Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald: Drea de Matteo on Sopranos, The Mafia, and Hollywood

Release Date: October 17, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald, host Heather McDonald sits down with the talented actress Drea de Matteo. Best known for her iconic role as Adriana La Cerva on The Sopranos and appearances in Sons of Anarchy, Drea delves deep into her personal life, familial ties to the Mafia, and her journey through Hollywood. This comprehensive interview unveils the layers behind Drea’s public persona, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the intersections of fame, family, and personal struggle.

1. Unveiling a Mafia Legacy

Timestamp: [23:08]

Drea begins by sharing the intriguing history of her family’s association with the Mafia. She recounts stories about her grandfather, Joe Babes, who was active in the Bronx and Harlem during the 1950s. Contrary to popular belief, Drea reveals that her father was not initially involved in the Mafia but was offered a "button" (a mark of being a made man) by multiple families, except the Gambinos, who deemed him "too wild."

Drea de Matteo: "They all offered my dad a button, except the Gambinos, because they said my dad was too wild. I only found this out years after he was dead."
[27:08]

2. Growing Up in a Complex Household

Timestamp: [26:25]

Raised primarily by her grandmother and a nanny, Drea navigates the complexities of a household steeped in both artistic and criminal underpinnings. Her mother, a playwright, distanced herself from the Mafia lifestyle, striving to create a different path for her children. Drea reflects on the challenges of understanding her family's dynamics as a child and the impact it had on her upbringing.

Drea de Matteo: "I never understood why my mom was so distant, doing her own thing. But once I started to understand who all these people were in my house, I was like, wow, this is a really dynamic situation. Like, everybody's fucked up."
[29:58]

3. Breaking into Acting: The Sopranos

Timestamp: [34:17]

Heather and Drea discuss her entry into the acting world, highlighting her initial struggles and eventual breakthrough with The Sopranos. Drea shares how a friend introduced her to managers, leading to her unexpected audition for the show. Despite facing skepticism about her Italian heritage and vocal abilities, Drea secured the role of Adriana, a pivotal character whose journey mirrors her own emotional complexities.

Drea de Matteo: "I loved it so much. So when they called and they said, look, David thinks that you're not really Italian, like, but you are Italian, so he likes you. Would you be willing to just play the snobby hostess at the Connecticut, like, a Connecticut vibe restaurant kind of thing? And I was like, I'll do anything just to be a part of that script."
[46:54]

4. Navigating Fame and Personal Challenges

Timestamp: [50:30]

As The Sopranos gains popularity, Drea navigates the highs and lows of fame. She recounts exhilarating moments like being recognized at airports and having her name featured in the New York Times crossword puzzle. However, the spotlight also brought personal challenges, including paparazzi attention and strained relationships.

Drea de Matteo: "I remember when we'd go to the airport, they would have to escort us with, you know, with the caddies through the airport. Because if we were in a group together, it was a little too chaotic and crazy. People were like, holy shit. You know, it was all of them. They're all here."
[59:26]

5. The Emotional Toll of Her Character’s Fate

Timestamp: [52:27]

One of the most poignant moments in the interview revolves around Drea’s character Adriana and her on-screen death. Drea shares the emotional burden of filming scenes that led to Adriana’s demise, highlighting the lack of closure and the internal struggle she faced during production.

Drea de Matteo: "It was a really big deal and the audience didn't want the leaks. Even though some people were like, I want to know what's going to happen. People really didn't want to know. Especially that, you know, because people loved her so much and she was innocent."
[51:28]

6. Transitioning Away from Acting

Timestamp: [63:17]

After several successful roles, Drea decides to step back from acting to focus on her personal life and ventures outside Hollywood. She discusses the challenges of leaving a career that brought her both recognition and scrutiny, emphasizing her desire to prioritize family and personal well-being over fame.

Drea de Matteo: "I think I was done after Sopranos, to be honest with you. I really felt like I got there. I did it. I did what resonated for me without even knowing that it did."
[63:17]

7. Embracing New Ventures: OnlyFans and Entrepreneurship

Timestamp: [69:36]

Drea opens up about her decision to join OnlyFans as a means to support her family amidst financial struggles. She candidly discusses the stigma attached to the platform and how it became a necessary step for her, blending her past as Adriana with her current entrepreneurial spirit.

Drea de Matteo: "I went to OnlyFans, and that's how I saved my family."
[69:36]

Additionally, Drea highlights her ventures into fashion and jewelry with her clothing company, Ultra Free Co., where she merges her mob wife aesthetic with modern trends. She showcases her unique gold-plated jewelry line, reflecting her signature style influenced by her Sopranos days.

Drea de Matteo: "This is perfect. Like not one. It's still as gold as gold can be. It's really, really well done."
[84:05]

8. Reflections on Reality TV and Mafia Portrayals

Timestamp: [86:36]

Heather and Drea delve into the portrayal of Mafia women in reality TV, particularly within the Real Housewives franchise. Drea critiques the often one-dimensional depiction of strong women in Mafia settings, contrasting it with the depth she brought to her roles.

Drea de Matteo: "I think the only show that ever showed strong women in that world was the Sopranos. All the other chicks in that world were never really strong."
[87:16]

Conclusion

Drea de Matteo’s candid conversation with Heather McDonald offers a multifaceted view of her life beyond the screen. From navigating a Mafia-linked family to carving out her path in Hollywood and venturing into entrepreneurship, Drea’s journey is both compelling and inspiring. Listeners gain valuable insights into the complexities of balancing fame with personal integrity, the struggles of breaking away from typecasting, and the resilience required to reinvent oneself in a constantly evolving industry.

Notable Quotes

• Drea de Matteo: "Everyone's like, how can you ever turn down something so."
  [63:17]

• Drea de Matteo: "I have a tendency to take care of everybody all the time, even on set, even if I need to focus on myself."
  [57:18]

• Heather McDonald: "What makes ours a little different is you can put a charm in here."
  [84:51]

• Drea de Matteo: "Ultra Free is the word that gets me banned every day on Instagram these days. Because you can't talk about wanting to be that. That's a four letter word."
  [85:21]

Connect with Drea de Matteo and Heather McDonald

• Drea de Matteo’s Clothing and Jewelry Line: Ultra Free Co.
• Follow Drea on Instagram: @dreadematto
• Subscribe to Juicy Scoop Podcast: heathermcd.net

This summary captures the essence of the conversation between Heather McDonald and Drea de Matteo, highlighting key moments and insights shared during the episode. For a more in-depth experience, tune into the full episode of Juicy Scoop.