Maria Prudente was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She spent her childhood in ballet classes and modeled for retailers like J.C. Penney. In 1999, Maria moved to Charlottesville, Virginia where she spent her summers studying improv and musical theatre. In 2006, she attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute studying method acting under Geoffrey Horn and Judith Robinson. After graduating from musical theatre conservatory in New York City in 2009, she began her professional career starring as Mayzie in the national tour of "Seussical" directed by tony nominee, Marcia Milgrom Dodge. She has since acted in several films, television shows and appeared in numerous commercials including campaigns for Alex & Ani, Sally Hansen and Garnier USA. Maria will attend Columbia University in the fall of 2017.