IN CONVERSATION WITH CAUÃ REYMOND

interview by LEANDRO DA SILVA

Cauã Reymond is an actor and producer with over 20 years of experience in cinema and television. He began his acting career in New York in the late 1990s after an international modeling career that took him to Milan, Paris, and New York. He is known for his versatility and ambition and has starred in major television hits and acclaimed films. He also has expanded his professional activities into producing. His latest project, the Globoplay original series The Playoffs — set to international premiere on 2nd June at SXSW London — is a perfect example of his creative range as a creator, lead actor, and director. In addition to his artistic work, he is an entrepreneur and investor in multiple sectors.

sweater FRANCESCA

Brazilian cinema is finally being seen for its full potential on the global stage. As a Brazilian actor, what does it represent to you to be part of this moment?

I am deeply passionate about Brazilian cinema. We have experienced strong international recognition these past two years thanks to films such as I’m Still Here by Walter Salles and The Secret Agent by Kleber Mendonça. These two films represent us very well. They come on the heels of many years in which we, Brazilian artists, have dedicated ourselves to the seventh art tirelessly, never losing our national identity. 

Since the beginning of my career, I have sought to be involved in projects by Brazilian directors I admire. We have artists of great quality. Over time, I have also become involved in co-producing projects I believe in. Recently, I co-produced A Viagem de Pedro, a film awarded at more than 20 international festivals, in which I play Dom Pedro I. I am very excited about the international premiere of The Playoffs, a series I created, on June 2nd at SXSW in London. The Brazilian release is scheduled for July on Globoplay, TV Globo's streaming platform. I am an enthusiast not only of Brazilian cinema, but also of our entire audiovisual industry.

In Brazil, soap operas often make actors part of people’s everyday lives. How did that level of recognition shape the way you see yourself beyond the screen?

I’m an ordinary guy who enjoys spending time in popular places that I visit regularly, like beaches and waterfalls. They are my favorite outings. I love reading, spending time with my daughter, working, producing. I carry on with my personal life in the city where I live and love. Rio de Janeiro is a privilege. I have also been in psychoanalysis for years, which helps me understand myself within the cycle of visibility that my work brings into my life.

full look JOÃO PIMENTA

As part of the cast of Avenida Brasil, one of Brazil’s most internationally successful productions, how did that experience shape your understanding of global audiences and the way Brazilian stories travel beyond borders?

I have always been an enthusiast of our audiovisual industry, especially the Brazilian experience of making telenovelas. Seeing that story cross so many borders was wonderful. A truthful narrative can connect with any audience, and Avenida Brasil was not only truthful but also brilliantly connected to our Brazilian identity. A melodrama with all the ingredients to create connection. Brazilian stories become universal when they deeply respect our reality. In Avenida Brasil, we talked about family relationships, ambition, love, revenge, themes that are common to all cultures. The secret is always authenticity. The telenovela was sold to more than 130 countries and is now available on streaming. I am very proud and happy to have been part of it.

After more than two decades in the industry, what still challenges you as an actor?

The next character is always the greatest challenge. It is the unknown I will have to dive into again, deeply, with intense dedication and a lot of study. Through the creative process I will discover new things, leaving behind what I already know and what doesn’t interest me at that moment. It’s always a journey into an unknown place. It demands total commitment.

ring PEDRO WAGNER

Was there ever a role that stayed with you, even after the project ended?

I think characters provide us with very valuable discoveries that stay with us for life. But I do not find it difficult to say goodbye to the characters I play.

You started your career in fashion before transitioning into acting. What did that experience teach you, and how does it continue to shape the way you approach a character today?

I started in fashion at a very young age, and it was an important school for me. Working as a model taught me discipline, resilience, and above all, observation. You learn to adapt quickly, to understand the environment, the people, and what is being asked of you, even when no one explains much. To this day, that experience influences my work. The body awareness that fashion gave me, for example, is something I bring into my acting. But the most important thing was that it awakened in me a curiosity to go beyond the obvious. In the end, a character is not just what they show, it’s also what they hide.

full look PRADA

Your image has often been associated with a certain archetype of masculinity. Has your definition of masculinity evolved over time?

Over the years, I have become aware that masculinity cannot be something rigid or limited. Today, I see it as something connected with truth, vulnerability, and respect. Being masculine, for me, is about knowing how to listen, acknowledging mistakes, being present. Acting itself has helped me a lot in this process, because each character forces you to access different emotions, sometimes uncomfortable ones. This breaks certain internal patterns. My perspective has matured a lot over the years. Today, I try to move away from labels and get closer to an idea of humanity. I think that is much more interesting and more real.

full look DOCLE&GABBANA

How do you approach aging in an industry that is still highly image-driven?

I approach aging more naturally today. Of course, the industry is very image-driven, that’s part of our work. But over time, I have realized that what’s most interesting is precisely what comes with age - repertoire, life experience, depth. Acting is one of the few professions we can practice throughout our entire adult lives. So instead of fighting time, I try to move along with it, bringing more truth to my characters and to myself. And maintaining a very disciplined self-care routine focused on my health.

sweater MINHA VÓ TINHA
shirt PRADA
pants and belt FORCA

Do you feel pressure to maintain a certain physical standard, or have you redefined that relationship with your image?

There is always pressure, it would be dishonest to say otherwise. But I have reframed it. I have always been very disciplined, but today, taking care of my body comes much more from a place of health and well-being than from meeting external expectations. When you shift that perspective, everything becomes lighter. Image becomes a consequence, not the main goal.

ring PEDRO WAGNER

Is there one film director you would especially like to work with?

There are many directors I admire, both in Brazil and abroad. It’s hard to choose just one, because each has a very particular universe. But I’m especially interested in filmmakers who work deeply with characters, who explore human contradictions. That’s the kind of project that excites me as an actor.

ReYou marks a new chapter in your career. What motivated you to create something beyond acting?

ReYou was born from a personal desire. I have always been very interested in health, well-being, and longevity. At a certain point, I wanted to turn that into something more concrete, something that could impact other people. For me, it was a way to expand my work beyond art, creating something with purpose and real connection to people’s daily lives.

While ReYou clearly marks an important focus for you right now, are there any other projects or ideas you’re currently developing that you can share with us?

I remain fully involved in acting, reading scripts, developing projects. That remains my main axis. At the same time, I like to allow myself to explore other areas, learn new things, challenge myself. There are some ideas that I prefer to mature further before I talk about them, but I can say that interesting things are coming ahead.

full look FORCA

TEAM CREDITS:

talent CAUÃ REYMOND
creative direction and styling ALEXANDRE DORNELLAS
photography JONATHAN WOLPERT
hair and makeup WILL VIEIRA
videography FELIPE FRANCO
fashion production KAIO BERGUER and FERNANDA MANDUCA
video assistant PHILIPE MARTINI
video editor GABRIEL VALLE
sound effects LEONARDO PIMENTEL
retouch ROMULO KOERICH
styling assistant AYANA ALECRIM
photography assistant NICOLAS P ARFENOVAS
lettering JOÃO GABRIEL OLIVEIRA
executive production CAMILA GODOI and MAWE PRODUCTIONS
executive production assistant ANA ABU KAMEL
special thanks to JANEIRO HOTEL and CEDILHA BAR
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview LEANDRO DA SILVA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN