Pedro Andrade finally feels at home in New York City. Born in Brazil, Pedro left Brazil to continue a career modeling and acting in New York. Dashing and gracious, Pedro has many skills: he is schooled in Journalism, is a DJ, and is a host for First Look on www.lxtv.com. Recently, First Look has started airing on NBC (7:30 EST). Pedro Andrade took a moment to speak with QFR about Queerness in Brazil and New York, his love of acting, and his experiences working in the Queer film community.
Beginning of Career:
PA: Well, I have been acting ever since I was a child in Brazil. I guess it is a pretty common outlet for kids that happen not to be the “popular†ones in school. It was a place I felt accepted. I started with theater, which gave me the core experience I needed to eventually pursue acting as a career. I find that the transition from theater to tv/film is more natural than the opposite. Theater really gave the fundamental base I needed to be prepared for the craft. A lot of people nowadays believe all you need to do to be an actor is to “act natural†in front of the camera when it actually takes a lot more than that.
Queer film community:
PA: I definitely do not underestimate the importance of the Queer film community. I’m a strong believer in people that have a vision and go for it regardless of the general first acceptance. It takes guts and dedication to succeed in a business like this one, mainly if you actually have something controversial to say.
The Companionist and Jarrah Gurrie:
PA: When modeling I worked with one of the greatest photographers of our generation, Nicolas Wagner. Ever since I met him, I fully trusted in his taste and talent, and one day he mentioned Jarrah. After speaking very highly of him I couldn’t wait to check out his work. We had a meeting, he mentioned what he had in mind for this project, I auditioned for him and I must admit I think the result came out even better than I expected. He’s smart and easy to work with. Truly an incredible director. The ironic thing about this particular project is that two weeks after we shot “The Companionist†I got dumped after a four year relationship. I could definitely have used those emotions while playing my part, but, I guess it all turned out well in the end of the day…
Acting and Modeling:
PA: I started modeling years ago in Brazil. I never planned it. As I said before, I was never the cute one in school and when a really big photographer approached me on the beach, I literally thought it was a joke. After a while I did some research on him (he gave me his card) and decided to give it a shot. The next thing you know, I had to drop out of journalism school to come to New York to model. Even though acting and modeling are two completely different crafts, I tend to use both on most of my jobs. Im very lucky to be able to pick my modeling jobs these days based on how much they actually inspire. Its really gratifying to look at the final result and be proud of being a part of a beautiful piece of art. Obviously, money does play a part. But shooting for extremely commercial jobs doesn’t compare with actually shooting for an artist with a vision. Acting is without a doubt my passion. It has always been. And despite the fact that I spend a lot of my time hosting a tv show and modeling, I’ll always have in mind what drove me here…being an actor. It’s such a cliché, but it is true when people say acting can be therapeutic. It does wonders for me.
New York:
PA: I am really patriotic, however, I feel extremely fortunate to have found a place where I actually belong. I have been lucky enough to travel a lot in my life and I could not name one other place that I would rather live in. I love the energy of New York. Everyone is coming from somewhere, heading somewhere, reaching out for goals, making dreams come true daily. I don’t find that anywhere else. Even with all the “hussle and bustle†we see on every corner, there is something effortlessly special about New York. It’s the one place you can celebrate whatever your “weirdness†is day by day with no judgments.
Sexuality, Rio, New York City:
PA: Most people believe Rio is a “Gay haven†when it really isn’t. It seems like the only brazilian footage they broadcast on American tv is Carnaval and small bikinis, but in fact, despite our relaxed and sensual nature, we still have major prejudice issues.
I still haven’t been to one place where gays are as respected as in New York. Rio for sure doesn’t compare in that sense. I feel like culturally New York is a lot more mature than Rio, and even though I think it is one of the best and most gorgeous places on Earth, we still have a long way to go in terms of acceptance and respect towards each other. From a very early age my parents taught me the importance of having the right values. They have always said that things and people come and go, but when you have the right character, principles and education, that is by far the most priceless thing parents can offer their children. Well, I believe it’s time other cities started basing their educational system on “respect†for one another, regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, beliefs or any sort of differences
Writing, Directing, Producing:
PA: I believe it is a natural process to want to get into directing and producing once you work with a professional that somehow shows you how major those positions are while shooting a movie. Before you are actually on set, it is hard to have that dimension. A good director will literally make or break a film. So I think deep inside every actor eventually wants to have that power. Plus, I would guess it is a different “high†to play “puppet master†in this industry. I have never been good in physics, chemistry or math. My strength has always been writing. Weather I was doing a paper for my journalism school or writing my own fiction essay on my literature class, it has always deeply interested me. For sure the fact that I enjoy reading plays a huge part on this feature of my taste. But for now, I still enjoy living someone else’s life. Playing a character that came out of someone else’s imagination. So I’ll stick to what you know for now. I still have a lot to learn on the acting field.
Queer Films:
PA: “Death in Venice†by Luchino Visconti is still one of my all time favorite movies. And from the newest ones, “Brokeback Mountain†will forever be a classic.