# Maia Reficco

## Actress & Singer

I’ve been in my romance era for a sec (just take a look at my Goodreads), and watching _La Dolce Villa_ has only increased my need for meet cutes, yearning, and a happy ending. Thankfully, this film had all of the above. Chatting with actress and singer [Maia Reficco](https://www.instagram.com/maiareficco/) (she/her), I got to hear what it was like behind the scenes, whether or not Maia can flip a villa around like her character, and what rom-com she thinks you should watch next.

**You got to experience Italy IRL while making this movie. What was that like?**  
It was incredibly immersive. We were in Rome for two months and then in Tuscany for three weeks—and it was a dream come true. I just fell in love with Italy, their culture, their point of view on life, and how they approach work. I loved it to the point that I’ve now been taking Italian lessons for a full year! So, yes, obviously it was ridiculously gorgeous, but even more than that, it was very informative to who I am and what I love to surround myself with.

**Your character Olivia just wants to be a DIY girlie as she tries to restore an old villa. (Ya know, the usual.) Do you DIY anything yourself?**  
I’m terrible at DIYs [_laughing_]. I’m only good when it comes to anything that requires being precise like playing instruments. If I tried to DIY a house, I would probably burn it to the ground within the first week somehow. But knowing me, I would love to say that I would want to do it, and then I would get there and be like, “Oh, this is so hard. God, what do I do?” I know my limitations, and DIY is one of them.

**We’re suckers for a good father-daughter relationship. What was it like creating that with Scott Foley?**  
It was fun to parallel our own dynamic with the characters’ dynamic as they rediscovered their father-daughter relationship. We were lucky to get along so well from the get-go, and I appreciate that he would make a lot of space for me. He would hear me out whenever I wanted to be heard and would encourage me to speak up when I needed to. Also, I loved his stupid dad jokes—they were so bad that they made me laugh. I’m so glad that I got to meet him through this.

**We really need more rom-coms we can watch with the whole fam. Have any recs?**  
My favorite rom-com is _Notting Hill_. I’m a sucker for every aspect of it. My other favorite movie doesn’t have anything to do with romance, but I would watch it with anybody: _Coraline_.

**And we have to ask: Do you have a fave Italian dish?**  
The things I would do for a carbonara in Rome right now. Actually, I’m pissed off because I can’t have it every day of my life [_laughing_].

_Ciao_ for now 👋,

[_Chloe Trout, associate managing editor_](https://www.instagram.com/chloegracetrout/?hl=en)