She began modelling at age 22, before becoming a television presenter for the Portuguese youth television show Sic Altamente, on channel SIC. She made her acting debut in the Portuguese telenovela Saber Amar, which aired on the Portuguese television station TVI. She continued her telenovela appearances for the station. In 2005, Rita Pereira reached nationwide fame for her portrayal of Soraia Rochinha in the second season of TVI's Morangos com Açúcar. She later guest starred in the series Uma Aventura as Lucy in the episode Noite das Bruxas