INTERVIEW WITH RIO MANGINI
Rio Mangini is best known for his role in the new Nickelodeon show, Bella and the Bulldogs, but did you also know that Rio is a classically trained pianist? Rio recently sat down with Glitter to talk about when he first started acting, what’s in his iPod now, if he would ever consider a career in music, and what it’s like to be on Bella and the Bulldogs. Read on to find out more about this talented actor.
GLITTER: When did you first start acting?
RIO: I first started acting when I was 8. One day, I was watching iCarly, and I loved that show so much, I thought, “Hey! I really wanna be on that show!” So I asked my mom and she said, “Rio…. you aren’t very funny honey.” I didn’t listen to her. I wanted to carry on with my dream! (BTW, I think she was kidding) I got an agent and started auditioning.
GLITTER: What’s it like acting on Nickelodeon’s Bella and the Bulldogs?
RIO: It’s the best job ever! I really like my Nickelodeon family. We shoot in this really historic studio where they shot Sam and Cat back in the olden times. It’s surprising how long and how many people you need to make a show. It takes a whole week to make one 30-minute show.
On Monday we have a table read. That is where the whole cast sits at an actual table and reads through the script. Then the writers take it back to their “secret cave” and make a few “adjustments.” The next few days we rehearse and do fittings in the wardrobe department. Thursdays and Fridays we shoot, and if we’re really good, we get a coffee truck. I’ve got a really cool, non-decorative dressing room. But I will decorate it. I will…. decorate…. it….
GLITTER: Who do you play?
RIO: I play a character named Ace McFumbles. He’s a confident, silly middle school news reporter that will do anything, AND I MEAN ANYTHING, to get a great story. He has his own office and wears a mustache. He has really fancy suits. He’s like a dwarven Ron Burgundy, only twelve years old. I’d say he’s a satire of a satire! *Laugh*
GLITTER: Who has been your favorite co-star?
RIO: All the kids are great. Brec is kinda the jokester of the group and has great hair, Coy is really cool and he drives, and his brother goes to my school, Jackie is very very nice and he doesn’t really have a southern accent, Buddy is super funny and is a lot like me, Lilimar is very sweet and friendly. She really likes my music *see question 6* and Haley is a great actress. At lunch time, we all sit around in the green room and eat n tweet.
Photo credit: Robin D’Amore
GLITTER: Is it true that you’re also a classically trained concert pianist?
RIO: Yep. I performed at Carnegie Hall twice when I was nine. They invited me back to play again, but I’ve been busy working. I started playing piano when I was five. I practice 1-2 hours every day. My favorite composer is Chopin. I’m not some fancy jazz pianist. I was born and raised a classical pianist. My mom is laughing. xD
GLITTER: Would you ever consider a career in music if you weren’t acting?
RIO: Funny you should ask. I’m making electronic music now, like dubstep, deep house, and neurofunk. My way of thinking is, I can morph classical and dubstep together in some of my songs and see what people think. I’m kind of obsessed with an EDM record label called Monstercat Media. My favorite EDM artists are the Pegboard Nerds, Tut Tut Child, and Stephen Walking. Don’t forget my old buddies, Beethoven and Chopin!
GLITTER: What is playing on your iPod right now?
RIO: Pegboard Nerds and Excision – Bring the Madness
Tut Tut Child – Barghest
Tut Tut Child – I Can’t
Tut Tut Child – Don’t Push Me
Stephen Walking – Pizza Planet
Stephen Walking – Shark City
Tristam and Pegboard Nerds – Razor Sharp
Tristam and Braken – Frame of Mind
WRLD – Triumph
Vicetone – Ensemble
I’m done now. xD
GLITTER: What do you have planned for the upcoming year? Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
RIO: I have a new movie coming out on Nickelodeon that I’m hoping I can tell you more about shortly. Keep an eye out on my Twitter feed for more information. I’m also thinking of releasing an EP by the end of this year with some of my electronic songs on it. I also do short form comedy skits called Short and Funny on the Nick app so lots of things in the works.
GLITTER: How can your fans follow you?
RIO: Please follow me on my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @riomangini! I’d really appreciate it! Also, check out www.riomangini.com.
AND DON’T FORGET TO WATCH BELLA AND THE BULLDOGS ON NICKELODEON ON SATURDAY NIGHTS 9/8c !! You can also watch the full episodes at nick.com and the Nick app!
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Editorial Director | Writer | Tweet me @heatherriccio
