Alberto Rossi
My secret as an actor? I make friends with the characters I play
“I used to be terrified of performing in front of an audience. Overcoming that fear gave me a big rush—I felt like I could do anything”
Take note of this name: Alberto Rossi. He’s one of those talents we’ll soon be hearing a lot about. Born in Catania and just over twenty, he moves seamlessly between cinema, television, and theater, building a career in constant evolution. On the big screen, we’ve seen him in L’estate più calda (2022) by Matteo Pilati and Ombrello (2022) by Bianca Di Marco, while on television, he appeared in the series Makari 2 (2021) directed by Michele Soavi. But it’s with Il Gattopardo, the new Netflix production by Indiana Production and Moonage Pictures, that he’s gearing up for his big break. Alberto plays Paolo, the brother of Concetta—a completely new character not found in the original novel or Visconti’s iconic film. His role is shrouded in mystery, deliberately kept under wraps by Netflix to fuel audience curiosity. Alongside him is an outstanding cast, including Kim Rossi Stuart, Benedetta Porcaroli, Saul Nanni, and Deva Cassel, under the direction of Tom Shankland, Giuseppe Capotondi, and Laura Luchetti. This is a major opportunity for Rossi, who brings a fresh perspective to Il Gattopardo, part of an ambitious project that aims to reimagine the classic in a contemporary light.
When did you realize you wanted to become an actor? Was there a specific event that led to this decision?
Alberto Rossi :
It’s actually a bit complicated because, as a child, I never imagined I could become an actor. It felt like something far away, an unattainable goal. But I do remember one very specific moment. I was on a boat with my whole family—like many young kids experience—and I found myself at the center of attention. I remember getting so deeply into the role I was playing that, for a moment, I truly believed I was that person. Amid the usual comments like, “You should be an actor,” I felt a real urge to express myself artistically. In a way, everything started that day on the boat. Jokes aside, I distinctly remember that feeling. Later on, my grandmother, though not a professional actress, was part of a charity theater company. One day, they held auditions for a role as a young boy, and I won the part. That was my first experience as a lead actor at the age of nine. From there, I started studying. There were times I thought about giving up, but in the end, I decided to fully dedicate myself to this profession.
Did you start with theater, film or television?
Alberto Rossi :
I started with theater, though at first, I wasn’t very drawn to it. I didn’t see it as something enjoyable. Performing in front of an audience terrified me. But once I overcame that fear, I thought, This is what I want to do. It was an incredible moment. Pushing past my fear, with a mix of courage and a little recklessness, gave me an immense energy boost—it made me feel like I could do anything.
Have you ever had doubts about your career?
Alberto Rossi :
Yes, for a while, I completely abandoned the idea of becoming an actor because I didn’t feel good enough. I felt like that world was too far from my reach. So I turned to singing, which I really love. During that time, I had some personal achievements that made me happy. But I still felt the need to express myself in another way, and acting was the medium that allowed me to channel everything I was feeling. My goal in life is to tell my story—my past and everything that has happened to me—so I’m working towards that.
How do you prepare for a character?
Alberto Rossi :
It definitely depends on the role. For example, in the case of Il Gattopardo, I started by studying everything I could get my hands on, including the novel. Even though the character of Paolo isn’t very present in the book, I tried to imagine his life—what he liked to do, whether he enjoyed playing with guns or riding horses, if he had conflicts with his siblings. I made a conscious effort to avoid judgment and not overthink things too much. I also did a lot of personal work, particularly through therapy, which might sound unusual, but it really helped me. With Paolo, I connected with many aspects of myself, and together, the character and I built the figure you’ll see on screen.
Rejection is an inevitable part of this profession. How do you handle auditions that don’t go well?
Alberto Rossi :
When I first started, I took rejection very badly. I thought a no was proof that I wasn’t good enough. Then, I remember an audition I did for Veronesi, with him actually present in the room. I wasn’t expecting that, and I was extremely nervous. But at some point, I told myself, I can’t keep living with this anxiety, or I’ll only hurt myself. So I decided to just enjoy the experience, and I actually had fun during that audition. Even though I didn’t get the part in the end, he gave me a lot of compliments, saying he really liked my performance for that role. From that moment on, I’ve always tried to enjoy auditions. If things don’t go my way, I let it slide. It’s never my fault. A no can come for a thousand reasons, and it doesn’t always depend on how well you perform or how talented you are. And in any case, rejection is just part of the process.
In the series, you play Paolo Salina, a complex and dreamy character, deeply influenced by family dynamics and the weight of inheritance. How did you bring him to life on screen, considering that his presence in Il Gattopardo is almost nonexistent?
Alberto Rossi :
I befriended Paolo because I felt the same weight on my shoulders that he carried, tied to family dynamics similar to those I’ve experienced in my own life. That connection helped me immensely. Even though Paolo is barely present in the novel, I focused on the material provided by the production and the directors. The key for me was the bond I felt with him from the very beginning. I had a tenderness for Paolo, a kind of closeness that allowed me to understand him. He had a difficult life, constantly striving to earn his father’s love and approval, and that aspect really resonated with me.
The relationship with his father, Prince Fabrizio, is central to the story. What was it like working with Kim Rossi Stuart to build this dynamic?
Alberto Rossi :
At first, I was a little intimidated, to be honest, because I’ve always had great respect for Kim. I didn’t know him personally, but I deeply admired his work. Collaborating with him was a bit challenging in the beginning—I wasn’t sure how to approach the father-son dynamic. But Kim was fantastic; he gave me a lot of support. He told me he preferred to keep some distance at first to focus on developing his character. That actually helped me a lot, as it allowed me to feel freer in my own performance. He was very caring, and even though there was some distance between us on set, we always got along well off-camera. The dynamic between us was intense, with many emotional scenes and multiple takes, but working with him was incredibly enriching.
Do you have a dream you’ve yet to fulfill?
Alberto Rossi :
Right now, my dream is to explore different paths in life and set multiple goals for myself. Of course, cinema is one of them, but I won’t deny that I’d also love to go back to studying biology and maybe, one day, become a biologist. I’m fascinated by understanding how things work—I love studying and learning. And who knows? I might discover new passions along the way.
What are your plans for the future?
Alberto Rossi :
Before Il Gattopardo is released, I’ve been auditioning for several projects. Unfortunately, at this particular moment, there’s been a decline in productions in Italy. But I feel lucky—I’ve done quite a few auditions, and there are two projects currently under consideration. I’ll keep auditioning because I truly believe this wonderful industry is picking up again. So who knows? You might see me soon, either on TV or in the movies.
Interview: Germano D’Acquisto
Portraits: Niccolò Campita
Location: Casadante Roma
Special thanks to Location Connection by Isabelle Sciamma
