Digital Cover Vol. VII | Joel Sánchez

We celebrate the seventh HIGHXTAR. Digital Cover with the most promising young talent of the moment: Joel Sánchez. The 27-year-old actor, born in Lanzarote, makes his acting debut in a project on the scale of ‘Berlin’, spin-off of ‘La casa de papel’.

An engineering graduate, the star of the prequel also gave space to another of his passions, modelling, which brought him to the capital to fulfil new dreams. Among them? Playing the character of Bruce in this Netflix production that has brought him international fame.

The actor met with the HIGHXTAR. team to talk about the film project and the sudden success. To mark the occasion, we shot an editorial in which Joel elevates the LOEWE® Spring/Summer 2024 LOEWE® collection.

HIGHXTAR (H) – A question we miss these days: How are you, but for real?

JOEL SÁNCHEZ (J) – I’m very grateful to life, I’m in a good moment and so is my family, so it’s perfect. I’m looking forward to soaking up this profession.

H – How are you experiencing your debut as an actor in a project on the scale of ‘Berlin’, spin-off of ‘La casa de papel’?

J –  I was very happy, the truth is that I didn’t expect to receive this amount of love and good messages. It is a moment to savour because it is not something that happens every day.

H – When we met you as a model a year ago, you were shooting the series. How did the role of Bruce come to you?

J –  Well, through the casting directors Eva and Yolanda. They saw photos of me on my agency’s website and wanted to audition me and the rest is history hahaha. For me they are like my fairy godmothers, because they saw something in me that I didn’t even know I had. And I will always have them very present.

H – Did you ever have impostor syndrome?

J – From day one hahaha, but I think that goes hand in hand with this profession, partly in that sense I am also a person who demands a lot of myself, so it is always the order of the day. If it’s true that it hasn’t affected me in a negative way, it’s something we have to learn to control, but this can be extrapolated to any profession.

H – How did you manage to approach the character?

J – Well, it was a new task for me obviously, but I enjoyed it a lot because it was being written as it was being recorded, so you enjoy the process of discovering things about your character during the process. It makes you live the life of your character.

H – How much of Bruce is Joel?

J – You obviously have certain similarities but the one I would highlight the most is that joviality and that desire to live and make the most of time. That is the greatest treasure we have “time”.

H – Eight months of shooting… how did you evolve in front of the camera from the first sequence you shot to the last?

J – Well, a lot to be honest, especially in the technical aspects. I was noticing it and above all the team in general. In the end it was an intensive in terms of the technical aspects of being in front of the camera. It has been a challenging but very rewarding experience.

H – After the premiere and worldwide success of the series, would you say your life has changed?

J – Well, the truth is that I still have the same routine as always, same gym, same metro line, etc. It’s true that I haven’t got used to being recognised in the street. But I’m savouring the moment, it’s very nice that people recognise your work.

H – From 18k to 455 thousand followers on Instagram. How do you deal with the sudden fame that a platform like Netflix brings?

J – Well, as I said before, I’m enjoying it because this is something that only happens once in a lifetime. But in these cases you realise the magnitude of both the Netflix platform and the world of ‘La casa de papel’.

H – Looking to the future, what role would you like to play?

J – Bfff I think I have many in my head right now, the important thing now is not to stop working and learn as much as possible in this beautiful profession. But I hope I can make all the characters I have in mind. I don’t say them because I prefer to show them 👀

H – Who would you like to work with or share a screen with?

J – There are so many people I’ve admired since I was a kid that I wouldn’t know who to bet on right now. But if you imagine DiCaprio, Denzel Washington and Matthew McConaughey, it would be crazy.

H – What aspects of the industry would you say have changed over the last few years?

J – I don’t have enough data to talk about this question because, as you know, I have just started working on it. But I do notice an increase in the number of projects and volume of work.

H – Who would you say are your references?

J – Robert De Niro/ Al Pacino / DiCaprio …. And I have many more to go.

H – What role does fashion play in your life?

J –  I’ve always liked fashion, because for me dressing is a form of expression, I’ve always enjoyed clothes to be honest.

H – We’ve seen that you’re part of the LOEWE boys’ cast. What does this mean to you?

J – It’s a dream come true and I’m very grateful that they have counted on me. It’s incredible for me to be able to enjoy the affection and professionalism of the LOEWE team.

H – A LOEWE must-have in Joel’s wardrobe?

J –  One item that I would have in my wardrobe, without a doubt, is an everyday bag. They’re one of my favourite LOEWE items because of the variety they have, and of course, a bomber because I love them for everyday wear too.

H – What is your favourite piece from the latest FW24 collection?

J – My favourite pieces were several, but among them I highlight a look with a white shirt with a bow at the neck. I loved visually how that garment looked.

H – What’s the weirdest thing you’ve read about yourself?

J – The truth is that I’ve read a few lately hahaha, but the one that made me laugh the most was one of the first ones, where on one page they said that I had done urban dance and afrobeat😂 I haven’t really been to dance classes in my life.

H – Next project you are working on?

J – ‘La favorita 1922’. It’s a period series where I’m surrounded by a wonderful cast and I’m really looking forward to getting started and bringing my character to life.

CREDITS

Creative & Fashion: Alfredo Santamaría

Fashion Assistant: Nicole Katzky

Photography: Isaac Calpe

Photo Assistant: Luis Calvo

MUAH: Lucas Margarit

Video: Odyssey

Sound Design: Le Nomad 

Interview: Mar Piera

Thanks to ARKOSE

Produced by HIGHXTAR.lab.

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