Lorenzo Zurzolo on being a teenager and having a crush on the teacher.
Move over Gossip Girl and Elite, the undisputed Queen Bee of our screens these days is Baby, the Italian series on wealthy teenagers behaving badly set against the naturally fabulous décor that is the Eternal City. And in this cast of upcoming Italian talent, 18 year-old Lorenzo Zurzolo shines as Niccòlo, a boy misbehaving with the best of them. So before he can head back to school, or rather Netflix, on September 15, he serves detention with Behind the Blinds.
How has your summer been? Did you escape to Riccione in real life?
Actually, San Felice Circeo, a little town near Rome right on the beach. I love the summer; I think it’s a special moment in everybody’s life. Especially when you are young, it's a period of discovery and new experiences. Despite a couple work engagements, I think this has been the most relaxing summer of my life, a real moment of light-heartedness.
Normally, I’d go to parties and enjoy the nightlife, but because of the particular situation we’re in, I avoided all the “movida” places. Instead, I spent time with my family, read many books and worked on improving my guitar skills too. I’ve also started appreciating going to the beach early in the morning.
After playing Vincenzo, who is blind, in Under the Riccione Sun, what sense would be the worst to lose?
I think the answer is not so much what you lose, or what issues you face, but how you face them. Vincenzo has taught me that with strength and joy of living, you can get through everything in life. To not give importance to superficial aspects but concentrate on what really matters.
“[As a teen] you always feel misunderstood. That’s why having role models, and people who love you, that can give you guidance is important.”
You grew up in Rome. Is the teenage angst as high as we see it in Baby?
The series is inspired by real facts. I think that teenagers all over the world have this sort of angst and face problems. At that age, there are so many expectations from school, family and friends while we are trying to figure out who we are and who we want to be. You always feel misunderstood. That’s why having role models, and people who love you, that can give you guidance is important.
Last season, Niccolò hooks up with his teacher! How scandalous! Did you ever have a teacher you had a crush on?
Andrea De Sica, Baby’s director, asked me the same thing at the audition. And yes, I had this math teacher who was very good-looking and fascinating. In her class, I’d always try to be the smartest guy to get noticed by her, always being overly generous and offering my help.
Andrea asked me to imagine her in front of me, and we did on hour of improvisation with me trying to ask my math teacher out. I was really comfortable with the role; it wasn’t difficult at all ;))))
This is the final chapter. Are you happy with how you conclude your relationship with Niccolò and the work you've done on him?
You’ll find out very soon but in Italy, we have this proverb that says “all the knots come to the comb”. I think the English-language equivalent is “the chickens coming home to roost”. Season 2 left a lot of things unsettled and a lot of question marks. For the final season, so everyone must assume responsibility for what they did! I’m pretty with the conclusion, you’ll see.
Your next role is a thriller, and of course, Niccolò is a character we love to hate. Why these ambivalent characters?
Complex characters with complex psychology are the most stimulating for me. I must believe in what I’m doing, so I hate, and tend to avoid, stereotyped and exaggerated characters or plots – cinema must represent reality. I started acting at 7 for fun, but growing up, I realized that it was what I wanted to do in life. I love the sense of evasion. When I’m filming, I forget about everything. All the problems and concerns about life disappear, and you immerse yourself in a new life. That is priceless.
What’s next for you?
I just finished filming that thriller, which will be out in cinemas this December, and is something very different from all the other things I did till now. Beyond work, Covid-19 allowing, I’m planning on visiting my sister who loves in London. We have a very strong relationship so it's always nice to spend quality time with her. It would also be a great opportunity to improve my English. I hope to keep doing what I love and want to make my dream come true with international projects.
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interviewed by Lily Templeton
Photography by Adrian Mesko
Fashion & Production by Yael Quint
Stylist’s assistant Mina Erkli
Hair by Gianmarco Grazi
Make-Up by Alessia Stefano
Thanks to Atomo Management & Gianni Galli
Lorenzo wearing Salvatore Ferragamo and Giorgio Armani
