Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insights on Cobra Kai Season 6 and Her Thriving Stunt Career
Martial artist, actress, and stunt performer Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz is living her dream, balancing intricate stunts and captivating acting roles. Recently seen in Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 2 as Maria Alvarez, Ramos-Ortiz sat down with Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss her journey, standout moments, and what’s next for her dynamic career.
From Martial Arts to Stunts and Acting
Jewelianna’s path to Cobra Kai started with martial arts at just three years old, combined with a love for performance.
“I did musical theater in high school, but I didn’t know what to do with my skills as a martial artist until I discovered stunts,” she explained. “It was serendipitous. I didn’t see myself as an actress at first, but as the opportunities grew, I realized I could do both.”
Her entrance into the Cobra Kai universe began with open stunt auditions for Season 3 in Atlanta, marking the start of a unique chapter in her career.
Working on Beetlejuice with Jenna Ortega
Beyond Cobra Kai, Jewelianna has worked on major projects, including doubling for Jenna Ortega in the Beetlejuice sequel. Reflecting on her experience, she praised Ortega’s collaboration and kindness.
“Jenna is my favorite actress to double. She really trusted me to make the stunts work and kept asking, ‘What would Astrid do?’” Ramos-Ortiz said. “Tim Burton even hugged me after a tough scene and said, ‘That was so good. I’m not going to make you do it again.’”
The adrenaline-filled scene involved high-speed drifting, navigating hazards, and crashing through fences—showcasing Jewelianna’s incredible precision and fearlessness.
Maria Alvarez: The Confident Fighter of Cobra Kai
When asked about her role as Maria Alvarez, the captain of Barcelona’s Furia de Pantera, Jewelianna lit up.
“Maria is a high-caliber martial artist, but she also has emotional depth,” she explained. “She’s confident because she’s earned it. However, when she faces Zorra, who humbles her, you see that frustration and growth.”
Her dynamic with co-stars Gianni DeCenzo (Dimitri) and Jacob Bertrand (Hawk) brought humor and chemistry to the screen, particularly in the fan-favorite dance scene.
“They were making faces and jokes behind the camera, so I was trying to hold it together while dancing with no music. But when it was their turn, I served it right back,” she laughed.
Behind the Scenes of Cobra Kai’s Big Brawl
The climactic brawl in Cobra Kai Part 2 was a massive undertaking, requiring weeks of intricate planning and collaboration with the stunt team.
“There was a huge whiteboard covered in choreography notes. It was controlled chaos,” Jewelianna shared. “The best part was watching everyone improv fight in the background—it really shows how talented the stunt team is.”
On Kwon’s Death and Fan Reactions
Jewelianna revealed that the cast knew about Kwan’s shocking death early on.
“It was hard to keep that secret because Brandon did such an amazing job making Kwon a likable villain,” she said. “The fans are still mad, and my TikTok is filled with comments asking if he’ll come back in Part 3. I hate to break it to you, but… it’s tough to recover from that one!”
Working with Her Husband, Justin Ortiz
Jewelianna and her husband, fellow martial artist Justin Ortiz, share the screen as Diego and Maria, a duo inspired by their real-life skills and chemistry.
“Having Justin there was amazing,” she said. “He pushes me to do my best, and we know how to bring out the best in each other. It’s special to have a piece of our journey immortalized in Cobra Kai.”
What’s Next for Jewelianna?
While fans may not see Maria Alvarez as much in Cobra Kai Part 3 due to scheduling conflicts, Jewelianna teased some exciting upcoming projects:
Peacemaker (2025) – Doubling for actress Sol Rodriguez
Superman (2025) – Upcoming stunt work
Back in Action – Action film with Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx (January 2025)
Red One – Christmas film with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson