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Spoilers for the sixth episode ofThe White Lotusseason two, Abductions.
I thought,I am fucked.
Like, I am fucked!
This role is gonna ruin my life, Sabrina Impacciatore exclaims over a Zoom call from Los Angeles.
He became an icon of this show, Impacciatore continues.
I was terrified about the comparison; the expectations were very high.
And then I had to be bitchy on top of that?
I wanna become an international actress!
And with this role, I will never work again.
Visibly devastated, the manager cancels their plans to sip martinis alone at the bar.
Mike was very passionate about this moment, Impacciatore says of the tender sequence.
The hookup makes Valentina finally free.
I need to start with the starfish pin Valentina gives Isabella.
Its been bothering me sinceepisode four.
No one is supposed to think thats pretty, right?I still dont know.
It was a sign that Valentina is making a big effort.
But its a gesture thats almost too much, a bit invasive.
You know, I just learned that a starfish is a symbol of forever love.
That makes it so much sadder when Valentina finds out Isabella isnt into her.I mean, shes so naive.
We see her so alone, and then she falls in love with Isabella.
She doesnt understand that Isabella doesnt love her back.
Then, in that moment of vulnerability, theres this meeting of a lifetime with Mia.
Even if theyre not going to be together, who cares?
There is a click.
Mike wanted to really affirm the fact that the hookup makes Valentina finally free.
That was really touching to me.
I cried a lot off-camera with this character.
Even now I get emotional.
I love her so much.
Like, we never rehearsed.
We talked for five minutes and he told me, Valentina is so direct.
She just says things she feels.
At first, I struggled a lot.
He told me, Sabrina, you have to be more bitchy!
And I didnt get it right away.
I was scared that people could hate me.
Its my first American show, a huge show in America; I was excited and I was terrified!
So, I made up her backstory on my own and I didnt even share it with Mike.
Im an actress who really needs to feel things.
I imagined her at home, not having a real life, not having friends, very lonely.
I loved that scene with the stray cats inepisode three.
They dont ask questions; they just love you.
The more Valentina works, the less she can think about herself.
Her job is a way to have control over her life because all her emotions are repressed.
To me that was very touching, that Valentina was in contact with herself through those kittens.
She just feels uncomfortable.
To me, that was surprisingly innocent.
Because when Isabella comes to her and tells her, I admire you.
I like the way you treat men, its the first time Valentina ever considered that she does that.
Like a lost kitten.Exactly!
Shes a lost, sad kitten.
In fact, I worked a lot in the opposite direction of bitchy.
I imagined a cactus being repellent from the outside but very sweet inside.
I want to ask about Valentinas sexuality against the backdrop of Sicilian culture and gender dynamics.
Did that come into play at all?Of course.
In Italy, sexuality is still a big issue.
The queer community doesnt have the same rights as heterosexual people or like queer people in America.
Always in my life, it made me struggle.
As an actress, Ive always tried to communicate that we have the same right to love.
For example, Ive done it in a monologue about homophobia.
We all love; who cares if you love a person of your same sex?
Why shouldnt you have the same rights?
But because we have the Vatican in Italy, thats a big issue.
And then Mia and Lucia come along flaunting their sexuality.
Valentina probably felt unconsciously threatened by them.
So many people have written me on Instagram.
They say, I love you.
You are my favorite.
I cant wait for your episode.
I want to marry you.
Even with just a few scenes, they are loving me and loving this character.
Maybe I will have a girlfriend in the future.
How did you become a queer icon in Italy?Its a strange destiny.
It happened like 20 years ago.
They keep following me and they really support me.
Ive been a queer godmother for queer film festivals, gay pride, they involve me in their celebrations.
It is something very special to me.
But I have no idea how it started.
When I was 18, I did a huge variety show that became a phenomenon.
Even though it was on in the 90s, they still air it every year.
I used to dress myself up in lots of makeup, wigs.
I was never the cute girl trying to like everybody, and I didnt want to.
So, basically youre the Italy-based Lady Gaga.[Laughs.]
There are some memes about that.
Its weird because on Instagram people say I should have doneHouse of Gucci.
I mean, my God.
Actually, when I sawA Star Is Born, I identified a lot with Gaga.
I feel like shes my sister and I cant wait to meet her someday.
Thats a good suggestion!
