Vivian Rubio was born in Caracas, Venezuela, to a Venezuelan housewife mother and a Cuban business owner father. She was the youngest of two sisters, and her family had a mixed heritage with some ancestors of Spanish descent. As a child, Vivian was inquisitive and had a distinct ability to empathize with others through emotions. She was also always inclined towards the arts, from singing to dancing to performing, often entertaining her family as the household's comedic relief. Additionally, Vivian was an excellent student academically and was always motivated by competitions, often bringing home a few medals.
In 1993, when Vivian was still a young child, her household faced financial difficulties that inspired her to use her knowledge and abilities to help the family by selling handmade goods and traditional foods. For the next seven years, the family faced progressive financial instability, but eventually, they were given the opportunity to immigrate to the United States in the early 2000s.
At the age of 14, was enrolled in Braddock Senior High School, despite not speaking English. After completing her first year, she made the bold decision to pursue her passion for performing by enrolling in drama classes with renowned instructor Jack Mezzano. Despite struggling with improvisation and relating to aspects of American culture such as TV shows, celebrities, and idioms, Vivian remained dedicated to honing her craft. Although she faced challenges in securing roles in school plays due to her limited language proficiency, her perseverance and unwavering commitment to the performing arts never wavered.
At the age of 16, Vivian Rubio found herself holding two jobs while attending high school amidst the hardship of her parents' divorce. Despite the challenges she faced, she held onto her dream of attending college immediately following graduation, but life had other plans, including missing out on events such as prom. Between 2004 and 2010, Vivian gained invaluable experience in a diverse range of occupations. She worked at a shoe store, a tattoo shop, language schools, clothing stores, private banks, Mexican restaurants, diners, photo booth stands, and events in the party and night club industries, as well as in insurance and real estate, among others. Through these varied experiences, Vivian developed a strong work ethic and a broad skill set that would serve her well in her future endeavors.
While simultaneously pursuing a degree in computer science at Florida International University and performing in theater with Victor Varela and his Teatro Obstaculo, she discovered her true passion. Failing several college classes at the age of 19, she realized that computer science was not her calling.
In 2009, she joined a Hispanic improv group and was selected for a role in the touring company of Hispanic Flamenco Ballet’s Theater, where she portrayed the characters of Aldonza in A Man of La Mancha and Queen Anne in The Three Musketeers. The tour took them to over 20 cities on the East Coast, including Nashville, Atlanta, Knoxville, and Chicago. During this time, she also guest-starred in Telemundo shows and was cast in various commercials, music videos, and short films.
Receiving an acceptance letter from New World School of the Arts Theater Department in 2010 was a turning point. Finally, there was clarity and purpose in life, after touring the East Coast and working on small Telemundo projects. The passion for the craft of acting and storytelling made it easy to embrace the 10-hour days in school. The curiosity for humanity was insatiable, and being surrounded by arts and theater was a dream come true.
Despite the financial difficulties and a full-time overnight job, she adapted to the strict conservatory environment effortlessly. Over the 4-year duration of the program, she acted in plays ranging from Shakespeare to Mamet, directed and designed costumes and scenery. When the New York B.F.A. Showcase concluded in 2014, an unexpected opportunity arose that would dramatically change the course of her present. The Theater, Film, and Television Department at UCLA offered her a first-year full scholarship, and she knew this was an opportunity she couldn't pass up.
The year 2014 marked the start of a new journey in Los Angeles. Pursuing a Master's degree at UCLA, she found the program to be highly supportive, allowing students to not only study but also teach. In comparison to her previous lifestyle, which involved working overnight jobs, the program's hours seemed normal and relatively easy to adjust to.
Between 2014 and 2017, the students of TFT had the privilege of meeting and working with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, Willem Dafoe, James Franco, and Meg Ryan. In 2017, she completed her dissertation, graduated from UCLA, and became a member of both SAG and Equity, two prestigious professional actor unions. The following year, in 2018, she added another feather to her cap by becoming a NASM certified personal trainer, enabling her to train numerous clients while continuing to audition and work in films, commercials, series, and other media.
As 2020 came to a close, it was time for a change. After nearly 7 years in Los Angeles, the city was in complete lockdown and the pull to be closer to family grew stronger. So, the decision was made to return to Miami. In 2021, she joined the Acting faculty at New World School of the Arts. Currently, she serves as a Faculty member at the New York Film Academy, where she collaborates with fellow artists, offers coaching to actors, and disseminates her considerable experience to the emerging generation of talent.
In addition, she recently wrote a short film, and is currently working on a book. Despite the challenges of the past year, she remains dedicated to her craft and is excited for what the future holds.