Today we’d like to introduce you to Diletta Guglielmi.
Hi Diletta, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Absolutely! Thank you so much for talking with me today!
So… It all started on Via Giacomo Watt 5, Milan, Italy, at the Michael Rodgers Acting Studio. Michael was my first acting coach, and honestly, it’s all his fault that I fell in love with acting! I was 16 years old. In his class, we worked on script analysis, character work and scene study, as well as a number of physical exercises. He took the craft so seriously, he was passionate, a bit intimidating, and incredibly inspiring. I still remember the first play I ever read and worked on in his class: A “Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen. It was the opening scene: Nora bursting in with a pile of Christmas presents for the kids, even though they were on a tight budget haha. It was a great introduction to character work.
Now, brief appreciation moment for my mom, because she was truly the real MVP during those years. At the time, we lived in Crema, and every Monday after school, she’d pick me up and drive me over an hour, sometimes close to two, depending on traffic, to Milan for my acting class. Then she’d wait for me for the full FOUR hours and drive us back home. She became such a regular at the little café next door that the owner’s kids started calling her “Auntie G”. I’ll never forget that. Her support meant everything.
Back to the story. Studying with Michael for nearly four years made me fall in love with acting on a deeper level. It helped me break out of my shell and grow immensely as an actress. But the real turning point came when I attended a workshop in New York with his teacher: Larry Moss, the legendary acting coach. I remember sitting in that workshop, watching these actors dive into their scenes with so much truth, depth, and raw emotion. They were operating on a whole different level. I thought I was doing pretty well, but after seeing them, I felt so behind, it made me realize how far I still had to go. It was humbling, a little scary, but also deeply motivating. That workshop is what pushed me to pursue acting full-time. So, I applied and was accepted into the Full-Time Conservatory program at the Atlantic Acting School in New York City. Since graduating, I’ve been fortunate to work consistently on screen, on stage, in commercials, indie films, and everything in between.
Some highlights include the award-winning film “Through The Modern Looking Glass”, written by Christina Renee and directed by Kim E. Wang and Tanya Chuturkova; the short film “Erotomaniac” directed by Oonagh Dougal, winner of the Focus Features Best Narrative Award at the 2024 Reel Works Film Festival; “Salvation Is Within You!”, directed by Luke Simboli and Dylan Springer; and the horror feature “City Wide Fever” by Josh Heaps, featuring an incredible cast and creative team.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road. I think one of the biggest challenges in this industry for me is the freelancing aspect of it. There’s often no consistent schedule, every day, every week can look completely different. When I’m working on a project, it’s amazing to have some kind of routine and structure, but during the in-between periods, when I’m auditioning, developing other creative work, or just waiting, I have to rely on a lot of self-discipline. I’ve had to learn how to create my own structure, otherwise things can feel really scattered. This lack of day-to-day consistency can be mentally exhausting. And on top of that, there’s the frequent rejection that’s just another hard part of the job. The constant auditioning and not always hearing back, it’s part of the process. You’re putting yourself out there often, and learning to stay grounded and resilient through it is a big part of the work. Another challenge is the fact that there’s no clear path in this career, no set steps to follow. Every actor has a different story, and there’s no formula for success. That unpredictability can be both exciting and really tough to navigate, especially when you’re trying to figure out if you’re even moving in the right direction.
It’s definitely a journey that requires mental resilience, patience, and a lot of trust in yourself and in the process.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Since moving to the States four years ago, I’ve been incredibly lucky to work across film, TV, theater, commercials and music videos. I truly love all aspects of performing; anything that allows me to tell stories and embody different characters is my passion.
I’ve had the opportunity to be part of some really exciting projects. One that stands out is the award-winning short film “Through The Modern Looking Glass” a powerful story about a woman’s journey to break free from abuse and find her independence. That project meant a lot to me because of its focus on authentic, meaningful and women-centered storytelling. It was screened at over 35 film festivals across the US and Europe, won 16 awards including Best Short Film, Best Ensemble Cast, and even screened at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Another project that was very close to my heart is “Salvation Is Within You!”, an Italian-American story that really connected me to my heritage. It was such a special experience for me, and it was honored with the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum grant.
More recently, I ventured into horror with the feature film “City Wide Fever”. It was my first horror project, and an incredible experience working alongside a phenomenal cast, including legends like Rutanya Alda (“The Deer Hunter”), Carolyn Farina (“The Age of Innocence”), and Larry Fessenden (“Killers of the Flower Moon”). I can’t wait to be able to share more about this incredibly insane project!
Other fun projects include “Doopsy”, where I had the chance to star alongside Stef Dawson (“The Hunger Games”) and Ruben Rabasa (“I Think You Should Leave”), and a really special music video for Gazzelle, one of my favorite Italian indie artists. The video had a really cool, very New York street vibe; it followed two best friends skateboarding around NYC, hanging out with different groups of friends all over the city. Shooting it was a blast, and meeting one of my music idols made it even more unforgettable.
I’ll admit, I feel a little nervous answering the question “What sets you apart from others”. There’s always that fear of sounding arrogant or overly self-assured. But with time, I think I’ve come to understand what I can bring to the table when I’m part of a production.
I’m a very determined person, and I’m not afraid to take risks. Coming prepared to set or rehearsal is a must for me. I take my work very seriously, and I know how important it is to take care of myself, both my body and mind. Keeping myself healthy, focused, and ready, allows me to give the best performance I can.
I also love digging deeply into my scripts and characters, almost like a detective, uncovering all the little details that bring a role to life. I pride myself on being professional: showing up early, staying respectful and kind to everyone on set, and trying to bring positive, collaborative energy, especially on those long, high-pressure days when tensions can run high. I always try to contribute to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued. “It takes a village” to bring a story to life, and I try to always be a supportive and an uplifting part of that village.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
It probably comes as no surprise that one of the things that makes me happiest is working on set or on stage. Performing and acting truly are some of my greatest joys.
What feeds my soul the most is the collaboration, the sense of team that naturally forms on a set. So many creative minds coming together, bringing their chaotic ideas and efforts into something meaningful, it’s incredibly special to me.
In my everyday life, I sometimes struggle with a clear sense of purpose. But when I’m on set, I know exactly what I’m doing, what’s expected of me, and how I can contribute. That feeling of being a necessary part of something bigger makes me truly happy.
It might sound a little silly, but my happiness is very much tied to feeling useful and needed. And maybe it’s the workaholic in me, but having a clear task and being an important piece of a team fills me with joy.
Another incredibly rewarding part of this journey has been getting to work with people I admire, creatives who inspire me and push me to grow. It’s not always easy to find the right collaborators, but when you do, the whole experience becomes even more fulfilling and fun.
Things that make me happy aside from acting: my mom, playing with my little sister Lara, my grandfather, my boyfriend, my three (maybe four) friends, iced oat lattes, getting lost in Central Park, buying plants for my room (which will definitely die), tulips, live music, the ocean, 72+ degree days, great food, board game nights with my roommates, winning, my cats Rolli and Salciccia, walking in the rain, surfing, a Cmail notification (iykyk)… okay, that last one is acting-related haha. But back to the list: playing pool, the smell of sunscreen, nature, hiking, and going to Yankees games (but only if they win).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dilettaguglielmi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dillydaydreaming/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/sKS_560AUt8?si=H10zjfagtkAZ_afL
- Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14948513/
Image Credits
First (main), second and third pictures by Liri Agami
