#ATHOMEWITHTHEMAN: VICTOR HUGO
Please introduce who you are, where you are from and what career path you are on?
Victor Hugo, born in Guaruja - Brazil, raised in Scotland - UK. Lived in London for 6 years on and off while travelling for work and I’ve been working my way to becoming an actor.
Are there any values that you’ve carried over from Brazil, to Scotland, to London and now Denmark?
The value that I’ve taken from all the countries that I’ve lived in would be: Nothing is ever permanent and things are always changing regardless of whether you're the one changing them. Value friendships that you make along the way but don’t feel discouraged if they fall apart.
The transitions that you’ve made during the course of your life must have made you adaptable to many surroundings by now right? If so explain what differences you’ve noticed thus far.
Life this last year has had its ups and downs. Like everyone else, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on a handful of things. I’ve had weeks of active productivity and weeks of feeling like a slob without any motivation. Sometimes I chose to be kind to myself and just chill other times I would get myself down because of it. I’ve tried being as resilient as I could have throughout all this and I believe that it’s finally beginning to show.
Which aspect of life is keeping you sane?
I wish I could have said books. I have read a few books but not as much as tv-series and movies; they have really helped me throughout this pandemic. And the few times I was on a good streak, 3 Hour long workout sessions kept my mood up. And journaling throughout this last year has also been a great coping mechanism. Addressing your feelings and putting pen to paper is always a great therapeutic release whenever you feel congested mentally. So a collection of things I would say have kept me sane this last year.
How does that affect you creatively?
By constantly taking in new information, whether it be from master class videos, books or watching good series/film I’m expanding my own way of thinking in relation to how I perform as a performer, how I interpret stories and characters. Learning acting, storytelling and writing techniques etc.
How have you manoeuvred your way through the fashion and media industry?
I’ve been extremely lucky to have a large support system in the modelling industry with my agencies. They’ve helped open the door to the fashion industry for me from London to the rest of Europe, New York, Los Angeles and Brazil. Working on a handful of commercials gave me the early camera experience that helped me further down the line once I started working on tv series as well as film.
How do you interact with the industry now?
I have a healthy relationship with the entertainment industry. I know what to expect from them a lot more now than I did when I was younger. I’ve also made great friends over the years all over the world which is one of the great benefits as well as having travelled globally.
Are there any other realms of the industry that you wish to delve into?
I’d definitely like to go into directing. Or writing, but I’d like to have more experience working as an actor first. These are things that I always write up or map out in my free time but maybe one day I’ll dig them up and make something of it.
Let’s discuss grooming, describe your first encounter with the said topic as a child and compare what your regime was like then to now?
I luckily have a mother who’s always been interested in self-care. Whether it be with food, exercise or skincare. So as an early teen I adapted the skills of understanding my skin type, hair type, good foods to consume for this and that reason etc. Now as an adult I’ve continued those early habits and they now play a part of my daily routine.
Being that you are an Actor and Model, maintaining your appearance is almost a requirement for your job we assume?
Maintaining one appearance as both an actor and model has its downsides. I’ve had moments when I’ve been so stressed I thought I was losing hair. Or having to consistently stay active, to then go a week without working out and feeling like you’ve lost all the work you’ve previously put on. It’s also important to remind yourself that it’s not always about how you look. But you also shouldn’t feel any shame in caring about how much you like to take care of your body.
Enlighten us as to what the aftereffect is for you after a session of self-care.
I feel relaxed and happy. Happy that I’ve given myself some m2m “me to me” time. We go about our days constantly dishing out parts of ourselves to others through conversations with friends, work meetings, checking in on family, socialising in general. So I find it’s always good to be selfish with yourself and take whatever time you need to be alone and recharge.
Are there any Men that are inspiring you at the moment?
My mum would be my biggest hero in any given situation, but after her, I’d say myself. Without trying to sound vapid, I just really look up to myself for what I’ve done and what I’m trying to do. And I hope that I can reach the goals and aspirations that I’ve set out for myself.