Gabi Lopes: From Brazilian Carnival to Hollywood

'STARS' COVER EDITION - GLOBAL ISSUE

Photographer and Creative Direction: Matheus Coutinho / (All team credits at the end of the article)

She began her career at the age of eight in advertising campaigns and, over more than two decades, has built a multifaceted career spanning television, film, streaming, and business. Today, Gabi Lopes graces the cover of STARS magazine’s special Carnival edition, celebrating a journey that combines artistic talent, entrepreneurial vision, and global presence.

“I have always been driven by challenges, and I realized I was living in a comfort zone. That was when I decided to develop my international career, something I had wanted since I was a child,” Gabi explains. Her move to Los Angeles, fluency in English and Spanish, dual nationality, and experience with award-winning productions in Brazil prepared her for a leap into the global market.

From her success in Malhação – Sonhos to roles in series such as Sintonia and Samantha!, Gabi has established herself as a versatile actress. In film, she has appeared in acclaimed titles such as A Menina Que Matou os Pais and Moscow. Internationally, she has been awarded at the FirstGlance Film Festival in Los Angeles and at the Madras Film Festival in India, and she recently starred in the Japanese film Virtual Boyfriend, in which she also served as a producer.

“Understanding all areas of a production helped me grow as an actress. Today, my work is more complete because I understand the entire audiovisual process. Cinema is a collective space, and being curious about different subjects has made me unique,” Gabi explains, emphasizing how her experience as a producer and entrepreneur shapes her artistic choices.

The next step for the artist is to star in her first American film as a lead. “Everything I have done so far was a rehearsal. Now my international career truly begins. I feel completely ready, and this project will open doors to other opportunities,” she says, noting that maturity and experience are key advantages at this stage.

Beyond acting, Gabi is also an entrepreneur and investor. She is a partner at Marilyn Films, the agency Talent Wave, the NGO Belong, and several ventures in gastronomy and tourism. Gabi believes that her entrepreneurial mindset strengthens her artistic career. “Entrepreneurship is a way of life. It helps me approach my career in a strategic and unique way, combining artistic vision with business insight,” she explains.

For the cover, Gabi chose the warehouse of the Gaviões da Fiel samba school, wearing a costume that celebrates Carnival. “Carnival is the greatest spectacle on the planet, and it is Brazilian. It symbolizes joy, diversity, and high energy—everything I want to bring to the world,” she says. For Gabi, Carnival represents not only a landmark of national culture but also the symbolic beginning of her international journey.

With over 23 years of career experience, international awards, and diversified business ventures, Gabi Lopes proves that talent, courage, and strategic vision can transform a national trajectory into a global phenomenon, always carrying the energy and charisma of Brazil as her trademark.

Read the interview with Gabi Lopes:

1. You began in advertising as a child and built a solid career in Brazilian television. At what point did you decide it was time to turn your career into an international project?

I have always been driven by challenges, and I started to realize that I was living in a comfort zone, always facing the same situations and the same style of work. I was missing something new, something different, and that was when I decided to truly develop my international career, which has been a desire of mine since childhood. I have also always spoken several languages.

I have never been afraid to step outside Brazil, and I have already lived in several countries. I lived in England, South Africa, and Australia. So, after 23 years of career in Brazil, I decided it was time to challenge myself and start building something abroad. I remember that the film in Japan empowered me a lot. After making that film, I realized I could really work outside Brazil. I am ready! I feel ready, and I can perform in English and other languages.

All the awards I have won, both in India and Los Angeles, were for national films, so my career has always been pointing toward the international market, even while working in Brazil. I also think it is important to interpret the signs of life and recognize where your destiny is leading you.

2. Over the years, you have worked in broadcast TV, streaming, film, and have also taken on production roles. How does this broad perspective on audiovisual work influence your artistic choices today?

Many people tend to judge, right? They say, “Wow, you do everything, how can you manage all of it at the same time?” In reality, I take on many roles in the audiovisual world, but they are all very complementary.

When I started producing, it really opened my mind as an actress because I would enter a production and understand the whole process, the complexity of each project. It made me gain more respect for the work and awareness of my role in it. For me, that experience was always very important, and today, with this broad vision, I feel that not only are my artistic choices influenced, but also my character creation process.

Today, I feel much more complete as an actress than I did as a child, when I only understood acting. I think it is important to know a little bit about everything to fully understand your role in the bigger picture. Cinema is a collective, complex, and versatile space, where we work in different genres and perform various functions. You take on one character and profession one day, and the next day, another character with a completely different profession. That’s why I always say the artistic world belongs to curious and engaged people, and what makes someone interesting is precisely that curiosity about different subjects.

I can say that I have always been very curious and interested in many areas and have studied a lot. I remember taking a boat pilot course and getting certified with the Navy. Everyone asked why I was doing it. After that course, I learned to steer my own life much better. I believe that the complexity and versatility I developed over time is what has made me unique.

3. Moving to Los Angeles represents not just a geographical change, but a strategic one. How was the preparation process for entering the American market?

I feel very fortunate to have an American manager. He guided me throughout my first year in Los Angeles. I didn’t arrive alone; I already had someone preparing me and helping me understand the market.

This first year was very important. I started doing auditions, giving talks, and working with American clients and brands. It was essential to understand the culture of the country. For me, this year was literally a period of adaptation, because moving to another country is not just about a new job market—it’s also about a new culture.

In addition, I began studying at El en Pack, an arts conservatory in Los Angeles. I took courses on auditions for film, TV, and commercials, and participated in a course with the director of Pretty Little Liars, one of the biggest youth series. Today, I leave the conservatory feeling complete, understanding both acting and the business behind it all.

Now, after this season in Brazil, the Carnival, and the end-of-year celebrations, I am returning to Los Angeles to shoot my first American film. I am undoubtedly ready, understanding the culture and the market, with my English much more fluent. I am prepared for everything that is coming.

4. Beyond acting, you are also an entrepreneur and investor. How does an entrepreneurial mindset strengthen your position as an artist on the global stage?

When I left the show "The Apprentice" as the runner-up, it was an important moment for me to recognize myself as an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurial people naturally have a visionary mindset. Entrepreneurship is not just work; it is a way of living.

Regardless of what I am doing, I am always thinking with an entrepreneurial perspective. I cannot switch it off, nor do I want to. From the moment I recognized myself as an entrepreneur and developed my skills, I began to see my career differently, in a unique and much more strategic way.

Today, all of my decisions are guided by this perspective. I believe it has contributed greatly to building my career, especially on the strategic side, not just the artistic. Generally, people with an artistic vision do not have an entrepreneurial one, so being able to unite both sides is fantastic, and they complement each other perfectly.

5. Your international awards already signaled this move beyond Brazil. What does starring in an American film as a lead mean at this point in your career?

Without a doubt, it marks a major milestone in my career: my first lead role in an international feature film and also a turning point. Everything I have done until now was preparation, a rehearsal, and now my career abroad will truly begin. This is a very special moment in my life and in my 23-year journey.

I feel completely ready, and I am confident that this project will open doors to other opportunities. I am already negotiating new films. Experiencing this now is not only a turning point but also the beginning of my international chapter. I am very happy and fulfilled, living all of this after turning 30, when you have more maturity.

I think it would have been different if it had happened at 23; perhaps I wouldn’t have been ready or lacked the maturity. Everything happens at the right time. After 23 years of hard work in Brazil and building a solid image, I am ready to take even greater flights, not only in the United States but globally. I feel ready to act in any language, from now until I’m 95, God willing. My greatest inspiration is Fernanda Montenegro. I intend to act like her, for many years, following the growth of both career and personal development.

6. You chose the warehouse of the Gaviões da Fiel samba school as the cover setting, wearing a Carnival costume, one of Brazil’s greatest cultural expressions. What does Carnival represent in your personal journey, and how does this Brazilian identity influence the artist you bring to the world?

I once read a phrase that made a lot of sense: Carnival is the greatest spectacle on the planet, and it is Brazilian. I believe it is a spectacle that truly conveys who we are—our joy, diversity, charisma, friendliness, energy, and vibrancy. It is deeply connected to our sunny, festive spirit.

We know that Brazilians have a unique charisma, and that is the side I want to take to the world. When I received the invitation to shoot for an international magazine, nothing came to mind except showcasing Brazil at its highest energy, which is Carnival.

Carnival has always symbolized my personal journey. It is the time of year when I feel happiest and most excited, when everything is a celebration, but it is also a symbolic beginning. People often say the year only truly starts after Carnival. I am certain that my international career will genuinely begin now. This moment marks both the start of the year in Brazil and the beginning of my journey on the international stage. That is why I wanted to bring both together.

CREDITS AND TEAM:

⁠⁠Gabi Lopes – Model and Executive Producer – @gabilopess

• Matheus Coutinho – Photographer and Creative Director – @matheuscoutinho

• Allison Valentim – Behind-the-Scenes Photographer – @allisonvalentim

• Rodrigo Pinheiro – Set Designer – @pinheirorodrigo

• Brenda Fernandes – Production Assistant – @brendafernandees

• Pedro Kioto – Filmmaker – @kiotoriu

• Ronaldo Júnior – General Assistant – @juniorpety01

• Hair Stylist – João Lom – @joaolom

• Makeup Artist – Victor Hugo – @beautybyvictorh

• Diogo Carvalho – Beauty Assistant – @diogocarvalhomakeup

• Leticia Sampaio – Stylist – @lesampaioo

• Heloísa Puca – Stylist Assistant – @helopuca

• Rafa Carneiro – Look Designer – @rafacarneiro

• Fabiana Arruda – Press Advisor – @fabiarrudaup_

• Victor Santos – Location Producer – @o_victtao

• Special Thanks: @gavioesoficial

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