Elena Valdameri Actress
It’s been a remarkable year for Elena Valdameri, the extraordinary actress who’s rocketed from unknown to A-list in the film industry. A native of Milan, Italy, who grew up with dreams but not of being onstage until faith had her way when she wanted to do something fun and decided to start working in the film industry and as a model.
Her sojourn to London as a survivor after dropping out of high school because of her family situation in Italy. She followed her instinct and got enrolled and obtained an associate’s degree in liberal arts. She travelled to the United States and studied computer science at university in California. She continually studied both in Europe and the UK and obtained a bachelor’s in general science and a bachelor’s in science and recently enrolled in university again in the UK as a computer science major studying artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. She also obtained other certifications
The Italian-born actress Elena Valdameri in an exclusive interview with Adewale Adenrele, speaks about her experience of being an actress with multiple sclerosis coupled with challenges of neurological issues and how she was able to overcome it. She speaks about her lifestyle and the love for animals, especially cats and dogs.
The on-screen diva also mentioned she worked with an African director from Ghana in a film (on Amazon) and a TV series and an upcoming project about filming, hopefully in September, and shared her amazing memory from 2008 of driving from Italy to Spain to save 21 dogs that were destined to be killed. Also her African tour, and her marriage to Senegalese
Below are excerpts:
- Have you fulfilled a dream in your life by going into creative drama, modelling and filming? Share with us the journey into it.
When I was very young in Italy, I did a little modelling and some amateur theatre, but I knew I wouldn’t have had an easy life if I pursued a career in this field, so I decided to give it up and do something else. In 2010 a friend asked me to play a businesswoman in her short film for a contest, so I did. She kept telling me that I was a natural and that I should’ve pursued this career, and I just felt like I just played myself because that’s what I was in my life: a businesswoman! At that time I was busy being a businesswoman, so I didn’t consider the film industry as a career change. About five years later, 11 years ago, already a mature woman, I found myself at a point in my life where I wanted to do something fun. That’s when I decided to start working in the film industry and as a model. It was something I never expected to become reality.
- Can you tell us briefly about yourself, your family and your education background?
I live by myself in a foreign country. I’m originally from Milan, Italy, but I live in London with my cats, and when I moved here in 2013, I brought my five big dogs and nine cats from Italy. Now I only have cats. I rescue them. I’ve been rescuing animals all my life!
I still have some family in Italy: I have a sister and a niece, some cousins, uncles and aunts and my mom, but she has dementia. I moved away from Italy when I was very young. I was 21 years old and by myself. I moved to London first and then to the United States, where I enrolled to study computer science at university in California. Actually, I even got my high school diploma there, because in Italy I dropped out due to my family situation. I never continued my studies in Italy because I just wanted to leave my family home for my peace and survival.
I never obtained a computer science degree because I wasn’t interested in writing programs for banks. I thought it was boring. But I did obtain an associate degree in liberal arts. About 20 years later, when back in Europe, I also obtained a generic bachelor of science from the UK, and after that, a psychology owner’s bachelor of science again from the UK; that was over 20 years ago. I just recently enrolled in a university again in the UK as a computer science major because now it is much more interesting with artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. I will not need to write programs for banks, but I could be doing something more interesting.
A couple of years ago, I also took a course in counselling just to keep my psychology background updated and obtained a university diploma. This year, 2026, I just obtained a hypnotherapy certificate, so I am a certified hypnotherapist now as well.
- You said you have been in the wheelchair for over 20 years; can you tell us what happened?
Over 20 years ago I ended up in a wheelchair while I was in the hospital for one month. The neurology department was testing me to find out what was the cause of my neurological issues. I didn’t have a diagnosis; the doctors suspected a brain tumour or multiple sclerosis, or it could’ve been a simple inflammation of the brain. I had to keep testing and going back to the hospital for almost a year until finally the doctors could diagnose me with multiple sclerosis. Meanwhile, I managed to get back on my feet, although my right arm and right leg never go back to functioning 100%.
- What were the challenges you faced while doing this, and how did you overcome them?
What are the challenges of being an actress with multiple sclerosis? Many challenges! My memory is not as good as it used to be, but the problem is no matter how well I know my lines, my memory comes and goes, so I don’t know what is going to happen when I’m on set. I could be great, or I could be very forgetful. I can never anticipate, but that is probably why I prefer improvisation.
Another issue is my balance that is off or the fact that I cannot run or the fact that I cannot hear very well, especially in a noisy environment, so when I get directions, sometimes I have to ask to repeat what the director wants me to do. I can also be clumsy in my movements or tend to drop things. It doesn’t happen all the time, but there are times that I’m more inclined not to be completely in charge of my body. And last but not least, actually quite important, is suffering from fatigue; that means that my energy level is always quite low and I get tired faster than I used to. I try to overcome my issues by being positive and preparing at my best, but also by being aware of the situation and concentrating on what I am doing and trying to get it right in as few takes as possible so as to avoid wasting energy.
- Can you talk me through the process of short films and drama content you have featured?
My career started with roles in horror feature films, probably because I have a quirky look. More recently I played an unconventional and rude coffee shop owner with a twist at the end and another role I had in another short film. I was a Brazilian immigrant who, through hard work and intelligence, became a very rich person and a countess. Also due to having met good people who believed in her. In a previous short film I played a grandmother, and so I did in my last two commercials as an Italian Nonna (grandmother) for Napolina and Pizza Express commercials. There was a lot of improvisation, which is my favourite.
- You love animals, especially cats and dogs. How do they inspire you? Tell us about your relationship with your pets and how many, with names.
I feel like my pet cats saved my life when I was a child because I grew up with a narcissistic mother. My cats were present. They made me feel loved. They would come and cuddle with me when I was crying or when I was sleeping or any time, and they were always there for me. They made me feel important, and they make me feel they are there for me always. I think animals are the most abused creatures in the world, followed by children and women, and I promised myself a long time ago that I would always help animals because they deserve it. They give unconditional love and they don’t judge, never!
- What have you got lined up next for your project?
I have a nice role in a future film that should be filming, hopefully in September this year, but I’m still waiting for production to sort out the last few things. Unfortunately, I cannot say more about this project at the moment, because I signed an NDA.
- Dotolive News Magazine (DNM) would like to be reporting your activities and promoting your brand. What will be your commitment to supporting the media organisation DNM?
I could support your magazine by reposting and advertising it on my socials.
- Amazing memories are unforgettable; can you share with us the most amazing memory?
The best memory I have is of a rescue I organised in 2008, driving from Italy to Spain to save 21 dogs that were destined to be killed. The best thing that happened after driving all day and all night and finally stopping at the first destination in Genoa, Italy, and releasing the dogs in a private garden was to see all these dogs starting to run and play once they realised they were safe. I felt an incredible joy and my life worthy even if I just died then and there.
- What advice would you give the younger ones?
I would tell the young generations to be true to themselves and to always ask themselves before doing something if that is the right thing to do, if by doing that, somebody is going to get hurt. It’s somebody going to get used or abused or killed? Only proceed if the answer to the questions is no. There are obviously exceptions like in cases of self-defence.
https://www.instagram.com/elenavaldameri
Thank you.
DNM 2026
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