Interview by Laasya Gadiyaram
Gabriel Leone has been on the fast track. In Neon’s upcoming Ferrari and in Netflix’s Senna, Leone explores the characters of innovative and accomplished race car drivers. We talk about music in media, globalized television, and working as a Brazilian actor in Hollywood.
Jacket & Pants: Willy Chavarria, Boots: Isabel Marant
Coat, Sweater, Jeans & Boots: Isabel Marant
Your career began on stage. How do you think this has shaped your approach to acting on screen?
I think the stage is the actors’ structural base. It introduces us to the fundamental acting tools. Most of the confidence I have when acting on screen came from practicing on stage, working with the classics and playing live for all kinds of audiences.
Can you draw any parallels between your theatrical work in plays like Taming of the Shrew and your work in Hollywood?
In every project, from my beginnings on stage all the way to the last movies and series I did, I’ve always been looking forward to finding and playing characters that challenge me, that allow me to create something new and different from what I’ve done before. It’s still the same mentality, the same pleasure and fun working as an actor as when I started.
Blazer, Corset, Pants & Shoes: Moschino R24
Has your background in theater influenced your music career?
Music was always a huge presence in my parents’ house. I grew up listening to my dad’s vinyls and cd’s and listening to the radio with my mom in her car. I also taught myself the guitar and had a band in school. However music got professional to me when I decided to leave my theater company and started auditioning for straight plays and musicals. That’s when I started taking singing classes and studying music.
Does it influence what you gravitate towards, musically?
Music is a big passion of mine. I’ve always been curious about music, always loved to spend time listening to my dad telling me the stories of the greatest music artists and also watching concerts with him either on stage or on tv. Five years ago I started collecting vinyls and so I’m always digging more into music. I’m a huge rock, pop, soul and jazz fan, but I’m especially a big fan of Brazilian music, which is so powerful and diverse.
Jacket, Shirt, Shorts, Knit Vest, Socks & Sneakers: Kenzo
How do you think soundtracks contribute to works of media as a whole? How have the soundtracks to your past works influenced how you approach them?
Movies are made of image and sound. Even silence works as “a sound”. So, I think a well used soundtrack can help a scene reach its full potential, put it on another level of emotion. I love listening to movie soundtracks (my favorite composer is James Horner).
When I’m prepping for a character or when I’m about to enter a scene I usually listen to music that is inspiring me in that moment, even if it doesn’t match with the scene.
Blazer, Pants & Scarf: Giorgio Armani, Knit Tank: Officine Generale, Boots: Isabel Marant
You worked on Dom, the first original Amazon Prime Video series produced in Brazil. How do you see streaming influencing the globalization of media?
One of the good things about streaming is the ability to access media from markets from all around the world on the same platform. I think it’s pretty important to get in touch with other cultures and their diversity and I hope we gradually have more and more investment and space dedicated to international productions.
Jacket & Pants: Willy Chavarria, Boots: Isabel Marant
How do you approach your work as a multi-hyphenate? Does your acting ever influence the music you create at the time? Or does your music ever influence your acting?
Music has always influenced my life. I’d say it feeds my soul. I can’t imagine spending a single day not listening to music. I’ve already done some musical projects. Not only musical theater but also some characters related to music. Even when there isn’t a direct link to music, I still have music with me. It’s imperative for me.
Blazer, Corset, Pants & Shoes: Moschino R24
Congratulations on Ferrari! Are you an F1 fan yourself?
I didn’t know much about F1 before Ferrari. But because of my research for the movie, I started understanding more about the sport, started watching the races more frequently and ended up becoming a fan. Last year I was invited to the GP in Monza and had an incredible experience there. It’s such a specific and interesting universe.
The film received a seven minute standing ovation at Venice Film Festival. How has this outpour in support felt for you?
Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the festival because I was shooting Senna, but I was really excited to hear that feedback. I think Michael and the movie deserve that big time. I’m so proud of Ferrari and now I’m hoping the audiences around the world will have as much fun watching it as we had shooting it.
Coat, Sweater, Jeans & Boots: Isabel Marant
How has it been working with NEON and Michael Mann?
Michael is a cinema master and I’ve always been a huge fan of his work, even before becoming an actor. So to have my first experience working on the American market, first time acting in English, being directed by him, being part of one of his life projects was definitely a dream come true. We got along very well and had lots of fun shooting. I learned so much from him. I also admire NEON’s work a lot, so I’m very happy to be part of one of its projects.
Ferrari has such an impressive cast. What are some lessons that you’ve learned working alongside Adam Driver?
Adam is the kind of actor that inspires me because of his ability to perfectly blend technique and living the present moment when he acts. Watching him repeat takes while simultaneously keeping his character work there and still opening himself up to try different dynamics and acting choices was amazing.
Blazer, Corset, Pants & Shoes: Moschino R24
In Ferrari, you play one of the first F1 drivers. In your upcoming Netflix series, Senna, you play Aryton Senna. Do you see any parallels between these roles? Any differences?
Both loved to compete. They loved the adrenaline you get behind a racing steering wheel and were too committed to winning. That being said, De Portago was a far less skilled and less trained driver than Senna. Senna dedicated his entire life to motor racing while De Portago tried every different sport you can think of.
How do you approach biographical roles, like your work in Ferrari and Senna, compared to fictional roles?
The main difference is to have real material to research. When playing a real character, in general, you get very close to the person with as much respect as possible for their story.
Jacket & Pants: Willy Chavarria, Boots: Isabel Marant
I didn’t know much about F1 before Ferrari. But because of my research for the movie, I started understanding more about the sport, started watching the races more frequently and ended up becoming a fan. Last year I was invited to the GP in Monza and had an incredible experience there. It’s such a specific and interesting universe.
Photography
Tyler Patrick Kenny
Creative Director & Fashion Editor
Deborah Ferguson
Interview
Laasya Gadiyaram
Web Layout
Naveed Shakoor
Grooming
Jodie Boland @ The Wall Group
Photo assistant
Reno Ronquillo
Thank you
Slate PR & Neon Studios