I must say the truth, nothing like this had ever happened to me before. A dear friend of mine, one of the most renowned writers of novels and biographies, called me saying: “I have found an extraordinary man, I have read a lot about him, and his story is fantastic. I need you to help me verify his life and experiences. I’ll send you some official documents.”
From there, I began my research, which took me quite some time. But once I verified the documents and testimonies, I told myself that I couldn’t miss the opportunity to interview him. And here we are.
Journalist: Paolo, good morning! I must say, your life is a whirlwind of extraordinary experiences. You’ve been everywhere, from Asia to Africa, from the Middle East to Eastern Europe, and your activities are even more incredible! Motorsports, cinema, finance, government assignments, event organization… truly impressive! I’ve read documents and testimonies about you and was left speechless. Tell me, what drives you to pursue such an intense life when you had already reached a high level of success in Italy?
Paolo: Curiosity, the desire to learn and to know. When I reach a goal and a new project presents itself, I can’t help but start it. To be honest, monotony bores me, and boredom kills me inside.
Journalist: Every experience you’ve had seems unique and extraordinary! Among all the activities you’ve undertaken, is there one that has profoundly changed you? Have you ever experienced a moment that marked a turning point in your life?
Paolo: There have been many episodes that have changed my attitude towards life. The first occurred during my stay in Kampala, Uganda. The bank I presided over had partnered with a large French mining company with licenses in Uganda, Mali, and Congo, and I had taken over the presidency. There, I encountered real poverty. I saw scenes and lived experiences that profoundly changed me. I won’t go into details, but since then, I no longer wear watches (which I used to collect) or any precious ornaments. Why? Because when you understand that there are people working twelve-hour days, submerged in rivers or deep in sand mines searching for precious stones, earning just $1.80 a day, your perspective changes. A lot.
Journalist: Your journey is incredible, but I know you have also lived through dramatic moments. I’ve read that during your tenure, 86 people died in your mine in Congo. What exactly happened?
Paolo: I prefer not to talk about it. I’ll just say that the entire world is exploiting Africa, both in its resources and its people. We are the first ones responsible for their destruction, and they flee those lands because of us. There, I had received an unrepeatable economic offer, but poverty and danger were at their highest levels. I traveled with two armed bodyguards carrying Kalashnikovs with a round in the chamber. Since there were no names for the secondary streets, before each appointment, I would call my wife and tell her that if I didn’t call back within 45 minutes, she should immediately contact the Foreign Ministry. I would enter bunkers overflowing with gold and diamonds in absolute nothingness. That was no life.
Journalist: This sounds almost like a movie, yet it is your reality! I read that you have also lived through catastrophic events and dangerous situations. Can you share some with us?
Paolo: The list is long: from a skyscraper fire in Dubai, where I was at the time, to a bomb that exploded in a New York restaurant just 50 meters after I had left. I also lived through the flood in Prato, where I lost cars and many personal belongings, and recently, I was involved in the Los Angeles fire, where I am still helping people who lost everything.
Journalist: Every experience of yours seems more incredible than the last! I read about a daring escape from a Middle Eastern country. Can you tell us about that night of fear?
Paolo: It was a very delicate situation. I escaped together with a famous journalist who received a phone call from secret services warning that they were coming to get us. And it was true. We fled instantly. I was there on behalf of a semi-governmental company that legally sold passports for a European state that I represented. We barely made it out. It was an extremely dangerous nation, with a very radical regime.
Journalist: And yet, alongside these moments of danger, you have also lived through extraordinary experiences in exclusive environments, like Dubai and Los Angeles, working with world-renowned entrepreneurs and artists. How do you reconcile these two completely opposite realities?
Paolo: I have entered two very particular worlds: soccer and cinema. After the period when I was involved in finance and sponsorships in the world of motorsports and motorcycle racing, I experienced some highly impactful experiences in these fields.
Journalist: But even in these glamorous environments, there have been twists and turns!
Paolo: Exactly, especially in cinema. I am currently involved in an international trial against a scam artist who pretended to be Al Pacino’s sister, as well as a world-famous singer and much more. I was deceived, also because she had received international awards and government recognitions for completely fabricated achievements. In short, it was a large-scale scam, orchestrated by a shady character supported even by institutions, perhaps unknowingly. She is now being hunted, but has been untraceable since 2014. Fortunately, the awards and interviews granted to her have been revoked.
Journalist: Your career is extraordinary! You have produced films, presided over a soccer club in Los Angeles, created the largest Made in Italy fair in California, and opened a one-of-a-kind Italian concept store. And now, what do you have planned?
Paolo: I am working on two truly unique films. One has a sports theme, based on a true story, which I am developing with a well-known Italian journalist. The other is a film that will shock the world for its content and story, but I can’t reveal more. Then there’s Nexxt Star, a truly spectacular musical project we are finalizing these days. And then… you’ll read about it in the next interview.
