Angelo Recchia

Dance is an artistic discipline requiring devotion, sacrifice and commitment, but what do you think the qualities that make a dancer a great artist are?

I think dance is for everyone, but a great artist has a world that goes beyond virtuosity inside of them. Creativity doesn't belong to everyone, and I believe that’s the main quality of a great artist. The ability of seeing colours where there’s none to see, amplifying reality and concretely building dreams isn't something you can learn.

That being said, what was the moment when you thought: ‘Wow, I made it!’?

I believe that true motivation comes from deep within. I always try and look at my goals from not too far away, seeing them as something achievable. That’s the reason why, each and every time I reach one of my goals, I think: ’Wow, I made it’.

Angelo, you were born and grew up in Rome, but you now live in Los Angeles. What prompted you to move overseas? From the artistic point of view, what’re the main differences between Italy and the U.S.?

I’ve always had this dream, you know. In fact, I’d go as far as to say I grew up with the American dream! I worked in Europe a lot, and then I thought it was about time I made this childhood dream of mine come true, in order to avoid regrets. The job of a dancer is something you can do for a short time only and, even though I’m sure that I’ll be dancing forever, I know that my back and legs won’t be the same. Right now, all I want is traveling around the world with my art. The States offer this opportunity and many more. Dancers are artists and hard workers, just like actors, singers, nurses and surveyors. Italy is the country I love with my whole heart, it’s my country. We have beauty and culture, but in my industry it’s as if we were forgotten, not necessary, something extra, a luxury you can’t afford.

Taking a step back, what was the experience that put you to the test? How about the one that enriched you the most?

Each and every work experience taught me something. I remember auditioning and moving to Paris for a big job at 20 years old. After six months, I decided not to renew the contract. I didn’t feel good in that show, I wasn’t happy. When I left it, I went through a lot, with tongues wagging against me and my will to do more. I couldn’t sleep at night, people used to say: ‘Angelo won’t work ever again…’. So, I decided to stay in Paris and, almost for spite, I approached new realities, where many other creatives believed and invested in me. I worked a lot, building my future on my own and with my head held high, even in spite of those who thought I wasn’t worth it. All of this put my resistance, as well as the faith in my passion and potentialities, to the test. Today, I’m full of beautiful experiences to share!

Going back to your career, the general public got to know you thanks to your participation in the talent show Amici. What do you think about this particular kind of TV programs? If you were asked to present a talent show, what would you say?

Amici was a wonderful experience, that I still remember with great affection. It was hard work, but it allowed me to meet some amazing people, great artists and workers. Even though I didn’t participate in the show as a contestant but as a professional dancer, I learned a lot. Talent shows give visibility to art and entertainment in all their forms. We live in a country where only a few have the courage to invest in us, so I think it’s good to educate the audience through such a simple and direct medium like television. If they asked me to present a talent show? Of course I’d say yes!

Angelo, let’s talk fashion. How would you describe your personal style? What's the garment, or accessory, you couldn’t live without?

Fashion changes, just like the times. That being said, through fashion, we have the chance to live them again: thanks to fashion, I can say I lived in the 17th century, 1920’s and 1970’s! This is one of the reasons why I love my job! Personally speaking, I've always been fascinated by the androgynous style, the ambiguous. That being said, I can live without everything, but earrings.

During the lockdown, you dedicated yourself – heart and soul – to the artistic creation, making collages and oil paintings. When did you discover this talent of yours? Is it something you’d like to develop?

I’ll remember the time of quarantine for the rest of my life, like all of us I guess. I decided to give free rein to a ‘practical’ kind of creativity, that’s all improvised and capable of holding the memory of such a difficult time. Each and every artwork reminds me of a moment I’ve lived in these months. Will I carry on doing it? Who knows…

Let’s dwell on social networks for a moment. What’s your relationship with your 69.1K followers? What emotions did you feel when, in spite of your confidentiality, you came out to them on Instagram, sharing such a private part of your life with your fans?

I have a weird relationship with social networks. Up until a few months ago, those 69K followers were 76K…I must have done something wrong! (Laughs, E.D.) To be honest with you, it doesn’t bother me. On the contrary, it makes me smile! I’m an extremely transparent person, but there are times when I shut myself off from the world. My coming out story is funny: if you look up my name on Google, the first thing you’ll see is that I’m gay and then you’ll get to know that I’m a dancer. Mind you, I’m not mad at it. In fact, thanks to all of that, I got to help many young men who wanted to share their story with me and ask for my advice! We all have lived traumatic experiences, and it’s nice to comfort each other!

Going back to dance, the dancer, choreographer and teacher Pina Baush said: ‘Certain things can be said with words, others with movements. There are also times when you run out of words, completely lost and disoriented, no longer know what to do. At this time begins the dance’. Do you agree with her? Do you think dance has offered you comfort and, of course, allowed you to overcome the most difficult times, like a friend you can always count on?

The goddess Pina Bausch was right! If I’m now able to speak about myself with self-awareness, it’s because of dance. It’s impossible to separate the private sphere from art, because it turns into an integral part of your life! It’s a friend and an enemy, I love and hate it, I get closer and then step away…it’s a bit like life, you know!

Angelo, what’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Perhaps it doesn’t sound like an advice, but it is for me: ‘Leave your perfume!’. It’s something my mother always tells me before saying goodbye, as if to say ‘Abandon yourself to life and leave a good memory!’.

Continuing with this, do you have a piece of advice for those who are bullied because of their shape, skin colour or sexual orientation?

I always tell myself the world is a cruel place, but if you look it right in the eye, sooner or later it’ll look away.

Lastly, what’s the question you’ve never been asked and always wanted to answer?

‘What relationship does Angelo have with his inner child?’, and the answer is…Angelo is a child!