Giancarlo Commare: “I don’t raise my heels”

This article is published in number 9 of Vanity Fair on newsstands until March 1, 2022

At a certain point in the interview Giancarlo Commare gets up, disappears from Zoom’s frame for a few moments and comes back showing me the torture instrument he has been measuring with for several months: a pair of red shoes with a 15-centimeter heel. “I try to wear them until my ankles tell me enough”, says Giancarlo who, for the lead role in Everyone’s talking about Jamie, the musical born from the pen of Tom MacRae – from 8 March at the Brancaccio Theater in Rome -, had to not only learn to stand on heels, in fact, but also dye his hair platinum blonde with only one goal: to be credible in the role of a London boy who, at 16, realizes he wants to wear only the clothes he feels comfortable in, challenging the fear and judgment of a society that looks at his choice with distrust and suspicion. For Giancarlo, which for some risked being trapped forever in the role of Edoardo Incanti di SKAM Italy – for the record, we will also see him in the fifth season on Netflix -, Everyone’s talking about Jamie is yet another demonstration of his versatility and talent, which follows the success of the films Masculine singular, Even more beautiful And Always more beautiful. The next challenges: the new episodes of the Sky series Romulus and the interpretation of Manuel Bortuzzoa young swimmer who was paralyzed after a shooting, in the film Born again.

Stand on heels or sing: what scares you the most?
“Sing, definitely. At the first audition they told me that, by working on it, I could develop my potential: so I put in the effort and started taking lessons. Being a baritone, dealing with tenor pieces and falsettos was not easy ».

On the heels, however, how do you feel?
“It’s terrible! I have already worn them in other shows, but in Everyone’s talking about Jamie I will have to give the impression of being very loose ».

Did this new role help her connect with her feminine side?
“I’m trying to get it out as much as possible and put it in character. I really realized that we live in a society ready to judge, to point the finger at the diversities that actually enrich. It would be nice if we managed to tear down those walls ».

Walls like the battle that destroyed the Zan bill.
“It is sad to see those who govern us rejoice over the rejection of a bill that they seek only
to protect people “.

Many of his colleagues, to prepare a character, listen to playlists. Did you do it too to get into Jamie’s shoes?
“I discovered RuPaul and the song Barbara of Cosmo who often repeats “do not fall”. Yes, it helps me. ”

At 16, Jamie already knows what person he wants to become.
“I don’t think I know even now! I’ve always been attracted to art, so I searched
to be as honest as possible with myself and not give a damn about the judgment of others “.

When did this awareness come?
“One year ago. Since my parents separated, I have not had a great relationship with my father, but I have understood that all my life I have pursued his approval. In the meantime, I took on anxieties that weren’t mine, until I finally understood – finally – that I didn’t have to keep up with anyone but myself. I no longer want to do things just to prove them ».

This serenity at 30 is a great relief.
“Absolutely. Also because, despite my age, they almost always assign me roles as a sixteen year old ».

A redemption from adolescence?
«I was obese: I ate junk, I hid the candies so that my mother would not find them. Then, one summer, I lost 25 pounds and things changed. I began to get attention, which made me happy but at the same time reflect. It was still me, yet it seemed that no one knew. ‘

Reassure us: we will see you in SKAM 5?
“I’ll pay a little visit. If it had been up to me, I would have participated in all seasons; however other people had different goals and this affected my presence. SKAM it is home and, when they ask me, I gladly come back, even if it is right to dedicate oneself to new projects ».

Do you like to range, to diversify?
«I like to lend faces to characters who are very distant from each other. I think about my role in Romulus
and to Manuel Bortuzzo … being in a hospital bed without being able to move – for pure fiction, of course – is a terrible sensation ».

Did you meet him, Bortuzzo?
«Not yet, because until a few weeks ago he was al Big Brother Vip. But I know that the film was greatly appreciated by the father and the brother ».

And has she ever considered the Big Brother?
“They proposed it to me many years ago, but I declined the invitation: I would not succeed, I care too much about my freedom”.

And also to privacy.
“It’s normal when other people are involved … In the meantime, I try to do my best as an actor: if he doesn’t go, I’ll go back to being a waiter or anticipate my departure for Costa Rica.”

Costa Rica?
“Later, when I am retired, I would like to move there to cultivate the land.”

Would he go alone?
«I have always had a great sense of family and, also because of the past with my father, I have always wanted a son. It’s not something I think about now, but I hope it happens. Of course, I need to grow a little more first. I would very much like to adopt. We’ll see”.

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