Her dance career started at a young age and during high school she moved to Canada to train and the Quinte Ballet School of Canada. She then successfully auditioned for the Rockettes Summer Intensive Program in New York.
In 2007, she won Miss Universe in Mexico, City. Currently she is the face of Menard Vietnam.
Riyo opened up her dance school, IRM Academy, in Shizuoka, Japan, two years after winning Miss Universe. She is the artistic director and teaches ballet, tap and jazz dance to all ages.