‘Street Fighter’ Star Callina Liang Trades High Kicks for a Satin Slip on a Smoldering Behind The Blinds Cover

Few actors have the kind of year that turns a fighting-game icon into a fashion-magazine star. After weeks of martial arts training and a blockbuster launch, Callina Liang is now showing a very different side of herself. Her Behind The Blinds cover is the latest sign that Hollywood and the fashion world are both paying attention.

Liang plays Chun-Li in Legendary’s live-action ‘Street Fighter,’ which opened in theaters on October 16. The film won the weekend with an estimated $31 million domestic and $51.1 million worldwide. That domestic opening beat the debuts of both earlier ‘Street Fighter’ movies, which opened with $6.9 million in 1994 and $4.7 million in 2009.

Now the spotlight has shifted from the arena to the editorial studio. Liang covers the latest issue of Behind The Blinds magazine, with photography credited to Jason Renaud. The cover is shot in moody black and white, and it has quickly drawn attention online.

Callina Liang covers the latest issue of Behind The Blinds magazine. 📸: Jason Renaud https://t.co/HMoqDFjH3o

— Cinethology (@thecinethology) October 18, 2026

On the cover, Liang reclines against dark cushions in a satin slip dress with her long dark hair falling loose past her shoulders. A second image has a completely different feel, with her hair pinned into a loose, tousled updo as she glances toward the camera. A dark oversized jacket drapes off her shoulders over the same slip.

The pared-back look is a sharp contrast to the high-kicking action heroine audiences are watching on the big screen. It also marks a notable step for an actress whose profile has risen fast. Fans have called out the editorial polish, with some arguing it proves she has serious fashion potential.

Behind The Blinds is a self-published biannual magazine covering contemporary aesthetics in fashion and the visual arts. It was launched by Brussels fashion designer Michael Marson, and it mixes newly commissioned editorials with archival contributions from an international collective of stylists, photographers, writers and artists.

Recent covers have featured actors including Connor Storrie, François Arnaud and Ruaridh Mollica. Landing a spot on that list moves Liang beyond video game adaptation territory. It suggests the industry sees her as more than a franchise face.

Liang’s rise has been quick. The Canadian actress, who is based in London and speaks both English and Mandarin, previously appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Presence.’ Her casting as Chun-Li was announced in June 2025 by Deadline, and she joined a cast that includes Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, Jason Momoa as Blanka, Roman Reigns as Akuma and Cody Rhodes as Guile.

Kitao Sakurai directed the movie, which is set in 1993. Chun-Li first appeared in ‘Street Fighter II’ in 1991 and is considered one of the first playable female fighters in a major fighting game. Liang followed a famous line of actresses to play the role, including Ming-Na Wen and Kristin Kreuk.

Preparing for the part was no small task. According to Nintendo Life, Liang studied every version of the game and recorded Chun-Li’s moves in slow motion so she could break them down. She then trained in taekwondo, Muay Thai and wushu for 2 hours a day.

She also overhauled her diet, reportedly eating 12 eggs a day while bulking. By the end of the shoot, her thighs had reportedly grown 6.5 centimeters each. That dedication is part of why the soft satin cover feels like such a striking turn.

The movie itself has divided audiences. Critics gave it a 42% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences were far kinder at around 79% to 82%, and it earned a B- CinemaScore. The $51.1 million worldwide opening also fell short of the $70 million Deadline reported was hoped for, against an $82 million production budget.

Even so, winning the weekend gives the film some momentum, and it keeps Liang at the center of the conversation. A fashion cover that lands within days of release only adds to that visibility. For a performer who spent months learning to throw a lightning kick, the quiet, glamorous portrait shows how much range she can show without a single fight scene.

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