Oliveira was born in
Lisbon, Portugal. Her father worked in the Portuguese radio industry while her mother worked in a Lisbon movie theater. An an only child, she originally wanted to become a journalist. In 1996, Oliveira was featured on
Bryan Adams' music video "
The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You". In 1999, she starred in the music video for
Chris Cornell's single "
Can't Change Me". She is internationally known for playing roles in American films
Taxi,
Miami Vice, television (
CSI: Miami), and advertising for
Levi's in 1996. She is a graduate with
Departmental Highest Honors in
Art History from
University of California, Los Angeles. ==Awards and nominations==