With subtlety, sympathy and the security that her 59 years give her, Flavia Palmiero summarizes her past, spreads enthusiasm by talking about the present and does not worry about the future, which she considers fabulous because she trusts her instincts. “I never planned anything and it went very well. Sometimes they ask me about a crazy dream and the answer is obvious: Crazier than going to a casting at the age of 20 and finding out that you will be the protagonist of the first film about Evita in world cinema? Or that you want to work with children and suddenly make the most successful children’s program in history? Life has been very generous to me,” says the current textile entrepreneur.
-A generous and surprising life. Job or fate?
-You are born with a star, but that alone is not enough. Because after that it’s important to be able to develop further, get on the right path and put in the right effort. You never have to let up. It is true that extraordinary things tend to happen to you, but to achieve success, work, discipline and a clear horizon are essential. Even as a child, I always knew that I still wouldn’t decide on something. I knew that my career would constantly challenge me, put me in danger and lead me into abysses. I experienced stadiums with 20,000 people in a time when not everyone did. Today it is more common.
-Did your parents help you? Did this come up in the family?
-Not at all. Although it is true that I have played this since I was a child, it was never something that was planned or pushed at a family level. I mean, I didn’t have parents to prepare me to make it in show business. My mother was an administrative employee and my father raced boats and had a car agency. In fact, I owe my name to a Lancia Flavia, a divine car that was fashionable. And I appreciate it because it also reminds me of Rome, a city I love. What happened in my career is that I had this inner flame.
-The phenomenon of The green wave It marked thousands of children in the 80s. Did you feel like this generation’s rock star?
-It’s powerful because everything was real, almost innocent. It was a time without networks, we made magazine covers without Photoshop. We went out as we were: with our curlers, our natural mouth and the same smile we had at home. I didn’t have a makeup artist! Not even a hairdresser. He did the album covers like that. When I was 20, I went to shows upcountry, I remember straightening my waves with my hands, applying a little mascara and bye, I went on stage. The clothes were spectacular and I took part because I loved them: those ruffles, the tulle, the headbands, the volumes, the colors… It was divine, but I was far from having an entourage.
– Has nothing to do with today’s child drivers.
– And yes, times have changed a lot too. I do not think it is wise to criticize the resources that exist today and that are also fashionable in almost all areas. It’s used like that, what do I know? It’s part of the new era. I respect everything. It’s a very competitive world, so I imagine the effort required to stand out is above average.
-Did you have many famous candidates when you were at the peak of the wave?
-I never declared anything because I got married at 21 and had my two children when I was very young. They grew up with a mother who came home after big events, concerts and school classes and was just a mother. I think I’ve done a good job and we have a wonderful relationship. Gianmarco lives far away, but he was the one who helped me decide to launch my swimsuit brand. It was in the middle of a pandemic, I felt a great emptiness, he was gone. But they encouraged me to get fully involved, which I’m grateful for today because it’s going well and I’m very happy with the project. Giuliana, an architect, was my great ally. She is a very simple, intelligent, clever and unobtrusive woman.
-And you are your own model. You are always seen on the beach flaunting your swimsuits!
-It’s funny because people think I live in the sea like the Little Mermaid. Although I travel with my current partner (film producer Luis Scalella), the photos are obvious. I go to Miami often, yes, and I take advantage of the opportunity. I do a lot of productions and perform them little by little. I have been working for 42 years and know a lot about marketing and strategy.
-The networks and your brand continue to connect you with your audience, right?
-Yes, it is very sweet. I don’t receive hate: everything is good vibes, consultations, reflections. There are people who grew up with me, they are contemporaries. This is very nice because it allows me to stay in touch with people. Since I’m not in traditional media, it really serves as a bridge for me. I really enjoy creating beautiful clothes while thinking about women of different ages. And I enjoy everything that has to do with choosing photos and imagining scenarios. It’s related to what I’ve done my whole life. I am the Argentine industry! All my programs were my ideas.
-Is the performance already behind us?
-No, not at all. I played Madame Requin and played Jacqueline Requin, a widowed banker and economist. I played the villain and I liked it. It appeared on public television and was on the platform. It was my return to fiction with a truly amazing political thriller.
– According to legend, when you were partners with Franco Macri, you did not agree to live with him because of your children. And that was the end.
-It’s been centuries, I don’t even remember. All I can say is that I have never committed myself to anything because I am a person who went out into the world authentically, with the limits that I set for myself. Being authentic means staying true to yourself. And so my life went on and on. Everyone knows I belong to this club: I find you in a restaurant, at a meeting, riding a bike, interacting with customers. I’m always the same.
-Before, when there were no networks, it was much harder to deny something. Were you desperate?
-Well, obviously it was harder to change it. They stuck a cover on you with a title and a goodbye. Deny this immediately. But it seems to me that there were other codes too. You wrote a novel and the things that happened stayed with the work team.
-Have you ever experienced an unpleasant situation?
-Thank God I never had to deal with anything ugly, I was always lucky to meet serious people. And I also have my character, although of course that can happen to you too.
-What is love like at almost 60?
-I have a beautiful relationship that has lasted for 13 years. We started with low expectations and today we have a deep bond. We love each other and accompany each other constantly. We share topics and tastes. I love that he’s a producer, I admire him. And it’s very crazy, because as a manufacturer I dedicate myself exclusively to textiles. As far as age goes, I have no problem! Apparently I see a photo of myself from my 20s and say “Wow!” But I don’t want to go back there.
-Neither at 20 nor at 30…
-NO. Well, I’ll settle for 55, I’ll sign to stay there (laughs). But seriously, I don’t suffer from it. I have never lied about my age, it seems terrible and ridiculous to me. I’m fine because I feel good. No surgeries, no facial changes. I lead a healthy life, I eat a lot of food, a little bit of everything, but I calm down. I think that’s the way. Well, just the way I like it.
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