THERE ARE PROBABLY NOT MANY ACTORS WHO CAN CREDIT PLAYING A SCHEMING SEX WORKER DOING THE ROUNDS OF A SALUBRIOUS FIVE-STAR RESORT IN TAORMINA, SICILY, AS BEING THEIR INTERNATIONAL BREAKOUT MOMENT, BUT THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO NAPLES-BORN RISING TALENT, SIMONA TABASCO.

ALREADY A BIG NAME IN HER HOME COUNTRY, APPEARING IN THE NEO-NOIR THRILLER PEREZ, AND BELOVED ITALIAN SERIES, THE BASTARDS OF PIZZOFALCONE, IN WHICH SHE PLAYED A DETECTIVE, AND DOC- NELLE TUE MANI, A MEDICAL DRAMA IN WHICH SHE PLAYED A DOCTOR – IT’S THE 29-YEAR-OLD’S STANDOUT PERFORMANCE AS LUCIA GRECO IN HBO’S THE WHITE LOTUS, PLAYING A BEGUILING PROSTITUTE-CUM-ASPIRING-CITY-GIRL FULL OF HUSTLE AND A HUNGER FOR LIFE, WHO ENDS UP LOADED WITH COLD HARD CASH BY THE END OF SEASON TWO – WHICH EARNED TABASCO WORLDWIDE ACCLAIM, AN EMMY NOMINATION, AND A FANBASE INCLUDING KIM KARDASHIAN, WHO ASKED HER TO MODEL FOR A SKIMS CAMPAIGN.

THINGS ARE TAKING SHAPE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE FOR TABASCO, WITH RECENT MOVIE PROJECTS INCLUDING THE SYDNEY SWEENEY-PRODUCED HOLY HORROR IMMACULATE, IN WHICH SHE PLAYS A TERRIFIED NUN WHO IS BURIED ALIVE IN A COFFIN. HOLLYWOOD IS KNOCKING THOUGH, WHICH IS WHY FORBES MAGAZINE LISTED HER IN THEIR EUROPEAN 30 UNDER 30 “CHANGEMAKERS AND INNOVATORS”. WE CAUGHT UP WITH TABASCO TO TALK ABOUT FASHION, FOCUS AND FIERY HOT SAUCES.

Left Jacket **The Attico**, earring **Real Fine Studio**
Right Dress **Blumarine**, earring **Real Fine Studio**, rings **Metal Noir** and **Real Fine Studio**

Hey Simona! Tell me, how did you become involved in The White Lotus, having mainly worked in various Italian projects, and what was the audition process like – were you nervous knowing this could be your big break internationally?

I already knew of the series before the audition but I rewatched the whole first season ahead of time to better understand the climate and style of the show! After the first phase of the auditions, my call backs with Mike White and the producers happened via zoom and lasted less than ten minutes. I was so excited and so entertained by Lucia's role already at that stage!

So, yes, let’s talk about your character Lucia Greco. When you got the script, did you have a say in how you wanted to portray her, perhaps flip the stereotype of her “profession” a little, how did you prepare?

I wanted to respect the script that had already been written in an exceptional way. All the characters were so well defined, and so I just felt compelled to provide some extra colour to Lucia. I wanted her to have a fragile side and not fall into a one-dimensional stereotype. I believe that individually, people are much more nuanced than any kind of stereotype would lead us to believe.

Left Jacket and scarf **Marc Jacobs**
Right Top, shorts, tights, scarf, socks and shoes **Marc Jacobs**, earring **Real Fine Studio**, rings **Rainbow K**

Is that why Lucia resonated with audiences so much do you think? Is there any part of her psyche that you related with at all?

I think Lucia brings with her a great hunger to succeed. She wants to achieve redemption but deep down, she carries a seed of desperation and the fear of not making it.

Did you ever have that fear yourself, on your journey to where you are now as an actor, or did you always know you would express yourself in this way?

The desire to become an actress had never been in my thoughts, perhaps because I never had any connections with the world of cinema nor did my family. But I have always had an emotional connection with cinema, music, and art in general. Acting really came by chance and I found it very fun to be on a set for the first time. Then once I started training at an acting academy in Rome, that’s where it all began.

Top and scarf **Marc Jacobs**, earring **Real Fine Studio**, rings **Rainbow K**

What kinds of movies did you watch growing up?

My family and I watched so many films, but the first one that really struck me was Meet Joe Black. I think that film really influenced my taste in cinema afterwards. I like watching sci-fi, thrillers, psychological horror films. I’m drawn to movies that pose questions.

Such as… why is the nun being buried alive perhaps?! I’m speaking about your latest project of course, the horror film, Immaculate – it’s a world away from swanky 5-star hotel resorts in Sicily!

That scene was such a difficult one to film! I had to light matches which needed to be very close to my face for technical reasons. I was so tense and scared. After a few takes, I started to run out of air but thankfully we were able to get the shot!

Left top **Giambattista Valli**, earring **Real Fine Studio**
Right Dress **Miu Miu**, earring **Real Fine Studio**

I guess that’s what they mean by literally ‘dying for your art’! Reflecting on your career to date, how has your relationship with acting evolved since you first began over 10 years ago?

I think I have come to understand that in addition to the technique, it’s essential to convey all my life and personal experiences into the characters I play. You have to put the effort into it and really live it.

So, is there a dream role for you? What would be a challenge for you as an actress right now?

At this stage in my life, being on stage in a theatre would be a challenge for me. I’ve always wanted to be in a theatre production, but it will come at the right moment, I’m sure! And I’m also into voice dubbing. I think dubbing a fantasy animated character would be fun now!

Left Dress and coat **The Attico**, earring **Real Fine Studio**
Right Dress **Blumarine**, earring **Real Fine Studio**

I’ve read that you would also like to play more English-speaking roles, and you’ve been studying the language more in-depth - how do you choose your roles now then?

Well, yes, I'm focusing on learning the language, but I’m really just compelled by good stories!

Maybe about empowering women, reinventing stereotypes, like you did with Lucia? Which women inspire you?

This is always a difficult question for me to answer because it’s hard to just point to one woman. In general, the evolution of a woman’s role in society and the way we have been able to make more and more space for ourselves really inspires me. Once upon a time, it was extremely difficult to be a woman, Artemisia Gentileschi knew this well, and she was able to transform her destiny.

Left Dress **Miu Miu**, earring **Real Fine Studio**
Right Jacket **The Attico**, earring **Real Fine Studio**

She’s a great choice, a woman who really knew how to live through her art. Speaking of which, another creative medium, fashion, is all about self-expression. Are you passionate about style, do you have a favourite designer, and are you a dress-up or a dress-down kinda’ girl?

It depends on the day and occasion. I’m very dynamic in everyday life, so when I can, I like to dedicate myself to creating looks that communicate something about me.

A bit like Lucia did maybe?! A huge part of her appeal was her wardrobe. Did you work closely with the show’s costume designer, Alex Bovaird, on how the outfits would follow your characters’ arc all throughout the season? Did you have a favourite look from the season too?

Alex was amazing and very willing to listen! It's inspiring to create a character together. I think I'm the fondest of Lucia’s ‘purple look’, a light dress with angels on it. It reflects the cheekiness of the character!

Left Dress and coat **The Attico**, earring **Real Fine Studio**, rings **Metal Noir** and **Real Fine Studio**

I think that’s why people loved her, including one fan in particular, Kim Kardashian – she asked you (and Beatrice Grannò) to model in a campaign for her shapewear line, Skims. When you heard, were you like, omg, yes!?

Absolutely! I think it was such a great creative move by Kim to involve us in the campaign! I really appreciate how the brand focuses on making everyone feel good in their own skin.

Speaking of skin, can we talk about your chilli tattoo? You’re from Naples, and I read somewhere that chillies are seen as quite an iconic Neapolitan fortune charm? Or is it something to do with spicy condiments?!

I have a chili pepper tattoo because my last name (which is my real last name), is the same as that well known hot sauce! I thought it was ironic to get a tattoo relating to it! But yes, chillies are also a symbol of Naples, a sort of lucky charm.

So, what good luck do you hope the universe (and your chilli pepper) bring you this year?

I would love to answer that, but as a truly superstitious person, if I tell you, it won't come true! [laughs]