[2] Corina Katt Ayala was born to Puerto Rican parents in Spanish Harlem, New York and raised in South Bronx.
Ayala spent years of formal training in ballet, voice, and theatre before landing a contract with Cutting Records, going under the name "Corina".
[2] Corina toured the U.S. as a support act for Ice Cube, Boyz II Men, and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.
[3] Corina made some guest starring roles on All My Children, One Life to Live, As the World Turns, New York Undercover, and Cosby.
She was selected by director Tim Robbins to portray Frida Kahlo in the 1999 film Cradle Will Rock.