IN CONVERSATION WITH PAOLO GIANNI
interview by JANA LETONJA
Actor, writer and director Gianni Paolo is starring in the Starz hit series ‘Power Book II: Ghost’, which premiered the first part of its fourth and final season on 7th June. The second part will premiere on 6th September. Gianni is also the co-creator and host of the Podcast series, “The Crew Has It” with his “Power Book II: Ghost” co-star, Michael Rainey Jr. Next up, we’ll be also seeing him in thriller ‘Trust’.
Gianni, we’ve just been able to watch the first part of fourth and final season of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. What can the fans expect from the second part and the ending of the series when it premieres in September?
The second part of season 4 might actually be some of my favorite scenes in TV I have done yet. There's so many crazy things that happen that I am so excited for the fans to see. Brayden gets dark.
Working on this series for more than 4 years, what are some of your favorite memories about it?
I have so many memories that it really is hard to choose, but being able to work with one of your best friends has honestly been such a blessing. Michael and I have had so much fun and so many crazy experiences it truly was a special four years.
How would youdescribe your character’s, Brayden’s, development throughout all the seasons, and what made you connect with him the most?
Brayden and I are very similar in a lot of ways. I am so grateful that the writers were able to let me get darker and darker as the seasons went on, but still kept the fun and comedy in Brayden that the fans love and connect with so much.
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You moved to LA to pursue acting at the age of 19. What impacted your interest in acting the most?
I think my outgoing personality and my love to make people laugh. Every part of me is an entertainer and I couldn't see my life going any other way than it is now. It's so cool being able to play different characters, travel to different places, and meet new people. This is just the beginning.
Together with Michael Rainey Jr., your co-star from ‘Power Book II: Ghost’, you have the production company Twenty Two Entertainment. What inspired you to launch your own production company, and what kind of projects are you guys currently working on?
Our first project we did through Twenty Two Entertainment was ‘The Crew Has It’ podcast, which from Episode 1 was a massive success. Currently we are focused on our crime thriller ‘Trapped House’, as well as a scripted television series.
What excites you the most about writing and directing, and what creative freedom does this give you compared to acting?
I love every part of filmmaking and each avenue gets me excited for different reasons. Even when I wasn't filming on ‘Ghost’, I would still come to set and watch other directors work because I just love it so much. Everybody has a different style and you can learn from every single department, whether it is the sound team and all the way up to the production office.
Directing really excites me because you are really pursuing your own vision. As an actor, we have the road map, we have the lines and the character description. As a director, the world is really what you want to make it.
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Not only are you and Michael business partners, but also co-hosts of the podcast ‘The Crew Has It’ as you mentioned. What inspired its creation and what inspires new episodes?
We would hang out so much, just making each other laugh and we both really thought it would be good to give people an inside look at that, as well as the ‘Power Book’ Universe. There's so many talented actors and filmmakers across all of the shows and we wanted those people to tell their stories on how they got to where they were. We also have the coolest fan base in the world. Every single artist we love and athlete we watch is a fan of the ‘Power Book’ Universe, so being able to bring some of those fans on has been such a dope experience.
What are your biggest goals for the future of your career?
I really am someone who is always shooting for the moon. I have zero doubts in my mind in 3 years I will be one of, if not the biggest name in this business. I really want to just try everything in every facet of the business, so I'm excited to do other projects and try new things.
When you’re not working, what things fulfill you the most in life?
I was a hockey player growing up so I still continue to play every week, which I absolutely love doing. I also am a huge traveler. Some of my greatest memories in life are just me alone in a little village in Poland getting a pastry or walking along the coast of Ireland. One of my goals is to own a European hockey team, so hopefully I can combine my love for travel and hockey into one very soon.
Next up, we’ll be seeing you in Paramount’s thriller ‘Trust’. What can you tease about it, and share with us about your other upcoming projects?
I am so excited for people to get to see ‘Trust’. When I was shooting season 3 of ‘Ghost’, one of my good friends, Miles Koules, came to me and said he wanted me to play a role in a film he was producing. As you do in Hollywood, you say of course and assume it will take five years for it to even get made, but 9 months later, we were in Mexico City shooting it and I think it's going to be one of the biggest movies of 2025. Sophie Turner is a superstar.
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TEAM CREDITS
talent GIANNO PAOLO
photographer IRVIN RIVERA
stylist MIKE ADLER
groomer KASHA LASSIEN
digital tech PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG
photography assistant ANDREW LOPEZ
styling assistant YEHOR TKACHENKO
location GMS STUDIOS
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director JANA LETONJA