Andrew Matarazzo is coming with lots of new projects; the most prominent is the release of his new single Don´t Say Love.
Therefore, we talked with this artist about his work, influences, the importance of better and more diverse representation in media, and, of course, the recently announced Teen Wolf movie that will reinvigorate the excitement of millions of fans who can’t wait for the revival of this successful TV show.
So, we hope you enjoy this conversation with Andrew Matarazzo, this multifaceted artist we love for his many talents, heartfelt energy, and social awareness.
I will always value that moment in my life
VT: Personally, what do you like the most about being an actor?
AM: I love how it gives me insight into different walks of life. Through scripts and roles, I feel like I get to absorb things I’m not exposed to in my own life. It keeps my mind open and sometimes even changes how I think about something.
VT: What is your connection with Hollywood legend Tim Robbins? How did that even happen?
AM: I studied in England and spent a lot of time in New York; so, when I first moved to LA, I found myself very lost when it came to continuing my craft. I was used to more classical training, and I was transitioning into TV and film work.
I saw a production at The Actor’s Gang, which is a theater company run by Tim Robbins, and I was so blown away. It felt very familiar to me and reminded me a lot about the work I used to see in England and on the East Coast.
I looked into the company, and I saw that Tim did an ongoing master class, so I attended the open call and was accepted. I studied there for the beginning of my LA career, and it really set the tone for what I wanted and where I wanted to go from there.
I learned a lot from him.
VT: Teen Wolf became a milestone in your career. Therefore, what has it been like for you to be part of this global phenomenon and receive the love of millions of fans who celebrate the Teen Wolf universe? Are you excited for the movie that was just announced?
AM: I will always value that moment in my life with an immense amount of gratitude. Jeff Davis really saw me during a time where I was feeling very unseen and held back.
The aftermath of being on that show almost brought more to my life than the show itself, and a huge part of that are the fans and conventions where I get to travel the world, and meet so many amazing people, and see such incredible places.
The movie announcement was such a cool moment because it really gave a sense of going back in time to the height of Teen Wolf madness. It was amazing to see how excited the fans were and see Jeff coming up with new ideas.
My artistic DNA
VT: The film He’s All That, one of the latest projects you were a part of, debuted at number one on Netflix worldwide since it was the most popular movie during its weekend premiere. How was that experience for you? Were you expecting all this’ 90s nostalgia the movie made us feel?
AM: It was so fun, from start to finish. It was always meant to be a fun, easy, and nostalgic movie, and I think it was. I had a great time and got so lucky with our cast chemistry.
VT: Jade Matarazzo, your mother, is a cultural reference for Latin communities in America. So, which values have she taught you that you always try to put into practice?
AM: She’s such an incredible artist, and I get so much of my artistic DNA from her.
Most of all, I think she just gave me such a strong sense of self from such a young age. She valued my ideas and opinions, and it shaped me to be confident in what I did as an actor and artist.
She supports me endlessly, which is a huge deal when you’re pursuing any career in the arts.
VT: Considering your previous answer and cherishing your Latin American origins, what do you think about currently South American representation in media?
AM: I love that we’re seeing more representation, but I still think we can go deeper.
I find a lot of the Latinx stories and characters are very redundant and show only a very small sliver of the Latinx communities.
I would love to see more Brazilian characters as well, and not all of them be named Rafael or Fernando.
Don’t Say Love
VT: Music, as well, has been a relevant aspect of your career, and you are releasing your newest single: Don´t Say Love. So what can you tell us about it and its music video?
AM: Don’t Say Love is the anti-love anthem.
The core theme of the song is being jaded by a repeated failed love, and now the only thing that matters is lust and having fun.
My goal with all my music videos is to make them like mini-films, and they’re usually inspired by iconic cinema. For this one, I wanted something futuristic and sexy.
So, I based the visuals off Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner to tie all of that in. It’s set to drop on November 5th.
One of the coolest parts is that I am premiering it at NeueHouse, which is inside the famous Bradbury building in downtown LA, where they actually shot a lot of the original Blade Runner. I am very excited and honored to be able to have it screened there.
VT: What can you share with us about your upcoming projects?
AM: After Don’t Say Love, I want to finish my EP before the year ends, and then I begin filming a new project early next year. Music is always going to live in tandem with my acting endeavors, so we’ll see more of that too.
VT: Which words would you like to share with those young people who might be having a hard time figuring out who they are and what they want to do in life?
AM: A lot of times, when we feel stuck, we get the most creative and are forced to make shifts and think outside of the box.
Some of the greatest changes in my life came when I hit a dead-end and felt like I needed to redirect my routine.
Embrace moments of not knowing and being lost, and let it inspire you to do things you wouldn’t normally do.
Sometimes we find a new path when we break out of our programmed day-to-day.
VT: Anything else you would like to share with Vanity Teen?
AM: Don’t Say Love drops on November 5th on all streaming platforms!
Before we go
Andrew Matarazzo has been sharing his music and acting projects with all of us, and we appreciate it. But this multitalented man has also been inviting us to advocate for a more plural world in which our diversities set the tone of a generation that does not conform to outdated clichés and embraces our cultural backgrounds as well as all of the things that make us unique.
On Vanity Teen, we also cherish this message, and we could not be happier to see the outreach Andrew Matarazzo is achieving while showing us his honest smile and open heart.
So, as he reminded us, let us celebrate we are different, keep in mind our family values, and think outside the box because the world is a great place full of amazing people.
Andrew Matarazzo @andrewmatarazzo photographed by Elys Berroteran @elysmcm, exclusive for Vanity Teen online!
