tiosmedia.info@gmail.comAs “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.”
Vanessa 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.”
