We couldn’t have Cobra Kai without Zara here representing the Iron Dragons. Please welcome Rayna Vallandingham to Puyallup for her first fan convention at the Washington State Summer Con. Rayna is a 13X World Champion in Tae Kwon Do and a bona fide legend in the world of martial arts – all by the age of 21 years old.
Rayna Vallandingham is a dynamic actress, martial artist, and social media influencer whose multifaceted career blends her elite athletic background with a burgeoning presence in the entertainment industry. Vallandingham began practicing taekwondo at age two, earning her first-degree black belt by six and becoming the youngest black belt to win four American Taekwondo Association world titles at eight. With 13 world championships and a fourth-degree black belt, her martial arts prowess—specializing in hand-to-hand combat, bo staff, and nunchucks—has shaped her authentic on-screen performances.
Vallandingham’s acting career kicked off at age 10 with her debut role as Leticia Hernandez in the 2015 karate-themed film Underdog Kids. In 2018, she showcased her skills in the music video for Shawn Mendes and Khalid’s “Youth,” performing alongside other young talents, which garnered millions of views and amplified her visibility. Her breakout role came in 2024 as Zara Malik in Cobra Kai Season 6, Parts 2 and 3, on Netflix. Playing a fierce, social media-savvy antagonist and co-captain of the Iron Dragons dojo, Vallandingham brought intensity and authenticity to the Sekai Taikai tournament scenes, earning praise for her “standout” performance and “fierce” fight choreography.
She recently wrapped production on the second season of Amazon’s CITADEL alongside Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra. We see her as a next great action star of her generation.
With over 5 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, Vallandingham inspires as a role model for women in martial arts.