At just 10 years old, Theo Radicchi from Minas Gerais has already built a distinguished career in TV and advertising. The young actor, who began his career at the age of 5 in advertising campaigns, gained prominence when he played Rui Nogueira in the soap opera “A Caverna Encantada”, on SBT. In addition to TV, Theo has experience in major campaigns for brands such as Pfizer, Bradesco, CEMIG and Localiza, consolidating himself as one of the promising faces of the new generation of child artists.
From a very young age, you have been venturing into the world of cameras and arts. At just 5 years old, you were already doing commercials and now you play Rui in A Caverna Encantada. How was this transition from commercials to acting in a TV series for you? What fascinated you most about this process?
It was a big adaptation. Soap operas are very different from advertising. Advertising is a quick process – the longest I’ve ever filmed in a row was three days for the Pfizer film. Plus, we barely have to memorize any text (laughs), which is very different from a soap opera.
In the soap opera, I was amazed by the whole process, from the press conference before the premiere to the recording studios, this imaginary world where everything happens. The workload is immensely greater, everything is very grand, and I’m loving it!
Rui is a mischievous and very funny boy, always with his best friend, Felipe. Do you identify with him in any way? What characteristics do you have in common and which are totally different?
I identify a lot with Rui in his eating habits (laughs), loyalty to his friends, his clumsy way of being and his spontaneity. But he is very different from me in his behavior: he doesn’t like to study, gets bad grades, is very messy and, sometimes, even a little mean… (laughs).
Working in television is a dream for many children, but it also requires a lot of dedication. How do you balance your recording routine with your studies and leisure time? Is there something you never give up, even when you’re busy?
It takes discipline and routine. I get home with time already counted down for my shower and lunch, and at 1:30 p.m. I go to SBT. At night, I do my schoolwork and study my scenes for the next day. Since I realized that my time is short, I pay a lot of attention in class and, as a result, I don’t have to study for tests. This technique has worked very well, because last year I got excellent grades and I intend to continue doing the same this year.
On the weekends, I have Saturday night and Sunday free. That’s the time I use to rest, play, do school activities and study my texts. I can do everything, but I always plan and have a schedule for each thing. That’s why a routine is essential. Whenever I’m feeling relaxed, I play video games – it’s like therapy for me (laughs).
You’ve been involved in a number of major advertising campaigns, including Pfizer’s children’s vaccine and government education campaigns. What’s it like knowing that your work has such a big impact on people’s lives? Did any of these campaigns have a special meaning for you?
I am very grateful and honored to know that I am contributing to bringing an important message to people, especially in the areas of education and health. I am very fond of all the campaigns I have done. The Pfizer vaccine campaign, in particular, was a turning point for me. First, because it gave me some visibility, and second, because it happened at a time when the world was facing the Covid-19 pandemic. Many parents and guardians were unsure and afraid to vaccinate their children. Being able to convey that encouraging message – “Protect your child” – is priceless!
Acting involves a lot of emotions, from joy to more challenging moments. Have you ever had a scene that was difficult to film? How do you deal with the challenges of a film set?
Rui is part of the comic core of the soap opera, but there were scenes where he is very sad when he is excluded by his best friend. In this same scene, there are also moments of joy and excitement, so it was a challenge to express these different emotions in a short space of time.
When I’m on set, in the front of the scene, I try not to talk (which is a challenge for me), I go through the script in my head and concentrate a lot. And whenever something unexpected happens in the scene, I don’t stop – I improvise and move forward. I only stop when the director tells me to.
Who inspires you in the world of acting? Is there an actor or actress that you admire and dream of working with in the future?
I love Selton Mello and Jack Black! They both manage to move perfectly between comedy and drama. It would be a dream to act with one of them, or both of them! Then I would have a blast! (laughs).
You still have a long way to go in the artistic world. What else do you want to achieve in the coming years? Do you have a dream role that you would like to play one day?
I really want to make feature films, more soap operas and series, and I really want to work with dubbing, something that hasn’t come to fruition yet. I love comedy, but I also want to explore drama, which would be a great challenge for me.
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