BY MEGHAN BRIANNA
PHOTO BY HUDSON TAYLOR
Andrew Matarazzo has starred in MTV’s, Teen Wolf, as “Gabe” amongst stars like Tyler Posey and Dylan O’Brien. He’s also made appearances on TV shows like Jane The Virgin, and Speechless. Recently, Matarazzo has been working on some musical covers of hit songs like “Señorita,” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello and “Eastside” by Khalid, Halsey, and Benny Blanco. We got a chance to sit down and chat with Andrew about the two year anniversary of the final Teen Wolf episode and time spent on set, as well as what else he’s been working on since then.
This past September marked two years since the final episode of Teen Wolf. What is one moment you wish you could relive from that time?
Andrew: “The feeling I had when I learned that I was cast. The show had been on my radar for a long time because my younger siblings were fans. I wanted to audition for a long time, so when the opportunity came around I felt like I manifested it. Landing the role in the end and getting to be a part of that family was a cloud nine moment.”
Your character on Teen Wolf was initially casted for a two-episode arc. What was your reaction when you found out that your character would stick around longer than anticipated?
A: “As an actor, hearing that the creator of the show feels you should stick around longer than you were initially written for is the biggest honor. It gave me way more confidence when I had his approval in that way. Come to think of it, it was actually as if I got to relive getting cast in the first place, over and over.”
Who was your favorite cast member to work with?
A: “One of my favorite parts of Teen Wolf is was how wonderful the entire cast was and how much fun getting scenes with different actors was. I do think Sibongile Mlambo was so under appreciated by viewers because her character was so hard to like, but she was an incredible actor and I loved her character. All my scenes with her made me step my game up. They stick out in my head.”
Your character was a villain in the series. Do you enjoy playing villains?
A: “Definitely, because one of my greatest interests as an actor is getting in the heads of people who are opposite of me. Villains are always challenging and fun because you can’t judge them and play their ‘evil.’ You have to justify their actions and figure out what would make me, as Andrew, do something like this. I find that part intriguing.”
What was the most difficult obstacle you faced while working for that production?
A: “Shooting the guns was terrifying and something I had never trained in prior. They were real weapons that shot blanks, so the sound, the kick, the power behind the guns was real and I never expected that. We wear earplugs when shooting those scenes and I found it really difficult to deliver lines with earplugs in my ears. Not being able to hear myself and the volume I was speaking at, it got messy. I think half the lines had to be redone in ADR.”
Did you watch Teen Wolf before getting casted for the final season?
A: “As I said before, my siblings were fans, so it was always on in the house growing up. I caught glimpses here and there but it was more the name that was familiar to me. I did watch all the episodes from season 1 onwards before I started filming to understand the mythology and tone better.”
Besides your character, who is your favorite villain from the series?
A: “Void Stiles was a really cool twist. I loved seeing Dylan O’Brien play such an opposite version of his character. That’s an actors dream.”
What is your favorite memory from set?
A: “My mom had come to visit on a day I had some major scenes. Jeff Davis was so kind to her, giving her a tour of all of the sets, and showing her some footage of my scenes in prior episodes that even I hadn’t seen yet! It was the first time my mom had seen me at work on a TV set and it was really cool to have her there on a big day.”
Besides being an actor, you’re also a singer, what made you pursue want to pursue that?
A: “Acting has always been my main passion and path but singing has always been there. I did a lot of musicals growing up and in recent years found my voice and style through doing covers for fun. The feedback and reactions from people after posting them online has been the main boost in me considering it more of a potential avenue. I’ve always had an immense love for music but it takes time to hone, and as I get more comfortable with it I want to keep making music and exploring.”
You’ve recently covered Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s, “Señorita,” as well as Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” what made you choose those songs?
A: “I have a very strong sense of self and I just react instantly when I hear a song, regardless of the artist, that resonates with my core and what I want my own music to eventually sound like. I think it’s been part of my success with what I put out; that I focus on songs that ring true to me instead of just covering a song for the sake of views or whats current. The next cover I’m putting out is a major throwback and it’s because that’s what I feel I want to say right now.”
Can we expect any original music from you some time in the near future?
A: “I’ve started to plant the seeds, but for near future I’m fully invested in acting and music is another way of expression. I’m still finding my avenues in music through covers for now, but I definitely want to do original songs when I have the need to say something.”
Are there any other projects that you have currently in the works?
A: “Yes! I’m filming a feature currently in pre-production. I have a music cover in the works. Working on a book I’ll be publishing chapter-by-chapter on Wattpad called Bedlam. Also, got to star in a 1960s themed music video by ARTY coming out in a few weeks. And some time in October my first ever magazine cover will be released for the October issue of Vulkan Magazine.”
Finally, do you have a message for your fans, and do you have a message for people who have yet to know who you are?
A: “For my fans, I really do love you guys. The love and daily interactions I have with you all keep me so motivated. Seeing hundreds of you show up to events I do in countries I’ve never been to will never stop blowing my mind. I’m so grateful for you all. I can’t wait to grow together.”