When Ugly Betty first came out, it was definitely a must that you were watching this show. The cast had breakout stars, iconic actors, of the moment topics and the series delved into the world of Mode Magazine. One of the characters that was a fan favorite was Justin played by Mark Indelicato. As a young actor, we watched him in this show. After 4 seasons, this show ended and Mark decided that he would go to college to experience life.
After taking time for himself, he continued with acting and played in a number of TV shows and films. We caught up with him recently to talk about 2 series that are both back for their second season and are having major moments from HBO Max's Hacks and Amazon Originals' With Love.
He talks about what draws him to projects, the importance of collaboration and using his platform.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to be an actor?
MARK INDELICATO: I realized I wanted to be an actor when I was quite young. I can’t recall a specific moment where the lightbulb went off, I just remember how much fun I had. And 20 years later I’m still having fun.
AM: What are you looking for when new projects come up or are offered to you?
MI: Of course, first and foremost it’s the words that are on the page. Is this character well-rounded and multidimensional? And if not, does this character have an important function in the overall narrative of the piece. I'm not interested in projects where the character is "checking off a certain box” (i.e. “the gay friend” and things of the like).
AM: Our readers have enjoyed you in several roles from Ugly Betty, Dead of Summer etc. What is your process when you begin to work through playing your character?
MI: I really rely heavily on the writers, show runners and directors if I’m honest. With certain roles I find myself able to slip into them pretty easily and intuitively, but I definitely always have myriad questions throughout the entirety of a shoot. Even if I feel like I have a firm grasp on the character and their motivations etc, I always find it to be helpful to ask questions. Collaboration is key.
AM: Your character Justin in Ugly Betty was such a breakout role at the time; did you think at the time that that role would be so impactful?
MI: Of course not. I was so young I really didn’t understand what it was that we were actually doing, let alone how the show and the role were going effect viewers. I was too busy having fun and pinching myself that I was able to go to work every day. It’s only in retrospect that I can really appreciate what the show and Justin, in particular, represented and still represents to people.
AM: After the success of Ugly Betty, you took time away from acting to go to college. Why was it important for you to step away and what brought you back to the industry?
MI: In short, I needed a break. The entertainment industry is famously - or infamously - difficult to navigate and I was simultaneously navigating adolescence, so I think I just felt burnt out at a certain point. I also wanted to have a sort of anonymous life experience and going to NYU definitely gave me that. I’m so happy that I took that break because it also reminded me how much I love acting and allowed me to recenter myself regarding what I wanted to pursue as an adult.
AM: We enjoyed watching Hacks as it's a great cast. What was it about this series that attracted you to it and tell us about Damien?
MI: Like I said before its all about writing. When I read the sides of Damien I called my agent right after screaming: “I NEED TO BE ON THIS SHOW!” Although Damien has a pretty peripheral part in the first season and doesn’t necessarily speak that much, I was certain of his function in the larger narrative of the show, namely that he is a member of “Team Deborah.”
On top of that, I was very familiar with the creators of the show, Paul W. Downs (The Mindy Project, Broad City, At Home with Amy Sedaris), Lucia Aniello (Broad City, The Baby-Sitters Club, Awkwafina is Nora From Queens) and Jen Statsky’s (Hello Ladies, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place) prior work and was in awe of the incredible people attached to the series as well, both in front and behind the camera.
AM: The second season drops this month, where did we leave him and what can you tell us about the upcoming season?
MI: This season we go on the road! Team Deborah goes on tour, so we spent a lot of time together this season in quite close quarters. Damien picks up exactly where we leave him in season 1. He’s still snarky, still manic, and we get to see a lot more of him this season.
AM: You're also coming back for the second season of With Love. Tell us about this show which also has a great cast as well as Jorge?
MI: Yes! What I love so much about playing Jorge is just how different the world of With Love is from that of Hacks. It’s always intriguing to step into other worlds and contexts as an actor, so I’m very blessed to be able to do that for now two consecutive years with Hacks and With Love. Gloria Calderón Kellett (Devious Maids, Jane the Virgin, One Day at a Time) approached me with this character, and I just felt like I knew him. I related to him so much that it truly felt like she had written it for me. (She didn’t) But once we started filming the first season, I was so pleased to learn how collaborative she is and how much she really wants us - the actors - to have a seat at the table. And with that being said, she really handed me the reins when it came to what Jorge looked like, how he dressed etc, which is extremely rare. I really have to say that I’ve lucked out over the course of my career in working with people that value and respect my opinions.
AM: What can we expect from the 2nd season?
MI: You can expect that same uplifting vibe that you got last year, but this year one of the three couples gets engaged. There might even be a wedding.
AM: Over the past few years, being an activist allows people to find ways to use their platform to drive awareness. What do you use your platform for?
MI: I think that my activism comes from simply being an out and proud queer person on television. So, I would hope that my platform is such that it gives young queer viewers the ability to see themselves on television. I think I’m so passionate about representation in this context because of what I learned and saw from playing Justin on Ugly Betty. As ignorant as it might sound, I didn’t really know how powerful television and film were in uplifting those that feel alone or disenfranchised up until I really examined how much Justin has meant to people, so I hope to continue down that road.
AM: When you're not on set what can we find you doing to take time for yourself?
MI: If you can believe it, I’m such homebody! When I’m not on set you can catch me in the kitchen making a plethora of things or on the couch with a glass of wine bingeing any franchise of the Real Housewives.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | PG 64 - 67 Hacks/HBO | PG 68 With Love Amazon |
Read the MAY ISSUE #77 of Athleisure Mag and see COLLABORATION IS KEY | Mark Indelicato in mag.
