The first time he appeared on TV he glued over 10 million Italians to the small screen. One evening was enough to transform her from an illustrious unknown into a diva. A few years have passed since then, the world has changed, and so has television, but she hasn’t. Valeria Marini it is the same as that first episode of Bagaglino which marked his debut (and his immediate consecration). It is in his look, all blond hair, spangles and sequins, in his enthusiasm, and also in his slightly naïve way of acting which makes an interview last three days.
Valeria, Wikipedia says: showgirl, actress and entrepreneur. How do you define yourself?
«I am a showwoman. Yes, I have also done entrepreneurial work but first and foremost I am an actress, a showgirl, an artist. A woman of the people, in short (laughs)».
What did he want to do when he grew up?
«I wanted to do entertainment, act. What I do is my dream, and there is still a long way to go to see it all come true.”
Born in Rome, but then raised in Sardinia.
«I am Sardinian. I wasn’t born in Cagliari, but I have all the characteristics of the Sardinian character and I’m proud to have them: stubbornness, humility, loyalty.”
What was the Cagliari of your adolescence like?
«Same as today. It hasn’t changed, it’s a city where people live well. Wonderful, close to the sea. If I could I would live there again.”
A place of the heart?
«My grandparents’ villa in via Quesada. And then the sea, the Poetto. When I arrive in Cagliari the first thing I do is go to the beach.”
Dettori High School: are you in contact with any former classmates?
«Every now and then I meet Cinzia Marongiu, a very good journalist. Then my relatives. My cousins Marco and Andrea Pisano, the children of aunt Elisa and uncle Paolo. We see each other especially in the summer.”
Started as a model. She called herself Lolly…
«No, Lolly was the nickname my father and mother gave me as a child. But it’s true that I started as a model. At the first audition they took me for an Ikea advertising campaign: there were 300 models from all over Europe. I did that job to support myself. My dream was to be an actress and when the opportunity came to do theater with Mario Scaccia I immediately accepted, because I knew that she would be useful to me.”
Theatre, some small roles in the cinema, finally TV: how did you get to Bagaglino?
«At first I didn’t want to do it, because TV didn’t interest me. I dreamed of cinema. I thought about it for a while, then I said yes. And that yes changed my life, it opened the path to success for me. I still have many goals, but I will never stop thanking Pier Francesco Pingitore who allowed me to go on stage with sacred monsters like Leo Gullotta, Oreste Lionello, Pippo Franco, who have become my family. The Bagaglino is a show that is sorely missed and must return.”
Politicians competed to come to you: the most easy-going?
«The strongest are certainly Andreotti, Cossiga and obviously Berlusconi. It was incredible, when he arrived it was catalysing, because unlike everyone else he had the soul of an artist. And that always helps.”
Every Saturday on Rai 1 ten million viewers.
«For three years I was the most photographed woman in Italy, I had 700 covers. Pingitore really gave me the opportunity to make a dream come true. I managed to enter the hearts of Italians and even today people stop me on the street, because we gave the public emotions.”
A huge success, but also a lot of criticism: which ones hurt you the most?
«One has to expect criticism. I didn’t pay much attention to it. I have always faced everything with lightness and irony. And then if you interpret criticism well it can also be constructive.”
Bigas Luna wants her in “Doll”.
«I was the one who wanted it, it’s one of the many things that happened to me because I wanted them. I was the spokesperson for IP and they asked me which director I wanted for the commercial and I said: Bigas Luna”.
The film was banned for children under 18: would you do it again?
«Of course, absolutely. No experience should be denied. There is always a positive side.”
Cinema with Sordi and Saura, theater with Albertazzi, TV with Baudo: why did everyone want to work with Valeria Marini?
«I was the one who was lucky enough to work with some sacred monsters, it would be presumptuous to say that everyone wanted to work with me. Unique people who have left their mark on entertainment and cinema. Alberto always wanted me close to him, they were three wonderful years: I was the most awarded woman in Italy.”
Sabina Guzzanti did an irresistible imitation of herself.
«I adored her, we even did a program together. She made me while I argued with my image, I rolled down the stairs. Very funny. And when they imitate you it means that you are in the collective imagination.”
1997 is the year of Sanremo with Mike and Chiambretti and of the victory of Jalisse who have been trying to return to the festival ever since. Have you ever thought about it?
«I would like to return to that magical stage in a different role. Maybe as a singer.”
Parietti, Prati, Ventura: who was the ideal partner?
«With Simona there was a particular chemistry, we did many successful things. With Alba I also recently enjoyed Tale e che show. I also got along well with Pamela, but if I have to say who I would like to work with again I say Simona and Alba.”
Have you ever thought about a change of look?
«It was also suggested to me, but when you become an icon you only change it for a particular role. Let’s think of Sophia Loren, Lollo, Monica Vitti, Carrà.”
What’s missing from your career?
“Many things. Meanwhile, I want to return to TV with Bagaglino. And then in the cinema I would like a role different from what I am. A strong woman like Nikita.”
If there were to be a biopic about Valeria Marini, who would she like to be played by?
«I’m already working on it. It is part of the work underway together with the reopening of the Salone Margherita. Can I add something?”.
Certain.
«Sardinia and the Sardinians are always alive. Stellar kisses.”
