Cotto was born and raised in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York to Puerto Rican parents.

In 2002, Cotto had her first starring role in the feature film Empire playing John Leguizamo's girlfriend Carmen.

She was featured in Cinemax's short film entitled Stories of Lost Souls alongside James Gandolfini.

Her other film credits include Splinter, Broken Circle, Rockaway and Illegal Tender and currently JERSEY BRED She has also made guest appearances on many television shows (such as Trinity, Oz, CSI: Miami and Cuts), has performed in an off-Broadway entitled "Cloud Tectonics" in the role of Celestina Del Sol, and has appeared on the cover of popular magazines (such as Open Your Eyes (OYE) twice, Tinta Latina and Profile).

In 1995 she featured in the music video Billie Jean of the German punk band The Bates.