BILFPOD - Summer House's Andrea Denver: It Was Never About Modeling

Episode Date: October 15, 2026

Italian model and Bravo star Andrea Denver, known for “Winter House”, “Summer House” and “In the City”, opens up about the man behind the reality TV personality everyone thinks they know. He shares how he came to the United States to study for a master’s in communication and was scouted by Wilhelmina Miami instead, landing a Jennifer Lopez music video as his very first job, and how his friends back in Italy found out from paparazzi photos. Andrea talks about earning his green card through his own work, getting stuck in Italy when the borders closed in 2020 just before “Winter House”, and why reality TV is the one place he gets to be completely himself. He speaks honestly about the moment he walked out of a heated conversation on camera, watching close friends’ marriage fall apart in real time, and where he draws the line between fair criticism and online hate. Recorded just weeks before he and his wife Lexi welcomed their daughter, Andrea opens up about growing up an only child with parents who became his best friends, the life he’s building beyond modeling, from creative direction to a New York café and real estate, the streetwear line that didn’t make it, and the lesson from his doctor father he still lives by. After more than a decade in front of the camera, he reveals why fame was never the goal, and why he doesn’t mind walking out the door when it’s time.

Your friends are thinking you're there going to school and next thing they know they see you with J-Lo going viral. That's crazy. So when I was at the university, I was working at the Milan flagship store at the entry. I was like one of those guys, Shirless, Winter, Summer, Spring all year long. They were sending all those girls into the house because they wanted me to fall for one of them. But when you're filming, you're not filming five minutes. You're filming for hours. And then you watch maybe what? Minute, two minutes. I did those kind of decision. in the past because I put my relationship first. Nothing that you're embarrassed about, right?

Nothing. Yes, there's some fun stories and stuff. Welcome back to the BiltFod where authenticity trumps authority here on the Biltpod. We love to highlight women in the boardroom to icons, to business owners and founders, to reality TV, to models. Well, I am so excited about today's guests. We have a model reality TV star designer. I mean, I don't think there's anything this guy doesn't do.

So welcome to the Billspot, Andrea. Welcome. Woo! Hello, Mara. Thank you for having me. I'm very happy to be here. And, you know, I'm ready. I can tell.

So you have so much going on from Italy and then come, you know, you're in Italy one day. Miami, the next model for, what did I see for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein in Taylor Swift videos? I mean, who are you over here? What's going on? I mean, I actually never did Calvin Klein. I wish I did, but Ralph Lauren was good and Taylor Swift was good. I've been in the United States for almost 13 years now. I mean, a few months going to be 13 years.

We went by so fast. And everything happened out of the blue because I finished university in Italy, study communication. I came to the United States to study a master in communication because then I was planning to go back to school for two more years for getting a journalism degree. But as soon as I got to the United States, I was in Miami, I got scouted by Wilhelmina, Miami.

And, you know, my life took a big turn. And I started doing so many other things. Was that like, you know, I always want to ask, there's reality TV stars or models or all of a sudden, like, you're just like, not ordinary, but, you know, you're just Andrea. and then the next day you're literally like on, you're on stages, you're on screen. I mean, what's that like for you to go from just, you know, just being a guy that's coming in the U.S. to get his degree to all of a sudden, like, an icon?

I mean, I got to say that it wasn't that big of a change. Maybe because of my personality, maybe for other reason, I feel like, you know, first of all, it wasn't a big change for me coming to the United States because I have family in the United States. So, you know, I've been coming my entire life. So I would say it was pretty accustomed to the lifestyle here. Of course, one thing is coming as a tourist. One other thing is living in the United States.

But I was pretty familiar. I was already familiar with Miami. I was familiar with L.A. where I moved after. And then I was familiar with New York, where I ended up spending most of my time. Also, when I used to be in university, I was like, I don't know if you remember. Do you remember Abercrombing Fitch used to have those. shirtless guy at the entry. So I used to...

Yeah, so when I was at the university, I was working at the Milan flagship store at the entry. I was like one of those guys, shirtless, winter, summer, spring, all year long. And so I was kind of accustomed and used to, you know, people coming there, taking photos. Even if I was... I never really modeled before coming to the United States. I still had some experience, so I felt pretty comfortable.

And just crazy that my first job was like J-Lo video, J-Lo music video. And, you know, that was kind of crazy because I remember as soon as we film it, the day after, there was a lot of paparazzi shot of me and this other guy with J-Lo on a yacht. And people were thinking that was the music video for the World Cup, because that year there was the 2014 War Cup forgot where it was but yeah but J-Lo was like filming the video for that work cup but she filmed it the day before in Fort Lauderdale that was another song the one we were filming but I remember those

photos went all over the world and I have all my friends back in Italy friends family texting me because nobody knew I was actually because I left to go for studying and nobody but my but my parents knew that I actually got scouted and I started like modeling. So it was, it was quite interesting. Yeah. So your friends are thinking you're there going to school and next thing they know they see you JLo going viral. That's crazy. Yeah, because it was so new. So I didn't even know how to approach it. I didn't even know what was happening. But it was literally my first job. So I got caught out, you know, out of the blue and I didn't expect.

that and yeah so that was how they found out but yeah my no my parents knew right away because uh you know they weren't with me when i got scouted but they were with me until the week before so you know and plus you know i talked to them about everything we have a great relationship but yeah that's how my friends find my friends found out about me be a model so let me ask you something so now you're a model do you did you ever complete your degree did you ever do that or you just No, so I mean, I finished my communication degree, so I got that. And, you know, that was already something I was really happy about it because I went, I loved it. I did it really well.

So that made me feel really comfortable when I start modeling because also my dad, you know, my dad is a doctor, you know, my mom is a university teacher. So it's both people that studied, you know, and they build a. careers out of what they studied for and they both did really well in their fields but they were my dad was really supportive and said you know you already got a degree so you know you're good I got the chance to got a working visa to be in the United States so it was like you know just go with it and see how it goes I didn't expect that after 13 years I still would be here got a green card got married to an American citizen And I love to make sure that I didn't have to get married to get my green card.

I got my green card before I got married. Because, you know, sometimes people think. Just in case. Just in case. Yeah, just in case. I actually got my green card because of work achievements after eight years that I was in the United States. So, you know, like I'm really proud of saying that. And then after two years I got my green card, I also got married with my wife where, you know,

I'm expecting a child. So, thank you. So, yeah, United States has become even a bigger part of my life. As I told you, I used to visit as a kid, but now it's like, you know, it's been my full life for the last 13 years. I love that. And just, you know, for clarification, Andrea was a citizen prior to getting married, just so anybody, in case anybody.

A resident. A resident, sorry. Yeah, next year is going to. Yes, yes. going to be five years next year. And hopefully I can apply for naturalization. But yeah, I like to say, and I'm very proud about it, that I didn't have to go through marriage. I mean, nothing against who goes with marriage, but I had to go, I did it because of work achievements. And I'm very proud of that. I love that for you. So, okay, so let's, so let's talk about being in Winterhouse.

So now you're modeling, like, where does that come in? So you're modeling, you're hanging out with Jalo, Taylor Swift, and then Winterhouse, this whole reality show comes. How did that work out? Yeah, I mean, it's funny because long story short, I was already living in the United States for six years, actually, almost seven. I already did two reality shows before because I did a little, a little bit of the circle in the UK at the end of 2019. Then I did Celebrity Big Brother in Italy in 2020.

And after Celebrity Big Grutter, I got stuck in Italy for a few months because I still didn't have my green card. They closed down the borders. I only had a working visa. And they didn't even let anybody coming back into the United States if you didn't have a green card. But out of the blue, this friend of mine, a promoter in New York City, call me and, you know, and he was like, bro, you know,

I have this show that I'm casting for there is some of your friends already doing it because it's funny because all those actually does reality TV shows are really genuine there's connection in within the cast so like bravo's really strict about that so there was actually a bunch of people that I'd been knowing for years so that was really really nice it was like I think you would be perfect are you single and you know back then I was single and I was like, yeah, I mean, could you take a few interviews, like a few interviews via Zoom? And I was like, yes, but I'm stuck in Italy right now. I was like, don't worry about it.

Like, you know, it's going to be in a few months. And we'll figure it out. So I started doing these interviews. Also, because my friend, from what I remind me from my days, there's a young 22, 22, 23, 25 years old in New York City. you know, I had my charm and stuff. So he thought that I was a good fit for this new show in the house. So I did all the casting. You know, I talked about my friends and everything.

And, you know, they thought I was a good fit. So I got a special permit to come back to the United States. And there I was, like, ready to film the new show. And then, you know, I created even stronger. relationship with a lot of my friends, castmates, and then I filmed summer hours after a few months. Yeah, what would you say is your greatest experience from being on reality TV? I got to say that I say that all the time. I honestly enjoyed filming every show that I've been on. Because first of all, that's what I was saying, like, Bravo shows on that are pretty, like, they're very genuine about.

the fact that people are connected with each other. So you're like feel comfortable because you're also with people that you know. And filming, I got to say, it's always been fun. Watching it back has some up and down. I can't really complain about too many downs, but sometimes it can be a little bit different than how it was. But, you know, it's part of that word, so it's fine. But I really enjoy filming.

always have a great time. We always have some genuine fun moments, a lot of great memories. And it's nice because I can just be myself. That's what I like. You know, sometimes on social media, you know, people do stories, do all of that. Sometimes you've got to force it a little bit because, you know, like the fact that you got to grab a phone and talk to the phone, you kind of get into a persona. I mean, it still can be you. I'm not saying that it can be you, but still something, oh, I got to film this, so let me get on the phone. On reality TV, you're literally like just in a room, in a place, wherever you are, and you have all these cameras filming you so you can be yourself. And I really love that about reality TV, because I'm just, it's just

me being me in the moment, enjoy what I'm doing, being emotionally if I'm being an emotional in that moment, just being my authentic self. And I really love that. Also, it's one of the reason why I rather do, I rather do, I mean, now I'm married and everything, but I always wanted to do a more docureality, a contest reality, rather than a dating reality, because, you know, I got asked for many dating reality throughout the years. But I never wanted to do that, because, you know, when you do a dating reality, there's kind of a goal, which is, you know, dating someone or something like that, and I never felt that would have been something for me because you don't know if you're going to like that person. I mean, I know that it's the whole goal to, you know,

trying to like someone and those kind of shows. But I feel like it would be less authentic than just be on a do reality where I can just be myself and do whatever I want. Now, are you going to let the baby watch it when they're older? I mean, so far so good. I feel like so far so good. I'm pretty decent on a pretty decent reality. Nothing that you're embarrassed about, right? Yes. Yes. There's some fun stories and stuff. I feel like maybe we've got to wait until she's going to be maybe 14, 15, because there's some PG stories, but nothing honestly to be really ashamed of.

So I feel like she will be able to watch it one day. Now, you say that reality TV is pretty much reality. Did you ever feel like, you know, was there ever a struggle being like the model, Andrea, the, you know, the character? I don't want to say character, but I feel like there is characters that are painted on reality TV. Like, as real as it is, there's always like an antagonist, protagonist. There always is. Do you ever, did you ever, like, struggle with your identity?

Like, who, like, am I this person? Am I the model? Like, who am I? No, because to be honest with you, I don't really care, meaning that I don't want to, I never forced anything. I, in stone will I am. I mean, I don't know if people do our stories of people forcing it. as you said, like a character, like, you know.

Also, like there's, as you said, because the show, there's always like maybe a villain, a sort of villain, you know, some. But for me, I always try to be as authentic as possible to who I am, not really caring. I just want to bring to the table who I am. So if I speak, I speak because I feel like speaking in that moment. If I feel like joking, doing something goof,

I do it because I want to be that. I want to do that in that moment. Of course, sometimes I struggle with this idea of, you know, just being the hot guy. So, you know, that's like kind of like the main goal, even if it's not a dating show, but, you know, he's a odd guy, so he should be single dating around. But, you know, if that's not who I am in that moment,

I'm not going to force that. So that's the only little struggle I could say. Because also like when I did the Celebrity We Brada, which is a completely different show than Bravo shows, they were still trying to make me like they were sending all those girls into the house like because they wanted me to, you know, fall for one of them. But I never did it because I, you know, I didn't feel like also I was in a relationship back then. So I would have never like done that. But yeah, I feel like they always. try that to kind of portray me like that but at the same time i was also able to just be myself and

do what i wanted fair enough so i know you have like a reputation of being loving and calm but there was an instance when kenny made you snap so was that like was that was that was that like a real thing or like oh yeah it was very was very unusual i mean honestly i've been talking about i i did a few interviews about it. It was an for me that reaction was just because I was trying to explain myself. Clearly, it wasn't in war mode. I said something that he didn't say and apologize for it because, you know, it was more than fair for me to apologize him because he didn't say that word that I used, which was the word marque. So I apologize for that. But then he was really focused on that word when the whole question was about something else. And I was saying, okay,

I already apologize for murky. I apologize multiple times for it. Can we move forward and talk about what is the real issues here? What you said about like, you know, this doubt in the spark, whatever it was said, can we focus on that? And no, it would keep going back at this murky thing. So on one point, I was like, you know what? I can't talk to a wall because, you know, you're trying, like, instead of like dealing with what is the, what was the main cause of everything, you're focused on something else, which I already told. you that you didn't say and I apologize for you know I didn't want to hurt me out I don't know like it was a really chaotic moment for because it was a group moment so it was a lot other people around so it's not a snap I said you know I'm not going to I mean I snap compared to my usual calm self it was definitely like a little bit but I was like you know I'm not going to talk to a wall a wall so I'm out so I just left but then you know yeah we had the chance to sit down talk how many about it and we're great we're great you know I have nothing against Kenny actually is

really likable guy and we got a lot with uh with his girlfriends and my wife so everything is good but in that moment I was like you know I was trying to talk B and he was answering A yeah so it was all caught on camera yeah I got frustrating um also like you know the way that they put it together it was like very intense but you know it was all good and now you guys are now have you seen him since have you guys oh yeah yeah yeah we went out a lot after yeah yeah no we were fine right the water on the bridge yes after a week we were fine but it also understood i understood and he admitted i mean i i don't think he made the cat with the cut but he admitted that you know the old situation could have been handled in a much better way but you know it's what happened it was in the moment we

we got it, we explained each other, and we moved on. Did the show producer or somebody kind of like, I had another reality show star on, and what she was saying is that sometimes they ignite it, they ignite the fire a little bit more. Not necessarily, they're not the ones that start it, but they ignite it. Like they add some fuel to that. I can't break the fourth. I'm just going to give you this answer. I'm not going to break the fourth.

That should be more than enough. That's fair, that's fair, that's fair, that's fair. You were at Kyle and Amanda's wedding, so I know this is like a big thing. How hard is it to film an entire season knowing their marriage is falling apart in real time? I mean, it was a heartbreaking, I got to say. And these are good friends of yours, right? Oh, yeah, absolutely. Today is actually Kyle's birthday.

And I wish you a happy birthday, Kyle. Yeah, happy birthday, Kyle. It was really heartbreaking, to be honest with you, because, First of all, I'm a big fan of love. That's what I always say. So I know that they always, yeah, I mean, I know they always said they're up and down. But I was always a firm believer they could have overcome all of that and move on. And, you know, hopefully having a family, having kids.

So seeing that in real time, first row. because I've seen them fighting throughout the years, but I never saw the load that we experienced last fall. And I was still hoping for them to find a way to make it work. We all were hoping for that. But I guess they got to a point of no return. And probably was for the best. I mean, looking back, they both seem happy in their situation.

I mean, Kyle is enjoying his DJ live. enjoying probably single life. I don't know. I mean, whatever is doing, and I'm very happy to see him thriving. It seems really relaxed. And I'm sure Amanda is enjoying her new relationship, even though she, you know,

the situation could have been in an handle in a better way, but I think probably they're better off. So probably wasn't meant to be, I guess. But it was really our breaking in the moment. A lot of us were really sad because we were trying, trying to help them out. Also, like, we were trying to support this idea of, like, moving out from each other. Because, you know, Amanda moved out from the apartment with the idea of, like, dating each other, trying to reignite that spark. It didn't end up being the case.

But, yeah, we were all really supportive. And we were also, like, sad when, you know, we found out about them breaking up. and, you know, separating. Yeah, I'm sure it puts you in a compromising situation because, you know, sometimes the media wants to highlight the relationship more than your friendship. So was there ever a time where you felt like being his friend or being their friend kind of compromised, you know,

kind of compromised a relationship? And like, where do you draw the line where people are trying, you know, they're coming at you, they want to know a lot about this couple or even about your own personal life. So where do you draw the line on? where you're finally like, there's a boundary between what's personal and what's made for TV. I don't know. It's hard. It's a good question, honestly.

The problem is I just feel like that what a lot of people don't understand is that you're filming a reality, you're watching a reality, but the truth is when you're filming, you're not filming five minutes. You're filming for hours. And then you watch maybe what, a minute, two minutes. 10 minutes if you're lucky of a much bigger picture. And a lot of people feel entitled to judge and, you know, to give their own ideas. Listen, I'm all for point of views. I think the beauty of the world is that everybody's different point of views. So it's good to, you know, we go back to ancient Greek.

This is what I study in my days, university stuff. it's good to have a confrontation, but it's good to have a constructive confrontation. So you can have different point of views. You can explain each other. Maybe at the end of the day, you're still not going to be agreeing with the other person, but you come to a genuine confrontation. And then instead, people start offending, people start, like, become nasty with what they say, still start hiding behind a keyboard and all of that.

And, you know, I don't think they should be doing that. yes, you're showing your life on camera, but also I think a viewer should be more aware that you're seeing a fraction of those people's life, you know. You can get an idea, but it's still not a full idea of what's really happening. Yeah, and you also have to sell too. I mean, you know, you have critics out there and you do have to get ratings. So I think people don't understand that. I had another. Yeah, sorry. I mean, honestly, your question, I got more into the viewers. No, no, it's okay. You're good.

I was just asking about the fine line. Is there like a fine line where you're like, you know, there's, I feel like there's always two sides to it. You know, you're trying to make a name for yourself. Obviously, that's why you're on reality TV, right? But then you also have your, like, real personal side. So where do you draw the boundary of like, okay, enough is enough? You know, this is TV, so to speak, and this is my personal life.

I mean, uh. Or don't you? I mean, maybe your open book. You could say that too. Like, I don't really have anything to hide. But I feel like some people, there's like a boundary, you know? I don't know. That's what talking about this, we go back to what we were talking about early.

And when I gave you the reason why I like doing reality TV or I've been liking it so far because I can be myself. I feel like a lot of other people. I mean, this is not me saying that. It's like other people saying that some people rather being getting to a character. so they have a personality when the camera is up. You hear that a lot. So for my experience, usually I feel pretty comfortable. So I can really talk about drawing the line or stuff.

I think whoever does reality TV, they know what they're sent up for, so they know they can't really like, you know, whatever happens, so you're just going to keep doing your own life and not really looking at the comments or looking at blogs. So you got to or if you're hard for you. Is that ever hard for you? Like we're looking at something and you read someone's outlandish comment. And then, you know, I don't, words hurt sometimes. Have you ever experienced that? I mean, I feel like not as bad as other people because I know a lot of my friends get much more heat and hate than I get usually. I mean, so far. But, you know, sometimes it's sad, especially as I was saying before, people get offensive when they get nasty because once again is disagreeing. Disagrein is fine. As I said, at least for me, I understand that you can disagree.

But when you start being offensive and calling people certain ways or like feel like you're, those people, like a lot of people feel like they're in a position that can completely like devalice you without knowing anything about you, I think that's not fair. So fair criticism, especially if you make a mistake, I think it's totally fine. But when you start getting offensive and nasty rewards, I think that's screwed up. Yeah, for sure. And now, I mean, I think you're going to have a whole different perspective because, as you mentioned, you have a brand new baby on the way. So first of all, how do you feel about that, dad?

Are you excited? Is this like super? I mean, that's our priority, honestly. That's going to come first. So whatever decision is going to happen in the future is going to be based on the baby because that's going to be, that's the most. that's the most important thing honestly so every work every kind of like decision is going to be based on the baby I I did those kind of decision in the past because I put my relationship first when I exit summer house so the baby is the first

priority but yes we're very excited we got ready we're a few weeks away and we're really looking forward to meet her and start this new journey. It's definitely going to be umbling in a good way. There's going to be a lot of learning, a lot of new things. But we are both so happy. We talk about it. We talk about it every day. And we hope to be the best examples and best parents to our daughter. So yes, we are fighting. Yes, we are waiting for the big day. And how's Lexi doing? Is she really excited? Is she feeling sick? No, she's been amazing. I got to say I can't really, I mean, even if she wasn't, even if she had like nausea, all of that,

I wouldn't say anything bad, but I'm saying, she's being wonderful. She's being wonderful because she's being so present. She's been never complaining. Even if sometimes she can struggle physically, you know, she's been dealing with a Shadika for the last couple months. Oh, yeah, I know. I had that. It's awful.

It's the worst. I had it so bad. Oh, I couldn't even walk. You know, I feel for her. It's a struggle. I give her massage. I try to be as supportive as I can. But she's been amazing.

Also now with the whole nesting phase, so, you know, getting everything ready for the baby. She's being so in charge and so present. I'm very, I feel very lucky. I always feel lucky to be with her, but I felt even extra lucky. The way she's been dealing with this pregnancy has been amazing.

She's been, since day one, She's been wonderful and super, super involved and present. I've been trying to be as supportive as I can, but she's been even more supportive than I've been. Yeah, it's a new chapter. A new chapter is about to arise, and it's going to be amazing. I have three kids, so I could tell you that having children is the most, I mean, there's just no words to express.

I can't wait for you to see the world through your child's eyes. No, I'm so excited. I'm so excited. It's something I always wanted. So, you know, hopefully we can even have more than one child. I mean, of course, now we focus on the first one, but, you know, we would like to have a bigger family than just one child. But yes, it's something that we both always wanted. So we're very, very excited for this new journey, this new chapter.

Do you come from a big family? I actually don't. I mean, I mean, the family itself is pretty decent size, but I'm an holy child. So I grew up. Yeah, so I grew up very. That's why I was telling you, I'm so close to my parents. They're like my best friends. We talk even, you know, I mean, they come to the United States like three times a year.

And I go to Italy at least a couple times a year. But they, we talk at least an hour per day. No matter which day, no matter like, you know, if I'm working all day, whatever. I always find time for them. Yeah. And so, but they gave me so much love that it's that kind of love that kind of made me ready to be one day a family person, a family man, having a wife, having children. So even if I was an only child, I still would love to have more than one child and build our little legacy together and be the best example of parents for our child, our children. Yeah, I can definitely resonate.

I would also say that there's a lot of pressure being the only child. Like you want to make it, at least for me, I wanted to make my mom so proud. So I was like always that overachiever where I wanted to go above and beyond. Like just mediocrisy wasn't enough for me. You know, it wasn't enough that I had one child. I have three children. It wasn't enough that, you know, I have a degree. I had to get a master's degree.

And that just kind of goes back to, you know, where you're at. So you have, you know, there are reality stars too that. it's great if you're a reality star in my opinion i think that's great but it's what you do after that you know you have this great platform and i know you're doing great things with it you have a suit wear so you have your own so let's talk about that for a second the business part of it so not only just a pretty face but you do have oh yeah never it's been behind it no it's true it's never been uh for me it's never been about modeling because as i said i found myself by mistake doing modeling then of course it's been by mistake in a good way but you know it was something totally random

that it wasn't planned and you know it turned out to be great because you know then I start like my social media started growing I was back in the days it was like one of the biggest like one I know one of the biggest was pretty big social media the early days of Instagram so it was it was a great journey but I never wanted to stop just the modeling also because modern is a lot of waiting around and stuff and you know I went to school I took classic studies before I went to university so for me it was like always like reinventing myself find other ways. Of course, modeling has been a big satisfaction on many ends.

But I wanted more. So I started exploring a few ventures throughout the years. These ventures that I'm doing now, which are the, you know, I'm working for as a creative director for this suits company based in Tennessee. We have the base in Tennessee in Chattanooga, but we also ship worldwide. We have a line that we produce in Italy, which is something that I'm really, really proud of. So all of that, and it's part of my background because I do a lot of the communication part.

So I'm very happy about that role, but then also I invested in a cafe in New York City called Casa Piazza, which has been getting a lot of buzz on social media, but not only, but also like on magazines, New York Times, all of that, because a lot of people have been speaking high of it. And it's been very successful so far. So we... I'm excited. I'm going to try it in two weeks. Yeah, hopefully.

Yeah. We'll try it in two weeks. You should try. Also, we have a good happy hour. We do a very good happy hour. We have Spritz and you can beat those prices. I mean, on the week, the weekday for happy hour, they're sold for five bucks. And during the week and eight bucks, so you can really beat that.

I mean, we have people literally with, that come out with so many because they just love it. And it's very good sprits. It's not like water spreads like you can find around other places in the city. But yeah, I always wanted to just not stop at just modeling. I also like, you know, I told you my dad and my mom, they, as I said, my dad is a doctor. My mom is a university teacher, but also we open a little real estate company. which I've been working like four and maybe that's going to be something that we want to focus later on in life but yes I never I don't like to stop I always like to move forward

learning new things experiencing new ventures but I've been really happy with the suit company and being happy with the cafe and also like I'm very excited about this or real estate thing that we've been doing for the last six years. I think that's really important what you're saying. And I hope the audience resonates with that is that, you know, having a profession is one thing. And let's be honest, like modeling is a, it's a ticking time bomb. There's only so long that you can model.

And reality TV also. So it's taking, you know, it's taking everything you know, plus your degree. And then, you know, also creating passive income for yourself, which is important to and creating the real estate that is not timeless at any. No, exactly. That's why we, you know, as I said, I'm so close to my parents, but, you know, we sat down many years ago. I mean, now it's been definitely many years ago. And, you know, we were like, let's do it. You know, so for the tomorrow for the family. Because, you know, family has always been such a big topic for me. Absolutely. It's always been the priority. I grew up like my parents did everything for me. And everything doesn't.

have to be just materialistic stuff. They tried to give me everything, traveling, and experiencing. I would start traveling since I was a little kid. They took me everywhere. And you realize that, you know, year after year, the more, the older you get. And, and honestly, the older I get, the closer I get to my parents, like, I feel like, I think a lot, like them and stuff that I would have never thought. Yeah. They become your best friend, and then you start to understand them. I get it. I hang out with my mom all the time. I think my mom is the coolest person. And the older I get, the more I realize that there's so much more that she instilled in me. Yes, you relate to them so much. So yeah, family has always been a big thing.

So I really like that all a real estate thing. And also the same time, I didn't want to, social media, reality, modern is all great. It's great to create your own following. But I also tried to don't be depending. That's what I was like, I don't, as I was saying with the dating shows, like, that's why I never did it. I don't like depending from stuff because, you know, reality TV a lot of times, yes, you start a business, but you depend then from the reality TV. Right.

Not always, because, you know, you can just move on. Some people made that, you know, they, okay, reality TV is over, but they can still, like, keep up their business, keep, keep it flowing. doing well with it, but also I didn't want to like be stuck with that. Because even reality TV, I want to be able to go in and out the way I want it. Like, you know, like it was the car. Yeah, versatility. Yes, the case of summer house because one day I might just say, okay, it's not for me anymore.

So you want to kind of like create a solid base that you don't depend from anything by yourself. Yeah. And that's always been a priority. That's why I always look into new stuff. And I also did some things that didn't work out. I had a line. I had a streetwear line a few years ago with a friend of mine, a childhood friend of mine. We're still friends, so that's good.

But we were unable to make it to the next step. So at one point we had to close it. Yeah. It wasn't a big loss, thank God. So that's positive because we were smart with the way we approach it. But still, like, you know, but it was a learning process. Because sometimes even failing. can be a learning process.

I mean, most of the time it should be. If you fail in something, you should be actually learning from it. So that was a great learning lesson. And that's why, like also with the suits, we're a much better, much more cautious approach. But it's very satisfactionary. And, you know, we do really well. So I think it's good to, you know, learn new things,

experiment, keep, you know, trying to, grow, like grow, you should never stop. Also, my dad, that's what he always said is a doctor, but I always ask him, like, you know, he used to go to all this conference and stuff, conventions. Like, why do you do that? I said, because, you know, we keep learning. There's like, you know, medicine keeps evolving. So you got to get, I used to ask him that when I was younger because I didn't understand.

Now I totally understand. But I was like, why do you keep doing all that? I said, because, you know, like, even if I had a degree and I've been practicing, for 30 years, you still got to keep yourself updated and learn new stuff. Yeah. And that's what life is about. What are you doing? For sure.

If you're not growing, then you're stagnant. I'm a firm believer in that. What do you want to be known for, like the legacy that you leave behind? I just want to be, I mean, I would like to be a good family person. That's what I care. Like, I care about and a good friend to my. inner circle. That's what I care. Like, you know, I'm grateful for modeling and grateful for social media. I'm grateful for reality TV. I'm grateful that I build the following. I'm happy, you know,

and sometimes people stop you on the street and that, but it's never been an angle. And that's why I don't mind exiting the door when it's time. I don't really care for that. All I care is about, like, you know, genuine connection, which I think you can build with your family, you can build with your friends. I mean, my group of my really, I have a lot of friends, but my real, like, close friends that I've been having, we go back 25, actually almost 30 years with some of them. I'm 35 years old, and, you know, we go back almost 30 years with a big majority of them. We're talking about a group of 10 friends, and I valued that because we went through everything. and even like if I've been living in the United States for 13 years, we're still always super close.

They come visit, you know, whenever I go to Italy, we spend time together. So, yes, I would like to be a member as a good family man, hopefully a good father and a husband, I hope, and a good friend to those people, because I think those are the relationship that hopefully can last for as long as you live, you know. Of course, if people can remember me as the funny guy on the Bravo show, be happy, but that's not a priority. It's not what I live for. I'll leave for for living a good memory, a good impression to the people that actually had a chance to really know me. So what's next for you? Like, where do you see yourself in the next five years? I don't know. I'm really, honestly, I really excluding reality TV, which I don't know what's

going to happen. I'm really invested in this new role, like in this new role. And what I've been doing for the last two years for working for the suit company really love the real estate also because you know my wife is an interior designer and you know she went to probably the most prestigious school of interior designer and i mean definitely in new york but also in the united states um so and she loves her job and i love assisting her on her job so we've been also renovating a few properties in the last few years so i really enjoy that. You never know maybe one day I can actually have my contractor company.

Yeah, I would love that. Yeah, I would love that. I mean, we love it. I don't want to say we because it's probably mere me, but sometimes I just, I just, I don't watch reality TV, but I love HGTV. Sometimes some of these shows are cheesy. You can say whatever, but it's funny. So I kind of enjoy like, well, I don't watch Bravo as much, but I watch, I kind of

like watching those kind of shows because I'm so much into real estate construction or all of that. But yeah, and hopefully investing in new properties like the cafe. If this experience turned out to be good, why not expanding? So that's the stuff that I care about. Modeling, you know, I'm still, I'm really grateful that at 35 I can still model because, you know, sometimes people can't. So, but that's like, I would say, I don't even think it's. modeling is my main thing anymore. Like a side hustle. Yes.

It's something I enjoy, something I'm grateful for and I still get booked with like in a decent frequent with this decent frequency. So I'm very grateful for it. But at the same time, it's something that I don't, I don't wake up thinking, oh, what is my next modeling gig, you know? I just go with the flow whenever, you know, my agents, I have great agents. They send me stuff. I go with it.

but I don't really, it's not my main focus. But I'll do that as much as I can because I still enjoy being on set and, you know, film, shooting and for different brands and magazines and all of that. Andrea, if people want to find you, where would they find you? I mean, I would say, I'm on all the social media, but I would say the most active one. I mean, I'm on Facebook. I'm on TikTok. I'm on X, but the one that I use the more, the most, the one I interact the most, is Instagram.

I always try to also like answer back to people. And so it's Instagram. Andrea Denver, really easy. So much fun. I had such a great conversation with you. And for those that are watching today, I think the biggest takeaway is, you know, it is okay to differentiate what you're doing.

Actually, it's really important to diversify and understand that, you know, doing one thing in life doesn't define your whole future. So for those of you that enjoy today's conversation, turn into the BILF pod for more amazing conversations. Go ahead and hit that like, subscribe, unlike unsubscribe, I don't care, make a comment, do something. Andrea, it was so nice having you on the Biltf Pod.

I cannot wait to see what you have going on next. Thank you so much for joining me. Thank you, Mara for having me. I had a great time. I'm glad that we got deep into the conversation. Sometimes you don't, then it's depending. But from podcast to podcasts, but I really appreciate your time. And I had a blast.

Thank you for having me.