Maria Rubia (born 20 December 1977), is an English model, actress, TV presenter and singer-songwriter. She debuted as the vocalist on the Fragma's dance song, "Everytime You Need Me", which stayed in the UK Singles Chart for eleven weeks,[1] and sales thereof earned her a silver disc.
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Born in England, Rubia moved with her family to France where she went to a French speaking school. The family returned to the UK where she became a model and youth theatre actress.
Her family moved again to Spain. She continued her modelling and acting, and returned to the UK to study a degree in media. Through contacts she was approached by Fragma, and ended up providing the vocals on "Everytime You Need Me", which peaked in the UK Singles Chart in 2001 at #3.[1]
In 2004, Rubia became pregnant, and complications would put her in a wheelchair. An x-ray revealed that her pubic bone had split apart during childbirth. She was diagnosed with an extreme case of symphysis pubis dysfunction and was told she may not walk for four years. It took eighteen months for her to take her first steps again. Ballooning weight due partly to lack of exercise was remedied after recovery, and she went back to a size 8 with great effort, utilising her own vegetarian diet, swimming and other exercises.[2]
She is fluent in English, French and has basic knowledge of Spanish and German. Rubia has been in a relationship with personal trainer, Jason, since August 2001. They have a son, Brandon, born in December 2004.
Rubia co-wrote her debut solo single, "Say It", in 2001, which was remixed by the DJ Rob Searle.
She has modelled since 13 years old, worked as a TV presenter for MTV, on BBC Television's Top of the Pops, for Channel 4, and Nickelodeon. She has featured in FHM, OK!, Sky Mag and various pop music magazines.