Brooks Nader Talks About Her Role in ‘Baywatch’ and How Influencer Casting Has Evolved
As Brooks Nader prepares for her television acting debut in Fox’s reboot of Baywatch, she has addressed concerns regarding her casting amid claims of stunt casting.
The influencer and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model expressed her enthusiasm to demonstrate her acting abilities despite the backlash. “I’m excited to show people what I can do,” Nader stated.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Nader remarked, “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.”
Reflecting on the evolution of the media landscape since the original show aired from 1989 to 1999, she said, “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.”
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Nader added, “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.”
Following an open casting call in Marina del Rey, Fox revealed that the new Baywatch will also feature Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison, Noah Beck, Jessica Belkin, Thaddeus LaGrone, Livvy Dunne, and David Chokachi, who reprises his role as Cody Madison. Amell will portray the adult version of Hobie Buchannon, originally played by Jeremy Jackson.
Nader described her casting as a series regular as “the biggest pinch me moment of my career,” stating, “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.”
In the reboot, she plays Selene, “the sharp-tongued captain of the Zuma Beach lifeguards. While she is excellent at her job, she and Baywatch Captain Hobie Buchannon have very different approaches to saving lives.”
The franchise has a history of stunt casting, having previously launched the careers of stars such as Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, and Yasmine Bleeth.
