Ria was born in Ohio, but doesn't remember much of the State because six months later, her family moved back to Rochester, NY. She grew up in the city that produces Kodak film and lots of snow. Next, she and her two brothers and parents relocated to South Carolina. She wasn't crazy about the pace of the South, so she opted for boarding school, attending Interlochen Arts Academy, a performing arts school in Michigan. After graduating, she moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA as a Theater Arts Major. Soon after enrolling, she was accepted into the prestigious Screen Actors Guild not after performing Shakespeare, but by doing gymnastics in a tampon commercial. This big career break motivated her to pursue acting full time. Before long, she landed numerous roles in television shows and film. A couple of the films Ria has appeared in have won awards, including Baby Steps (winner - '99 OutFest Los Angeles, best short narrative)and Mr. October (winner - student academy award). She has also appeared in dozens of commercials, as well as performing onstage at several venues in Los Angeles and at the Aspen Comedy Festival.