LORENZO ANTONUCCI | CP Magazine

THE NEW ERA OF ACTORS

• What does being an entrepreneur in Hollywood mean to you? Being an entrepreneur means doing everything you set your mind to with all great intentions, and no matter how many NO’s you get you just keep pounding through. Always be a giver and never a taker, then watch how it all unfolds. Positive thoughts create positive outcomes!

• What was your motivation to become an Actor, Producer, and Activist?

Being in a band, Sworn Enemy, I was always told when touring across the globe that I was a character and I needed to be on TV. I had no idea how to achieve this lifelong dream and seemingly true calling until I moved to Hollywood from New York. Producing gave me an outlet to carve my own way onto the screen. Being a Puerto Rican Italian from Queen NY, I feel it is my duty to help further culture in my sphere of influence and around the world in any way possible. If that means I play a White Slave in an alternate history film, then I welcome the challenge and opportunity to make a powerful statement. For those I love I will use my career to speak out for them, despite controversy.

• What is the function of your work? The motivation that gets me out of bed in the morning and inspires my way of life is achieving everything I ever wanted, and at the beat of my own drum. I never have and never will answer to anyone that talks down to me. I get up and conquer every day with a positive mental attitude and then stride towards opportunities that help me grow as a person and an actor.

• What have been the biggest difficulties you

encountered in this job? Climbing the ladder and getting taken seriously at 37/40 years old has been the biggest obstacle. When I first started in the TV/Film industry, nobody had a clue of who I was and what I was doing. The rejections and the beatings I took were discouraging, but Joe Broccoli gave me incredible inspiration every chance that he could and that kept me motivated alongside my belief in myself.

• There will be those who think you are very lucky, so tell us also about the difficult times

you have lived until you get here. I moved to Los Angeles with my car and a bag, broke as a joke at 35 years old and not having a clue what I was going to do with my career. I had one of my best friends who believed in me and helped me with living and put me up. I do not know where I would have been without my perseverance and good company. Lucky is a part of the journey when you’re working hard, and I am very thankful to have had that little bit of luck to propel me farther to where I am today.

• You commented a while ago that you would like to inspire people, make them believe in the success of their ideas and projects. You have a message in the movie “Cracka” what is it? Don't you think that, somehow, you are doing it with your own example? Are you confident with your

message? I’m very confident that the message in Cracka will be heard and inspire others. "What if it was your ancestors?” who were slaves, raped and beaten every day for not providing work fast enough or just for no reason at all. Flipping the worlds is very interesting to everyone that’s watched it, because it creates a more personalized perspective to viewers who may not understand the tragic history African Americans carry on their shoulders. I feel grateful for the chance to help inspire people’s thinking on the topic and create a discussion in households, the media, and wherever the film may find.

• What is the most sacrificed to fulfill your dreams

and beliefs? The most I’ve had to sacrifice is the period where I was completely broke, and sacrificing everything I had to do what I love and never looking back.

• You never thought about abandoning it? Yes at the very beginning, but my friend Weston Coppola Cage saved me from that when he got me my first acting job.

• A question: what did you want to be “when you

grow up”? Sylvester Stallone and a Rock Star.

• You have opened many doors, but have others

been closed to you? That’s a good question… I opened so many doors by being a giver and doing what I can to help that person never expecting a door to open. Closed doors are the ones I don’t want in my life anyway, I don’t associate myself with toxic people.

• Do you think there is an objective formula that allows any business person to achieve success? The constant mindset of the compounding effect and being relentless everyday. You need to have the will to do whatever it takes to get there. Perseverance is key!

• How far would you be willing to go to achieve

your professional goals? I will give it all it takes, that is how winning is done.

• Could you give us a definition of what you

understand by success? Getting up every day and doing what you love, being able to pay the bills and helping everyone around you. Sharing is caring and you have to give to get.

• How do you define your style, who are you inspired by? I’d like to think of myself as a hybrid of Robert Di Nero, Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson and a sprinkle of Ricky Martin, and that'll be Lorenzo Antonucci.

• What have you learned from your previous successes? That if you never give up, you never lose!

• Do you think that recognition has real value when you receive it? I think being recognized for your hard work is gratifying and truly hard to achieve, because you are only rewarded for doing the right thing at the right time. The right thing at the wrong time often goes unnoticed.

• To almost finish the interview, being so young, what goals would you

like to achieve? I wish I was so young (lol) I am 42 about to be 43. I want to achieve it all in Entertainment, Brands and Real Estate. oh… and to work one day with Viola Davis, Sylvester Stallone, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.

• What advice would you give to people in Hollywood, creative artists

interested in sending a message or those who want to do the same? Do everything from the heart and never give up and constantly grind at it, and it will eventually materialize. NO in reverse in ON - flip that around baby! And go to work!!!