An expert in marketing and communication, professor at the Escuela Superior Sevilla de Moda, writer, screenwriter, and director, Nicola Paparusso likes to describe himself as an activist with a passion for writing.
He is the founder of the African Foundation Gate, an association that combats all forms of discrimination, prejudice, or racism in the fashion world and has established ‘La Moda Veste la Pace,’ a special award for public figures who have distinguished themselves for their social commitment.
Paparusso shares with us his passions and projects, as well as his relationship with Khaby Lame (@khaby.lame), the most followed TikToker currently, with over 162 million followers.
Nicola, you have been involved in various activities in the fields of politics, fashion, you are a columnist for “Voci in Passerella,” a novelist, you’ve won a literary award, screenwriter, author, and director of TV programs as well. If you had to sum it all up, who is Nicola Paparusso?
Nicola: Out of everything you’ve mentioned, what I prefer and what I am most passionate about is dedicating myself to fundamental human rights, particularly combating racism through my activities, and thus being able to put pressure on governments to enact anti-discrimination laws. So, I prefer the definition of activist over that of producer or manager.
It’s what I do with the most enthusiasm and pride, and it stands out more than my roles as a manager or producer, which I perform behind the scenes.
I try never to appear in the spotlight; I’m doing it with Khaby Lame because, to me, he’s like a son. I’ve known him since before he became famous, and I took him on at the request of his father, who wanted someone not only knowledgeable and trustworthy but also familiar with the values of their religion, Islam.
When did the spark between you and Khaby Lame ignite?
Nicola: I’ve known him for a long time, and I know the entire Senegalese community in Italy. I lived in Senegal for many years, where my vocation for activism was born, and I became aware of the difficulties Africans faced in integrating into Europe at the time.
I made these difficulties my own and carried them forward alongside my business activities. In this context, the spark between Khaby and me ignited immediately at our first meeting; it was love at first sight, and he was about 22 years old.
What personal and professional qualities of Khaby have impressed you the most?
Nicola: Khaby is an extraordinary young man in every way; if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t have taken on the role. He had been through a series of disappointments in terms of management and was therefore very demotivated. What I appreciate most about Khaby is his consistency in values and religion. For example, he does not accept, even when well paid, to advertise products that could be harmful to certain segments of society, such as children.
His Consistency
Nicola: Refuses to advertise snacks or sugary products because he knows they are harmful, and children are not aware of it. He also understands his role; if he advertises school supplies or crayons, they are gone from the shelves the next day, completely sold out. Says, “I don’t want to be part of something harmful to vulnerable groups, and I don’t want to go against the tenets of my religion, which prohibits consuming pork or alcohol”; he will never promote these. He turns down thousands of euros for the sake of his consistency. Success hasn’t changed him; he is very humble and approachable.
An Example?
Nicola: He can’t say no to anyone; sometimes I have to drag him or remind him, like when we have to catch a plane, because he stops to take selfies with everyone, especially with children, and even when security tells him to move along, he just keeps going, even at the risk of missing the flight.
At some point, the spark for cinema ignites; how did this idea come about?
Nicola: When I met Khaby, he confided that his lifelong dream was to be in the movies, to be an actor, not an influencer. That was an unintended turn. So, I brought out my experience as a film producer and tried to realize his dream, which was to work with Will Smith.
I dusted off my old producing skills and called Marco Belardi, who I consider to be the greatest Italian film producer today, a man with a strong conscience and ethics. We then created an international team for the film project, shot around the world with a major global studio. That’s how the first project was born, which will soon have its first take, with an important cast that includes an Oscar winner.
What project are you talking about?
Nicola: “007Khaby,” which features a cast no one expects, actors with careers spanning over 40 years. It will be an action comedy; it’s the story of an immigrant who arrives in Italy by boat. To support his family, he works as a delivery rider, delivering pizzas. One day, during a delivery, something strange happens that changes his life.
He goes to a house to make a delivery, a 70-year-old man answers the door, takes the pizza, and goes to get the money, but never returns. After a long wait, Khaby enters and finds the man dead, murdered.
From there, he goes from being a rider to becoming a spy who must save the world from World War III. The difference between him and James Bond is that he gets into all sorts of trouble, making a lot of mistakes, and it will be very funny. He won’t use stunt doubles.
Khaby’s dream is to win an Oscar; can he do it?
Nicola: He is determined, studies, and prepares; he leaves nothing to chance. I’m not the only one saying he’ll become a great actor. I brought him to interact with actors like Will Smith, with whom, as promised, he appeared in “Bad Boys 4” in a cameo role.
He also worked with Ryan Gosling and others who saw him in action and recognized his great acting talent without having attended any particular academies. I’m happy to have fulfilled the promise of getting him to work with Will Smith; he was as happy as a child.
Future projects?
Nicola: If “007Khaby” is successful, there will be sequels. The film is structured to be released in theaters and then on streaming platforms. Additionally, we are writing a film, “The Jet,” about Tommy Smith, the athlete who won at the 1968 Olympics.
During the awards ceremony, he wore a black glove and raised his fist in the air to say no to racism; it’s a historic event still cited today but forgotten by history. In this film, we will talk about unprecedented events surrounding this story; time has crystallized around the raised fist, but there’s much more before and after.
Robert Redford
Nicola: And on August 3rd, Khaby and I will be guests of Robert Redford, who will offer him a quick directing course to better prepare him, because, in reality, Khaby is more of a director than an actor. He’s someone who creates the scene on his own.
The Venice Film Festival lineup has been announced; will you be there?
Nicola: We will definitely take a stroll, even though Belardi and I are organizing special work in Hollywood; we will definitely be there. Khaby has already been to Venice, but this 2024 edition will be a special moment. It will have particular significance.
Nicola Paparusso e Khaby Lame: una coppia da Oscar