There is an invisible thread that connects Milan to New York: on one side, there is the dreamer who walked the streets of Italy with a suitcase full of desires; on the other, there is Angela Valentino, the woman who, with the same determination, has turned that dream into reality.
Her story is one of courage, sacrifice, and ambition, but also of lightness and art: because for her, makeup is not just a job, it is a living canvas on which to express emotions. New York taught her to defend herself, to get back up and shine, without ever losing sight of those who never stop believing.
The Gram Journal met her in NEW YORK and asked her a few questions…
When you think back to Italy, what is the first image that comes to mind?
“Italy is family, and my thoughts turn to my parents, the greatest love I have. When I return to Italy on vacation, I see that girl again in the streets of Milan, a dreamer with so much desire to do things and a clear goal, and I smile to myself and think about how much has changed since I left. Today, I no longer see myself in that context.”
What did you bring with you, besides your brushes and paints, when you arrived?
“I brought my ‘great desire to do things,’ and it’s thanks to this that I’m still here today and that I’ve become who I am today.”
Was your desire to leave stronger than your desire to come here?
“My desire to come here to America was definitely much stronger, but at the same time, I also wanted to leave. Italy is a beautiful country, but I no longer felt at home there; the country was too restrictive for me. I have always been a very ambitious person who demands a lot from herself, and I wanted to be in a country where ambition is rewarded, and here I am.”
When do you really feel at home here?
“America is home, New York is home, New York is where I can always be myself, and above all, without prejudice.”
NEW YORK: THE CITY THAT WELCOMES AND CHALLENGES YOU.
What has this city taught you, beyond work?
“This city has made me grow, it has given me the determination I need to get ahead in life and also to defend myself. If you can live in New York, you can live anywhere. It’s a city that tests you right away and has no mercy. It’s very tough, but if you have the right ambition, the desire to do things and a goal, it rewards you in kind.”
Have you ever had a moment when you thought, “Maybe I can’t do this”?
“I never thought that. In fact, I told myself, ‘Don’t give up, the best is yet to come’. That was my motto then and it still is now.”
Do you ever recognize something Italian in the way you apply makeup or look at faces?
“We Italians certainly have a very particular way of doing things compared to other cultures. We are friendly, cheerful, always ready with a joke, and this fascinates Americans, which works very much in my favor. Another very important thing is that we have style, and everyone envies us for this, in a positive sense.“
Working on other people’s faces, what have you discovered about your own?
”I’ve done makeup for so many people, I’ve lost count. I see them as blank canvases on which to paint masterpieces. Every canvas is interesting, just like people’s faces. I studied anatomy for many years in high school and then at the Academy of Fine Arts, and the face is the most interesting part: every part of it, from the eyebrows to the eyes to the mouth, if corrected and seen in the right way, can become an interesting part. What have I discovered about my face? Certainly that I have two eyes that are very good at reading what the client wants, but not only that, above all, I know how to fulfill their desires and put them at ease.
What was the most unexpected encounter you’ve had thanks to your work?
“I don’t think there was just one unexpected moment, but I also strongly believe that New York makes unexpected things happen every day. It’s the energy that overwhelms it that makes everything so magical and unexpected.”
Is there a trick or transformation that has excited you more than others?
“My work excites me, not a single transformation. The face is a canvas on which to create a beautiful painting, and every time is the first time, a different emotion.”
When was the moment you felt truly proud of yourself?
“I am proud of everything I have done. My journey has been very difficult, complicated, and full of sacrifices. There are two moments in particular that I remember: when I was featured in an article in the New York Times, and when I received my Green Card. The latter was a moment of unique emotion. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much out of joy, because that “card” represented all the sweat and hard work, all the sacrifices I had made, and it was a moment when I truly felt proud of myself.”
When you turn off the lights and close your makeup bag, who are you?
“Actually, I’m the same person I’ve always been. When I open my makeup bag, I’m still myself. I’ve learned that being humble in life always pays off, even if it’s difficult sometimes, especially in my work environment, which is full of envy and “poisonous snakes” who somehow want to dominate you, be more than you, or constantly compete with you. And this is a city where there’s a lot of competition, sometimes even for nothing.”
What still makes your eyes sparkle today in this profession?
My energy, my passion, what I do. This job allows me to always put myself out there, to improve and to amaze myself. Every job, however, if done with passion, makes your eyes sparkle. It makes mine sparkle every day, more and more.
If you could tell yourself ten years ago what you are experiencing now, what would you say?
“I would definitely tell her that I am experiencing the most exciting adventure of my life and that thanks to that determined, energetic girl with a lot of drive and determination, I am still here and I am the woman I have become today.”
Have you ever worked with famous people or on major productions? If so, what was the experience like?
“Yes, I have often worked with famous people and on important productions, and I think I have always learned something new. It’s interesting to hear the stories of some people who, like me, have made sacrifices and were nobodies at the beginning of their careers. It’s also very interesting to see how they approach this work, and I’m obviously talking in general about the world of entertainment.”
What is the project that has made you most proud to date?
“The project that has made me happiest to date is my ‘Life Project,’ what I have managed to achieve in these almost 11 years in America, 11 years where I have lived life to the fullest, falling down several times and getting back up stronger than before.”
Do you have a dream or goal you would like to achieve in the coming years?
“Yes, of course! In reality, everything is always a ‘work in progress,’ but for now, it remains top secret.”
How important is image and how important is substance in the world you find yourself in?
“Image is everything in my job. Let’s say it’s my business card, my calling card. Image defines who you are in this job. Image is what allows you to make new contacts. Of course, a person’s personality and character are very important, but in this profession, that’s not enough. Image is what completes the picture.”
What advice would you give to a young Italian woman who dreams of following in your footsteps?
“I certainly wouldn’t be light or lukewarm in giving her advice. I would be unfiltered. This is a complicated, expensive path, and if you don’t have a real goal and a deep passion for this profession, it’s better not to start. In this job, if you want to go far, you must never give up and, above all, you must believe in yourself. Nothing is impossible in life. The impossible becomes possible if you really believe in it and never give up.”
Last but not least, let’s leave with a phrase that evokes the face of the city, its gaze, the lightness with which it speaks of a profession, yours, which is actually a form of art.
“New York is like a giant chessboard: every move is a decisive step, a balancing act between opportunities and challenges.”
Thank you Angie.
