Pop-Culturalist.com

It’s never too late to follow your dreams—just ask Gabriella Piazza. The actress, producer, and writer has always been a storyteller, but she took the more traditional path in life. After a successful run in corporate America, Gabriella realized she missed the arts, and made the transition from VP of Technology to leading lady.

Currently, she can be seen in the Sopranos‘ prequel: The Many Saints of Newark.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Gabriella about her multifaceted career, The Many Saints of Newark, and bringing her iconic character to life on the screen.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for storytelling?
Gabriella: I’ll say it wasn’t the traditional way, but everyone has their own story. I always went to acting camps. I did theater throughout high school and college, but I never really had a specific person in my life who had pursued acting and could show me that it was possible. I went the corporate route for a while. I was a VP of Technology for a company in the city.

Over the years, I missed that creative spark. When I met my current partner (who is a director), he said it was possible to get into filmmaking. I started to go to school at night, and I started my own production company and made a few movies. I was able to find that creative outlet that I had missed for a while. It had always been inside of me, but I needed someone to show me it was possible.

PC: How difficult was it to make that decision to pivot?
Gabriella: It was horrifying. My parents were like, “What do you mean?” Everyone in my family is so wonderful, smart, and successful. Everyone was like, “Wait, what?” It was very, very scary, but I was going to school at night. I was never happier. That was a signal for me. I was like, “Okay, I’m going to have to struggle. I’m going to have to rub my pennies together moving forward to make this dream happen, but nothing in my life had made me up to that point as happy as it did being in front of the camera—and behind from a production standpoint. I hope my story inspires others to do the same. It’s never too late.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a producer and writer. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actress and vice versa?
Gabriella: I’m so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work as a producer and a writer. First, it introduces you to the business of film. Time is money. But more importantly, it shows you that as an actor, you’re really not that important. [laughs] If we don’t have a director of photography, this film isn’t getting made. That collaboration is so important. A lot of people don’t get to experience that side of the business. It really makes me want to get onto set and say thank you to everyone involved. I’m so appreciative of everything that everyone does. It’s made me a better actor because I want to work harder for the people who are working hard to get the movie made.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Gabriella: I have to say my family as a whole has been super inspiring, especially my mom. I watched her work, get up in the morning, make us all lunch, go to work, be a working mother, dress great, and run her own business, and when she would get home, she’d have dinner on the table for all of us. Both of my parents showed me what hard work is. Without that influence, I wouldn’t be where I am. I wouldn’t be able to keep going when I feel like the tank is on empty. So, I have to say my mom and dad.

The Many Saints of Newark

PC: Tell us about The Many Saints of Newark, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Gabriella: The Many Saints of Newark is an incredible story set before Tony Soprano came to Moltisanti. I play Joanne Moltisanti, so I’m married to Dickie, who’s played by our lead, Alessandro Nivola. It’s a gangster/Italian mob movie written by the incredible David Chase and Lawrence Konner.

In the show, you don’t know too much about Joanne, other than from when she’s talked about by Christopher or her son or the few times that you’ve seen her. That’s what drew me to the role. I got a nearly blank canvas to create this person. Who the heck would raise Christopher Moltisanti? I asked myself that question all the time when I was doing this. The opportunity to create this character was amazing.

PC: Did you feel any pressure joining this family?
Gabriella: Oh yeah. Oh my goodness. Tons of pressure. There’s no fan like a true Sopranos fan. None at all. To fill those shoes was scary, but it’s beautiful. Those fears were immediately alleviated when you see the people working with you and who’s stepped into these other roles. We were able to give fans what they always wanted. We’re able to show them these characters’ lives before the show that they fell in love with. This is such a cool opportunity and such a gift.

PC: What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned working on The Many Saints of Newark that you’ll apply to future projects?
Gabriella: As an actor, you sometimes have trouble trusting yourself and your choices. You second guess your choices sometimes. This film really helped me trust myself and my choices because Joanne was a blank canvas. I had to comb the character out and work to create excitement around her.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was from my dear friend, Michael [Gandolfini]. He immediately had this beautiful presence on set. He made everybody feel incredible. He also made everybody feel like a family. He worked so hard. He got along with all the other cast members and crew. Michael was this beacon of positivity.

PC: This is one of your biggest roles to date. Is there a scene that you’re really excited for your fans to see?
Gabriella: There’s this scene that I love. It’s an iconic scene that they’ve talked about in the show. I was able to recreate that. It’s violent and scary. When I read this scene on paper, I was like, “What?” But when Alan Taylor [our director] would call “cut,” everybody on set was laughing. I’m so excited for Sopranos fans to see this because I’m sure they’ll be like, “Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I’m watching this in real time.” The people who’ve never seen it are going to be like, “This is the funniest/scariest thing I’ve ever seen.” [laughs]

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Gabriella: The Challenge on MTV.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Gabriella: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. That’s my favorite movie. I watch it all the time.

PC: Favorite book?
Gabriella: Invisible Monsters by by Chuck Palahniuk. I know it’s a little dark, but it’s a good book.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Gabriella: West Side Story. I saw it and I was like, “I’m going to be an actor.”

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Gabriella: Rage Against the Machine.

PC: Dream role?
Gabriella: Anything Scott Cooper directs.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Gabriella: I have two sisters, so maybe they would split it up. One would take the earlier years, the other would take the later years. That’s what I’m going to say.

To keep up with Gabriella, follow her on Instagram. The Many Saints of Newark is in theaters today and on HBO Max.

Photo Credit: Francis Hills