Vanessa Rubio

well or as well as you possibly can. Um had high helps and guess what like right off the bat a couple of days in, We're not ready for that. Keep it. Thank god for this podcast. Excited, so excited for today's episode. I'll tell you. One of the things that keeps me happy. One of the things that have kept me saying going has been Netflix and the fact that Netflix brought back Cobra Kai Bro. Thank you. I don't know if you guys have seen the show, but it is so good. If you weren't a fan of

the Karate Kid growing up. Uh what had something for everybody? Ralph macho, little teen heartthrow out for all you ladies out there. Uh Elizabeth Shoe, yes, please may have another. And now it's back. Dude, been revitalized, threw some botox into that mug, and it ripped, roaring, ready to go for shows. Amazing, HARKing back to the nostalgia and that eighties and early nineties aesthetic that we all loved, sweep the leg Jetty, and then incorporating like y a stuff

of today that like Jen Xer's artists love it. It's on its third season, it doesn't sound likes to be slowing down anytime soon. And today on the Wells Cast, I'm gonna have someone who stars in the show mb D. I mean yes, she stars in Cobra Kai, which everyone's watching. It's always like top one or two most stream things on Netflix when I turn Netflix on. That's not the

only thing she's doing. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on it, Dollia Parton's Heartstrings on it, Master of None on it, w g N's Gone on it, NBC's Deception on it, and so much more. This is a woman who graduated from n y U with an art history degree, was pursuing her life in the world of art and said, you know what, not happy dropped it all, started waiting tables, taking acting classes, busting her butt to make it happen, and look where she is now. She's on the Wells Casts.

A dream come true for most every actor ever. They say, you know what I know I've made when on the Wells Cast. Very excited today to have the star of season three of Cobra Kai on Netflix. She plays Carmen, the mother of Miguel. On The Wells Cast today, it's Essa Rubio. Trust me, guys, this is one show you

guys are just not going to want to miss. Promise you sweet Alright, back on the Wells Cast, I have Vanessa Rubio on this show, and I gotta say, I'm very excited about this episode because I'm a child of the late eighties and early nineties, so like Karate Kid was like my jam right, And then I see that Karate Kid comes back and I watch it on YouTube, thinking like this is never going to be the thing, and now straight up like it's a fucking thing. Season

three is upon us on Netflix. Now, how crazy is this? It's amazing. And the rebirth on Netflix it's just gained a whole new level of things. It's wonderful. I mean, I have to ask because when I saw it was on YouTube, I was like, I don't know if if this is gonna be like this iconic show that I think that everyone was hoping for. Were you guys, I don't know if this is gonna work or was it When Netflix then came along and picked it up, You're like,

all right, and those things might have some legs. There's always that trepidation a little bit when there's a reboot. You know, you're like, are you going to ruin the thing that I love or what? From my perspective as an actor, it was like coming into it and I was like, clean slate. I don't know what to expect. I'm not going to build it up, you know. Sweet filmed season one and I was just like, Okay, I'm just gonna pay attention and be true to my character

the circumstances. And then around when we filmed episode ten of The Tournament the first season, I felt like, oh, this is gonna be amazing. There was just like the stunts and everybody, you know, everybody was in that room and it was just like an energy and and and that was actually the first time that a lot of the cast was together, So the first time I even saw Ralph previously that I was just working with solo and Billy. It was just like an energy and I

was like, Oh, it's gonna be amazing. And then you know, you you wrap and you you go home, and you're just hoping that all the other elements come together. And they really did. I mean, they hit the tone really well. It's it's spot on. The show does such an amazing job of recreating eighties nostalgia. And I wonder if, like, you know, it's twenty you started filming the show in the beats have to be different, right, Like it's got to be like a different way to act because you're

doing like this very stylized eighties version. Was it hard to become an eighties actor? I don't know if that question makes sense, but that I've always wondered that when I watched the show, because it's got a vibe to it, right it does, And I'm not even sure how they

do it, Like I think the producers. I'm like, in my mind, I'm like, they must have like an equation because because it just comes together in that way, like in that scene the first scene where Johnny is fighting off the kids who are assaulting Miguel, and then you have homeless Lynn in the background with the pizza and what is it about that that is so eighties? It's

so weird. But I agree with you. I think it's just kind of like that, like all the elements have to come together, so you're just like doing your part and then you know, whoever is directing or producing kind of sets the tone and make sure it has that

that uh, that flavor. But of course, like for for me and my experience, I was just you know, paying attention, doing doing my thing for Carmen, and then of course when they did the the eighties hairband video recreation, I was just like, okay, here we go, pull on eighties, you know, bliss here. Before you started filming, did you go do research, homework, go watch a bunch of John Hughes films or something to get ready to do the show? I did. I rewatched The Karate Kid a couple of times.

I did. There's some genese qua quality about it, you know. I know, whether it's Aunngie Avilson the director. I suspect it is um you know, because he also directed Rocky and you get kind of that same feeling, that same like rooting for the underdog, very like scrappy kind of filmmaking that works so well, you know, it's still it's not it's elevated, so um so yeah. I did do some research and I watched a lot of white Snake

videos and poison. I'm on the wrong side of my thirties at this point, and I love watching the show because it takes me back to a place, you know, like a simpler time. I guess you could say, I think what's surprising to me is that obviously a lot of the younger generation that Gen X is gravitating towards this, Like there's no way that this would be in its third season if it wasn't doing really well with the

Young Demo. Are you surprised that this like Young Demo is gravitating towards this and like really really loving it. I kind of am. I kind of am. I think it's just like they wrote those characters really well, and those themes don't go away, right, bullying and you know, all the things that are happening in high school and are you gonna be tough enough? And are you going to be able to defend yourself? I mean, those things

don't go away. And also maybe you have a generation of of kids today who are well aware or I don't know, more aware than they would have been without YouTube and things like that of the generation that their parents grew up in. When I watch it, I think the producers and the writers have done a really good job because for me, as someone who grew up on Danny and Johnny's storyline, you know, there's a bit of

a bit of cheesiness. Their whole stick is cheesy, but it's got heart, but it's funny, like it's got all those elements of the eighties stuff. And then I assume that, like the gen Xers who are watching the show are obviously gravitating towards your son's character. For the young kids, I feel like there's less of like the eighties cheese with them. For me as the older person watching them, like, oh yeah, I get I see what they're doing there.

And then I watched like the young kids, and I'm like, oh, yeah, they're just playing like a normal two thousand nineteen kid role. You know. I guess that's that's how I perceive. Yeah, no, I hear you. They're it's like they're the normal one, yeah, exactly, which I think that's how gen Xer's view adults. Anyways, true, we must be the weirdos to them. Yeah, congratulations on on a third season. What can you tell us about season three? Because season two ends real bad for you

and your son? Yeah? So bad. Whenever I read that script, I just like cry, we didn't fill me and I was just like, um, season three. I don't know if you've seen it or not. Everybody has different pacings on these things. Season three basically dealing with all the aftermath of that. I mean, that fall was horrendous, the betrayals and everything that was broken there. So it's like, how do these characters meant and how can they move forward? You know what I mean? Can they put their differences

aside or do they move further into that resentment? And do they just stay there? We'll see. It's obvious that naturally you gravitate towards loving the character, ark and storyline of you and your son in the show. But when you watch it back, is there another subplot that, like you really gravitate towards not as an actor, but as an enjoyer of entertainment? Yeah? Totally, Um, I mean the main one, the dynamic between Johnny and Daniel is amazing.

I mean it's just like it's so relatable. You know, they get under met each other's skin in a way that's like you're just tracking up because you're like, yeah, you can't stand this person. Why I can't they get out of your life? You know? So I love that one, UM. And I also really love um Miguel's storyline, you know, just his character development and the different way that he's viewing the world now and and growing up. I really

think it's I think it's lovely. Just like talking about the two principal leads here with Johnny and Danny getting to know them, what is their relationship like off camera? Um, you know, it's it's kind of funny, it's I mean, it's genuinely wonderful. They're both very well grounded people, super generous pros just like pros. You know, it's good for

me to learn from them. But they do definitely do poke fun at each other, Like you know, there's always like a little bit of acting, like there's always a little bit of bleed through is what I call it. Is like when that character is still kind of lingering around and then there's like a little jab or a joke that can be made and uh, and they'll do that. But they but it's nice, but they get along very well.

I mean, have you talked to them about like whether or not they thought this would be successful, because you know, obviously it's a it's the thing that's happening now where they're they're kind of like re um, they're recreating old stuff, right Like, they're kind of it's and and and it's not successful most of the time. And when I saw this was coming out, I was I was nervous because I was like, don't ruin my child. This was great, Like,

you don't need to fix it, you know. Um. I mean, like, was there trepidation with with both of them because that's very much part of their identity. You know, you can't look at Ralph Maccio and and not think, well, that's the karate kit. You know, Like, was there trepidation for

them going into this project? I mean, I don't really know they would be the best series to do that too, you know, answer that, but I you know, I have seen interviews and things like that where yeah, of course they're they're protective over and they have to be careful about, you know, where that story and those iconic characters go. Um, But I think it's just been really lucky, like a good mix of everything. The producers who are huge fans of the of the original movie series, and they because

of that, they treat it with respect. They know, you know, they're not making a stick out of it, and um, I think that's really what it's about, and evolving those things like past the eighties stereotypes, you know, and seeing like, Okay, there's a lot of gray in here. This person is not bad or good. There's just in this place at this time. And where do they go from here? You know? My last question is about the show. Who's the best fighter out of everyone there? My son? Okay? Fair enough?

I don't know, No, they'll say, I'll say, um, I really don't know, but I'll say, Billy, okay. I like that You've had kind of a big year, like this isn't the only thing that you've done this year, which is very nice because most of us are just like sitting around waiting for stuff to do. Tell us about the other projects that you've got going on. You seem like you're quite the Netflix lady these days. Well, fortunately

it was done previous pandemic year. Actually, just at the top of I did do a couple episodes on the second season of Bonding, which is a Netflix show, and it was nice because we filmed it in New York and it was like pree pandemic New York. We got it in just in time. And it's a sweet show, you know. Um has it's it's quirk, quirky humor and is talking about, you know, a very delicate topic of dominator dominatrix is and how they work. Um. But my character is really fun and I love her a lot.

Her name is Gina and she comes in and kind of, you know, messes things up anyway. Um. But prior to that, I did also an episode on Dolly part In series, which was amazing. I mean I never thought I would ever get to meet and be in the same room with Dolly Parton, let alone be in one of her productions.

It was. It was quite amazing. I lived to Nashville for twelve years doing radio UM, and so obviously I was very well versed in the the lore that is Dolly Parton and in uh in Nashville and surrounding counties, there is Jesus and then there's Dolly Parton. So that's pretty cool that you got to work with her. Absolutely, and we did the premier in Dollywood, So I get you.

It was definitely that way deservedly, So you know, she's just amazing that that whole area Dollywood and the whole area around it is just um really kind of the the proof of one person's beauty and bounty and love. Yeah, the amount that that will has given back to the community is unbelievable. So that's awesome. It's I don't know if anyone told you, but I am really fascinated with origin stories. I like to find out how they got to where they are today and what the blueprint was

for their success story. Less interested in about the person with the blue check mark. I'm more interested in the person that was working three jobs and whatnot and and grinding to get to that point. So if you have a couple of minutes, will you tell us where the hell you came from and how the hell you got here? I love that, first of all. I'm in total agreement. It's it's way more fascinating. All right, quick breaking we come back. We're gonna find out a little bit more

about Vanessa Rubio. Let's stick around, and I'm back in the Wells cast. Very excited to have on the show. Today Vanessa rue Bo, who stars in season three of Oh Yeah, Cobra Kai It's back, Baby. But I want to know, Vanessa, where you came from. Let's start at the beginning, man, where the hell that came from. I grew up in a town called Lodi, New Jersey, Northern Jersey, and it's I tell people, because nobody knows what they're like, Lodi and whatever, but it's where the misfits are from.

So that kind of gives you an idea of the tone of the town where a lot of garage bands. You know, um it was uh and my family's Colombian, uh, some first generation Columbian American, the youngest of three and just kind of yeah, I grew up. I knew I always wanted to be an artist, draw paints, saying you know, it was all calling to me. And so I was very much drawn to New York. You know. In the first time I went to New York, I was like, Oh, this is it. This is where the people go who

want to be crazy and free. And I started taking life drawing lessons there just to be in New York. And then I went to Way You and I actually didn't study acting as an undergrad, I was way too shy and way too bookish. Uh So I studied art history and you know, just loved it. I didn't really know what I was gonna do with it, but I knew that I loved it. Probably also like probably too scared to be an art major, you know what I mean, because you know, immigrant parents, they were like, you better

do something with your with yourself. So I couldn't really declare my artistry out right then. But once I graduated college and I started working in like galleries and museums and stuff, I was just like spinning my wheels and I was just like, I gotta do something, you know. And then I was just like, you know, if it, I'm just gonna act. I've always wanted to do that and if I don't all regret it. So I took a summer course and I feel like it like literally

saved my life. You know. It was just like in my twenties and just not knowing what to do with myself. And when I did that, I was just like, this is it, This is this is what I want to do. I didn't know how, you know, it was going to work out, but I was just like everything about it I loved, so I was just searching and bopped around

from studio to studio. Definitely had to bite the bullet and take waitress jobs, which was hard for me because I was had a day job and I had a degree, right, so I was like, oh, no, I'm gonna be this artist starting artist thing. But it really taught me a lot. I was just like, you know, driven by the love of it. And I was just like driven by this feeling like no, this is this is what I meant to do. And as any actor will tell you, it's

so love hate relationship. You know, you try and you're in love with and didn't you go out to audition and you're like what is this? Which is what I experienced. I hated auditioning and I left act. I was was like, okay, so I'm not an actor. I hate auditioning, I'm not an actor. I'm going to take painting classes. I'm gonna be a painter. And I did that for a while, like a year and a half, close to two years, and I was like so lonely, you know, I missed

the collaboration that is acting. So I was like, okay, I'm gonna go back into it and as soon as I made that decision, I feel like the universe really uh supported me in that. You know. I was was living in Proptin's Rhode Island, taking classes at Risky painting classes, and then I you know, decided, I was like, no, I'm gonna go back to New York and back to acting. And as soon as I got back into New York, it was like the messages couldn't be clearer. It was

like I landed an agent, I landed a commercial. I got my SAD card like literally in like a month. So I was like, whoa, you know, so that was it. From there, I just kept on, you know, kept on waitressing, kept done going, kept on taking classes. Somehow ends it of here. You know, the journey is quite amazing. I find it funny because your story isn't unique to our guests on this show, but I think it's unique to our listeners because they're like, wow, I can't believe that's

how it works. And there's this misconception about success, and I found that a lot of people attribute success to the dollar amount that you have in your bank account, and for really successful people, generally, success equates more to happiness, and you kind of touched on it, like you weren't very happy not doing the thing that that you were loving, even though it wasn't bringing in a whole lot of money, and you were having to burn a bride at both

ends with waiting tables and also doing the art stuff. I think it's just a good lesson for everyone out there to remember generally money follows all that success, but it's not an overnight thing. I wanted to go back though, because you are of immigrant parents. First of all, you're the youngest of three, right, yes, so were you like I think birth orders interesting? Were you because I'm the

youngest as well, I'm the youngest of five? Were you the most boisterous and always performing because you're a little one, no one's ever paying attention to you, Like, was that your stick in your family? A little bit of that? Definitely the comedic relief. I love making people laugh, you know, it's just there's no feeling like that. So yeah, I definitely went into that clown rule willingly and happily, you know. Uh. And then but I think I was also just a

natural character creator and storyteller. Like as a kid, I used to make characters and comics and then put it in a notebook and then like give it to my family and be like, look, look at the latest comic that I made. So anyway that I could tell a story, I think it was just kind of natural in me to do so. And you got into n y U. It's really really good school. Did you get a scholarship there? It got a little scholarship a lot to help, Like, I mean it covered something, but but yeah, I did.

Do you graduate with this art history degree? Are your parents like she's gonna be a curator at the Smithsonian? Like? What were their ambitions for you with that degree? At the time, they were just like just watch are you gonna pop any minute? Because I remember I I graduated with a broadcast journalism degree, and I remember once hearing my father go, I don't know what he's gonna do sell insurance. I guess it's like it's such a delicate,

vulnerable tide. You know that you're like you're being so watched. You Very very few people do the thing that they're qualified to do with their degree, I found at least. But you're actually working in Were you working in galleries and stuff? Yeah? I worked at a small Latin American gallery. I mean that a lot of those things don't pay it. First it was like hard um and then I worked at the Googenheim as a like kind of like it's weird position that was like a slash descent slash security guard.

Could just be like in the galleries all day and just talking to people, which is actually really good because it was they trained us on an inquiry based conversation. So I feel like, you know, I have to talk to strangers all the time for like two three years that I was there, so I have no problem talking to people like the weirder. I'm just like a New New York too. I'm like, okay, I got you. But yeah, it was a good job and it was a great

place to work too, because the building and everything. It was just it fed my soul in in a good way. I think at that time that I needed it. It's kind of like an incubator. Was it a tough conversation with your family of Hey, listen, I think I'm gonna pursue this kind of like other avenue? Oh totally. You know. They did not want My parents is very loving and they did not I want their daughter to be waitressing. No, we sent you to college. You shouldn't be waitess thing.

So I just had to really stick it out there, you know. And of course, you know, bear with the in the beginning and when you're going to get a real job, all those things and just but it was, you know, you have to learn how to surpass those things.

So I really had to dig into self improvement to you know, read self improvement books, you know, the power of my mind, and guard my thoughts and maybe not tell everybody I'm an actress, you know, while I'm wait interesting, because then I'll hear all of their opinions about what an actor is. Meanwhile, I was really working hard to form my own opinions about that. So I feel like you've got to be self protective when you need to

be when you're pursuing your thing. That means a lot to you know, when and with who to share it. I waited tables when I was like trying to make it in radio. I learned a lot of lessons from the service industry. And I think it's funny because a lot of entertainers that come on the show waited table. I guess my question is, do you have a lesson that you learned from working in the service industry that for those people out there that haven't worked in it

should know about. Oh my god, it's so hard. It's so hard. Please have a passion for your waitresses. Sometimes sometimes I worked in this really I mean, I can't claim that I was a good waitress. Um, but I worked in this really trendy place which is now closed in the city, and uh, it was just like so buzy sometimes and one of us, inevitably in the wait stuff would be like caught in the zombie lights in front of the computer screen, just like and then one of us would go and be like, hey, man, you

all right, what do you need? It's so hard, But you know, you meet a lot of great people. Um, you learn how to, you know, resolve situations. I was really good at that, really good at like turning a bad situation around. Um. So you know, you live and you learn. But definitely be kind to your your waiters.

I think it's funny. Uh, I'm I don't pretend to be an actor, but I will say that when I waited tables, was I was doing some good acting Because you could be and having a real bad day, but you got to turn it on for every table, right, And I do remember once, you know, I went up to table seventy two and it was, hey, guys, how's it going, Like what can I get you? Can I

start you with? And another table that was like my table that needed something was watching me, waiting to get my attention, you know, and so I was doing like, all right, guys, we'll be right back with your diet coke, in your coffee on, you know, like have a great don't worry about and then and then all smiles. Then right when I turned on my heel, you know, my face went and just you know, like I don't want

to do this. The other table I was watching me trying to get my attention, was like, oh way, you're falicy. You're like I have to be. Yeah, they want espressos, they want three cappuccinos and espresso. Do you really need to just have a normal coffee? Guys? You know a lot. It takes me. It's like seven minutes the thing. Yeah, man, that's funny. You come back, you leave Providence, you come back round two. Things really really moved fast for you. Was there a moment where you were like I made it?

Oh not? Then it took about maybe two more years or yeah, two more years that. At the end of two thousand fourteen, I think was when I really felt solid. I was just like, oh I get it, now, I can do this. Yeah, all the riff raff in the mind settled, and I think I needed that time away. I think I needed to step away from the thing I wanted so badly, because there wasn't a thing of like when you want it so badly, you kind of almost get in your own way. You're in such a rush.

And when I went to Providence and just chilled down, was like I'm taking my foot off the gas pedal. I almost had to learn how to like de accelerate, you know, because you know, it was a different town, different vibe, and people were like slow, like slower conversations, and I was like, okay, it's this is this is what it is. So I learned to slow down, and I think in that sense it helped me kind of just go into audition rooms and just be like, hey, you know, like what's up do you want to do?

I want to work with you. We're gonna have fun, you know, like a little bit less wanting it so badly and more allowing it to happen, which was I mean it's a much better ride. You know, you started feeling that vibe two thousand and fourteen. I guess my next question is when are you? Is your family like, oh whoa? Okay? Once they started seeing me on TV and commercials I did. I did a Crest commercial in like English and Spanish, and they were like, I go to Zoombo with my mom to be like my daughter

is a crust. Oh my god. It was that. Then I was like, okay. Then once they saw I could provide for myself, they were on board for sure. Last question before we get into some fun stuff. One piece of advice that you've got for people coming up trying to do what you do. Stay present with yourself and be kind to yourself. Love it. Before I let you go, do you have time to do some rapid fire questions? Yeah? Sure, alright rapid fire questions with Bes Rubio on the Wells Cast.

First of all, on what's fair pizza topping? You're a New Yorker, so you better have a good pizza topping answer. Pepperoni? Which fair book? Oh man, I really don't know. I have autobiography of a Yogi. It's usually on my little altar, so it's one of the most beautiful books of her red So maybe that one. Maybe that one. I mean, I'm sure there's other ones. I just can't think of it right now. Who's your first kiss? Oh my god,

I don't even remember his name was. It was the product of being a young wing woman to my friends. So we went, you know, I don't know, we lied to our parents or something. We went on this double date and she really wanted to see this guy, and he had a friend, and me and him were just, you know, hanging out talking. We're debating, actually we're debating, like heavy on religion, and then we just kissed. That's funny.

I hope that this poor guy doesn't hear this, because one he's gonna be like, well, she doesn't even remember my name, and too Apparently I was the green age to jump on for her friend. I thought the Crest girl loved me. Sorry unnamed guy Jersey. It was the first concert everyone too, Oh my god, I think it was. Project was the first job you ever had? Pretzels at the mall? Nice? What was the first car you ever owned?

I used to call it my black Stallion. It was a It was a Corolla sport little black rolla sport. What's your biggest pet peeve? I didn't even know. See my biggest pet peeve is I'm not even sure about the definition of pete. Is this something that you do or that other people do? That other people do that annoy you when somebody doesn't like dogs? Okay, yeah, I don't trust those people either. Did you ever have a

poster hanging in your bedroom wall? I used to share a room with my sister, and I know she having kids on the block on the wall. All right, what's a weird superstition that you have doing things in threes? What's one thing on your bucket list? Oh? Walking to come you know the Santiago in Spain. What's the physical trait that you noticed first about someone? You're attracted to their height? Yeah, they're right, And this is the most honest answer I've heard from that I think. How would

you describe your high school self? Oh, shy and introverted. Who is your childhood hero? Just because I liked animation? Probably Walt Disney O this is late anybody who would draw and make characters. Who's your slebty crush? I like the guy from from at Lander? Yeah, you and my mom and my fiance actually, so you're in good company. Last one when you win an oscar? Who you to thank? Thank my parents, I'll thank my family, thank God, and I'll thank my acting teacher. His name is Alan Langdon

turned my life around. Vanessa Rubio, thank you so much for being on the Welles Cast. Where can people find you? I mostly use Instagram handle is very venus and I'm occasionally on Twitter, but I can't stand it. Yeah, it's an angry, angry place. Yeah. Season three of Cobra Kai is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you so much for being a part of reviving a big part

of my childhood. I really do appreciate it. It's been wonderful to get to know you, and your story is great and I wish you all the luck in the world. Thank you so much, well As I was really nice talking to you too. Subscribe to Wells Cast on I Heart Radio, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts. It's the Internet.