Mademoiselle Coco: the interview with Coco Rebecca
Bolognese by adoption, Coco Rebecca Edogamhe became the idol of GenZ after starring in "Summertime". Today she looks to the future and - awaiting new commitments - returns to her usual passions, such as Hip Hop dance.
Coco Rebecca Edogamhe, born in 2000, Bolognese by adoption, becomes the idol of Gen Z as Summer, the charismatic rebel protagonist of the Netflix series "Summertime". As a minor, she had presented herself to some anonymous castings in her city without great expectations and without much training behind her, charged only with the awareness of wanting to work in the artistic field: "As a child I painted, danced, created imaginary fashion collections and, above all, I liked to pretend I was acting in a music video every time I walked down the street." As proof that you can really expect anything from life, in a few months she moves to Marina di Ravenna for the summer, shoots one of the most popular made in Italy TV series of recent years and becomes a celebrity.
L'OFFICIEL: Your story is incredible ...
COCO REBECCA EDOGAMHE: I did the first auditions in the dark about everything that involved the world of acting, but this factor also helped me, because I never had the impression of being about to turn my life upside down, at first I didn't even know it was auditioning for a Netflix series! I still remember when they called my mom to tell her that they had chosen me. I told my companions that I would move to Marina di Ravenna for a few months, together with my sister Alicia (also in the series), to help an elusive uncle manage his bathhouse.
LO: Did your initial inexperience make you feel bad?
LO: What fascinated you about the role of Summer?
CRE: I really the relationship with Blue, played by my sister Alicia; I too always have been very productive and maternal towards her. But above all, I admire that Summer, even in moments when she doesn't know what to do, always decides on her own, for better or for worse. It is the correct representations of a 20-year-old girl looking for her way; enterprising but without all the answers. I really like this side of her and certainly playing her gave me confidence, she taught me to face situations with more character and strength, without letting myself get down on it.
LO: Many actors remain crystallized in the role they became famous for, do you fear it will happen to you too?
CRE: Summer will be a character I will always love. At the same time, however, I recognize that every good thing has to come to an end and after the thirf season it feels like it's time to let it go. I am looking forward to new adventures, to find out what the future holds for me and who else I will transform into. I do not consider the fear of being bound to a role forever unfounded, for this reason I am looking for something different that really puts me to the test.
LO: One last question about Summertime ... what do you think of the ending?
CRE: Definitely bittersweet! Many have written to me complaining about the lack of a happy ending for the love story, but I preferred it this way, it seemed to me a more truthful representation of the great summer loves (although, a few tears fell for me too). The prepackaged ending that is easier to love is also taken for granted. Our life never goes according to plan and many stories end despite the passion. Summer and Alex are very different people, with distant and irreconcilable goals, a future would have been difficult for them. The truth is that I find it a conclusion that is anything but sad: Summer redeems her being free and independent, reconnects the relationship with her lifelong friends and decides to follow her dream. I imagine her traveling the world with Sofia to photograph her beauties ... a very feminist end in my opinion, maybe that's why I liked it.
LO: In this regard and entering the theme of inclusiveness, you are very willing to commit yourself to issues deemed "thorny".
CRE: I've always talked about inclusiveness, even before I became famous. These are issues that interest me a lot and that I feel very close to me. We must not forget, however, that in order to talk about certain topics, one must inform oneself and above all study, trying to understand the heart of the problem. My goal is to become an activist and fight at the forefront of the world of inclusiveness and equality, but before doing that, I have years of study and research ahead of me. I want my ideas and beliefs to be grounded and unassailable and to do this I need greater awareness and competence on the subject. Especially since I became a public figure and my words or actions could be interpreted differently from how I intended them. If before I published, commented and said mine without thinking twice, today I am more reflective and I avoid exposing myself excessively.
I wish I could find a truly unexpected project, something that would help me get out of my comfort zone
LO: You have been erected as a "champion of third generation kids", do you feel the weight of this office?
CRE: I am certainly honored, also because my goal has always been to abolish stereotypes and create a healthier and freer world. At the same time, however, I cannot say that it is an easy task and that I do not feel the weight of it: I am however only a 20-year-old girl who still lives with her mother and sister in a city in the province of Bologna. In this sense, my relationship with social media has also changed: sometimes I would like to share some news and scream my pain to the world, but I realize that my words would be used by many creating conflicting opinions. If, on the other hand, I do not expose myself, I am criticized and judged a hypocrite.
LO: Are you fascinated by fashion?
CRE: It is a world that I have always found terribly exciting. As a child we played with Alicia at “making fashion shows”: we recreated an imaginary jury like in “America's Next Top Model” and we would parade giving ourselves votes. What I prefer is the experimental side that fashion offers: one day you can be extremely 70s with flared trousers and wedges, the next day you can transform into a sporty icon, with tracksuit and braids (inspirational muse: my favorite actress, Zendaya). In short, it is a continuous clash of looks and personally I like to try them all, that's why I don't think I still have a style that can be classified.
LO: Your favorite films?
CRE: "Avatar" with the world created by James Cameron and " The Help ", because it deals with issues that are very dear to me. I fell in love with the "Sex Education" series, it's so brilliant and liberating! Long live sex, long live talking about it, long live getting to know it thoroughly! It is a false myth that it is a topic to be relegated exclusively to the world of adults, on the contrary, I believe that the more you know it, the more people in this field can gain confidence and feel less alone. Why transformation such a beautiful and pleasant experience in an embarrassing taboo? It is essential to have a clear awareness of this to avoid unpleasant episodes and misunderstandings in the future.
LO: Who would you like to work with in the future?
LO: What do you wish for this 2022?
CRE: I want to go back to dancing and painting, passions that I have cultivated for years and that I had to put aside. Hip hop in particular is one of my favorite ways out. I think dance is in my DNA; I dreamed of becoming a choreographer, maybe I'll start doing it for real. Above all, I would like to find an unexpected project, something that takes me out of my comfort zone.
Team Credits:
Text by MARGHERITA MEDA
Photography ALESSANDRO LO FARO
GIULIO MARTINELLI styling
