Pedro Soltz - Was Awarded the Title of "Sexiest International Man of the Year" by a Popular American Web Site (Model/Actor)

Lived in around 10 countries, travelled pretty much all over the world for work 40 to 50 countries and had such amazing adventures. Worked for amazing fashion clients such as D&G, Armani, Zegna, Versace, Cavali, etc…. But even more, worked for so many big brands such as Gillete, Loreal, Barila, Belvedere, Fernet Branca, Lavazza, Head & Shoulders, Garnier, Henkel, Schwarzkopf and so many others. 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

Hi there, my name is Pedro Soltz, I am a model/actor born in Belo Horizonte/Brazil. I started modeling at age of 15 as a hobby and things started to get more serious after my 1st international trip when I was 19. I took my chance, and went on this adventure even though I was not really serious about it, but more about the experience. 

During that time I was doing 2 different courses at the university, Engineering and Business. At the age of 23rd I left everything behind, and decided to pursue this seriously for 2 reasons -

1. For private reasons I wasn’t happy about my life and that was a way of getting out

2. And  2nd I needed to take out of my mind the "WHAT IF THIS IS MY THING?”

Then I started my serious career …. Lived in around 10 countries, travelled pretty much all over the world for work 40 to 50 countries and had such amazing adventures. Worked for amazing fashion clients such as D&G, Armani, Zegna, Versace, Cavali, etc…. But even more, worked for so many big brands such as Gillete, Loreal, Barila, Belvedere, Fernet Branca, Lavazza, Head & Shoulders, Garnier, Henkel, Schwarzkopf and so many others. 

Had so many crazy experiences like being stuck in a mountain, swimming with sharks, doing underwater shooting for the whole day, working in a place where there was a war, traveling whole days, deserts, diving in freezing water, sleeping in remote places and on and on….. So much adventures.

In certain point, started also to work on tv  starting with the TV show "Croatian Next Top Model,” when I became known in Croatia. Later on I became also known to the Italian public thanks to my participation in the reality show 'L'Isola dei Famosi,'. Where I was a guest of the show that a close friend was participating on. 

The following year, I was asked to participate in the same show, but had to decline the invitation due to the birth of my daughter. I, however, make another appearance as a studio guest. And was invited to several other TV projects because of that. Next year I was named to be one of the sexiest men on the planet. 

When started to be well known all over the world after the boom of the new book writers and was awarded the title of "Sexiest International Man of the year" by a popular American web site. The next year I was named number 18th best Brazilian model by the FFW . Same year marked my career as an Actor, when starred as Jesus, a brazilian soccer player, on the Most Popular Soap Opera in Croatia. 

Later I also had my 1st participation in a Movie, shooting an Italian character for a Danish comedy. It was a great experience. Besides modeling and acting I was also very interested in Finance, Business and Real State, and started few other activities. I Started being a Real State developer in my home country and also started being a financial investor. 

Which interest me very much. Since then, things have develop well, and today I am partner few other business. Its being a rich experience so far and I hope it will be fruitful in the future.

2. What inspired you to pursue modelling?

As I wrote above, modeling was pretty much a hobby when I was a teen. It was a way to make some bucks, meet beautiful girls and have some different experiences. Just started taking it seriously after I had some real deal opportunities and saw I could succeed on that. Honestly there wasn’t an inspiration…. 

I had really hard times accepting and understanding that this could be a real job. My family was against and I must say I also was against leaving everything behind for being a model. The real decision just happened because I just had the need to leave. And I did and left everything behind. It was a tough time for me.

3. What do you enjoy the most about modeling?

I love my life generally, I love to handle my own things, to live healthy, to have a certain freedom to come and go. To meet different people often. To be able to work pretty much whenever I want to be. And to have some time to invest in other things I like.

4. How was your experience as an actor?

During my modeling career I had several opportunities to start acting. Unfortunately I didn't take all of them. And didn't give much attention to it. Have had some nice experiences, but never had the guts to take it to the next level. 

Pretty much because modeling was paying me very well and making me very very very busy. And also because I was father very young, and that also took lots of my time and efforts to raise a kid with the life I had.

5. What changes do you wish to have in your industry?

Oh, since I started things have changed very much already. And honestly, in my opinion it has been changing for the worst. More and more, the beauty of the work is desapearing and more and more there are very low paid jobs, lots of e-com things, internet,, non capable people and also the social media and the influencers taking over. 

Biggest part of those jobs have not the same art and care that we use to apply back in times. Lots of small clients have been banckrupting and closing their activities because it is hard to compete with bigger ones like Amazon, Zara, etc…. Lots of new clients coming in with a different mind and using different medias…..  

There are still great jobs, great creatives, and great experiences… but is happening less and less….. it is somehow becoming less professional and more like random and amateur. Answering the question, I wish that our job would be, 1st of all, respected. Because mostly it is not. Wish also we had same work quality like we had a years ago plus more and more clients.

6. Who inspires you the most and why?

I have so many inspirations around me. But 1st of all, my Grand Father from who I got my name. But have sop many friends who are inspirations for me in several pillars of life.

7. What tips and advice would you give to aspiring models?

Very hard question. As I said, things have been changing so fast….  It is easier to become a model today then before, but much harder to live as a model today then before…. Anyways I would say mainly follow your vision, follow your dream…. But be open for some turns along the way.

8. Which is your favorite book and why?

Oh,  so many great books… hard to tell only one….. I will say the ones I am reading now that are great: SAPIENS and HOMO DEUS YUVAL HARARI.

Pedro Soltz

Interviewed By - Serene Ingle