Biographie
Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, on June 21, 1979, and raised in Juncos, Shaira is the daughter of Edwin A. Cabrera, who worked at Wells Fargo, and Maritza Colón Rodríguez, an accountant. Her bilingual father taught her English from an early age. As an only child, Shaira developed a vivid imagination and learned to entertain herself. Her first acting experience came at age five when her kindergarten teacher cast her as the lead in a school play. She continued participating in school productions, including "La Casa de Bernalda Alba," and took part in choreographed dance routines.
Shaira attended high school under a general and commerce program. In her senior year, her GPA qualified her to take early college courses. However, before graduating, she faced the tragic loss of her father at age 17. Despite this, she persevered, determined to make him proud. She had already been accepted into the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (CUH) in the Business Management Program. During her freshman year, she joined the Management Association, becoming its vice president by her sophomore year. She was also involved with the "Estudiantes Orientadores" and worked as an English tutor.
Her active involvement caught the attention of the Dean, who encouraged her to apply for the prestigious Córdova Internship, which places select students in Washington, D.C., to work in Congress. Shaira was accepted and interned in Congressman José E. Serrano's office in New York. After completing her internship, she developed a strong affinity for the D.C. area, eventually relocating to a suburb and working as a staff assistant for Congressman Silvestre Reyes of Texas. Later, she transitioned to the private sector, working for reputable firms, but she felt something was missing. Acting soon called her back, and she began recording Spanish voiceovers and taking on small local projects as a hobby, which grew into a serious pursuit. In 2007, she joined the Screen Actors Guild.
At 31, Shaira welcomed her son, and motherhood reinforced her passion for acting. She aims to teach her son that with hard work, a positive attitude, and focus, anything is possible.
Shaira has built a career as an actor, model, TV host, and voiceover artist in both English and Spanish markets, collaborating with well-known professionals. She has taken on diverse roles seen on HBO, Warner Brothers Pictures, Disney, FOX, NBC, UPN, CW, Netflix, FPA, Univision, Telemundo, and independent venues. Additionally, she has performed in national public service announcements for MalariaKnowMore.org and EndItNow.org and worked with major brands such as Black & Decker, Strayer University, City Center, Kutra Spa, and BG&E.
Recently, Shaira was cast in a supporting role in the feature film "Tri." To prepare, she underwent six months of triathlete training and completed a race. She describes the experience as "a physical and psychological metamorphosis," embodying her dedication as an actor.
