From the glow of Italian television to the glamour of the Monte-Carlo Film Festival, from the canvas to the coral reef, Lavinia Circeo moves through life with rare curiosity. A former Velina on Striscia la Notizia, a painter, a polyglot and a devoted explorer of the ocean, she resists any single definition. In this conversation, she reflects on reinvention, beauty and the passions that shape her world.
1. Lavinia, you began your career in television, as a Velina on Striscia la Notizia, one of Italy’s most iconic programmes. How did that chapter shape the woman you are today?
Striscia la Notizia is much more than a television programme; it is an institution in Italian television history. Through satire, irony and investigative journalism, it has addressed important issues such as corruption, political hypocrisy, social injustice and consumer protection, always encouraging people to think through humour.
For me, being part of it was a childhood dream come true. I grew up watching the programme every day, and when I was just three years old, I even had a birthday cake featuring the Gabibbo, its iconic mascot! Years later, finding myself on that very same programme was an incredible experience. It was truly special to see a childhood dream become reality.
2. You have also co-hosted the Monte-Carlo Film Festival. What is it about cinema that continues to fascinate you?
Co-hosting the Monte-Carlo Film Festival was an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to meet and share moments with some of the greatest names in Italian cinema and comedy, which was truly inspiring.
I have always loved cinema, and becoming an actress is actually another dream I still have in my heart. What fascinates me most about acting is the ability to completely transform yourself from one role to another, exploring different personalities, emotions and identities. I think cinema offers something extraordinary: the possibility of living many different lives within just one lifetime. And that, to me, is its real magic.
3. Painting is one of your great passions. What inspires you as an artist, Lavinia, and do you see your personality reflected on the canvas?
Painting is deeply connected to emotions for me. Every time I approach a canvas, I need to feel something powerful, whether it is happiness, love, pain or sadness. I paint because I feel the need to release those emotions and translate them into colours and shapes.
I actually started painting only two years ago, during a particularly difficult period in my life, when I wasn’t feeling well emotionally or psychologically. Somehow, I found healing through art. Since then, painting has become a way for me to express what words sometimes cannot. I also had the opportunity to exhibit my work in Italy last year, which was a very special milestone for me. When I paint, I feel as though my soul is speaking directly through the canvas. It is my most intimate form of expression.
4. You speak four languages. Do you believe that each language offers a different way of thinking, feeling and seeing the world?
I speak four languages: Italian, English, French and Spanish. I feel that each language brings out a slightly different side of my personality. Italian is my mother tongue, the language of my roots, my culture and my everyday identity. English has become very natural to me over the years, especially since moving abroad, and it is a language I use constantly.
French, however, brings out a completely different side of me. I almost feel like I have an alter ego when I speak it: a more sensual, sophisticated, perhaps even a little femme fatale version of myself!
Spanish is fascinating in a different way. I studied it briefly at school, but somehow it has always felt incredibly natural to me, almost as if I had known it in another life. Perhaps I was Spanish or Latina in a past life!
5. Your recent journey to the Maldives revealed your deep bond with the ocean. What does the sea mean to you, what draws you to the underwater world of snorkelling and diving, and has travel changed the way you see life?
I have always been fascinated by the ocean. There is something mysterious about it: its depth, its beauty, but also the sense of danger that comes with it.
Whenever I am in the water, I feel completely free, almost disconnected from the rest of the world. It is a place where I can be alone with myself, surrounded by a unique sense of peace and tranquillity.
I also love snorkelling, a passion I developed over the past few years through travelling to tropical destinations. Discovering the underwater world has become one of my favourite ways to connect with nature.
6. You recently attended a prestigious gala in Sanremo organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, dedicated to protecting our planet, with H.S.H. Prince Albert II himself in attendance. Lavinia, what was it like to be part of such an evening, and what does it mean to you to support a cause championed by such an important international foundation?
It was another wonderful experience, both for the prestigious setting and the meaningful cause behind it. The gala, held at the Sanremo Casino in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, brought together several personalities, including Manuela Arcuri (Italian actress).
I was particularly happy to support such an important cause: protecting our planet, preserving biodiversity, combating climate change and safeguarding our oceans and ecosystems. I deeply admire Prince Albert II for his longstanding commitment to environmental protection. I believe using one’s influence to make a positive difference in the world is truly inspiring.
7. You are a woman of many passions. How do you define yourself beyond your professional achievements, and what does success mean to you today?
I think there is much more to me than what people see on social media. I have many passions and interests, and I enjoy expressing different sides of my personality, although not all of them are visible to the public. In everyday life, I am actually very cheerful and playful. I have a strong sense of self-irony, I love joking around and making people laugh. I am also a very generous person who genuinely loves helping others and sharing love. I believe that the way we make other people feel is just as important as anything we achieve.
Success is also a fundamental part of my journey. It has allowed me to grow, express myself and achieve goals I once dreamed of. I am proud of what I have accomplished, but I also feel that I still have so much more to discover, create and achieve.
8. Finally, Lavinia, what might people be surprised to discover about you, and what are you dreaming of right now?
I think people might be surprised by the contrast between my different sides. I can be very sensual and feminine, but I also have a rather unexpected, playful side. I love irony, I can be quite funny, and I think being able to laugh at yourself is a wonderful quality.
As for what I am dreaming of right now, I would love to explore the world of cinema and acting, or perhaps return to television in a new role as a presenter. I am always open to new challenges and opportunities that allow me to grow. On a more personal level, one of my biggest dreams is to become a mother. It is something I truly wish for. I think there are still so many beautiful chapters of life waiting to be written.
Model: Lavinia Circeo
Photographer: Danny Lee
