Biography
Mónica Marie Rivera is a Latino-British actress, dancer, and model of Puerto Rican heritage, originally born and raised in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. She holds a Master of Science in Management and Leadership and a Master of Business Administration in IT Project Management, and she is currently pursuing a PhD. A proud SAG-nominated performer, Mónica balances a dynamic career in entertainment with a strong foundation in academia and technology. Mónica earned her B.A. in Communications and Emerging Media from Valdosta State University, where she cultivated her passion for storytelling and digital innovation. She went on to earn several technical certifications in Cybersecurity, IT, and Data Analytics. In 2020, she founded her own consulting and design firm, where she continues to work on creative and technical projects when she is not on set or the runway.
Her love for performance began in childhood while living on a military base in Puerto Rico. Through the Youth Activities Center (YAC), she trained in traditional Bomba, ballet, and tap, laying the foundation for her artistry. In high school, she further honed her skills in theater, earning accolades for her performances, including an award-winning pantomime at the Florida State Thespian Festival in 2012. Simultaneously, she explored her aptitude for technology, studying coding and developing programs in Python, C++, and Java. At just 16, she secured a tech internship with a Fortune 500 company as a GIS Analyst.
Mónica's career in the performing arts has evolved alongside her academic and professional pursuits. While completing her education, she starred in a nationwide commercial for UWF and graced the cover of Jacksonville Bridal Magazine in 2018. Her skills in choreographed dance earned her a role in Suicide Squad II, part of the DC Comics Universe, and she later appeared in the 2021 reboot of Legends of the Hidden Temple as a Temple Guard. After securing a position with a tech startup, Mónica walked in both New York and Paris Fashion Weeks, receiving press coverage from Elle, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, and more.
An avid learner and multifaceted talent, Mónica has since trained in martial arts, swing dance, language learning, and gymnastics. She returned to the big screen as a credited Talokan Guard in Marvel's highly anticipated Black Panther II: Wakanda Forever and has served as a stand-in for Zoe Saldana. Mónica continues to pursue roles that celebrate her Indigenous and multicultural heritage while pushing boundaries in both the entertainment and tech industries.
