My Interview With Italy’s Greatest Out Supermodel Valerio Pino

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by Michael Vaccaro

I recently got to have a chat with my favorite Italian Supermodel, the gorgeous Valerio Pino. Some years ago, we almost worked together on my series, “Child of the ‘70s,” but he was busy taking Europe by storm. Now, he’s on his way to conquering America. 
 

Michael Vaccaro: OK, Valerio, everybody wants to get to know you. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where’d you grow up? How did you get into dancing and modeling?

Valerio Pino: Well, I was born in a small town in southern Italy called Cosenza, located in Calabria. MY INTERVIEW WITH ITALY’S GREATEST  OUT SUPERMODELVALERIO PINOI recently got to have a chat with my favorite Italian Supermodel, the gorgeous Valerio Pino. Some years ago, we almost worked together on my series, “Child of the ‘70s,” but he was busy taking Europe by storm. Now, he’s on his way to conquering America. Michael Vaccaro: OK, Valerio, everybody wants to get to know you. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where’d you grow up? How did you get into dancing and modeling?

Michael: That’s a part of Italy I’ve never been to. 

Valerio: You must go. It’s beautiful. At the age of eight, my mom, Giovanna, passionate about dancing, takes me to a dance school, and I  began to participate in numerous competitions throughout Italy. In three years, I won more than 40 trophies! I have a beautiful memory of this time of my life, in the world of ballroom dancing. Later, when I reached the age of 15, I made the selections at the National Dance Academy in Rome, where I moved to study before starting work as a professional dancer at the age of 17. Soon after, at the age of 18, I began working in Italian television, and as a model too.

Michael: You’ve spent a lot of time in Spain, where you did a lot of television, including “El Programa de Ana Rosa,” and “Supermodelo 2006.”

Valerio: In 2005, I arrived in Spain after 8 fantastic years on Italian television, and I started working on TV in the Spanish version of “America's Next Top Model.“ I was the “model bearing teacher.”  I was the J. Alexander of the situation, to make you understand better. I taught the participants to walk in heels!! 

Michael: Teach me!! 

Valerio: Yes, I will! There were so many TV shows in Spain. I also participated in the reality show SURVIVOR.

Michael: Now you’re an author! Tell us about “L’amore in Camerino,” and how you decided to write it. 

Valerio: Last year, I decided to write this book about the love story I lived in Italy between Marcus Bellamy and myself. We both worked for the same TV show in the year 2010. I wanted to tell everyone how much I loved Marcus. I loved him so much, in my imagination, I would have liked very much the idea to marry him and stay with him all my life.

Michael: I look forward to reading the book, and hopefully finding out more about the dynamics of that relationship. I’m sure it’s fascinating. Can you talk about what the gay community is like in Italy? What are the obstacles? Is it a pretty open society, or is it difficult to be openly gay in Italy?

Valerio: In the past, it was very difficult to live one's sexual life in a serene way due to the lack of laws that protected the freedom of LGBT people. Today, fortunately, there have been great strides and everything is easier. Despite the fact that we have the Vatican, we can make a peaceful gay life .

Michael: Where is your favorite place to vacation? Where in the world would you like to go? The last incredible place I went was Asia, for work. I went to South Korea, Vietnam and China. Before that, it was Istanbul. My next big dream destination is Cuba. My real dream, of course, is to live in Rome, and shoot a movie at Cinecittà. Now, you’re planning on coming to Los Angeles and pursuing a career here, yes?

Valerio: My favorite place in the world is Puerto Rico, after Miami, and then New York, obviously.

Michael: I grew up in New York City, of course. I love it, it’s the greatest city in the world. I will always be a New Yorker in my heart, no matter where I find myself. 

Valerio: I love the United States. Now my dream is to have an opportunity in Los Angeles to have a professional experience on American TV. I would like to live in Los Angeles and then be able to discover many other American cities.

Michael: Do you have a favorite photographer that you’ve worked with? A favorite photo shoot?

Valerio: Yes in New York I had the pleasure of being photographed by Rick Day. I believe that his photos are among the most beautiful I have in my book.

Michael: I think you’re a vegan? Is that true? So am I. How did that happen for you? 

Valerio: Yes. Being a vegan has been a fantastic experience. Respect the life of animals!

Michael: Are you single? If so, are you dating?

Valerio: Yes, I am single at the moment. But to be honest, I would very much like to meet the man of my life and be able to marry him and create a family together! Start thinking about friends to introduce me to when I arrive in Los Angeles!

Michael: Oh, I know tons of guys who will want to date you! I’ll start working on that today. As you know, I tried to get you to play a role in my series, “Child of the ‘70s,” a few years ago, but you were busy working. I’m putting together a new series for OutTV, an LGBTQ network. Hopefully you won’t be too busy to appear in that one. What kind of work would you like to do now?

Valerio: I would have loved to have been a part of your series, but unfortunately it was not possible. Now I'm ready and I'm free to start new projects. It would be amazing to work together for OutTV. One of my dreams would be to participate in Dancing With The Stars!

Michael: That would be amazing. Let’s make that happen. ABC, are you listening? How can people find you online? Do you have a Facebook page? Can people follow you on Twitter and Instagram?

Valerio: Yes I have my website: www.valeriopino.tv and yes, you can find me on my Facebook and Twitter and Instagram Pages. It will be a real pleasure to receive messages and know what everyone thinks of this interview.  A kiss with an Italian flavor to all. Thank you so much.

Michael: Baci! Ciao, Valerio!