We had the pleasure of sitting down with George and Viviana for an exclusive Q&A session, where they opened up about their personal and professional journeys. George, fresh off his role as Lurch in Netflix’s Wednesday, shared the thrill of working alongside Tim Burton and an all-star cast. Meanwhile, Viviana, a successful TV presenter, gave us insight into her evolving career and how she manages life in the public eye. Together, they discussed their love story, their mutual support for one another, and what’s next for this rising power couple in the entertainment world.
Q&A George
What was it like portraying Lurch in the highly acclaimed series “Wednesday” on Netflix?
George: For me, it was an honor to be part of this wonderful project and, at the same time, a dream come true! I believe all actors wish to be directed by the great Tim Burton and to act alongside Christina Ricci, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Ortega, Luis Guzmán, Fred Armisen, and many others! I am one of the five actors who have brought Lurch to life over time, and that will remain in history (Ted Cassidy, Carel Struycken, John DeSantis, Zachary James, and me)! I thank God for everything!
How did you prepare for the role of Lurch, and what unique challenges did it present?
George: For the casting, I gave it my all: I shaved (which I don’t like), got a tuxedo, and got a haircut! From the first moment the agent called me for the casting, I knew I would be Lurch! When I was studying acting at the largest university in Romania, and one of the largest in Europe (UNATC I.L. Caragiale Bucharest), all my colleagues told me I looked like Lurch! So, I knew from the beginning that no actor in Romania could take this privilege of playing Lurch from me!
Can you share any memorable moments from the set of “Wednesday”?
George: The memorable moments started from the instant I met Tim Burton at the casting! I was trembling with emotion, and my English became something between Romanian, English, and an unknown language! I couldn’t believe this director was in front of me, and after two minutes of discussion, he handed me the contract to sign! Tim liked me immediately for my professionalism and because that’s how God decided!
How has your career evolved since playing Lurch, and what new opportunities have come your way?
George: My career has been evolving nicely for many years, but following this project, it grew both nationally and internationally! Now, I have an artist visa in the USA, a manager there, lawyers, and many contacts in the entertainment business. When I told people in the USA that I am Lurch, they were ecstatic, took pictures with me, respected me, and saw me as a big star! However, the most beautiful moments for me in the USA were attending Comic Con in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, Costa Rica, Europe, and many other locations! It was superb and felt like a dream!
What inspired you to pursue acting, and who are your biggest influences in the industry?
George: Everything started in 1998 when, although I was only 10 years old, I watched a series called Sunset Beach. In little to no time, I fell in love with both the subject and the actors. I promised myself then that when I grew up, I wanted to do what the people in the film did (I didn’t quite understand the term “actor” at the time). Fifteen years later, I reached the largest theater and film faculty in Romania! Before that, however, I earned my living as a sailor for a company that did daily trips between Liverpool and Dublin on the Irish Sea. During the two years that I worked there, I grew to love this profession and Liverpool as well! The person who influenced me the most (besides my professors in Romania – Mircea Rusu, Vlad Rădescu, and Marius Bodochi) is Morgan Freeman! He demonstrated that patience, repetition, and hard work are the best recipes for success!
What advice would you give to aspiring actors looking to break into the industry?
George: To young people who want to become actors, I can only say this: work, rehearse, and trust both yourself and God! If you don’t work, you can’t do anything! You can be the most talented person in the world, but if you stay at home, sleep, and don’t apply yourself, you won’t achieve your goals in life! Work, perseverance, rehearsal, and trust, both in yourself and in Him! Only He knows what is best for us!
What projects are you currently working on or have lined up for the future?
George: In Romania, a feature film was released (Noaptea Lui Vlad – on June 6th), in which I have a supporting role, and the public welcomed it amazingly. My calendar for the summer is, fortunately, packed! Three more feature films are coming out before autumn, and in winter, there will be another heartfelt project. For the first time, I will play Jesus in a feature film! Besides these, in autumn, I will launch my debut novel in English, which will be available worldwide. It is based on my family’s story and my mother’s painful story about domestic violence. An issue, unfortunately, we are facing more and more often!
Q&A Viviana
How did you get started in television, and what was your first major break?
Viviana: Since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by movies, music, and television, and every time I was asked what I wanted to become when I grew up, I simply said, “I will be on TV!” Encouraged by my supportive mother, I started studying at art school, diving into 12 years filled with music performances, theater, dance, competitions, and lessons in singing and piano. I practically lived on stage and on TV. After graduating, I pursued a degree in communication and public relations. I didn’t stay far from my passions for long and started television courses at one of Romania’s most respected TV stations. Impressed with my skills, they offered me a position immediately after completing the program. That’s how, at 20 years old, I became a TV presenter, and then television projects started coming one after another.
What skills do you believe are essential for a successful woman?
Viviana: Success means something different to each woman. For me, a crucial aspect, regardless of your definition of success, is the ability to rise after difficult times, to move forward even with tears in your eyes. Equally important is having confidence in yourself.
What has been your most memorable experience as a TV presenter?
Viviana: As a TV presenter, I’ve had a plethora of experiences: wonderful, challenging, embarrassing, emotional, and so on. But my favorite memories are tied to my birthdays. Each time, the production team surprised me during the show with flowers, gifts, cake, brought my family or even George to the set, arranged special moments with my favorite artists from Romania, and made me feel really special and appreciated.
How do you manage the balance between your professional and personal life, especially with George’s demanding acting career?
Viviana: Since we met on set, throughout our relationship, love and work have blended together very well. We support and understand each other’s jobs. We spend almost all our time together; he comes to shoots with me, I go with him when he is filming, and thus both our careers and our relationship grow at the same time.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter your field of work?
Viviana: It’s a bit cliché, but honestly, I would advise young women to work for their dreams, not to give up even when faced with obstacles, to always be curious, to seize every opportunity that comes their way, and to trust their instincts. Another helpful tip is to look up to another woman who has achieved exactly what you aspire to and take notes.
How do you handle the public’s attention and maintain your privacy?
Viviana: After 7 years in the public eye, I still find it overwhelming. When you are a public figure, people have all sorts of opinions about you, your life, and your appearance. I try not to pay attention to online hate and focus only on the people who love and support me, thanking them whenever I can. Once you’re in this world, it’s quite challenging to maintain privacy. I used to overshare, but I’ve realized that some things need to be kept away from the public eye to protect them and to protect my peace.
What projects or shows are you currently working on, and what can your audience expect next?
Viviana: Recently, I’ve transitioned more toward online. Why? Because it allows me to express myself freely, have control over my content, and be much closer to people. Therefore, I’ve put my television projects on hold and started focusing on my online work. I’m incredibly happy to have the opportunity to collaborate with my favorite brands and participate in creative projects. I am considering returning to TV at some point, but for now, I’m loving the direction my career is taking!
Q&A TOGETHER
How did you two meet, and can you share a bit about your love story?
Viviana & George: We really have an interesting story, and we love telling it every time. We met on a reality show, The Farm, a physically and mentally challenging competition. From the moment we met on set, we liked each other, and it didn’t take long for a love story to blossom, which later became the central storyline of the show. The fact that we were away from the outside world, in such a challenging environment, brought us closer together, and since then, for four years, we’ve been together.
What values or principles are most important to you as a couple?
Viviana & George: The most important things that should be found in any relationship are respect, love, trust, and support. What works very well for us in our relationship is that we are best friends and we enjoy living life together.
Do you support each other in your respective careers?
Viviana & George: That’s what bonded us! The fact that even during the reality show, we supported each other. After the show ended, the support naturally continued. We were already used to relying on each other. Since we’ve been together, there hasn’t been a project or stage in life where we haven’t been there for each other.
How do you handle the challenges of a public relationship in the spotlight?
Viviana & George: It’s not easy at all. It’s hard to solve relationship issues in private, let alone in front of a large audience. But this has made us stronger. We do our best not to let external factors influence the decisions we make in our relationship.
What has been the most surprising thing you’ve learned about each other?
Viviana & George: Even though we’ve been together for four years and know each other very well, every day we discover things that surprise us about each other. But what surprises us every time is how many things we have in common and how often we think about the same thing or want to say something at the same time. It’s a connection that we often can’t fully understand.
Do you have any plans to collaborate on a project together in the future?
Viviana & George: We have collaborated on various projects, and each time the result has been wonderful. Therefore, in the future, we would like to act together in movies and even participate again in a reality show.
As our conversation came to a close, it was clear that George and Viviana share more than just a life in the spotlight. They share a deep connection, grounded in love and mutual respect.
With George’s acting career reaching new heights and Viviana’s expanding influence in media, the future holds exciting possibilities for them both.
Stay tuned, because this inspiring duo is just getting started on their journey together, both on and off screen.
Cover Photo @zainea.photography
Dress by @georgiana_iordache_design
George’s MUA @FrankieNealMakeup
Venue FashionTV Villa / Cannes, France
Article by Charlotte Edison