Angelique Rivera was born in Chicago, Illinois, but her early life was marked by a series of moves, as she spent her formative years in Richmond, Virginia, and later Kissimmee, Florida. Her introduction to the world of performing arts came at the tender age of three, when she began dancing in various styles, including ballet, tap, and jazz.
However, her trajectory took a dramatic turn when she was just eight years old, as she was introduced to the world of theatre. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, as she dedicated herself to honing her acting and singing skills, putting her dancing pursuits on the backburner.
Her first foray into the world of acting came when she landed the role of Pepper in the musical "Annie" with the Christian Youth Theatre in Richmond, VA. As she entered her teenage years, she continued to nurture her passion for the performing arts, participating in her high school's drama club and local community theatre productions.
The summer before her senior year of high school, Rivera was selected to participate in the prestigious Juilliard Intensive Program, a testament to her growing talent and dedication. Upon graduating from high school, she was awarded an Arts Alive scholarship from Osceola Arts for a Complete Education Coalition, which enabled her to pursue her college education.
Rivera went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from the University of Florida in 2014. Following her graduation, she made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles, driven by her ambition to become a professional actress.
After six months of struggling to make a name for herself in the competitive LA scene, Rivera's perseverance paid off, as she landed her first major role in the critically acclaimed ABC drama, American Crime, created by Oscar-winning filmmaker John Ridley. This marked a significant milestone in her career, as she became the first professional actress to ever land a role in the show.
The second season of American Crime went on to receive numerous award nominations, including the Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Awards. Following her success on the show, Rivera has continued to appear in a variety of productions, including the popular TV series "Supernatural", Gus Van Sant's film "Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot", and the zombie romantic comedy "Eat, Brains, Love", directed by Rodman Flender.
