EXCLUSIVE: GET TO KNOW RISING STAR ACTRESS CHIARA GHELLER!

Chiara Gheller is a rising film and theater actress in Hollywood, California. We had the chance to do an exclusive interview with Chiara where she also confirmed some recent film projects! Read below to find out the latest and more!

Q: Where are you originally from, and where are you located on the map now?

Photo by Rebecca Van Bockern @PHOTOSBYBVB

Chiara Gheller -A: I was born and raised in Belgium – Europe -, lived in several cities, including Modica, in Sicily, but was born in Charleroi. I am currently living in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Q: As a rising actress, what motivates you and inspires you to be the best at your profession and what do you love most about acting?

Becoming Memories, dir. by Timothy Landfield, photo by Tina Vonn

Chiara Gheller -A: Passion. In every sense of the word. Not only being passionate about acting, but the passion to transmit to the audience, whether they see you on stage or in front of a screen, to teach them a lesson, to create debates, to make them feel, to remind them of the importance of living/being. I’ve always been the kind of person who needed to see to understand; I’ve understood a lot about life through movies/shows more than when someone would explain it to me. Hopefully, I’ll help others to understand more, to feel more, to see further than what they know or are told. I want to be part of something bigger than myself. I want to create changes, to help causes I believe in. I’m not running after fame, but I know that the more famous you are, the more impact you can create. And even though fame can be noxious in many ways, it also helps to bring good to the world if we decide, to give a voice to the unheard. I know perfection doesn’t exist because that’s exactly all the imperfections that we see in ourselves that create authenticity, we don’t fake it, it’s real. And all the people who’ve inspired my path struggled with their own demons but still decided to give more than they receive and tried to make the world a better and safer place.

(Left) Uncle Vanya, dir. by Timothy Landfield (Chiara as role of Yelena)
(Right) Assassins: Iron Winter, choreographed by Danner from Sword

One of the people who inspired me the most growing up was Robin Williams and it was only way after his death that I realized we were sharing the same philosophy about life: “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.” I’d love to be a model for someone one day, be part of those who are remembered, to have created something good even if just for one person who needed it. Another thing I love about acting is being able to live a thousand lives in the same lifetime. Having the possibility to understand the lives of peasants during the French Monarchy, and the next day, discovering the universe on board a spaceship. Because acting isn’t just pretending; it’s understanding. Understand the psychology of the character, under the circumstances of their life to be able to incarnate them as truly as possible. Make them real. And if the character is based on someone who exists or has existed, the work is double and more complicated since you might not be allowed to add your touch to the character, you must stay true to them. But in general, when you’re an actor, even the sky isn’t the limit anymore.

Q: Do you have a top 3 favorite actors, filmmakers, or directors that you are most inspired by and want to work with in the business?

Chiara Gheller -A: My top 3 actors are: Meryl Streep – Jim Carrey – Pierre Niney (French) // Top 3 directors/filmmakers: Christopher Nolan – Chris Columbus – Greta Gerwig

Q: What would you say is your fav genre in roles to play (Drama, Comedy, Crime, Action, a little bit of all)?

Chiara Gheller -A: I love drama. Any kind, but with a preference for psychological drama. I’d love to be really good at comedy, I believe comedy is the best antidepressant that ever existed. And most people think it’s easier to play comedies than dramas, and I greatly disagree. Comedy is really hard to play, full of rules and good timings. I’d say an actor who’s great at comedy could do drama, but the opposite wouldn’t particularly be true. Action would be my palate cleanser. Of course, I don’t have a limit that I’m aware of yet regarding genres, but so far, drama wins big time in my heart.

Q: Can you share with us something people may not know about you? Any hobbies or other secret talents you have and or like to do in your spare time?

(Left) Rebecca Van Bockern
(Right) Chiara Gheller stars in Bigfoot in the City, dir. by Javier Barbera

Chiara Gheller -A: I’m passionate about criminal psychology and behavior. I’d like to get a doctorate in criminal psychology at some point in my life – Even if I never exercise in the field, just for myself. I’m a HUGE reader of Dark Romance, ever since I was a teenager and wasn’t even aware of the genre. I’ve always loved singing but only discovered recently that I could be very good at it – It was a revelation for me. I’m passionate about History, and especially mythologies. I’m a car and motorcycle fan – I can’t wait to buy some classics; my dream car is a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T – Yes, I was greatly influenced by one of my favorite sagas ‘Fast & Furious’. I love learning new languages; I currently am fluent in English, French, and Italian – my Spanish is conversational, but I would love to be fluent in Russian and Japanese, as well – I can read Russian, not understand what I’m reading, though, and my Japanese is basic, but I can’t wait to be fluent! And now, I’m learning ASL. I believe that languages shouldn’t be considered a barrier but an opportunity to connect with different cultures and even more people.

Q: What are some projects that you’ve just wrapped up recently or that you’re currently working on now?

Chiara Gheller -A: Lately, I worked on a world premiere new musical ‘Pinocchio: The Musical’ based on a Russian rewriting by Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy, directed by one of his descendants, also known in the opera world, in Boston. I was part of a mockumentary ‘Bigfoot in the City’ where I had the opportunity to work with Jason Morciglio and Javier Barbera. I had the chance to work with friends on the ‘Dress Alert’ project and I’m currently in post-prod of a docuseries ‘Green or Go: Chasing the Hollywood Dream’ that should be released by the end of April/beginning of May.