As “Cobra Kai” prepares to bow out with its final season, Vanessa Rubio reflects on her transformative journey as Carmen Diaz, a character who became the emotional cornerstone of the series. From her heartfelt moments as a devoted mother to Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) to her tender romance with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), Rubio’s portrayal brought depth and authenticity to a show rooted in martial arts and nostalgia. “Cobra Kai” captivated audiences worldwide for seven years, and the experience was life-changing for Rubio.
In an exclusive interview for HOLA! USA, Rubio shares what it was like to say goodbye to a role that blended elements of her life with the resilience and strength of immigrant women she grew up admiring. She reflects on the impact of “Cobra Kai” on her career and personal growth, the responsibility of representing the Latino community authentically, and her excitement for the projects ahead. With a mix of gratitude and nostalgia, Rubio opens up about the highs and challenges of bringing Carmen to life and what she hopes audiences will take away from this iconic series.
As ‘Cobra Kai’ concludes, Rubio reveals how she feels emotionally. “Absolutely bittersweet,” she confesses. “I think it goes in waves. When Billy (William Zabka) filmed his last scene, it was like a big close, and he gave a very beautiful speech. It’s the closing of so many things, seven years of work, a cast and crew who grew very close and got to know and treat each other as family. So it was a lot of ups and downs.”
Vanessa said she was able to leave her role behind. “It was this sort of liberation of energy, because I hadn’t realized how much I was keeping for Carmen, until I had the opportunity to say, ‘Okay, now I can kind of let you go to a certain extent.’ And I felt that liberation of energy, but then also it was just pure sadness and also joy. I think this is a one of a kind, once in a lifetime kind of show,” the star explained.
Carmen Diaz: A Career-Defining Role
Carmen was her first main role in a series for Rubio, and the impact has been profound. “Carmen is definitely my most well-known role. Before this, I worked on projects like ‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and ‘Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings’, which I also loved, but ‘Cobra Kai’ became a global phenomenon. No one expected the show to become the hit that it is, so being part of it has been exhilarating. When people tell me they love my character, it’s so fulfilling because that’s my job as an actor—to make people feel connected.”
© Curtis Bonds Baker/NetflixVanessa said playing Carmen changed her life in multiple ways. “A role like this, in a show with such wide exposure, inevitably changes you. I’ve always had a very strong intention about why I want to act simply. Want to tell the truth. I want to tell the truth of my own lived experience and incorporate that into actors. Sounds simple. It’s really hard, so I have to always dig to be truthful.”
“It’s wonderful to be able to bring life to a character like Carmen, because she is very dear to me, very close to my heart.”
Rubio explained that her role is “essentially a combination of myself and my mother and the other strong Latins that I grew up watching and seeing, how they work,” the star explained. “Women, mothers are amazing, and especially immigrant women, this is such a fascinating category of the human spirit. So for me, it’s such a wonder. It changed my life completely because it made me realize that this essential truth, this lived experience that’s so specific, means a lot to people, because a lot of people can relate to it .”
On Being Johnny Lawrence’s Love Interest
Playing the partner of an original “Karate Kid” character was an unexpected journey for Rubio. “It didn’t hit me right away. Back in late 2017, when we started the first season, we didn’t know where the story would go. It was all about putting in our best effort and seeing what happened. Rose [Bianco], who plays my mother on the show, actually predicted it during filming. She looked at me and said, ‘They’re going to make you the love interest.’ I hadn’t even considered it at the time! That realization came step by step, and it added a special dynamic to my character.”
On Playing Xolo Maridueña’s Mom
Rubio also shared her thoughts on playing Carmen as a devoted mother to Miguel, portrayed by Xolo Maridueña. “It was amazing. I mean, fortunately, we had such a cast, a well chosen cast. Xolo is amazing, and so is Billy, and that was like the movement and Rose as well, the main unit of family that we exist in,” Vanessa told HOLA! USA. “Xolo is so relatable. He’s so down to earth, and he’s so funny. He’s a big jumpster. I mean, sometimes I’d have to be like, ‘Don’t make me laugh.’ But yeah, I think a lot of that had to do with the pre-story, and there’s a lot of backstory to fill in, so I had to, kind of psychically draw the lines there, so that the audience would get it and we would get it, and then we’re existing in an organic way.”
Representing the Latino Community
Rubio has always taken her role as Carmen seriously, especially in representing a strong Latina character. “It’s nice to be part of a family that isn’t rooted in stereotypical Latino tropes. Carmen is authentic, and that was important to me. I fought for every line to feel genuine because I know how much she means to people, including myself.”
“As a Latina, I carry my lived experiences into every role, and I want those experiences to resonate with the audience.”
© Charley GallayWhat’s Next for Vanessa Rubio?
As she settles into a new city, Rubio is excited about what’s ahead. “I’ve been traveling a lot, and people have been following my adventures on social media. I also have a film, “Black Spines,” coming out. It’s a horror movie, but thankfully, I don’t play a scary character! I’m always open to new opportunities and can’t wait to see what the universe brings my way.”
For fans of “Cobra Kai,” Vanessa Rubio’s portrayal of Carmen Diaz will always hold a special place as a heartfelt and authentic representation of strength and love. As the series concludes, Rubio is ready to embrace her next chapter.
This interview was edited for length and clarity purposes.