Meet Raine Michaels, the Inspiring Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model With a Rockstar Family

When the top six models for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue contest were announced in January, one name was immediately recognizable: Raine Michaels. The 18-year-old model, who won a coveted spot in the famous swimsuit edition for 2019, comes from rock royalty. Her father is musician Bret Michaels, best known as the lead singer of the metal band Poison, and while she's not following in his rockstar footsteps, she's definitely making headlines of her own.

Michaels first shared the news on Instagram, explaining how much this means to her and how long she's dreamed of this particular achievement. "It has been my dream to be a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model since I was 13 years old and it is now coming true." This isn't her first brush with the brand, though. In July 2018, Michaels made her modeling debut walking in the SI Swimsuit fashion show.

Michaels might also inspire fans by modeling what a life with a chronic health condition can look like. In an interview with Parents in 2010, her father opened up about his own struggles with type 1 diabetes, and the fact that tests had revealed that young Raine had prediabetes.

"When she was diagnosed with borderline diabetes at first she was really upset," he shared. "I've had [diabetes] my whole life, so all of our resources are self contained . . . We just talked to doctors who are friends of ours about it and a dietician [sic]." Michaels hasn't shared extensively about her own health, but she's living her best life and showing the world that a diagnosis of any kind doesn't have to be devastating.

Her proud dad also shared the happy news on Instagram in January, writing, "So incredibly proud of @rainee_m! She works hard while being the kind & humble soul she's always been. I know she's beyond excited to work with @si_swimsuit and is grateful to be a top 6 finalist! Congratulations to her and all the other finalists who worked so hard to get to this point!"

The pair don't often talk about each other publicly, as Michaels's parents tried to keep her and her younger sister, Jorja Bleu, out of the public eye. Still, Michaels told Maxim that her father has always been supportive, even when he had to be away. "My dad is a free-spirited guy who taught us to always believe in ourselves. He loves playing music and touring so it was awesome being able to go up on stage with him and sing," she said. "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."

Something tells us there are more good times ahead for Michaels and the entire family. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is on sale now. Scroll through to check out some of her gorgeous Instagram snaps.