Vanessa Rubio Of Cobra Kai On The 5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career in TV and Film

…Honestly, the idea I’d want to spread is about the magic of breathwork. There’s so much power in our breath. It’s almost like in those movies where the character realizes, “You were the treasure all along.” It’s true for us too — we are the lottery ticket, and it’s all inside us. We just need to explore our breath and become intimate with it. Breathwork can be a journey and sometimes a bit scary because you’re dropping into every second of a breath and staying present with yourself. But what it reveals to you is truth and more of who you are. Encouraging people to explore their breath can bring immense benefits, and the best part is, it’s completely free and always available. We just have to tap into it…

I had the pleasure of talking with Vanessa Rubio. Vanessa is a Colombian-American actress renowned for her role as Carmen Diaz in the Netflix comedy-drama series “Cobra Kai.” Raised in a first-generation Colombian family, Rubio’s parents immigrated to New Jersey from Bogota, Colombia. Growing up in Lodi, New Jersey, Vanessa was influenced by her family’s rich cultural heritage and the proximity to New York City.

Rubio’s journey into the arts began with her education at New York University, where she majored in art history. Her passion for the arts extended beyond academia; she also attended a summer program at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, which solidified her decision to pursue acting. Vanessa’s artistic pursuits are not limited to acting; she is also an accomplished painter who enjoys working with various mediums.

Vanessa made her on-screen debut in the 2007 short film “JFH Brawl,” marking the beginning of a diverse and evolving career in film and television. Over the years, she has built an impressive filmography that includes roles in “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” (2020), “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” (2019), “Cobra Kai” (2017), “How to Be Single” (2016), and “The Hudson Tribes” (2016). Her versatility as an actress is evident in her ability to tackle different genres and character types.

In “Cobra Kai,” Vanessa portrays Carmen Diaz, a role that has garnered her widespread acclaim. Initially appearing as a recurring character, her role was expanded to a main character by the fourth season. Vanessa’s portrayal of Carmen has been praised for its depth and authenticity, contributing significantly to the show’s success. The series, which resurrects the beloved “Karate Kid” franchise, has become a cultural phenomenon, appealing to both new audiences and fans of the original films.

In addition to her role in “Cobra Kai,” Rubio’s television appearances include a recurring role as Nagaina in “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and a guest role as Gina in “Bonding.” Her film credits further showcase her range, with performances in “Blood Bound” (2019) and “The Hudson Tribes” (2016).

Vanessa’s career trajectory was not without its challenges. Early on, she faced the uncertainties and rejections that are common in the acting industry. However, her persistence and passion for the craft kept her moving forward. A significant turning point came with her first network booking on the CBS show “Golden Boy,” which reaffirmed her belief in her chosen path.

Beyond her professional achievements, Vanessa Rubio is deeply committed to personal growth and self-care. She practices meditation, journaling, and breathwork to maintain her mental and emotional well-being. Vanessa is also a certified breathwork facilitator, a practice she credits with helping her stay grounded and connected to her true self.

Vanessa Rubio’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. As she continues to explore new roles and artistic endeavors, she remains a source of inspiration for aspiring actors and artists alike.

Yitzi: Vanessa, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Vanessa: I grew up in New Jersey, in a town called Lodi. It’s where band The Misfits are from, if they can’t locate it. It’s in northern Jersey, about a 25-minute ride to New York City. My parents were recent immigrants from Bogotá, Colombia. They got married in their early twenties and came over. I was their third child and I grew up in the suburbs of New Jersey. I have an older brother and sister. If anyone else is the youngest in their family, they know you’re always trying to be cool for your older siblings and catch up to them.

Growing up, my brother was absolutely into “The Karate Kid” in our household. That’s the reason why I saw the movie so often; it was playing on repeat in our house. I went to high school, then college at NYU. What sold me on NYU, was New York City. I went to New York City and I saw people being their authentic selves, and that drew me in.

It took me a while to come out of my shell. I was very bookish and studied History and Art History. I thought I wanted to go into law after I graduated. What I really wanted to study was acting or painting, because I’m an artist! I hung out at Tisch as much as I could. After graduation, I was trying to find myself. I thought maybe I’d be a curator and work in museums, and I did work for a few years at the Guggenheim Museum. But I realized I needed to be the art; I needed to embody it.

I took one acting class at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and that was it — I fell in love with acting. It continued to unravel me and reveal me to myself, which I think is the essence of true artistry and acting. I followed my intuition and my heart, letting them guide me through many trials and tribulations. I did a few roles here and there and even stepped away from acting for a bit to learn how to paint. I took classes at the Rhode Island School of Design. Something kept calling me back to acting, though. When I returned, everything fell into place. I was ready, in alignment, and the universe said yes. I said yes as well. Then, after a couple more bookings, I was in New York and booked “Cobra Kai” in the fall of 2017.

Yitzi: Wow. So you probably have some amazing stories from other parts of your career. Can you share with the readers one or two of your favorite memories, your favorite stories from your professional life?

Vanessa: Oh, man, let’s see. One of my favorite memories is probably my first network TV booking. It was a show called “Golden Boy” on CBS, which has since been canceled. But it had a really strong opening and a lovely cast. It was my first official booking, and it’s funny how it tied into my personal life. I was just coming back from that pause I mentioned before, where I was learning how to paint and living up in Rhode Island. I felt like the universe was pushing me out of Rhode Island. I was searching for signs, asking the universe, “Where am I supposed to be?”

This is a bit of a weird story, but I had a thief break into my apartment. Thankfully, I was okay. I chased him out, got back my things, and called the cops. Two other houses got their things back too. It was crazy. One of the cops, after observing the whole process, told me I’d make a good law enforcement officer because of my attention to detail. I just knew in my mind that I was probably going to play one on TV, not in real life. Sure enough, the first booking I got when I went back to acting was playing a cop. That experience reassured me that I was on the right path because I had been unsure for a while.

Another favorite memory is just the general feeling on set. Sometimes I’m just so happy, you know? There’s a lot going on, but the essence of it is interacting with people — whether it’s your co-stars on screen or the crew behind the scenes like makeup artists, hair stylists, and producers. Meeting people and being creative with them makes me pretty happy.

Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting and the lesson that you learned from it?

Vanessa: Oh, yeah, for sure. I think embracing the fact that you’re constantly learning is a strength. I like it when I’m able to say, “I don’t know the meaning of that word” or “What does that mean exactly?” It shows I have the presence to catch myself in the moment, the vulnerability to admit I don’t know something, and the willingness to learn. You kind of get all three in one fell swoop. So I’m a big fan of those moments. Not to say I always catch myself — sometimes I’m quiet and too ashamed to say anything — but I try.

One instance that comes to mind was in a casting office. If you’re an actor, you go through casting and stuff, and you end up embarrassing yourself from time to time. There was this one casting director, and I was putting way too much into the scene I was doing. He looked at me and said, “You don’t need anything else.” That was a big lesson for me. The essence of being a good communicator and a working actor is being able to settle into yourself and accept that “this is what it is” without trying too hard.

Yitzi: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Do you have a story about somebody who did an act of kindness or opened a door when it wasn’t necessary that had a long-term impact on your career?

Vanessa: Gosh, you know, I think a lot of these things are invisible impacts. Sometimes they are concrete, like someone literally saying, “Hey, get in that room,” or introducing you to people. Thankfully, I’ve had plenty of those experiences. But I will say, during my time in New York, when I was auditioning constantly and trying to make something out of nothing, the universe definitely sent me my fairy godparents.

One of them was a lovely casting director, filmmaker, and director named Elaine Del Valle. I auditioned for her for something I didn’t end up booking. But she pulled me aside afterward and said, “You have something, and I want you to know it.” If any New Yorkers know, you’re walking those New York streets, carrying everything with you. If you’re auditioning, you have to carry three or four outfits for the day. I was having one of those days and was just exhausted. I remember being in a bathroom or something, and somehow I was on the phone with Elaine. I don’t know why — either she called me or I called her — and she gave me a pep talk. It was just pure love and pure support. I’ll never forget it because you need those people along the way.

Yitzi: Vanessa, you have so much impressive work. Can you share with us about the exciting projects you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future? Tell us why we have to watch Cobra Kai.

Vanessa: Yes, you do. They’re stretching out Cobra Kai’s last season until 2025, so you have plenty of time. There is a film coming out this year that I am in called “Black Spines.” The script was excellent and I loved being on this project because it is the first feature film of the writer and director, Jordan Foss. He’s very talented and a true lover of the film craft.

Personally, right now, I’m enjoying just being with myself. I take these in between job times to explore different parts of my creative self. I’m also studying for my second certification as a breathwork facilitator. And I am learning more of the healing arts. I love acting, embodying characters, creating them, and working with people both on and off screen, but when not actively working on a project, it’s a great opportunity to “fill your cup” so to speak.

I love characters who are a bit like social norm pushers. Carmen, of course, wasn’t quite like that — she was more of a lighthouse on the journey for a lot of Cobra Kai, which I loved. She was such an embodiment of love, and it was a pleasure to play her. But I also enjoy characters who are lone wolves or detectives, or like, from another time.

I love period pieces, old westerns, futuristic stuff, and stories with galactic themes. Who knows what the future holds? The universe knows what I’ll be meant to play next.

Yitzi: So as you know, Cobra Kai is among the most highly rated, most popular television series of the past decade. When I first saw it on YouTube Red, I thought, “No one’s ever going to watch this.” And then it became this huge thing. It’s unbelievable. In your opinion, what was it that really captured people’s attention and hearts about the show and the series?

Vanessa: Oh, goodness. You know, same with me. When I first saw it on YouTube Red, I was like, “Whoa, this show is cool.” I think the essence of it is the tone. The producers really nailed a tone that is quite specific and hard to achieve. They brought back that tone of ’80s movies that a lot of our generation, including mine, grew up on. Suddenly, you’re watching it and feeling all that joy and nostalgia. There’s an essence of a homegrown chuckle or something in it that they were able to preserve.

Nothing will ever be quite like “The Karate Kid.” That movie has its own place and time and is pretty timeless. The way it all came together — the director, John G. Avildsen, and the essence of his work — was special. Our producers managed to filter some of that essence into a more humorous, more plugged-into-the-now tone that really resonated. It brought a lot of generations together.

That’s what made it last. You have older generations wanting to share this with younger generations, and surprisingly, the younger generations really liked it too. You don’t see that too often.

Yitzi: What lessons do you think our society can take from Cobra Kai specifically and maybe from the whole Karate Kid franchise in general? What lessons can society take?

Vanessa: Oh, deep, good question. There are so many lessons because they’re delivered in a really engaging way in Cobra Kai. At its essence, it’s about dealing with aggression, anger, and boundaries. What do you do when someone steps on your toes, breaks your boundaries, or transgresses against you? How do you handle an aggressor in your life while trying to maintain peace?

These lessons come through all the characters, but at the end of the day, it’s about what is enduring and timeless. Who are you really at your core? What do you want to be known for? Some characters, like Kreese, seem unchangeable, but you still hope that maybe some relationship will change them.

I think we can all see different parts of ourselves in these characters. What I really appreciate is how the aggression and energy are channeled through martial arts and the lessons learned there. It’s not just shut down with some act of violence that leaves no more players standing. It’s about the journey of transformation. That’s a big lesson for all of us — learning how to transmute our aggression and energy into something positive and constructive.

Yitzi: How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Vanessa, with the character you play, Carmen? How are you similar and how are you different?

Vanessa: First off, I love Carmen so much. She taught me a lot of lessons. She really fit like a glove for me, taking on a life of her own with both my conscious and unconscious efforts. As an actor, I put everything into it consciously, but there’s also a large unconscious part that dances on its own. The result often surprises me.

Carmen embodies a lot of my own softness and vulnerability, along with the protectiveness and hardworking ethics she has for her family. Her journey was really one of softening even more and unraveling to allow a new form of family and life to happen.

Personally, I’m a bit more chaotic or messy than Carmen. I’m more of a “let’s put all these ingredients in the pot” kind of person, while Carmen would follow the recipe to the letter. She taught me a lot about taking time, being soft, believing, and having faith. I’m more of a person who does things to see how they go and is probably more adventurous than Carmen. I like to travel more and take more risks. So, maybe our timing is a little different too. Carmen is more slow and sure-footed, and while I’m that as well, I can also be light-footed and spontaneous.

Yitzi: This is our signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things that you know now that you wish somebody told you when you first started acting? You have five things you wish someone told you when you first started.

Vanessa: Oh, man. Some of them sound cliché, but they’re clichés for a reason because they’re true.

1. Follow your heart. I know it sounds cliché and surface-level, but the heart is a lifetime, even many lifetimes, journey of unraveling and knowing. We often only touch the surface of our hearts, and when we dive deeper, there’s so much to be revealed. If I had known to truly follow my heart when I started, it would have guided me through everything.

2. Acting is the journey to you. This one I have to credit to my beloved acting teacher, Alan Langdon, in New York City, who changed my life. He would always say that acting is the journey to you. People go into acting for different reasons, but how does the character reflect back to you? All the experiences you personally have lived are gold. Nobody else has experienced what you have, and if you tap into them without shame or ignorance, you can communicate something true and universal.

3. Have fun. It’s essential to have fun. Things can get mucky sometimes, and working with other people can be challenging. But you have to take breaks, joke around, and enjoy the process because these are the people you’re spending your time with.

4. Evolve with the journey. Keep up with yourself. You don’t have to do the same things you did yesterday. Be open to change and growth.

5. Honor yourself. This is about self-worth. Don’t let yourself be undervalued. Recognize your value and honor it.

Yitzi: Perfect. Can you share with the readers any of the self-care routines or practices that you do to help your body, mind, and heart to thrive?

Vanessa: Absolutely. Self-care is a big part of the journey. That’s why I say evolve with yourself. I learned quickly that if I continued to dwell on past experiences or auditions I didn’t get, it would just tie up a lot of energy and wasn’t sustainable. So I had to find practices to let that go. Meditation has been a big help for me, along with drawing and writing. I’m a big journal keeper, and writing helps me filter through my thoughts and emotions.

Chanting is another practice I love. I’m a big fan of Deva Premal and various Kundalini chants. Kundalini yoga is something I enjoy a lot as well. These practices help me tap into my heart space, vulnerability, presence, and breath.

Breathwork has also become significant in my life. I’m a breathwork facilitator, and I’m getting my second certification in September, which I’m excited about. Following your callings is essential because they’re leading you somewhere, even if you don’t know where in the beginning.

Before a day on set, I always bring my mala beads or something to keep me present. Breathwork is something I rely on to stay centered and grounded.

Yitzi: Amazing. This is our final aspirational question. So, Vanessa, because of the great work that you’ve done and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

Vanessa: Oh, my goodness. Well, first off, thank you for saying that. It’s cool and amazing, and I will receive it.

I think, honestly, the idea I’d want to spread is about the magic of breathwork. There’s so much power in our breath. It’s almost like in those movies where the character realizes, “You were the treasure all along.” It’s true for us too — we are the lottery ticket, and it’s all inside us. We just need to explore our breath and become intimate with it. Breathwork can be a journey and sometimes a bit scary because you’re dropping into every second of a breath and staying present with yourself. But what it reveals to you is truth and more of who you are. Encouraging people to explore their breath can bring immense benefits, and the best part is, it’s completely free and always available. We just have to tap into it.

Yitzi: Amazing. How can our readers continue to follow your work online? How could they support you in any way?

Vanessa: Well, I’m most active on Instagram. I try to practice a lot of self-care with social media, so I’m not on X or anything like that because it overwhelms me a bit. But definitely on Instagram, and sometimes on Threads. Hopefully, I’ll have another platform soon where I can speak to people directly because I do love my audience, especially the Cobra Kai fans.

Yitzi: Vanessa, it’s been such an honor to meet you. I wish you continued success and blessings. We can do this again next year.

Vanessa: Yeah, for sure. Thank you, Yitzi. Thank you for reaching out. It’s been a pleasure to meet you, too.