As a Latin beauty of refined sensuality, the Brazilian actress originally from São Paulo has almost five million followers on social media: in Latin America Débora Nascimento is a diva. Long dark hair and a deep gaze, she began her career in the world of cinema in 2007 as the protagonist of the short film Cérbero, directed by Gastão Coimbra. That same year, she won over audiences with her performance in the telenovela Paraíso Tropical. She has starred in over 15 successful series and telenovelas since then, establishing herself as one of Brazil’s most versatile and beloved actresses. ‘I was drawn to storytelling and the magic of bringing characters to life from a very early age; it’s like stepping into another world, being in another skin, another me, and I knew then that acting was something I couldn’t live without. Of course, pursuing a career in acting came with its challenges. There were moments of doubt and uncertainty, especially when facing the competitive nature of the industry. Balancing auditions, rehearsals and the demands of everyday life required a lot of dedication and perseverance. But I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to connect people and evoke emotions, and that belief fuelled my determination to overcome obstacles along the way,’ shares Débora, featured in the cover story of Next Gen.
«Each setback taught me valuable lessons and pushed me to grow both as an artist and as a person»
From the small to the big screen, she starred in Pacified by Paxton Winters and won a total of 17 awards worldwide, including Best Film at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Her performance in the film earned her the Best Actress award at the 2019 Aruanda Film Festival. She also appeared in Budapeste by Walter Carvalho, and in the film directed by Fernando Meirelles Rio, Eu te Amo, together with Vincent Cassel. ‘The challenges I faced in pursuing this dream only strengthened my resolve and passion for acting. Each setback taught me valuable lessons and pushed me to grow both as an artist and as a person. And now, looking back on my journey, I’m grateful for every experience that has shaped me into the actress I am today,’ continues the 39-year-old artist.
«Miranda’s role challenged me as an actress, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and enabled me to grow both personally and professionally»
Far beyond South America, Débora Nascimento’s success has crossed borders to Europe thanks to her role as Miranda in the 2023 Netflix miniseries Lady Voyeur, which in little time entered the ranking of the ten most watched non-English-language television series in countries such as France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. ‘Portraying Miranda in Lady Voyeur was both a challenging and rewarding experience for me. What drew me to the role was the complexity of the character and the opportunity to explore her psychological depth. Miranda’s role challenged me as an actress, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and enabled me to grow both personally and professionally.’ This is how the Brazilian speaks of her experience in the series that explores themes such as female desire, curiosity and emancipation: ‘Miranda’s story highlights the power of curiosity as a driving force for personal growth and discovery. I hope viewers will be inspired to embrace their own curiosity and pursue their passions fearlessly, just as Miranda does. By depicting her journey, I aim to showcase the complexities of female sexuality and the importance of women embracing their desires without shame or judgment.’
«Having more women behind and in front of the camera created a supportive and collaborative environment where we could fully explore the complexity of female experiences»
A woman for women, not surprisingly Lady Voyeur’s creative team mostly consisted of women:‘Having more women behind and in front of the camera created a supportive and collaborative environment where we could fully explore the complexity of female experiences, including those depicted in intimate moments. It allowed us to approach these scenes with sensitivity and authenticity, ensuring that the characters’ desires and vulnerabilities were portrayed with respect and depth. Moreover, the presence of a different range of women in key creative roles ensured that our voices were heard and respected throughout the production process, especially in the depiction of intimate content. It led to a more nuanced and inclusive portrayal of sexuality, showcasing a variety of perspectives and experiences,’ says the protagonist.
Fascinating, talented and successful, throughout her career Débora Nascimento has played different roles of strong and complex women. When discussing the current situation of women in entertainment, she tells us: ‘In today’s entertainment industry, the role of women is more important and influential than ever before. Women are not only taking on more prominent roles on screen but also behind the scenes as writers, directors, producers and executives. We are shaping narratives, driving creative decisions, and challenging stereotypes and norms. However, there is still work to be done.’
«Performing in the movie while pregnant was a deeply personal and transformative experience, one that taught me the importance of embracing life’s unexpected moments in my craft»
A brilliant and rising career path (in addition to Lady Voyeur, Débora starred in the 2023 serial How to be a Carioca by the director Carlos Saldanha for Star +, and will soon star in Scenes of a Crime, a new original series by Paramount+ Brazil), yet as she confides, the most exciting moment of her career so far has been when ‘I discovered I was pregnant while preparing for a movie role. Despite the unexpected twist, I fully embraced it, channelling the intense emotions of impending motherhood into my character’s journey. Performing in the movie while pregnant was a deeply personal and transformative experience, one that taught me the importance of embracing life’s unexpected moments in my craft.’ Now eight years old, her daughter Bella was born in April 2016 from a relationship with actor José Loreto, who she met on the set of the telenovela Avenida Brasil.
Fully in the midst of her professional and personal success, looking to the future and her upcoming projects, Débora Nascimento is determined and unstoppable, with very clear ideas: ‘My goal is to continue pushing boundaries, taking on different and challenging roles, and contributing to meaningful and impactful storytelling, making a difference somehow.’
Credits
Photographer Claudio Carpi
Stylist Simone Folli
Make Up & Hair Tito Vidal
Stylist Assistants Nadia Mistri, Isabela Malato & Chiara Campanozzi
