Francesca Gelsomina Ruscio was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Her mother, Mirella DiFulvio-Ruscio was born is Fara Filiorum Petri, Abruzzo, Italy and her father, Pat Ruscio is the son of Italian immigrants. Even though Francesca was raised Italian, her heritage background is Italian, Hispanic/Latina and Middle Eastern. In 2013, Francesca Ruscio was crowned Miss Philadelphia 2013 under the Miss America Organization and dedicated her year of service to working with Veteran charities and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Francesca graduated with a bachelor's degree from Temple University in the city of Philadelphia, majoring in broadcast journalism minoring in theater, with an original plan to be a journalist in Philadelphia or New York City. She has professionally studied music for over 15 years and is a trained Soprano singer. After some early film appearances, she booked her first lead in Clearstream Entertainment's "Caesar's Ring", and the role of Sophia in director Joe Gawalis's film, "Bare Knuckle Brawler" with Machete's Danny Trejo and Karate Kid's Martin Kove.