Alessio Filippelli

Italian-born Alessio Filippelli, a creative director, producer, and manager, has made waves in the entertainment industry with his innovative ideas and drive to revolutionize the business. At only 25 years old, he has accomplished milestone achievements that compare to many who have worked decades in the industry. He has collaborated with major players such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Halo, Star Wars, and Paramount Plus. Additionally, his name is tied to his work with Kat Graham, contributing to her work in music, television, fashion, and more. His unconventional journey, marked by hard work, resilience against discrimination, and innovation, has shown thar he is a powerful force in the industry and he’s just getting started.

Being so young, how did you get your start? What sparked your interest to work in the entertainment industry?
I’ve always loved films and music. When I was a kid, I remember that I was always directing and guiding other people during my school plays, and I remembered that growing up I was the executive director of my high school plays. Also growing up I’ve been taking classes to learn how to play multiple musical instruments: the piano, guitar, the bass, you name it. I wanted to be part of the industry and realized I wanted to see more representation in this industry, more representation and diversity on screen, but also in music. I also wanted to change some of the schemes and break some of the barriers that are rooted in this industry. I’m intentional and peaky with the projects that I accept to work on, or the clients whom I sign, because at the end of the day, money is nothing and isn’t the driving force that moves you, I aspire to be associated and to work on projects, productions, and people, that can change this world for the best, and make any impact on other people’s lives, for the best to be inspired to follow their dreams and to be the change that they want to see in this world-connecting with millions of people around the world and to inspire other people.

You are very multifaceted, working on a variety of projects in different fields. How do you balance your projects as a creative director, with the business-minded side of work?
I’m good at setting my intentions and manifesting the projects that I want to attract but mostly I’m good at being intentional with my time and where I focus my energy. It depends on what I want to create and what inspires me in the moment, and everything else that comes my way. So, when I feel creative is when I have attracted more of the creative projects I’m working on and the business-minded side of my work. I’m lucky because this allows me to express creativity in many different ways.

One thing that people don’t know is that all the original projects that I created over the years were an extension of what I was experiencing in my life and all the emotions and feelings that I had at the time. Or what I felt I needed to heal and I want to create that space for other people who need to heal like with chats, like Galactica and so on. I think this is the reason why a lot of people connect with my projects, so they can heal the soul of others and because they see themselves in those projects.

You just launched your music label in partnership with Vydia. What made you decide to start this new venture in music? And what do you expect from this new journey?
This was one of the projects that I’ve been working on for the longest time. Billboard decided to cover it exclusively and made the official announcement on Monday, but I’ve worked in the background to build this label for months now. I’ve worked with the company (Vydia) for half a decade now, and what I always loved the most about Vydia is that they operate as a music label and provide artists with all the tools that a music label provides. They protect the artists by giving them all the rights to the music produced under their label, which is not something that a traditional music label does.

When the team at Vydia proposed that I create my own label within their system, I was thrilled to get into this new venture. Nothing is more important for me than being able to support independent artists globally, and to offer a platform to young artists and to give them a chance need a chance to let their talent shine. With my music label, we can provide support to independent artists globally, financing their music videos, tours, radio promo, pitch their music to film and TV shows, and all of that with them being in control of their rights, their image, and their royalties through the whole process.

I want to shift the perception that young artists have about the music industry, I’ve been working behind-the-scenes for my clients, for years and I’ve seen some of the mechanisms that operate behind-the-scenes that make artists scared, limited, and not seen or heard. With my label, we celebrate the artists and we leverage the creativity of their minds.

You are always thinking one step ahead and have made a significant impact on the entertainment industry. From being responsible for the first ever zoom meet and greet, to the idea to release an album as an NFT. What inspires you to be so innovative?
As an artist and a strategist, you have to adapt to changes over the years and you have to pay attention to the feedback coming from the outside and from the public. You need to reinvent yourself throughout your career and to reflect on your projects as you reinvent your career. I find my inspiration from being open minded and not stuck or putting myself into a box. And this allows me to play and experiment with different things. I always look forward to the future and how we can change the rules in this world. I find a lot of my inspiration coming from the public, I spend a lot of time reading the messages and the comments that come from the people who follow me, and I always feel inspired by what they have to say and what they want to see next.

Many of your biggest accomplishments have been alongside your colleague, mentor, and good friend Kat Graham. How did this partnership come to fruition, and what makes you such a dynamic and powerful duo?
I met Kat (Graham) when I was 13 and back then still in the closet, I was insecure and shy and didn’t know what I wanted for himself and the future. I was in a completely different position and situation. When I first met her she saw something in me and gave me an opportunity and the tools, to study, grow, and become the man I am today professionally and in life, when no one else was willing to give me a chance. We became good friends and later business partners, I remember when I was about 16, I joked with her about all the things she was doing wrong, especially on social media. At the time I was doing a completely different job and pursuing a completely different career. Then when I was 18, I had a scary panic attack, because the environment where I worked was homophobic; they always made me feel I was “less” and I ended up being in hospital for almost a week, because I couldn’t breathe, and I had body and muscle pain that lasted days. After this episode she was like “why don’t you just do it yourself? Why don’t you just take it over and help me with the areas you think I could use your help and feedback/” And this is basically how everything started.

I think to answer your question about what makes us such a dynamic and powerful duo is that we love, support, and believe in each other so much and this is the foundation of our relationship, and before anything we just want the best for each other and the other to win. This is probably the secret of success, and all the achievements in business, together in such a short time (four years). I owe her everything I am today and everything that I am able to do today. She’s one of the reasons why I’m blessed to wake up every day with a smile on my face, happy to do what I do.

You consulted and produced Graham’s Worldwide Long Hot Summer Tour in 2022. What was the experience loke working on such a big project on a global scale?
It was a life-changing experience, That was my first time working on a project of that scale. I’ve been the tour manager, the tour coordinator. I did the castings for the dancers, and at some point was the travel agent for 12+ crew members. That was one year of my life. And I was only 23 at the time.

Most people only see the end result on social media but, what they don't see is the hours, minutes, days, and months that it takes to build a project of that scale, sometimes we were touring from one country to another, back to back with no sleep. You are still managing the artist, the crew, and the dancers . There can be no space for distractions or mistakes, There is a sense of responsibility and level of expectations that you feel on yourself coming from the outside, which sometimes can be challenging and affect your personal life and your own mental health. I’ve been on tour for four months and what most people don’t know, because this is my first time talking about it, is that my personal life was falling apart during the tour, but your life doesn’t stop because of it, you are on the grind, and you have to keep moving, there is no space or time for emotions and something that I’ve learned with the other tours that I’ve been producing after LHS, is the importance to keep yourself grounded, focused, and always have an higher perception and connection with yourself to balance your career with your personal life and the importance of setting boundaries. you can’t really understand the way that being on tour, and the pressures you get by the world outside, but also all the blessings and all the incredible experiences that come from it, can change you and shape the next moves in your life and career, unless you’ve been part of one. But to this day, I’m still so grateful to have been part of something as huge and important not only in my career but also in my life.

While prevalent in the entertainment business, your skills transfer to many industries, including your role as Digital Director for Contrast Magazine. How did this role come to be?
I’ve been a good friend of Michael (Contrast Magazine’s Editor-In-Chief) for years, I’ve always loved the magazine and what it is about, supporting strong personalities, and celebrating edginess, which is something that I see in media, especially in fashion that everything has to look “a certain way” to be considered OK. This is my main focus as the magazine’s director, to keep celebrating beauty and the power in portraying diversity. It’s only through the work that we do through the platforms that we are given that we can normalize what is considered “different” from society, and I think this should be the mission of every publication around the world.

I’m so grateful for being part of the contrast family, it’s thanks to the publication that I’ve been able to work and be part of projects and productions like Disney’s “Lightyear,” “Star Wars Andor,” and other Nickelodeon, and Amazon productions.

You are vocal about how important and inspiring women have been throughout your life. In what ways have the women close to you influenced your career and approach to it?
I take my inspiration from the women in my life. Women have been the catalyst in my journey and a source of inspiration for the way that I wanted to show up in this world. I’ve been surrounded my whole life by strong independent women, I’m protective of my personal life, and even though I am pretty exposed on social media and open on social media about my journey when it comes to my personal life, I am protective of the people around me and my privacy, which is the reason why a lot of people don't really know anything about my family. I never really had a dad or a male energy in my life growing up; my dad mistreated me since young age and used to be abusive mentally and physically. it’s always been my grandmother, my mom, my sister-in-law Francesca, and one of my closest friends in the world, Kat (Graham). Women who never needed a man in their life to feel complete, who have always worked to achieve every single thing that they earned in their lives and who showed me the importance of hard work. I’ve always looked up to for their tenacity and strength. My mom, Stefania, always taught me the importance of seeing the positive even in the negative and to always smile during challenging times and to always be grateful to life for what is given to you, because the future is not promised. I owe those women a lot of the man that I am today and the way that they taught me on how I wanted to show up in this world.

You’ve accomplished a lot at an age when many people are just getting their foot in the door. Of all your projects, what has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far?
I come from nothing--very humble beginnings. The most rewarding thing in my career is when I look back and recall all of the beautiful memories that I’ve been able to build and all the things that I’ve been able to afford and provide for my family and the people that I love. Thanks to my job and being able to give back a little for all the sacrifices that my family made for me while growing up,. This makes me happy and reflects what life is about at the end of the day.

It’s also important to see and experience the amazing community and platform that I’ve been able to build on social media and all the amazing, incredible, and brilliant people who follow me and feel inspired by what I have to say and my journey. This makes me want to do more, and work on being the best and most authentic version of myself in order to show up in the best way for them. It makes me think that I’ve done something good in my life and with the projects that I decided to work on.

Looking down the line, what’s in store for the future? Are there any projects or fields you’re eager to work in?
I’m focusing a lot more on the production and management side of my career this year especially in building my music label and signing artists around the world. I’m producing a bunch of exciting projects that I can’t wait to share. I am working on launching my first merchandise collection later this year in collaboration with 8Merch, and I’m also working on building my very first masterclass ever to teach people the secrets of how to make your way through the industry. But I’m also getting ready to hit the road again, in April, for the 2024/2025 world tour with over 40+ shows around the world, which I am super excited about.

Your career and drive to accomplish is very admirable. Is there any advice you have for those who look up to you?
As hard as it is, don’t compare yourself or your journey with other people, you are beautiful and unique in your own way, everyone has a talent in their field, don’t be hard on yourself and don’t put a “timer” on yourself. Everyone has a different time to build and accomplish goals in their lives, and there isn’t a right or wrong way to do things. Life is beautiful, you’re beautiful, live with no limits and with no fear. Never give up on your dreams, know that your voice is worth to be heard, be thankful for every single opportunity that is given to you and that this life has to offer to you, no matter how big it is, always show up in the same way, and with the same gratitude, dream big, you only live once. “YOU” are your only limit.

Social Media.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ale_ssiofilippelli/

PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Manuel Perugini
Talent: Alessio Filippellii
Tearsheets by Nicolas Harris, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ethan Engh, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
RADAR Created by Ayoka Lucas

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RadarAlison HernonMarch 24, 2024#creative director, #Kat Graham, #digital director, #VYDIA, #Producer, #contrast magazine