'Baywatch' Reboot Star Brooks Nader Defends Cast Full of Influencers

When the cast of Baywatch was revealed, there was quite a bit of criticism around the decision to fill is with influencers and social media stars. Now, one of them is defending the choice.

While actors including Arrow’s Stephen Amell, Pretty Little Liars alum Shay Mitchell and OG Baywatch star David Chokachi are all on board, others in the film are more known for their social media following than acting chops.

Just one glance at Livvy Dunne’s casting announcement and you’ll see comments like, “So they hired all influencers?”, “Why do us actors even exist at this point?” and “Hey, so who is casting influencers and WHY???”

In addition to Dunne, a former gymnast with more than 15 million followers across social media, are Noah Beck (33 million followers), reality star and model Brooks Nader (+2 million), football player-turned-actor Thaddeus LaGrone, Yellowstone alum Hassie Harrison  and actress Jessica Belkin.

Brooks Nader Defends the Cast

Nader spoke out about some of the criticism while on the red carpet at Clarins’ Night of Extra celebration last Friday.

“I think that the times are different and everyone is so multi-hyphenate now, and you can be both an actor and an influencer and have influence. And that’s the beauty of the culture that social media has created,” she told The Daily Mail.

“We now have platforms. I think, during the ’90s, you didn’t have social media, you didn’t have Instagram or TikTok, and so people could use their voice now, and I think as long as they're using it for good...I think that it’ll bring a vibe to the show,” she continued.

“I think that there’s so many amazing platforms and voices that are on the show, in the cast, and I think it’ll only help the series,” Nader concluded.

Brooks Nader on First Acting Gig

At the event, Nader also opened up about how it feels to have a project like Baywatch be her first major acting role. Before this, Nader was known for her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue work, as well as her stint on Dancing with the Stars, romance with partner Gleb Savchenko and her Hulu reality show, Love Thy Nader.

“It was the biggest pinch me moment of my career,” Nader told The Daily Mail about putting on the iconic, low-cut swimsuit for the first time. “I feel like this is my first big acting gig, and so I’m excited to show people what I can do and obviously big shoes to fill.”

Calling the original “such an iconic series” and praising the revival’s “stacked cast,” Nader promised it will be “amazing.” She said members of the original cast have also been “really supportive” so far, adding, “I think that we’re going to do everyone justice and honor.”

What's the Baywatch Reboot About?

The show will revolve around legacy character Hobie Buchannon, who was the son of David Hasselhoff’s Mitch and played by Jeremy Jackson on the original. Amell, however, will play the character on the revival.

“The wild child Hobie Buchannon we all loved from the original series is now a Baywatch Captain, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Mitch,” reads the official synopsis.

“Hobie’s world is turned upside down when Charlie, the daughter he never knew, shows up on his doorstep, eager to carry on the Buchannon family legacy and become a Baywatch lifeguard alongside her dad,” it continues.

Nader was cast as Selene, who, per the character description, is the “sharp-tongued” lifeguard captain of Zuma Beach, one who has beef with Hobie. She also has a “very different approach to saving lives,” which causes “constant” friction between them.

Filming is underway, ahead of the show’s 2026–2027 season launch