Far from an overnight sensation, Pepe Barroso Silva’s success is the result of years of hard work and commitment. The Spanish native first gained recognition in the modelling world, with standout campaigns for brands such as Hollister. His acting breakthrough came when he landed a major role alongside Orlando Bloom and David Harbour in Gran Turismo, a film that captivated audiences with its high-octane action and heartfelt story.
Most recently, Barroso starred in arguably his most ambitious project to date, with his role in Those About to Die, Roland Emmerich’s epic series set in Ancient Rome. Released to critical acclaim, the series gave Barroso the opportunity to showcase his range as an actor, portraying a complex historical character with depth and conviction. His performance has cemented him as a rising talent to watch.
Beyond the screen, Barroso continues to explore creative endeavours, including launching a vegan cosmetics brand and a production company. 1883 Magazine chats with Pepe Barroso Silva about his entrepreneurial spirit, personal values, unusual career trajectory and all things Those About to Die.
What drew you to the role in Those About to Die, and how does it differ from your previous acting experiences?
Being based on Ancient Rome is what originally really drew me to the project but also the fact of having Roland Emmerich direct and the rest of the cast that formed Those About to Die. It differs in many aspects from previous projects. Obviously the dimensions, the large international cast, resources, the precision in the historical context, but also on a personal level. We all got to spend a lot of time together outside of the set, we really had a great environment amongst us which helped us a lot.
Can you tell us about your character’s journey in the series and how you prepared to step into that world?
I read the book and tried to immerse myself in this world by learning and informing myself. I believe having a solid historical background can help try to understand how people would think and react back then.
Your character, Fonsoa Corsi, seems to be ruled by the heart within the series. Do you see this as similar to yourself?
I’m a huge believer in being ruled by the heart. I can personally relate, maybe not as much but it is how I try to approach many decisions in life. From the gut or the heart.
The series is set in the ancient Roman era, a time of gladiatorial combat and intense human drama. What were some of the challenges or surprises in portraying life during this time?
Well, being based in Ancient Rome you can always have an idea, but you never know for certain how the people back then might have thought or reacted. We could interpret that the value of life was very little compared to nowadays, this was one determining factor that I used to grow around in particular aspects of Fonsoa’s personality.
Were there any particular scenes or moments in Those About to Die that resonated with you on a personal level?
His competitiveness, or sometimes how he tries to take care of his family or Salena and Otto.
Do you consider yourself and your character similar? How do family values, love and sport impact your own life?
Mostly I’d say, those attributes/values in particular are the ones I could feel myself identifying with. I’d say those are among my priorities, my personal motor that helps me keep going and stay motivated. They are integrated into my day-to-day life.
What kind of physical and mental preparation did you undergo for this role? Did the process change your approach to acting?
Every time I immerse myself in a new role or dive into a new project change my approach to acting, I try to take in as much as possible in any sense and try to grow so when the next one comes I’m more prepared and confident. Always open to learning is the process for me, from anyone to anything, I try to learn from it all.
As you continue to build your career, what types of roles or genres are you most interested in exploring?
Roles that take part in different times and places always attract me more as I find them more demanding sometimes and diving into a different background. I find period pieces more interesting on a personal level but I’m very open and interested also in modern stories. Every project is a new opportunity to learn about something and create some magic! I’m also keen to work on projects related to action/sports. But I’m open to everything really.
Do you have a dream role or collaboration you’re aspiring to? Who are some directors or actors you’d love to work with?
Not really that I’m aspiring to as I think there is still a long road ahead and lots of work to do. I’d love to work with the people I admire and I’ve grown up watching. Working with Roland Emmerich was a dream come true, and there are others such as Martin Scorsese, Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Guy Ritchie, Denis Villeneuve, Guillermo del Toro, Wes Anderson, Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Tim Burton… There’s a long list of people I admire and would love to work with.
You come from a well-known family and have pursued various interests, from business to acting. How do you balance the different facets of your life, and what motivates you to keep pushing boundaries?
I’m very non-conformist and always looking for something new and different to get myself involved in. I like learning new things and the more challenging it is the more attracted I am. This kind of crazy balance works for me as I always have my head in something. I never wanted to be in a position where I depended on one thing not just economically but also for my health.
I read online that your career in modelling started as somewhat of a stroke of luck when you were photographed unexpectedly at only 8 years old. Tell me more!
It was at a day party with many families with their kids and all. I was just one of them playing around and Bruce Webber attended the party and started taking photos of me. Years later we coincided somewhere and both remembered this anecdote. Modeling opened a few doors in my life and made me meet some very interesting people and gave me the economic freedom to start fighting to do what I liked from a young age.
You grew up with your father being well-known in the industry, are there any values that he instilled in you that you feel have been valuable to your career? What life lessons or values from your upbringing have influenced your approach to your career in entertainment?
My father was a very successful entrepreneur and always instilled very hard-working values in me and my brothers. It never mattered what we did so long as we were happy and motivated to work hard and push the boundaries.
Many people admire your entrepreneurial and creative ventures. What advice would you give to young people who want to pursue diverse careers like yours?
The phrase I love is: “I postpone death by living, by suffering, by error, by risking, by giving, by losing”. I grow every day with this message. Be brave, be bold, and fight for you and your ideas. By not taking a risk, you are assuming another larger risk.
How do you stay grounded and focused amidst the pressures of fame, expectations, and success?
Everything is ephemeral, once you understand this you will never have to worry about staying grounded.
Outside of acting, are there any personal passions or causes that are important to you that you’d like to share?
I have many passions in my personal life… family, friends, certain sports, history books, the urge to be close to nature, horses, music, movies… and many more to discover. My real only cause is leaving behind a better place and being remembered by my loved ones as someone who always fought for this.
Who are some of your personal heroes or figures of inspiration in your life, whether they are from the acting world or other industries?
I don’t have one in particular to mention, I have many people I truly admire and feel fortunate to have had the chance to learn something from them. For as little as it may be.
You’ve lived in different parts of the world and experienced various cultures. How has this shaped your worldview and your artistic expression?
All knowledge has a use, the more you open your mind and understand different ways of thinking and approach to life or decision making definitely helps when looking for certain resources or understanding different personalities and characters.
What role has failure or struggle played in your success, and how have you used those experiences to grow both personally and professionally?
I understand failure or struggle as part of the process. Success doesn’t make you stronger, you can barely learn from it. But failure and struggle helps to forge you into the person you will become.
Looking back on your journey so far, what moment or accomplishment are you most proud of, and why?
I’m proud of myself for giving everything I have to dedicate myself to what I love most. I don’t measure my success in accomplishments, but more in the long picture.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be more reckless.
Interview Bex Whitley
Photography Manu Bermúdez
Styling Ando Jiménez
Grooming Ramón Ríos
Styling Assistant Fran Gómez
