Sebastiano Serafini Exclusive Interview!

 

 

Model, Actor, Musician- Sebastiano Serafini’s exclusive interview for Tokyo Catwalk.

Sebastiano is more than just a pretty face, (although he is quite pretty we must admit!) He is talented and kind hearted. Some of you may know him from the Japanese Drama “Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo” (The Japanese that the Japanese (people) don’t know). If you haven’t seen it, we suggest you check it out, it’s pretty funny and has some heart warming scenes as well. We hope you enjoy getting to know Sebastiano just as much as we did. Read on to find out more about this Italian model/J-drama hottie,/up and coming musician.

TC: 1. You have modeled in many different cities worldwide (Milan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai and Tokyo) however you seem to spend most of your time in Japan, why is this?  Why did you want to live in Japan?

SS: I first came to Tokyo as a model, and found the city and culture to be so vibrant. At the moment, I’m traveling and working internationally; this year, I’ve been in LA and Italy, and am currently in Hong Kong. Coming up, I’ll be on tour and making appearances worldwide.
TC:2.What is the biggest difference between living in Japan and Italy? Did you have any funny or strange 1st experiences?

SS: Etiquette and outward behaviours are quite different in the two countries. However, I’ve learned from my travels that we’re all basically the same. Funny enough, in both Italy and Japan, people ask me if I’m a foreigner!

TC:3. What is the best and worst thing about being a model?

SS: The best thing is you get to travel and have many exciting experiences. One of the brands I’m the main model for, Stand Up The Fragile, (http://stand-up-the-fragile.com/youandiandyou/seba.html) is very supportive, and had a launch party in Daikanyama for my catalog. However, it’s a dangerous world and models leave their families very early on to work

Many people assume models are superficial and only have talent in this one field. Thanks to being in the Japanese TV drama and working with music producers, I’m able to prove I can do much more.
TC:4. You’ve also acted, I read that you just finished filming a movie that will be out next year, could you tell me more about it?

SS: I can’t say much about this yet….

 

 
TC:5. Your most notable role to date was “Luca” on the Japanese drama “Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo”, What was your first impression about working on a J-drama? Do you ever watch any J-dramas? and if so what are your favorites?

SS: Actually, this is not my first drama – I appeared in a popular Italian drama when I was quite young, before becoming a model. I was also in the drama Pompei as the son of Girolamo Panzetta (a famous actor in Japan).

My favorite J dramas are Kamen Rider and Face Off.

TC:6. Did you ever actually attend a Japanese language school? If not how did you learn Japanese? Any advice for those studying now?

SS: I learned Mandarin before moving to Japan, so it was easier to pick up the new language. I studied mainly on my own, and passed the JLPT level 1. My advice: make language learning fun. Write and sing song lyrics, or watch Nihonjin no shiranai nihongo!

 

 

 

TC:7. I heard that you are working with the famous music producer, Joey Carbone, are you working on a solo album release? When can we expect to hear some songs from you? also, what are your favorite Japanese artists, bands?

SS: I’m currently working on some secret musical projects, but for now, I can’t tell you more about it.

My favorite bands are Arc-en-Ciel and X Japan.

TC:8. You collaborate often with Fashion blogger and t.v host, La Carmina (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/), how did you meet?

SS: We met on Halloween in Tokyo, and got to know each other better when we collaborated on a CNN article about mens winter fashion. (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/shop/10-hot-winter-fashions-men-844325).  So far, our collaborations have included modeling for Lip Service (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2011/01/lip-service-models-steampunk-vampire-clothing-makeup-goth-alternative-fashion-modelling-vampires-magazine/), hosting parties in Hollywood, helping the NOH8 campaign, (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/category/noh8-campaign/), and fundraising for Japan after the earthquake (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/category/japan-earthquake/). We are currently attending the pre-opening of Galaxy Macau resort, and doing TV and journalism work in Hong Kong. (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/category/hong-kong-macau/) Coming up, we are special guests with Sarah Jessica Parker at Luisaviaroma’s Firenze4Ever fashion blogger conference. (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2011/04/going-to-italy-firenze4ever-luisaviaroma-fashion-blogger-event-in-florence-june-2011-hostelbookers-hotels-venice-milan/)

 

 

 

TC:9.What do you think about your life’s journey up until now? Would you change anything?

SS: I’m happy and proud of where I am now. Coming from a village in northern Italy, I never dreamed I would see so much of the world, and have such amazing opportunities.

 

 

TC:10. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

SS: Don’t let the fear of failing stop you from trying.
TC:11. What is the best advice you’ve ever given?

SS: No matter how bad things are, keep a positive mental attitude and treat people well.

 

TC:12. What was the last thing you bought?

SS: $300 Hong Kong worth of yummy dark chocolate with nuts.

TC:13. What do you do in your spare time?

SS: Music: writing lyrics, singing, playing keyboards.  Seeing my friends and bro at at my favorite Tokyo club, New Lex (http://www.newlex-edo.com/). going to the gym…

 

TC:14.What is something that most people don’t know about you?

SS: That Bruno Lucchi (http://www.brunolucchi.it/), the famous sculptor, is my uncle.
TC:15. What did you do today before this interview?

SS: I learned how to make happy-face candy at Sticky, (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sticky-Hong-Kong/161183180598142) a Hong Kong candy shop, for TV. It’s harder work than you think!
TC:16. You are the co-founder of HOPE, a new t-shirt line project to help raise money for Japan. how would you like to see people helping in this cause?

SS: Japan needs a lot of help in recovering. It’s my goal to keep people aware and raise money with these tshirts. (http://www.brutal.jp/brutal_site_date/htmls/event/hope_project/hope_index.html) We also have a jewelry project in the works with designer Soho Hearts (http://www.sohohearts.com/shop/).

 

17. TC:17. What are you working on right now? What are your plans for the future?

SS: I’ve recently become the fifth member of DNR

(http://www.dnrofficial.com/ ) (Dreams Not Reality), the Italian

Visual rock band! I will be performing as vocalist and keyboardist in

DNR’s upcoming concerts, in Europe and the 10,000+ audience festival

Notte Rosa. We will be opening for Jrock legends Versailles on June

4th, in Salerno (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2011/05/sebas-band-dnr-dreams-not-reality-opening-for-versailles-in-italy-visual-kei-jrock-band-europe-tour/).

 

 

Just

before, I will be in Tokyo for a few days for modelling,

recording, and attending some important meetings. I’ll also be a special guest

at New Lex Tokyo’s 4th Anniversary party, the evening of May 28th.

You’re welcome to celebrate with me at the Roppongi club; full info

here. (https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217734371588124)

 

Next I’ll be in Italy for the Luisaviaroma (http://www.luisaviaroma.com/landing.aspx?page=bloggers) fashion event and other

work, to be revealed soon. More travels and creative projects ahead –

stay tuned to find out!

 

 

SEBA’S LINKS!