Photo: Twitter
She's been announced as a finalist for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit model search.
By Sloane Solomon — Written on Jan 30, 2019
Fans of 80s rock music know Bret Michaels as the lead singer of mega-popular band Poison. Michaels achieved success not only in the music industry, but also by appearing in various media programs, most notably VH1's Rock Of Love.
Michaels is also the father of two daughters, Raine and Jorja Bleu, one of which has been starting to pave her own successful career path recently. The vocalist's oldest daughter, Raine was announced as a finalist in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model search.
Although Michaels' stardom is no secret, he has kept his daughters mostly out of the public eye so not as much is known about them. However, with Raine building her own career as a model, that is likely to change in the future.
Who is Raine Michaels? Here are some details about Bret Michaels' daughter Raine.
1. Raine is very close with her father.
The 18-year-old model has spoken out many times about her relationship with her father and what it was like growing up with a famous parent.
"Honestly, it was so normal. I didn’t think anything of it really. I thought going to a concert and meeting Lynyrd Skynyrd was normal. Obviously it’s not, but I’ve had an amazing, incredible life. I wouldn’t change it for anything. He’s a regular dad. We go to the beach, play football in the front yard – we just do regular things. But it’s been really cool just getting to meet a lot of people through what he’s done. Anytime that he can be home, he is… And I have gone on tour with him before. But anytime he’s not touring, even if it’s just for two days, he’ll be home with us."
Raine has also called him "supportive" and "amazing."
However, she also revealed that it could be "bittersweet" when he left for tours. "It's also been bittersweet because he toured so much that I didn’t get to see him as much as I would like to. But he goes out of his way to come see me and we still always have the best time."
2. Her mother was her inspiration for her modeling career.
Michaels isn't the only parent that Raine looks up to. The aspiring model has divulged that her mother, Kristi Gibson, was her inspiration for deciding to pursue that career.
"My mom used to be a model, so it’s always been a thing that I wanted to do. I really look up to my parents and... I wanted to follow in her footsteps and pursue it as well. I got signed to an agency when I was 16, but I haven’t done much because I was pretty young."
3. She's a huge Kate Upton fan.
Raine is pretty much a stan for successful model Kate Upton. In fact, she even revealed that Upton was one of her "role models."
“I truly admire strong women like my mom and grandmas as well as Oprah Winfrey, Kate Upton, Cindy Crawford and Tyra Banks who are amazing role models. All of these women are smart, hard-working and dedicated.”
Raine also recounted what it was like to meet Upton for the first time.
"She is so, so sweet and down to earth. And she’s absolutely stunning in person. I was talking to her and I just couldn’t stop staring at her. She is just so pretty. And she had just announced that day she’s pregnant. She was glowing. We only got to talk for two minutes… but just in those two minutes I was starstruck… But I just see so much of myself in her. We have a similar body type and it’s cool to see girls like me who have become so successful in life."
4. Raine is also currently attending college.
In addition to her budding modeling career, Raine is also pursuing her education. In 2018, she graduated high school and now attends Belmont University.
Michaels himself even reportedly told People what she was studying in school. "She is at college studying sports journalism and broadcasting."
5. She's an animal lover.
Another one of Raine's major passions appears to be animals. In 2017, Michaels took to Facebook explaining how "proud" he was of his daughter's efforts to help with wildlife conservation. He also revealed that she was planning to intern as a veterinarian assistant. Raine also often posts photos with animals to her Instagram page.
6. Raine was diagnosed with diabetes as a child.
Michaels has been outspoken about his lifelong battle with diabetes and became a spokesperson for bringing awareness to the disease. He revealed that Raine was diagnosed with borderline diabetes as a child.
In an interview, Michaels spoke out about his daughter's diagnosis.
"At first it's devastating. There is no doubt you have to get through the shock period of it, then you accept it and you have to adjust with the fact that this is the card you are dealt. And that doesn't mean it's supposed to be easy. It's not. It wasn't easy for my parents, but this is the card you are dealt and you love your child unconditionally. I love my kids and I will find a way and custom build that way around my family to make them really secure and still live their dreams and just know that they're going to have to work just a little bit harder at it.
"There is a lot of responsibility that comes with being the parent of a diabetic child. You're worried about their health, there are finances involved, there's a lot of stuff. That's what I raise a lot of money for, that's what the ADA and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation are there for. Find a group a support group and get involved immediately."
7. Raine was named as a top finalist for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit model competition.
The up-and-coming model got a big break recently after she was announced as one out of six finalists for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model search.
Raine once divulged that being involved with Sports Illustrated was always one of her biggest dreams. "Sports Illustrated has been one of my goals since I was probably 13 years old. I’ve always wanted to be a part of Sports Illustrated. I loved the magazine."
Michaels congratulated his daughter on Instagram, writing, "So incredibly proud...She works hard while being the kind & humble soul she's always been."
Sloane Solomon is a YourTango editor and writer who covers pop culture, lifestyle topics, and love and relationships.