Peyton List and Jacob Bertrand didn't meet on the set of Cobra Kai, despite what many fans assume. They first crossed paths as child actors working on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon projects back in the early 2010s, sharing mutual friends for years before their platonic bond turned romantic. When they finally went public with their relationship in March 2022, they became one of young Hollywood's most talked-about couples, balancing high-profile acting careers with a remarkably grounded personal life.
The search intent behind queries into their bond centers on their timeline, how they transitioned from longtime friends to partners, and how they navigate working together on hit franchises like Netflix's Cobra Kai. While low-quality automated sites spin fictional narratives about secret indie film projects, the real story is much more grounded in childhood friendship, martial arts training, and mutual support across demanding shooting schedules.
From Childhood Acquaintances to Cobra Kai Co-Stars
Long before they shared scenes as Hawk and Tory on Cobra Kai, Peyton List and Jacob Bertrand were just working kids navigating the Los Angeles audition circuit. They first met when they were roughly fifteen years old, appearing together at network events and working in adjacent television circles.
Their friendship solidified over years of casual hangouts, shared circles of mutual friends, and eventually landing roles on Netflix's martial arts sequel series. Bertrand joined Cobra Kai in its first season as Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz, while List joined in season two as Tory Nichols. Working on the same demanding action-comedy series meant spending long hours together on set in Atlanta and Los Angeles, rehearsing fight choreography, and enduring grueling stunt training sessions.
Instead of complicating their dynamic, the intense physical demands of the show brought them closer. They spent months learning stunt sequences together, which built a foundation of trust that ultimately translated off-screen.
Confirming the Relationship: March 2022
Rumors about a romance had circulated among fans for months, fueled by social media posts, group hangouts with fellow cast members, and public appearances together. However, the confirmation came organically in March 2022 when a TMZ videographer caught the couple leaving lunch in Los Angeles.
When asked directly if they were dating, Bertrand didn't hesitate, smiling and confirming that they had been together for a while. He also shared that they had known each other for many years, joking that it was fun working with a close friend. List confirmed the dynamic in subsequent interviews, noting that transitioning from friendship to dating felt natural because they already knew each other's habits, quirks, and stressors so well.
Unlike many celebrity couples who curate every public appearance for maximum press coverage, List and Bertrand maintain a relatively low profile. They occasionally share glimpses of their travels, holidays, and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram and TikTok, but they keep their core relationship private.
Balancing Individual Careers and Joint Visibility
Both actors built substantial resumes before and during their time on Cobra Kai, which helps keep their identities distinct rather than getting swallowed by the "power couple" label.
- Peyton List: Began her career as a child model and actress, landing breakout roles as Emma Ross on Disney Channel's Jessie and Bunk'd, before transitioning to mature dramatic roles like List on IMDb and starring in Paramount+'s supernatural series School Spirits.
- Jacob Bertrand: Got his start voice-acting in animated series like Blaze and the Monster Machines and starring in Disney XD's Kirby Buckets before landing his defining physical role as Hawk in Cobra Kai.
Because both grew up in the child entertainment industry, they share a rare mutual understanding of the pressures, public scrutiny, and erratic work hours that come with acting. That shared background eliminates the friction that often plagues high-profile relationships where one partner isn't in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have Peyton List and Jacob Bertrand been together?
They officially confirmed their relationship in March 2022, but they have known each other as close friends for well over a decade since they were teenagers working in television.
Did they meet on Cobra Kai?
No. While they both starred on Cobra Kai as Tory Nichols and Hawk, they actually met years earlier through mutual friends in the child acting community when they were teenagers.
Do they still work together outside of Cobra Kai?
While Cobra Kai concluded its run with its final season on Netflix, both actors focus primarily on their independent film and television projects while occasionally supporting each other's creative ventures publicly.
How do they handle privacy in Hollywood?
They balance public appearances at fan conventions and premieres with strict personal boundaries, rarely discussing the intimate details of their relationship in major magazine profiles.
