Felipe Simas comments on his wife’s speech in which she prayed not to be given a role: “Family over work”

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— This is a very important melodrama, and I have the opportunity to spend time with the older generation. I have great respect for people’s trajectories and recognize that success is completely tied to their actions. Therefore, it is understandable why these professionals are so well-liked in our profession. They understand what it’s like to be an actor. Plus, Danilo is great in the role. She has trauma and pain from being abandoned by her mother, which makes her almost character-defective. But I believe in salvation.

Apart from soap operas, Simas recently debuted in the Prime Video series ‘Tremembé’. He will play Daniel Clavinhos, one of those convicted of murdering Manfred von Richthofen, the parents of his ex-girlfriend Suzanne von Richthofen. The actor talks about the challenges of working with such heavy themes:

— “Tremembé” was a difficult song, starting with the fact that it was recorded in São Paulo (he lives in Rio). There wasn’t much going back. I remained in that world and the labyrinth of my mind. Although not as long as a melodrama, it was a work that demanded a lot from all participants due to its intensity and story. When we are faced with our trapped humanity, there is literally little way to escape other than to analyze and recognize ourselves. And it wasn’t a coincidence that my character was suicidal. Without love, it will be difficult to overcome such a situation. In his case, I think it was a brotherly love that was close to a soul connection.

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The series begins at the scene of a brutal crime committed by Daniel and his brother Cristian. Simas says of the recording process:

— Humans are interested in the obscure. In this series, we talk about how we deprive ourselves of what we do ethically and morally. Everyone has thought about ending their own life, not just someone else’s. We ask ourselves when we play a character who is unaware of blocking this stimulus. “Why? What made him do that?”

Next month, you’ll see him play another real-life character, the legendary rodeo announcer Waldemar Rui dos Santos, known as Asa Blanca, in movie theaters. The film, titled Asa Blanca: Voices of the Arena, was produced by director Guga Sander.

— He is an icon of rodeo culture. Usually I work on more intimate characters, like Daniel Clavinhos or Danilo. Asa Blanca is vast. He’s big, like a 24-hour theater. So for me, it was a great job and a great exercise in technique.

The actor has commented that he has plans to do theater next year after “Dona de Mim” ends.

— That’s what resonated with me and that’s what I wanted. Recently, Casale (Giuliano) premiered a monologue in which the actor said that he has adapted his body to audiovisualism by practicing it a lot. So, now that I’m 32, I want to develop my mind, my gestures, my voice a little bit… I started in theater and then went to film and television. After entering the television industry, I started working one job after another. I miss the routine of theater season. Ritual, repetition, and different people seeing the same chair.

Felipe is the brother of actors Rodrigo Simas and Bruno Gissoni. He tells us what their relationship is like:

— We have a sense of respect and admiration. Despite our similarities, we are very different and there is room in the market for all three. We think of creating projects to find ourselves artistically. They also talked about their influences. We try to show what makes us tick and ask what others think. When there is a scene that is important to us, we analyze it and be honest with each other. “Hey, this part…I think you could have done it a little more like this. I think you could have made it a little more intense, or less, or a little more relaxed.” And always know that one wants the best from the other.

About 10 years ago, Simas became an evangelical. At first, he says, his family was shocked by the decision and his siblings were scared.

-Choosing faith remains taboo. No one in our family declared themselves evangelical or religious. A year after this (conversion) experience, we were together with Rodrigo, but even though we were close at the time, we did not see each other often. He said he recognized his 13-year-old brother. That was the biggest answer for me. They understand today that the closer I am to my faith, the better I am for them. I’m the best brother, the best husband, the best father, the best son, and the best professional.

The actor has been married to Mariana Woolman Simas for 13 years and has three children with her: Joaquín, 11, Maria, 8, and Vicente, 5. Recently, Mariana’s remarks in a podcast interview caused a reaction on the network. She said she had already prayed that her husband would not take on certain roles. On this, he says that all his professional steps are discussed within his family.

— Here at home, everything is on the table. All our decisions are made together. Last year I spent almost nine months recording outside of Rio. So if I, as a partner, look at her and say, “Are you okay? Can I go?”, there’s no point in being with her because I’m putting a strain on her. I can only be at peace if I see and feel that everything is okay. If at any point she says, “It’s not good enough for me,” I won’t go. My family comes before my work. There’s no doubt about that. There are many jobs, but only one family. I can make a living doing something else.

He says his routine changes completely, especially when he’s doing soap operas.

— I miss some of my kids’ school shows, am late for some dinners, and don’t put them to bed for days because I record late at night. But like any other job, it feeds us. Therefore, we cannot complain about what has sustained us.