With a career that began in childhood and is marked by prominent roles in television, film, and international productions, actress Giovanna Grigio continues to expand her presence in contemporary audiovisual media. From Chiquititas to the series Rebelde, including recent streaming successes and new projects planned for the coming years, the artist is building a versatile and constantly evolving career. In an interview, she reflects on her professional evolution, the challenges of acting in different languages, and the next steps in an increasingly consolidated phase of her career.
You began your artistic journey at a very young age, working in advertising and studying theater at the Fundação das Artes. Looking back at that early stage of your life, at what point did you realize that acting could become much more than just a childhood experience?
I literally grew up on set; I was six months old for my first job, and I’ve been working non-stop ever since. For me, it was always great fun, it was a game, but it was a serious game, that was always clear to me. I was a Capricorn child, I was born kind of old. Acting is also playing seriously. I don’t remember the moment I realized I was dreaming of being an actress, the dream was always there. And it was always a strong part of my personality.
In 2013 came one of the major turning points in your career, when you played Mili in Chiquititas. What did that character represent for you at that moment, and how did it influence the paths that followed?
Mili holds a very special place in my heart. It was with her that I truly understood myself as an actress. It was a crucial school that defined my entire path as an actress later on. She transformed my life in so many ways. I was just a teenager, and suddenly everyone knew who I was! And she brought me many responsibilities and many opportunities. It was there that I understood what I wanted in my career, and today I truly look back on that first job with great affection. I’m very proud to see the actress I’ve become.
Right after your success on Chiquititas, you decided not to renew your contract with SBT and seek new challenges. What was it like making that decision so young and embarking on a new chapter in your career?
Throughout those two years of the soap opera, I realized that I really enjoyed what I was doing, and at that time I was almost 18 years old and eager to challenge myself and do different things. And I, of course, had Fernanda Souza’s career as a reference; she played Mili before me and was already an inspiration for my work. I like to make decisions in my life always feeling courageous, and knowing that I will be, more than anything, happy and doing what I want.
In Êta Mundo Bom!, on TV Globo, you played Gerusa, a character marked by a delicate love story and a serious illness. What did this experience bring in terms of maturity for you as an actress?
Ah, a lot of things happened. Going from Chiquititas straight to a 6 PM telenovela, aimed at a broader age range, truly brought a sense of maturity. Everything demanded much more maturity. I think one of the best things was the opportunity to work with some actors I already admired a lot. I had many exchanges with Ana Lucia Torre, Marco Nanini, Claudio Tovar, and so on… They were my colleagues and super generous, they answered all my questions, and I tried to make the most of it to learn because it’s not every day that we have an opportunity like that. I remember that at the beginning of the telenovela my mother had to accompany me because I was still 17 years old, so Êta was really a very specific phase of personal growth for me as well.
In Malhação: Viva a Diferença, you introduced the audience to Samantha Lambertini, who later had a new phase in the series As Five. What was it like to revisit this character years later and follow her evolution into adulthood?
It was amazing to be able to return to this character, who is certainly one of the most beloved of my career. And it was very challenging, because I felt she was very different from how she was in Malhação. At first, I was lost, I didn’t immediately understand many of the changes that were introduced to the character due to the passage of time; I still had a very vivid memory of exactly how she was in the previous work.
But then, when I got older and reached Samantha’s age in As Five, I understood that we’re not always the same. I remember feeling like I had to deliver a maturity that I hadn’t yet experienced in my life, so it wasn’t easy.
But I also don’t usually like it when it’s easy, hahaha. I loved this experience, it’s a job I’m very proud of.
In 2022, you achieved international recognition with the Netflix Mexico series Rebelde, playing Emilia. What was it like facing the challenge of acting in Spanish and seeing your career reach an audience throughout Latin America?
It was crazy, wasn’t it? I feel proud of my own audacity in taking on this project because I was very scared. I learned about my potential, I discovered a whole other audiovisual industry that seemed so distant and impossible to me. The cool thing about Spanish is that it’s a language spoken in many places, so this cultural exchange that Latinos have with each other is really great. And Emilia is a character that’s super beloved by the public. I loved the time I spent in Mexico and I definitely want to act in other parts of the world too.
In film, you played Sofia in Perdida, a role that made a strong impression on audiences, and now you continue in the sequel Encontrada. What is so special about this character for you, and why do you believe she created such a strong connection with viewers?
I think what connects the audience with Sofia, beyond her personality, is that she represents a contemporary perspective on dilemmas in our society that have always existed, some even today. The way she looks at things and deals with the problems of the 19th century really puts the audience inside the story. And if I were there, what would I do? You know? And playing Sofia is a lot of fun; she’s funny, clumsy, and extremely brave and true to herself! She’s driven by love, and we fall in love with her along with her.
Now, with new projects like Trago Seu Amor and the series Os 12 Signos de Valentina, you continue to explore very different characters. After so many memorable roles, what still motivates you to seek new stories and challenges in acting?
I think I’m always looking for characters that challenge me and lead me to become a deeper, more intense, more courageous actress… That’s what satisfies me and makes me happy. I like complex characters, who can be contradictory, who make me discover new things. Mia from “Trago Seu Amor” took me out of my comfort zone and taught me to reach other facets, to experiment. And Valentina, well, that goes without saying, because if there’s one thing I’m doing, it’s letting go of judgment and throwing myself into the scene. With her, I’ve gone back to playing seriously with much more boldness, and it’s so much fun! I’m very excited for you all to see it…
Follow Giovanna Grigio on Instagram
