Fame, fashion, New York: interview with Serena De Ferrari

Serena De Ferrari, star of the new nss galleria editorial and Neapolitan icon for the famous Mare Fuori series, is an old Hollywood diva who roams the streets of Rome on the run from the paparazzi. Against the backdrop of the Parioli, a mini-market, a baroque attic overlooking Castel Sant'Angelo, her angelic face adapts to any context and draws the eye. She is casual, easy-going, laughs and immediately recomposes herself by turning her face to the camera. Dressed in Dolce&Gabbana, Acne Studios, Blumarine, Sportmax in a maximalist mix of accessories, y2k moves with gusto in these outfits, which she describes as 'very her'. The actress, who was born in Turin but lives in Rome for work, tells us about her life between Italy and America, music and acting, intense life experiences and a promising future. 

Actress for The Bunker, Game Zero and Mare Fuori, opera singer and also dancer in the video for Venere e Marte by Marco Mengoni, Takagi, Ketra and Frah Quintale. You are multi-talented, but which of your passions represents you the most? What would you describe as your vocation?

My main calling is certainly acting, which I discovered while studying opera performance in New York. I was immediately excited and curious about what it would be like to actually act, and so my passion was born. Then there is music, which will always be a part of me. I started playing when I was 4 years old, attended conservatory for many years, first in Italy and then in New York, and developed a passion for Baroque and Renaissance music. It would be so cool to play the role of a musician one day when you finally decide to make a film about Bach.

I read that your character in Mare Fuori, Viola, is based on the true story of a girl imprisoned in Nisida and I know that you met several prisoners in preparation for the role. Did you meet the real Viola? What did you feel about that and how did that influence your approach to the role?

Yes, I met the real Viola. I was a bit skeptical when it came to meeting someone in person who had done such horrible things, but I knew I would never be able to play the part if I did not model myself on someone who had actually done all that in life. The recurring Viola who licked her hair strands and dilated her pupils on command clearly had a severe mental disorder. But although the Viola you see in Mare Fuori is largely fictionalized, I drew a lot of inspiration from the original. I had to go into my darkest side to show Viola at her best, so much so that now, in the third season, I can even sympathize with her. You realize that people are not born this way, they become this way.

What is your relationship with fashion?

I love fashion, I would describe my style as flamboyant and edgy. I remember that in New York I was in the middle of my punk phase, I walked around with a thousand colourful wigs and different contact lenses, I was free to express myself as I pleased and no one blinked an eye when they met me on the street. Here in Italy they look at me strangely, but if I could, I would dress like Julia Fox or in a complete Versace look every day.

How has your life changed after your success? Do you feel changed?

Mare is a media phenomenon, none of us expected this fame, and if people recognize me in Rome, I can not walk two steps in Naples without being stopped. On social media, there are the haters as well as those who idolize you - which is a pleasure, of course - but I try to keep my feet on the ground. Now the fame is there, but it's not certain that I'll be remembered in a few years. When I lived in New York, I realized that we are all ants, that none of us is famous enough to rise above anyone else. It's not worth pumping up your ego.

I know that you were one of the protagonists of a viral episode that caused a lot of talk: the kissing scene that was interrupted by a nun. What impact do you think that incident really had, but more importantly, how did it make you feel?

Honestly, I do not like to talk about that episode. I posted the video because the episode was also ironic in a way. I remember we were shooting for a magazine when a crazy nun came to interrupt us. When I woke up the next morning, the footage was everywhere and everyone was publishing it, calling me for interviews and writing very long articles... I did not want to give it more credibility, I did not want to underline the unfortunately well- known bigotry of the Italian reality, and I certainly did not want to insult an elderly woman. Of course, it is unthinkable that these things are still happening in 2022, but I feel that our world is different from that of our grandparents and that we are changing things for the better.

You did part of your studies in New York. What did you take away from this experience in the Big Apple? Where and how do you envision your future today?

New York is my city and I am sure I will return. Unfortunately, for bureaucratic reasons, it's chaos there at the moment and I know that living there is not for everyone, but it's an experience to be had. I have met people from all over the world and found myself in all sorts of situations. Life is fast, chaotic, no one cares about each other, it's a beautiful and complicated city, so much so that I feel claustrophobic compared to Rome. I know that my future is there, but I also know that I have to become the best version of myself to enjoy it to the fullest.