Born on February 2, 1987 in Los Angeles, California, Vannessa spent her early years living in Mexicali, Mexico. From an early age, she was exposed to the performing arts through theatre and cinema, but it wasn't until her teenage years that she started showing interest in the craft. Taking as many college courses in drama as were available to her, she also joined a mime troupe based in Mexicali. Her beginnings in acting started in theatre and have expanded to film with Proxy and The Queen and the Dead.