Alexis Ren

Early Life

Alexis Ren was born on November 23, 1996, in Santa Monica, California. Her father, Frank Gaylord, is a lawyer, and her mother, Cynthia Gaylord, was a nutritionist. Ren is the youngest of five children, with three sisters and one brother. She was discovered at the age of 13 by a modeling scout and signed with Brandy Melville, launching her early modeling career. In 2014, Alexis faced a personal tragedy when her mother passed away from breast cancer, an event that deeply impacted her life and mental health.

Rise to Social Media Fame

Ren's popularity grew rapidly through social media platforms, particularly Tumblr and Instagram. At age 15, a series of photographs of her in a black string bikini by a pool went viral on Tumblr, catapulting her into widespread online recognition. She quickly became one of the most followed Instagram models, known for her aesthetic lifestyle content and fitness-related posts.

Modeling Career and Media Appearances

Following her viral success, Ren expanded her modeling portfolio. She became the cover model for Maxim's August 2017 issue and its Mexico edition in March 2018. That same year, she was featured as a Rookie in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and was later named Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie of the Year for 2018. Ren was also listed on Maxim’s 2019 Hot 100 list, showcasing her status as a leading figure in fashion and modeling.

Aside from print modeling, Ren appeared in commercials for the mobile game Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire. She also launched her own activewear brand called Ren Active, aimed at promoting fitness and healthy living among young women—a passion she frequently highlights on her social platforms.

Dancing with the Stars and Entertainment Ventures

On September 12, 2018, Ren was announced as one of the celebrity contestants on season 27 of Dancing with the Stars. Partnering with professional dancer Alan Bersten, the duo steadily progressed through the competition despite facing multiple eliminations, ultimately placing fourth in the finals on November 19, 2018. During the show, the two developed a brief romantic relationship, which drew media attention during the season.

In addition to reality TV, Ren also appeared in several music videos. Notably, she featured as “Scarlet Jones” in Ed Sheeran’s 2019 music video for “South of the Border” alongside Camila Cabello and Cardi B. She had earlier appeared in the music video for Kygo’s “Not Ok.”