Vestal had the pleasure of sitting down with William Abadie. The Golden Bachelor talks about his humble beginnings, his education at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Institute in New York City, and his ascent to stardom with the role of Antoine Lambert in Netflix’s production Emily in Paris. William explains how acting is a callous business, “There are tons of students graduating from acting schools every year, so it is competitive. Most people give up and move into other industries after a year or two.” Still, there are opportunities if you are passionate and willing to work hard. “For a guy like me who has always watched American TV shows and films and is really in love with the American culture, it was a dream come true,” William explains. His dedication has paid off as William has starred in some of the most acclaimed and iconic American TV shows, such as Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, 90210, Gotham, and Homeland. William is just beginning his fantastic journey, and we cannot wait to see where his talent and good looks will take him next.
William @william_abadie
Mago __ William, tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up?
William Abadie __ I spent most of my childhood in a little Alpine village called Megeve, near the border of Switzerland and Italy. It is such an idyllic place; the scenery is just breathtaking. I was lucky to be introduced to nature and sports at an exceptionally young age. That said, my early teens got a little hectic at some points as I was not, you know, the angel that my brothers and sister were. Every family needs a problem child… But I still carried a good heart and had manners drilled into me by giving patient parents, so I made it out okay. [Laughs]
Mago __ Can you tell us how you entered the acting industry and your training?
WA __ In my late teens, I still didn't need clarification to learn what my path was going to be. I was working in a restaurant in Paris figuring things out, feeling lost, when I met a theatre actress I dated. That's when I was first introduced to the world of acting. I decided to give it a shot and enrolled for a middle school diploma at a conservatory in the 18th district in Paris, École Claude Mathieu. However, I did not have the work ethic to survive that demanding, competitive environment. The second time, I was suspended, and right before I was expelled, Claude took me aside and "spoke to me." Something clicked, and I understood many things about work and what you can draw from it if you put in the work. From then on, I embraced the program and all that a small classical theatre school in Paris can offer – the values of hard work, discipline, and dedication. It taught me what I needed to deliver technical dialogue gracefully on stage in front of people. It taught me how to be a professional.
Mago __ How would you describe your experience in the States? Does New York inspire you? What opportunities do you find there?
WA __ New York is the mecca of the arts and probably of America too and was always embedded in the back of my mind. You know, watching it in film and TV, so many iconic pictures and TV shows have been shot there. The thought of the Broadway theatre scene made me drool. A friend was doing a summer workshop in New York at The Lee Strasberg Institute and told me about his experience. I had a few dollars on the side at the time, so I went for it. Entering Strasberg allowed me to put all that Claude Mathieu School "work epiphany" into action. I was one of the most voracious students throughout my training there. I had been given the tools, the passion, and the drive by Claude. So I was there for two and a half years, from morning to night, trying to get introduced and acquainted with as many American playwrights and their works as I could. The little guy from the snowy French village had landed, a dream come true. After completing my studies at Strasberg, I had to do what I could to find a role in a play to showcase myself. In my breathless momentum, I decided to bypass questionable productions in dingy theatres instead of taking the bull by the horns and producing and starring in my play. The play (and role in which I had already worked in a school for a couple of years) was "Modigliani" by Dennis McIntyre. Amadeo Modigliani, a renowned Italian painter and sculptor. I looked alike, and we were approximately the same age. I could relate to some of the men's struggles as young artists. It was a great experience. His life was filled with struggle and chaos, but the play had many funny moments, too. The play was a success, and the positive reviews we received allowed me to sign with a legitimate agent.
Mago __ Which roles do you feel have taken you to the point where you are now?
WA __I had the privilege of portraying a Mossad agent in Homeland for a few episodes, a role that truly left a significant mark on my career. The character of Roman in Gossip Girl was a delightful experience and provided me with a broader exposure. Another role that played a pivotal role in the early stages of my career, despite its small size, was Tony in the iconic Sex and the City. It's fascinating how a show with countless re-runs like Sex and the City, even though I'm not a celebrity, managed to keep me somewhat relevant during the challenging years in this demanding industry.
M __ What was the most extended role you've ever had?
WA __ It is Modigliani in the theatre field, and on TV, it now is Antoine Lambert in Emily in Paris.
M __ What would be your favorite role?
WA __ Antoine, my favorite role, is a character I'm deeply connected to. The joy I experience while playing him is immeasurable, and it's a role that I'm thoroughly enjoying.
M __ Now, moving on a little bit more into your personal life. What is a day in your life like?
WA __ My day starts pretty early. I wake up at 5:30 am. I usually have my coffee right away and then enjoy a moment of prayer and give my thanks. I then picked up the infamous iPhone and caught up on what happened at the end of the night or in Europe regarding emails, texts, and such around 7:30 am. I'll start dialect work so that one day, maybe, I can try to sound like you! [Laughs].
M __ Oh please, like me, I'm a New Yorker. I want to sound like you! [Laughs].
WA __ This is still part of the challenge I gave myself soon after arriving in America. My goal was to grow as an actor and expand from my "French-roles-only" casting, aiming to master the standard American dialect so that I would one day be able to play American characters. It's an ongoing process, so I keep up with it every morning for about an hour. I then have a couple of hours at the gym or doing acting exercises, scene work, tapings, or acting-related admin. After lunch, I'll often do a bit of self-growth by picking up a book. I love auto-biographies. The afternoon is usually more active, as I run errands and deal with my extracurricular business activities. 6:30 I would have dinner, then catch up on the latest Netflix (or else) series a bit, and be in bed by 11:00.
M __ Is there time for love in William's life? Is there anyone you're seeing?
WA __ You know, I'm coming around to it. I've been in relationships and all that, but to be perfectly frank, the timing never worked if we're talking about a big commitment. As of now, there is nothing official.
M ___ If there is a leading lady that you would love to act next to, who would that be?
WA __ Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Gardner, Margot Robbie or Renee Zellweger.
M __ Do you have any hobbies you've kept throughout your life to keep you motivated and sane? Are you still playing sports?
WA __ I am! What's that quote…? "Train to compete, compete to train." We were doing cross-country running back in school, and I was decent at it. I picked it up again in my late 20s' with more intensity, which then diverged into triathlon and long-distance shenanigans. It's kept me sane and healthy during the tough times, and the magic of it is that when you've achieved one goal, human nature will push you to raise the bar higher and higher. It's proven to be the best therapy for me.
M __ Are there any actors that you feel inspired by?
William __ I feel like I'm still a child living in the world I found when I first came to New York. Those mythical figures inspire me, you know, the ones…Pacino, Walken, the De Niros of the New York City world. Cliché, I know, but those guys and their movies are the reason why I made it out here.
M __ What do you see in them that inspires you?
WA __ I remember the performances. I remember the moments that take me back to when I was 13. Those performances knock the wind out of you, and you can't even explain it, but it stays in your DNA. Have you ever seen "A Deer Hunter" Mago? Another one of my dreams remains to one day work with these people.
M __ We wish you all the best, William. Thank you so much for doing this interview.
WA __ Thank you!
Photography Nihat Odabasi Interview Mago Talent William Abadie