We’re at Soho House Rome, a space designed to welcome and bring together all forms of creativity and communication—people with the most diverse interests and backgrounds. It has become a cultural hub and a cornerstone of Rome’s artistic scene.

We’re here with Federica Zacchia, whose philosophy of artistry and the concept of “home” resonates deeply with her life and work. Federica is a multifaceted artist, creative director, talent, actress, presenter, and writer (though she prefers to think of writing as something deeply personal). But to us, Federica is also “home,” as she is to all her friends, with whom she shares the most important pieces of her life.

We’re here with Fede to talk, quite simply, about life: loss, the ability to let failure flow, her new project “Babes,” and how therapy, as she says, saved her life.

We’re also here to discuss bodies and the twisted thoughts we often direct toward them—thoughts that sometimes linger like background noise we can’t escape. For Fede, however, this is a moment of peace, reflected in her body and the freedom to move it as she wishes.

We’re here, and, as always, with her, we’ve created a whole world.

I saw that your latest project, the talk show “Babes,” just came out. Are you happy with it?

Very much so. It’s a work in progress and something entirely new for me, which means it’s full of flaws. But it’s also a project where, for once, I feel like the protagonist of my own journey, and that’s very important to me. Being a host or presenter of podcasts or radio shows has never been my job, so this is a first for me, and I’ll learn by doing it—which gives me a bit of anxiety. The show itself is an experiment because it airs on Radio Rai on a very young channel called No Name, but you can also watch it on Rai Play, and it’s available on Spotify.
Nicole Russo and I are the hosts, and we invite singers and actors, mainly, as guests. At some point, I’d love to invite “unknown” people too, but it’s not the right time yet. The full name of the show is “Babes – Nobody Puts Us in a Corner”, a nod to “Dirty Dancing”, because we talk to guests about moments when they’ve felt “put in a corner,” whether professionally or personally.

It’s beautiful because the conversations tend to grow more intimate, and we uncover unknown sides of our guests’ lives.

Has there been a story shared by one of your guests that particularly struck you?

More than a specific story, some guests turned out to be very different from what I expected! For example, I thought musician Boss Doms would be a bit more reserved, but he completely surprised me—he was the opposite. Imagine, the first question we asked him was, “When have you felt put in a corner?” and he opened up so much, talking about his separation from his wife, his parents… And here I was, thinking we’d talk about techno music! [laughs].
We also ask guests to present themselves through their phones, so we ask what they’ve saved on Instagram. Boss Doms had saved baby food recipes, motivational quotes about fatherhood, and nothing about music!

And you? When have you felt “put in a corner”?

After the Centro Sperimentale (the National Film School in Rome), which was the first thing I did after high school—a wonderful period—I experienced a significant moment of difficulty. I started doing a lot of things but lost my dad during that time, so it was a challenging moment from every perspective. I was acting while also managing theater spaces as a creative director, involving theater directors in running workshops. I also rented out three apartments to tourists, worked in Valeria Solarino and Giulio Scarpati’s theater company (with which we toured nationally for five years), contributed creatively to friends’ social media profiles, and organized events as a PR because I knew many people.
However, doing so many things at once, I felt my identity was very fragmented, and I didn’t recognize any of these activities as truly mine. That’s why I’d define that period as a “corner moment,” though over the years, it shaped who I am today. I think my strength lies in having many talents, all belonging to the same world, which makes me a multifaceted artist.

“I felt my identity was very fragmented, and I didn’t recognize any of these activities as truly mine”

I imagine figuring out your place wasn’t easy. I can relate, as it’s been hard for me to find a direction while staying true to myself.

Exactly. I felt like I was wasting so much energy on projects where I saw myself as a participant but not as someone with an “identity.” It felt like I was “giving away” my energy. Over time, I realized that period was a crucial step to becoming who I am now. I had to stop doing certain draining jobs and focus on structuring my work around what I loved.
Even now, I do many things, but roles like the creative direction of Your Mood and working in radio were the first where I thought, “If I hadn’t been here, it would’ve been a mess.”

That made me realize I’m in the right place.

What makes you say yes to a project today?

The environment and people involved are crucial; I’ve learned that through experience. A project also needs to excite me, like Your Mood did, for instance. I joined initially working on small creative aspects, but within a couple of years, I became creative director, meaning no campaigns bypass me. My journey has been beautiful but steep and fast, and the team has always been key. Over time, the people I work with have proven they’re empathetically aligned with me, so we work well together: they believe in me, and I’ve never had trust issues with them.

Plus, I have so much fun at work. Knowing I’ll enjoy myself is another vital factor when deciding on a project. That’s true for “Babes,” too: the radio team is fantastic. From our first meeting, I could tell they were super cool, fun, and trustworthy.

What’s your relationship with failure?

I’ve experienced failure many times. When you think about it, I’ve taken so many different paths, so the percentage of failure was automatically higher than average. I’ve failed at plenty of things, but the silver lining is that, despite fearing failure (I struggle with performance anxiety and feel a lot of responsibility), I always learn from what happens.

One thing I’ve learned is not to fight against what happens to us. For example, I stepped away from my acting career because my path led me elsewhere. If I had resisted, it would’ve been exhausting and frustrating. By going with the flow, I found a passion for my current work, carrying my past experiences with me without feeling the weight of failure. It’s just a part of life that brought me here, to do what I love the way I love doing it.

“One thing I’ve learned is not to fight against what happens to us”

How do you feel about cinema now? Does it still play an important role in your life? For me, watching a film feels almost cathartic, something I hold dearly. Is it the same for you?

Absolutely. I still have a passion for going to the movies and experiencing it as a collective moment. I much prefer going to the theater over watching a series at home. Watching films at the cinema is a moment of collective emotion—where you turn everything off, your thoughts and phone, and focus entirely on the screen. For me, too, cinema is cathartic, partly because watching a film means stopping—which is incredible for me [laughs]—and entering an intimate space. That’s why I also enjoy going alone. Of course, films also inspire my work, so I partly get carried away by the stories and partly think technically, in a way oriented toward my job.

It happens to me too, a friend once told me, “In my opinion, you guys never have a free moment, because even when you’re watching a movie, you’re thinking about how much you’d like to shoot something that way or interview that actor, etc. Your mind never stops.” And that’s exactly how it is!

Exactly, me too! I always focus on the product placement, the aesthetics, the cinematography, and I get distracted from the plot! However, I always manage to get involved in the end because I really love getting moved by films, taking that moment for myself to reflect on afterward, when I leave the theater. I’m in love with this art.

You and I have often talked about psychotherapy, about our journeys. How important has it been for you in your life to take this path? How has it “changed” you?

Psychotherapy saved my life.

The first time I thought, “I’ve done something that’s mine,” was when I wrote a book four years ago—a little biography in short chapters that I wrote during lockdown as something that would remain just for me. But then I was offered the chance to publish it, and I agreed, partly on the advice of my therapist. She encouraged me to do it because I would put my name on it, and it would be my first work that truly spoke about me, where I was the protagonist, making the choices. From that book onwards, I found “my center” professionally.

On a personal and emotional level, psychotherapy helped me overcome challenges brought on by some sudden losses I experienced. I tend to somatize a lot, and during that tough period, my body suddenly changed—I gained a lot of weight. All the anxiety I was carrying deeply affected my self-esteem and even my career, which is one where physical appearance “matters.”

It was a nightmare to go through this physical transformation where I no longer recognized myself, especially since I had done competitive artistic gymnastics for many years. My body had always been a strength for me, so the sudden change devastated me. I judged myself so harshly and constantly felt the judgment of others. The process of accepting myself was incredibly difficult, but therapy helped me immensely. Now, years later, I can say that it was a complicated journey of self-love, but one that I feel has changed me for the better.

“a complicated journey of self-love“

And now, what would you say your body means to you? Do you feel at home in it?

Unfortunately, it’s still an ongoing issue. At the moment, I feel very calm and good about myself—I’ve made a big transformation, both physically and mentally. But I can’t say it’s not a persistent thought. I don’t have memories of periods where I wasn’t thinking about what I was eating, although now my relationship with my body has improved a lot: I don’t judge myself anymore, even if it’s still a constant thought.

To me, that thought sometimes feels like background noise—it’s always there. Sometimes you can ignore it more; other times, it takes up more space in your mind…

Yes, and that has a big impact on the kind of energy I bring to my work and personal life.
I remember periods, luckily far behind me now, when I didn’t even want to attend events because I thought, “Oh my God, they’re going to take a picture of me.” I used to have these “heavy” thoughts all the time. Now, though, I actually enjoy thinking about what to wear, playing with styles and hair, doing photoshoots. Back then, I’d finish a photoshoot and need a whole week to recover from the anxiety-induced headaches.

What’s been the best “fuck you” of your life?

You know, I’m not sure? “Fuck you” moments aren’t really my thing. Honestly, it’s a problem because I have a hard time saying no, for instance. Only recently have I started to value myself, unfortunately, because I’ve always struggled to set boundaries.

We’re here doing this shoot at the Soho House Rome, which is such a special place for you. How did it become so important in your life? And how do you experience this “second home”?

Well, as you know, when we were deciding on the location for this shoot—which was supposed to feel intimate—there were two options: either my actual home, where I live, or my artistic home, which at the moment is Soho House Rome.
When I had that “professional awakening” we talked about earlier, Soho became my second home, first of all, because I felt desired there in a way. The team managing it got to know me, liked me, and made me feel welcomed and valued, which is why I started going there. Over time, Soho became an important cultural hub in Rome, a place where many different people and projects came together. Simply put, my closest friend and my whole group of friends—which, luckily for me, overlaps with my artistic circle—frequent Soho. It’s a space that lets you work on yourself and also seize opportunities to collaborate with others, which is fundamental and super stimulating for me.

It’s a hub for events, ideas, and projects that have become incredibly valuable to the Roman art scene—a true point of reference.

“Soho became my second home, first of all, because I felt desired there in a way”

What role does writing play in your life?

I really love writing; it’s something I find essential. It’s not my job, but I’ve always been interested in it. For example, my book started as something I intended to write just for myself.
Writing has always been a fun activity for me precisely because it’s never had an ulterior motive—it’s never caused me performance anxiety.

My writing style reflects who I am: it’s unpolished and very spontaneous. My book, for example, is full of little bits in Roman dialect, a mix of first and third person, and a somewhat chaotic structure. In short, writing is a fundamental part of my life and I’m happy isn’t the centerpiece of my career.

What makes you laugh the most?

I’d say the moments I share with my group of friends. They make me feel good—my friends are my foundation. They’re essential for me to enjoy both my work and my life outside of it.

What’s your biggest fear?

Loss. Both personal loss, since I’ve certainly had traumatic experiences and relational loss. For example, I fear the unraveling of relationships or certain work situations. That’s why I’m incredibly good at not losing anything—I even have a tattoo with the word “End” crossed out because endings are just not for me. Instead, for example, I’ve transformed past romantic relationships into important friendships.

“End“

What’s in your “Favorites” folder right now?

My friends; everything creative, like photography, music, and cinema, because lately, I’ve been reconnecting with the arts I grew up with and spending time with people who have a strong sense of creativity—which feels like oxygen for me. A vibrant emotional life that makes me feel good. Lots of travel, which I want to dive into headfirst: “Books, travel, and theater are things we never pay for,” as my father used to say to make me feel free to enjoy those experiences as much as I wanted.

What book are you reading right now?

Unfortunately, I’m not reading anything at the moment. I’m doing a lot of things that enrich me culturally and artistically, but I can’t seem to stop long enough to read. I can’t sit still. I go through phases; right now, for example, I’m watching a lot of films.

For me, reading often reflects the moment I’m living in. I read a lot when I need to disconnect from reality and isolate myself. Reading is incomparable; it takes you to another world, and nothing else exists around you.

Yes, I agree—that’s the beauty of reading. I think I’m blocked in that sense right now because I’m in a phase where I feel an energy inside me that doesn’t let me dive into reading.

And what song would describe this particular moment in your life?

I’d say songs with a kind of “sparkle” to them, like the soundtrack of “Juno”—music with an underlying sense of joy, because I’m in a very serene period. That said, my playlist is very eclectic, like me.

What’s the latest thing you’ve discovered about yourself?

I’ve discovered that I find beauty especially in simple things. Unfortunately, I spent a lot of time being drawn to complicated and challenging things—suffering through paths I thought were the only ones that could be fulfilling.

But now, I’ve realized that the simplest and most spontaneous things are the most beautiful.

Photos & Video by Johnny Carrano.

Makeup & Hair by Sofia Caspani.

Styling by Eleonora Gaspari e Alessandra Caponegro.

Location: Soho House Rome.

Total Look by Saelf.