BODYELECTRIC - Andrew Matarazzo by Derrick Freske

BODYELECTRIC

ANDREW MATARAZZO BY DERRICK FRESKE

ID

BODYELECTRIC Photographer & Creative Direction DERRICK FRESKE Stylist ALEX SHERA Featuring ANDREW MATARAZZO Lighting & Photo Assistant JERRY MAESTAS Grooming ABE ESPARZA Assistant Stylists WELCH INGRAM GEORGIA MIGUEL CHANCE EMBRY Location FD PHOTO STUDIO Editor-in-Chief TJ HADDOCK

Published in Los Angeles, CA. bodyelectricmag.com © BODYELECTRIC 2024. All content copyright remains with the author and reproduction of any material without express written permission is strictly forbidden.

Any views expressed in interviews or articles are those of individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of this magazine or any other organization or individual.

jacket - VINTAGE bandana - VEX LATEX top - VINTAGE pants - BALENCIAGA shoes - DR. MARTENS jock - NIKE jewelry - RAT BETTY

sweater & pants - DIESEL helmet - RINALDY A. YUNARDI shoes - PSKAUFMAN gloves - FOX RACING

jacket & pants - DIESEL shoes - DR. MARTENS jewelry - STYLISTS OWN

suit - VEX LATEX gloves - HANDSOME STOCKHOLM shoes - DR. MARTENS diamond jewelry - LISA NIK

gloves - HANDSOME STOCKHOLM eyewear - BALENCIAGA

And r psyc ew Ma yea hologi tarazz r as c o the al horr is no s firs t o t in r 'Ago ranger stal nist lme .' Im to the nt o mer real s m fa pla ed in t s of s nne h d tr ese ge uperna ilOg nres tura y. T l he e , Andre and t ager w is een ly a now dram ntic a ipat telling , with ed s eque a stOr roles i l, S y of n sh WEV o h EN, is own ws suc is n h ow . His de as 'Te avai b lab ut fict en Wol le i n se ion no f' and lect vel, the boo BEDL recen ksto AM, t lau res n and c onl hed la ine. st

EW

NDR

Can you talk about the process of switching between writing and acting? How do you balance these two creative outlets?

It’s interesting switching between acting and writing, because I think I get the same thing from both. They’re fulfilling in different ways, but they’re both forms of exploring sides of myself, expressing thoughts and emotions through the eyes of characters, fleshing out my imagination. Writing really helps me stay creatively active in between acting projects. It gives me a daily purpose, whereas I have less control with acting work and there’s a lot of in between downtime. I don’t find it hard to balance honestly. I’m a better actor when I’m writing, and I’m a better writer when I’m acting - they feed each other.

You’ve been involved in a few acting projects while promoting your book.What’s the latest with those films?

The most recent film I did was a conceptual short called Agonist which was such an intense experience. We had the best cast so it made the dark theme of the film still feel fun. It’s been getting amazing traction with major festivals, so we’re all very excited. It premiered at Palm Springs Film Festival, and the feature film is slated for next year!

Does your background in acting influence your writing style and the way you develop characters?

My writing style is definitely influenced by my craft as an actor! I think my biggest strength in writing is the character development and world building, and that majorly stems from my craft as an actor. I approach my novels as if I’m playing each role, and that means knowing them inside and out, and also knowing every detail of the world they live in - very much what I’d be doing as an actor in a role of a show or movie. I like to lay out their entire lives and very full backstories so that when they are in the story, they feel specific and their motivations, fears, personality - it’s all very tangible and serves the story.

The sequel to your first book BEDLAM is out, It’s called SWEVEN. What’s the premise of this installment, and how does it differ from book 1?

Book 1 and 2 are very different. Book 1, BEDLAM follows the character Tye. It’s about a group of teens surviving a post-apocalyptic world, while coming of age. We get hints that there’s a greater conspiracy at hand. In SWEVEN, we follow Willa, who we met in book 1, but now we follow her POV in the same world, with some recurring characters and some new ones. Book 2 dives a lot deeper into the cause of what happened to the world, while still focusing on the characters and their relationships. It’s really a story about chosen family and connection in dark times.

What drew you to write a character like Willa?

I was drawn to write a black leading character like Willa, because honestly, some of the coolest, most beautiful people I know are black women. They have an aura that’s unmatched. And for the essence of this character, it’s just simply how I envisioned her. I also admire a lot of POC actor’s and I’d love to see them as the lead when I turn this into a series.

What is the endgame with the BEDLAM trilogy?

I think the endgame for the BEDLAM trilogy is a TV show! Writing the books was always with a series in mind. I have started planting the seeds and It’s been wild watching genuine interest from some of my highly respected peers. I’m determined to see this story on screen one day. I also feel like the world of BEDLAM is expansive. I think there’s plenty of room for spin-off stories and various timelines before and after the trilogy.

You also make music. What can we expect in that department?

Music has probably been the thing that’s taken the biggest back seat this year, simply because I don’t have enough mental bandwidth nor money to tackle it simultaneously with my book series. I have a song in the pipeline called Roses, that I absolutely want to release this year, but I stopped putting pressure on myself to get an EP out, not only because I have other creative priorities right now, but also because I enjoy exploring my sound and I’ll know when I’m fully ready for a collection of songs. Right now, singles have been a great way to drop what’s most authentic to me at that moment. Roses might be one of my favorite songs I’ve ever put out though, so I’m excited.

Your public image has evolved significantly this year, embracing a more confident and sexy aesthetic. Could you share what inspired this change?

I think I just stopped caring so much about doing things “the right way.” I’ve been doing things the right way for so long and actually felt very disregarded despite that, so now I just do whatever I want. I’ve always been very comfortable in my skin, and even culturally as a Brazilian, a lot of things just aren’t as taboo to me as they are in the states. I’m just being more free.

FERRARI by ROCCO IANNONE SS2024 COLLECTION

HONDA RACING

HONDA RACING

FERRARI by ROCCO IANNONE SS2024 COLLECTION harness - DION LEE gloves - STYLISTS OWN top - VINTAGE

ATARAZZO

ANDREW

NDRE

MATARAZZO

jacket - NAMILIA jock - MENAGERIE INTIMATES gloves - STYLISTS OWN chaps - BAD SHOWROOM