The talented actor Diego Riques has just joined the cast of the exciting 7pm telenovela entitled “Vai Na Fé”, where he will play Professor Gabriel, a new character in the university core. His last participation on the network was as the nurse Martin in the acclaimed soap opera “Joia Rara”, which even received the International Emmy award. Since then, Diego has dedicated himself to several artistic projects, including theater plays, performances in soap operas and series on TV Record, in addition to being featured in advertising campaigns both in Brazil and abroad. Professor Gabriel’s entry in “Vai Na Fé” promises to bring exciting twists to the story of the characters Vini (Guthierry Sotero) and Yuri (Jean Paulo Campos). The first scenes with Diego Riques will air in the next chapters,
Diego Riques, 38 years old, began his artistic career at the age of 12 as a child spokesperson for the “Defensores da Natureza” project, a joint initiative of IBAMA and Rede Globo, alongside the renowned Xuxa Meneghel. At the age of 15, he debuted in his first professional theater play, playing the novice Carlos in the famous work “O Noviço”, written by Martins Penna. His training includes studies and specializations in various schools and courses in Interpretation and Performing Arts, highlighting his artistic deepening with Armand Saribekyand by the renowned international company Théâtre du Soleil, located in France. In addition to his talent in the arts, Diego also holds a degree in Advertising and Marketing from ESPM-Rio, showing his versatility as an advertiser.
Diego accumulates a vast experience in theater, cinema, television and dubbing, participating in more than ten dramatic productions on Rede Globo and Record. Among his notable works are the soap operas “Belíssima”, “Beleza Pura” and “Joia Rara”, a feature film and seven short films. It is worth mentioning his performance as Fred in “Iniquities”, where he acted with renowned actors Leona Cavalli and Ernani Moraes, and his role as Veludo in “Navalha na Carne”, an adaptation of the work by Plínio Marcos, directed by Cininha de Paula. In 2015, he lent his voice to the character Spartan in the Brazilian versions of the “Halo” games, produced by Microsoft. In addition, Diego has been a strong presence in several national and international advertising campaigns,
How was it to return to Rede Globo after 10 years and join the cast of “Vai Na Fé”? What are your expectations for this new job?
It’s a very good feeling, because even though I was in other houses during that time, and I’m very grateful to them, I remained connected to Rede Globo in some way. We created many affective memories there… It’s the contact with the backstage teams; riding in the iconic Projac cart, which circulates transporting the actors; and even the smell of the studios, which is very characteristic lol.
Coming back now, like Professor Gabriel, marks a phase in which I am more mature as a person and professional. The last time I was there I was under 30, and now I’m almost 40! haha. I am happy. Globo is a house.
Tell us a little about your character, Professor Gabriel, and how he will impact the story of the characters Vini and Yuri.
It is a character who enters the plot with a specific function of bringing news to one of the characters, and this will open gaps for new events and move the couple’s entire history.
You started your artistic career at a very young age. How was the experience of being a child spokesperson for the “Defenders of Nature” project alongside Xuxa Meneghel?
It was a very special experience. I’ve always been a fan of Xuxa, and suddenly, there I was on the Xuxa Park show, in the middle of all that magic. I was very young, but I remember trying to pretend normalcy on her side lol. I remember once they took a lion cub to participate in the painting. Everyone just wanted to know about the lion, and I just wanted to take pictures with Xuxa lol.
In addition to acting, you also have a degree in Advertising and Marketing. How do you reconcile these two areas and how do they complement each other in your career?
Since I was a child, I saw commercials on TV and imagined the backstage and the whole process. Some time later, I had the opportunity to participate, as an actor, in some advertising campaigns in Brazil and in other countries. I could see it all up close and I was enchanted. Interest in the area grew, until I decided to study Communication in parallel with my acting career. I created a Digital Marketing agency, and nowadays, reconciling the two areas is possible thanks to the flexibility of digital tools and remote work. Sometimes I have some cool insights that I can apply in both areas.
You’ve accumulated experience in theatre, cinema, TV and dubbing. Which of these areas is your favorite and why?
Hard to choose just one lol. I am passionate about acting. Each place has a more suitable language, and the actors need to make adaptations and small adjustments. Theater is the foundation of every actor. Acting for the camera, on the other hand, requires a certain specific technique, because it involves other elements, such as lighting, shadows, angles and framing. Voice acting is difficult and takes a lot of skill and practice. I think every actor should try dubbing, it’s very enriching for the job.
Throughout your career, you have worked on various drama content, both on Rede Globo and TV Record. What was it like moving between these two stations and what were the challenges you faced?
I’ve always been very well received in the houses I’ve been to. I am very grateful to all of them. The challenge in changes is always in human and professional relationships. I’m always concerned with getting to know new teams, being attentive to each professional involved and understanding each person’s ways of working. I highly value a harmonious and respectful work environment.
In addition to acting, you have also participated in advertising campaigns in Brazil and abroad. What is it like to work in this medium and what are the differences in relation to acting in audiovisual productions?
The advertising medium is busier. Many times you participate in the casting in one day and already record in the next. Everything is generally more dynamic, because deadlines are shorter. And there are some variables that are always on the radar of producers, such as, for example, the weather. Let’s say a beach shoot is planned for tomorrow. If the weather closes and it starts to rain, you need to have an immediate plan B, or you simply lose that workday and there are losses.
What have been the most defining or challenging moments in your career so far?
My first time in a soap opera studio at Rede Globo was very remarkable. It was Belíssima, by Silvio de Abreu, and in the cast there were Fernanda Montenegro, Glória Pires, Claudia Abreu, Irene Ravache…I had scenes with Tony Ramos and I still remember the butterflies in my stomach before entering the scene lol. These are challenging moments that I will never forget.
How do you see the current scenario of Brazilian television drama and what are your expectations for the future of this medium?
I think the digital media came with strength. The idea of being able to watch a soap opera or series on demand is very seductive, whenever and however you want, being able to take a break to go to the kitchen or the bathroom lol. Streams are there providing this, as they understand the needs of the public, which have also changed over time. I think it’s a trend that will only grow in the coming years.
What are your future projects? Is there a dream role you would like to play?
I would like to make a great villain, one of those that people curse in the street and run after lol. In addition to the challenge of creating the character, I think it would be fun to stir the public’s imagination and provoke different reactions. I’m also taking advantage of the final stretch of the soap opera to study texts for the theater.
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