"I question everything, especially myself" Interview with Alice Lupparelli

We previously caught up with Alice Lupparelli on the occasion of her debut in Maschi Veri (Alpha Males), where she plays Emma, Maurizio Lastrico's daughter. Now, the Italian Netflix series exploring relationships between men and women (as well as between fathers and daughters, comparing different generations) has reached its second season, and its performer has grown both on and off screen. Here is what she told us.

Interview with Alice Lupparelli from Maschi Veri 2, on Netflix

You started out in classical dance and violin. When did you decide that acting was the path for you?

It all happened a bit by chance. Acting wasn't a childhood dream of mine, but when I discovered it, I immediately realized it could be the right path for me: a perfect blend of my different artistic inclinations. I had just finished high school and didn't have a clear idea of which direction to take. That was when my current agent noticed me through some photos and asked if I was interested in exploring the world of acting, about which, up to that moment, I knew very little. To see if it could be my path, I decided to attend an intensive masterclass, and it was true love at first sight. I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to dive deeper and study seriously. So I started auditioning for different acting schools... and here I am!

From Adorazione to Maschi Veri: what is the most underrated skill a young actress needs when transitioning from generational drama to pure comedy?

I believe that for drama, it is fundamental to know how to observe the world around us. In comedy, however, I think one of the most important - and perhaps most underrated - skills is musicality: knowing how to listen, sense the rhythm, and respect comedic timing. A line can have a completely different impact depending on when it is delivered and how it fits into the exchange with another actor. In the end, comedy is like a melody, with its own tempo and precise pattern, where every pause, line, and delivery contributes to the overall harmony of the final result.

There is a lot of talk about how the media portrays Gen Z. When reading a script, what detail or line immediately tells you if the writer actually gets it?

I don't think it's a specific line that makes the difference, but rather the feeling of recognizing something I have personally experienced or seen in my peers. Portraying Gen Z is a challenge because it's impossible to encapsulate an entire generation in a single character or story. You can capture certain facets, address themes that concern us, and depict shared experiences, but I believe the most important thing is to give characters true humanity, with all their contradictions, vulnerabilities, and complexities. When that happens, without resorting to clichés or caricatured representations, then I feel the writer truly managed to connect with my generation.

How do you protect your private life when your face becomes public property?

Protecting my private dimension is something I care deeply about. When you start putting yourself out there publicly, you realize how thin the line can be between what is yours and what becomes accessible to others. That's why I try to be mindful of what I choose to share, learning step by step where to draw that line without viewing this caution as a sacrifice of my spontaneity. I think the most important thing is staying true to myself, preserving that more intimate and authentic part that doesn't necessarily need to be shown in order to exist.

You mentioned wanting to tackle roles that are very far from who you are. Which side of Alice are you waiting for the right opportunity to show?

I would love to explore aspects of myself that, in daily life, feel further away or that I might not fully allow myself to experience. It's one of the things I love most about acting: the chance to navigate every facet of human nature. A part of myself I'd love to uncover and bring to the screen is sensuality. I still struggle with it a bit, perhaps because it also means allowing myself to step away from the image of a young girl and embrace that of a more self-aware woman. I'd love to find the right character to explore this dimension freely, without fear of external judgment.

Is there a specific moment when you ask yourself, "am I really in the right place?". How did you quiet that voice, and when did you realize you could trust your talent?

I ask myself all the time because I'm someone who tends to question everything, especially myself. I haven't completely silenced that voice yet: there are moments when I feel confident in my talent, and others when I struggle to believe in it. I think that in artistic work, it's hard to have constant confidence because we are deeply influenced by our emotions. At the same time, I believe doubts can be a resource, as they push me to challenge myself and improve. Maybe I haven't learned to fully trust my talent yet, but I'm learning to trust the process.

If you could steal the career or filmography of an Italian or international actress for a day, whose would it be and why?

I would say Matilda De Angelis, because I find her journey really interesting: she has proven herself in diverse roles, showing great versatility and an inspiring artistic growth. I love the idea of a career built on varied experiences that allow you to explore new facets and continuously evolve as an actress.

On nss g-club, we often talk about how clothing is an extension of identity. When you do red carpets or promotions for your series, how much of it is your real style and how much do you feel the need to wear a star "mask"?

I'm still learning to find a balance between my personal style and the outfits that specific occasions call for. The red carpet and press tours are moments where we get to experiment with looks we'd hardly wear in everyday life, and that's the beauty of it, but sometimes it can be hard to feel completely like yourself in what you're wearing. I think it's a gradual journey: I'd love to highlight my personality more and more through my clothes, feeling free to experiment without losing my authenticity.