Born on June 21, 1979, in Cayey, Puerto Rico, Shaira grew up in Juncos, raised by her parents Edwin A. Cabrera, a bilingual employee of Wells Fargo, and Maritza Colón Rodríguez, an accountant. Her father's influence played a significant role in her early language development, as he taught her English at a young age.
As an only child, Shaira learned to entertain herself, cultivating a vivid imagination. Her first taste of acting came at the age of 5, when her kindergarten teacher asked her to be the lead in a school play. This marked the beginning of her involvement in numerous school plays, including "La Casa de Bernalda Alba," and choreographed dancing.
Shaira's academic journey took her to high school, where she excelled in the general program and commerce. Her impressive GPA earned her the opportunity to take early college courses in her senior year. However, her life took an unexpected turn when her father passed away at the age of 17, before her high school graduation.
Despite the devastating loss, Shaira persevered, staying true to her father's legacy. She was accepted into the University of Puerto Rico's Business Management Program and became an active student, joining the Management Association and serving as its Vice President. She also participated in the "Estudiantes Orientadores" program and worked as an English tutor.
Shaira's academic achievements and leadership skills caught the attention of the Dean, who identified her as a potential candidate for the prestigious Córdova Internship. This opportunity allowed her to work in Congressman José E. Serrano's Office in Washington, D.C. Her experience in the nation's capital left a lasting impression, and she eventually moved to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to work as a Staff Assistant for Congressman Silverstre Reyes.
Although she worked in the private sector for reputable firms, Shaira felt an emptiness that was only filled when she returned to her passion for acting. She began recording Spanish voice overs and pursuing small local projects, eventually joining the Screen Actors Guild in 2007.
At the age of 31, Shaira welcomed her son, and her new role as a mother reinforced her calling as an actress. She has since worked alongside well-known names, landing versatile roles on various platforms, including HBO, Warner Brothers Pictures, Disney, FOX, NBC, UPN, CW, Netflix, FPA, Univision, Telemundo, and independent venues.
In addition to her acting career, Shaira has performed in national Public Service Announcements, collaborated with prominent brands, and even took on a supporting role in the feature film "Tri." To prepare for this role, she embarked on a six-month triathlete training schedule, culminating in a race.
