Brooks Nader Reacts to ‘Baywatch’ Casting Criticism: ‘You Can Be Both an Actor and an Influencer’

Brooks Nader is speaking out about criticism of the new Baywatch TV show casting influencers — herself included.

“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,” the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model and reality television star told the Daily Mail recently. “And that’s the beauty of the culture that social media has created.”

Nader, 29, is among the new generation of lifeguards — led by Stephen Amell — set to lead Fox’s reboot of the hit 1990s show. The new series will also star the likes of Shay Mitchell, Livvy Dunne and Noah Beck.

“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,” Nader told the Daily Mail.

“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,” she added.

Earlier this month, Variety reported that Nader will play the role of lifeguard captain Selene, a rival to Amell’s Hobie Buchannon, who is the son of David Hasselhoff’s Mitch Buchannon from the original series.

“It was the biggest pinch-me moment of my career. 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,” Nader said of landing the role.

“Baywatch [was] such an iconic series, and we have such a stacked cast of amazing talent. And so I know everyone’s gonna love it. It’s amazing,” she continued.

According to a press release, the reboot will follow Hobie as “he is taken by surprise when the daughter he never knew comes knocking on his door, sending his world into upheaval as she aims to find her place in the Buchannon family legacy and become a lifeguard.”

A character description for Nader’s character, shared by Variety earlier this month, describes Selene as “excellent at her job,” but that “she and Baywatch Captain Hobie Buchannon have a very different approach to saving lives that is a constant source of friction. Never on good terms, their relationship only goes downhill after Hobie brings his daughter, Charlie, onto his team… and it becomes clear that their rivalry goes much deeper than lifeguarding.”

Baywatch is expected to premiere during the 2026/2027 television season with a 12-episode first season.