Not Your Average Beach Babe

She may be a Baywatch star and former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, but KELLY ROHRBACH is a total tomboy—and that’s just one of the ways she busts stereotypes. Read on to get to know the real woman underneath that famous red one-piece.

- Andrew Bevan

After a spontaneous change of plans, we’ve arrived reservation less at a swanky uptown Manhattan restaurant. The place is packed, and Kelly is convinced that we won’t get a table. As the second-oldest of five kids, she’s used to not receiving any VIP treatment— and her siblings like to jokingly keep her in her place. “They’re like, ‘Come on, Kelly, D-list celebrity, get a reservation—oh wait, she can’t!’”

We decide to belly up to the bar, as if it’s our weekly tradition to share truffle ravioli and a $30 cheeseburger. Kelly pauses to survey the scene. “Look at that woman,” she says, zeroing in on what I can only describe as a real-life Bond girl, clad in fur and stilettos. “She looks awesome—that coat! There is always something sexy about this place. I think we made the right choice.”

The 27-year-old is referring to the fact that we were supposed to head to a driving range. Kelly is a lifelong golfer with skills so on point, she landed an athletic scholarship to Georgetown University. But tonight, she’s fresh off a six-hour flight from Los Angeles and in need of sustenance—namely, that cheeseburger.