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Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz: “As a stunt performer, you can’t ask for the doctor”
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After many years working as a stunt performer, Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz shares insights into the industry and discusses her recent role in ‘Cobra Kai.‘
Although their faces are often unseen, stunt performers are just as vital to film productions as any other part of the team. Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz has spent years in this profession, contributing to films like ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’.
Her passion for martial arts began in her childhood, and she also loved theatre, though it wasn’t until adulthood that she connected the two: “I had friends who were stunt performers, and they encouraged me to try it, but I was hesitant because it’s such an uncommon, unstable, and dangerous line of work. Watching them, I realised there were different categories—not every stunt involves jumping off a building. That gave me the confidence to give it a go. Slowly, I realised I was good at it, and I love it,” she explains, adding that she hopes to raise awareness of the profession and earn it the recognition it deserves. Despite being a lesser-known field, the stunt community is very supportive, which Jewelianna values deeply, along with the continuous learning involved in the job. “You’re always pushing for more, learning, and growing. Every day is different; you either learn something new or discover another way to perform a stunt you’ve done a thousand times before. That’s what I love,” she says.
Her expertise has led her to the opportunity of joining the sixth season of ‘Cobra Kai’ as María Álvarez. As a World Martial Arts Champion and a fan of the series, this was a dream come true for Jewelianna. “It was amazing to be a Latina, a martial artist, and to do what I’m passionate about on a TV show. My parents are my martial arts instructors, and we grew up watching ‘Karate Kid’. They even came to the set to watch me fight and perform. For them, seeing me be part of that universe was like coming full circle,” she recalls excitedly. The Puerto Rican stuntwoman was also fortunate to work alongside her husband, who had done stunts in the third season of the show. They both played their own characters in this new season.
María Álvarez wasn’t her first acting role; Jewelianna’s debut was in the film ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’. Transitioning into acting surprised her: “It wasn’t something I pursued—they offered it to me a year before filming began. They saw me in the role, but why couldn’t I see myself that way? Gradually, I realised the reason I succeed as a stunt performer is because I act too—not with my face or voice, but through my body, movements, actions, and even my breathing. So why couldn’t I do it with my face and voice as well? That’s when the light bulb went on, and the transition became easier.” This shift not only broadened her skill set but also changed how her work was recognised: “I feel so proud yet humble. I’m used to doing things without external recognition—you do it because you have to and because you love it. Now that people see my face and want to acknowledge my work, it’s so fulfilling. Seeing people of different ages and backgrounds inspired by it is incredible,” she shares. Jewelianna adds that being part of the growing representation of women and Latinos in cinema fills her with pride, especially during this period of change.
Understandably, stunt work is demanding, especially when it involves dangerous scenes. Jewelianna explains the key elements of preparation: “Physical training varies depending on what you’re doing, but the first thing I focus on is taking care of my health: staying hydrated, eating well… I’m going to push my body, so I need to fuel it properly. I also study the action sequence to see what I already know and what I need to train for.” She highlights the importance of mental preparation: “You have to truly believe in yourself. For these scenes, you’ll face criticism because they need something specific, and you must be secure in yourself. Wanting something different doesn’t mean you’re bad at what you do. You also need to know your limits—don’t say yes to everything and put yourself in situations you’re not ready for.”
The high-stakes nature of stunt work brings immense pressure and little room for error. “We’ve lost many friends in this industry. It’s not talked about much, but it happens. Our success doesn’t come from being adrenaline junkies; it’s because we’re good at assessing risks. Everything we do involves at least three exit strategies in case something goes wrong. That level of preparation takes time and experience,” Jewelianna explains. Despite careful planning, she has faced her share of accidents: “Once, my foot got stuck during a scene where I was just running through a forest. I heard a loud crack and thought I’d dislocated it. I grabbed it, and suddenly it snapped back into place. I didn’t say anything because, as a stunt performer, you can’t ask for the doctor. The next day, they told me I had dislocated and then reset it myself. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things,” she recalls. When asked why stunt performers avoid seeking medical attention, she shrugs: “It’s an unspoken rule in our industry. We don’t have agents; we get jobs through recommendations because coordinators trust us to be skilled, safe, and reliable. Getting injured puts pressure on the production, so we downplay or hide it,” she explains. Despite the risks, Jewelianna ensures that taking care of themselves and staying safe is something stunt performers do in their own time and they try that the production isn’t aware about that
The lack of recognition for stunt performers in the film industry is a persistent issue, but Jewelianna believes the responsibility partly lies within the community: “How can you expect your work to be recognised if you don’t talk about it, if you hide it, and don’t do interviews? Another unspoken rule in our field is that while you’re part of the action, you shouldn’t think you’re special. That mentality often comes from insecurity, but we shouldn’t hide. People won’t appreciate what you do if you don’t share it.” She recalls being criticised by peers when she started posting about her work on Instagram, accused of showing off, but notes that job offers have increased since she began promoting herself online.
In today’s industry, digital effects might seem like a threat to stunt work, but Jewelianna isn’t concerned: “What we do is an art form, and there will always be an audience that prefers practical effects. When Tom Cruise did that motorcycle jump, people went crazy! It could’ve been done with CGI, but audiences flocked to cinemas because they knew it was real. There will always be a place for artists like us, and people will appreciate it,” she says confidently.
For Jewelianna, having the right attire is crucial to her work. She concludes the interview by sharing her go-to brands for comfort and functionality: “I love Joah Brown and FIRM ABS—they look tactical yet stylish and athletic. Of course, Lululemon basics are timeless; their sports bras and leggings are essentials because, no matter how much wear and tear I put them through—even being set on fire—I know they’ll last.” Outside of work, Jewelianna enjoys the handmade vegan leather pieces by Grey/Ven, which she absolutely adores.
