tae Kwon Do and trained kicks, flips, and weapon choreography repetitively until I knew I was capable of filming these fight scenes over and over again on set. 

Rayna, you’ve had an incredibly fast rise in the industry. Can you talk about how your journey from being a 13x Tae Kwon Do World Champion to becoming a rising action star unfolded?

I found my passion for martial arts at two years old, and for acting at eight. From that point on, I knew I wanted to be an action star and persisted through the next 12 years of auditioning and constant “No's.” On my 20th birthday, my agents called me and told me I had booked 'Cobra Kai', and ever since then, it’s been such a beautiful journey of watching my dreams come true right before my eyes. The opportunity has made all of those years of rejection completely and utterly worth it. When I’m on set, doing my own stunts and acting, it feels like that is exactly where I’m supposed to be, and this is just the first year of it all. 

pants, vest, jacket DHRUV KAPOOR
earrings PAULA MENDOZA
shoes FRANCESCA BELLAVITA

full look DOLCE&GABBANA 


You’ve been described as the “female Dwayne Johnson”, and with 18 years of martial arts training under your belt, how has your extensive training influenced your approach to acting?

Martial arts teaches you to know your body and to be in tune with it. I feel like martial arts has continued to keep me grounded in my body rather than in my head when I’m acting. 

dress LE THANH HOA
shoes CAMILLA GABRIELI

What was the hardest part of transitioning from competitive martial arts to action film roles? What was the most challenging martial arts scene you’ve had to film, and how did you push through it?

The transition from competitive martial arts to film fighting was a bigger adjustment than I thought it’d be. Mostly, I’ve had to learn that they are two completely separate environments with different goals. When filming on set, I’ve had to slow all of my movements down and intentionally align them with the character. It’s about telling a story now, not about winning.

The most challenging martial arts scene I had to film was in a project I just wrapped, where it was consecutive days of 12 hours of fighting. I didn’t have a stunt double, so I really had to engage my physical and mental stamina. It was guns, knives, flipping, wires, everything. In those moments of being pushed to your limit, you have to dig deep and keep pushing. Luckily, I absolutely love that feeling, and now I feel like I can take on anything, and I’m ready to. 

sweatshirt and pants NAMILA
shirt UNTITLED&CO

coat NANA JACQUELINE
tights SAINT SASS
earrings PAULA MENDOZA

You’ve recently become the newest brand ambassador for Alo. How do you balance being a fashion ambassador while staying true to your martial arts roots?

What I love about this new era I’m in is that I just get to be myself and do what truly excites me. Working with Alo has felt so authentic to who I am, because I am passionate about athletics and wellness, but also love fashion and everything that Alo represents.  

We know you’ve been a part of some exciting fashion projects. How would you describe your personal style, and how do you incorporate that into your public persona?

I would mostly describe my style as streetwear, but I love combining feminine with masculine and putting outfits together with unexpected accessories. Some days I love a sheer top with a military skirt or a cropped tank top with oversized baggy bottoms. The clothes that I wear have to feel different and unique, but also just effortlessly cool to me. Fashion is such a fun outlet for me, and it’s one of the pillars of what makes me who I am. 

vest and jeans ROLLA’S
earrings PAULA MENDOZA
rings MISHO

top and skirt VERSACE
shoes FRANCESCA BELLAVITA
bracelets MISHO

Balancing a career with personal life can be challenging. How do you maintain a sense of normalcy amidst such a rapidly growing career?

Remaining grounded is important to me. I grew up in a beach town so going and watching the sunset, taking a hike, or even just getting a smoothie makes me feel like me. I’m also surrounded by people who make everything feel like home, even during the biggest shifts of my life.

Given your multicultural background, how do you see yourself contributing to diversity and representation in Hollywood, especially within the action genre?

I didn’t grow up with a lot of female action stars to look up to, especially of my ethnicity, and that made me feel like I might not have a place in this industry. Now I know that that wasn’t true, and I hope that I can be that beacon for the next generation for anything they might want to pursue or for anyone they might want to be. For all of the times I was told as a kid that I couldn’t be the female Bruce Lee, it would be a life’s accomplishment for a little girl to say she wants to be like me one day, and for no one to tell her that that isn’t possible. 

What’s next for you after ‘Cobra Kai’? Are there any exciting projects that you’re particularly passionate about or roles you’d like to explore?

I feel so incredibly inspired right now and am so excited for my next roles. I can’t wait to explore every genre possible and combine it with action, and also tell important stories that haven’t been told yet. 

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dress DSQUARED2

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dress GIORGIO ARMANI
earrings MISHO

dress DSQUARED2

TEAM CREDITS:

talent RAYNA VALLANDINGHAM
photography YU TSAI
production TREVER SWEARINGEN
casting direction ALEX TORRES
styling ORETTA CORBELLI
styling assistance ALLEGRA GARGIULO
makeup TONYA BREWER at DEW BEAUTY AGENCY
hair PAUL NORTON
digital tech LUIS JAIME
photography assistance DANYA MORRISON, PETER PHAN
post production 88PHASES
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial direction and interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN