Sun Feb 16 05:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Cobra Kai Star Xolo Maridueña Takes a Six-Month Break to Find Himself in NYC

**NEW YORK, NY** – Xolo Maridueña, the star of Netflix’s hit series *Cobra Kai*, is taking a break from Hollywood to explore life in New York City. The 23-year-old actor, who has worked steadily since his pre-teens, is using his six months off between projects to discover who he is outside the world of acting.

Maridueña, who plays Miguel Diaz in *Cobra Kai*, is embracing the quintessential New York experience. He’s sharing a Brooklyn apartment with fellow *Cobra Kai* actors Jacob Bertrand and Peyton List, describing their living situation as “like *Friends*.” His exploration includes indulging in NYC staples like bodega runs and omakase dinners. He admits to a newfound love for deli sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches.

Despite his rising fame, Maridueña enjoys a relatively low profile in the city. He attributes this to his “incognito face,” expressing gratitude for the lack of constant recognition.

His recent role as the first Latino superhero, Jaime Reyes, in *Blue Beetle*, didn’t quite have the explosive impact anticipated due to the SAG-AFTRA strike impacting promotion. While acknowledging the disappointment, Maridueña maintains a positive outlook, highlighting the positive reaction from young Latino viewers who saw themselves represented on screen.

With *Blue Beetle*’s future potentially involving an animated series, and other projects on the horizon (including *Killing Castro* with Al Pacino), Maridueña is prioritizing his self-discovery in New York. He’s exploring the city’s nightlife, dating scene, and theater community, expressing a desire to expand his acting skills beyond screen work. He recently saw *Romeo + Juliet* on Broadway, inspiring him to pursue theater roles.

The conclusion of *Cobra Kai* after seven seasons has also prompted reflection. While proud of the show’s success, Maridueña acknowledges the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to a significant chapter of his life. However, he embraces the future, comparing himself to “a jellyfish, ready for the wave to take [him] wherever.” His current plans include a visit to the Comedy Cellar, symbolizing his open-ended approach to this new chapter of his life.

Read More