‘Emily In Paris’ gave Lucas Bravo his big break. He’s learning to embrace stardom

'Emily In Paris' gave Lucas Bravo his big break. He's learning to embrace stardom

As I delve into Lucas Bravo’s captivating journey, I find myself deeply moved by his resilience and growth as an artist. Born and bred in France, this charming performer has traversed the winding paths of self-discovery, purpose, and artistic expression with a tenacity that is truly inspiring.


On a sweltering August afternoon in West Hollywood, Lucas Bravo shares an extraordinary incident that recently occurred to him, seated outside at Swingers, a beloved eatery on Beverly Boulevard.

At around 5 in the morning, having just flown over from Paris – his usual residence – to Los Angeles for promoting the new season of “Emily in Paris”, he found himself battling jetlag and unable to sleep. To pass time, Bravo met up with a friend and drove towards a nearby beach. There, an unusual request was made to him.

As we pull into our parking spot, a sleek Range Rover rolls up beside us, and this woman asks, “Hey, are you free right now?” Bravo recalls. “She explained that she needed someone to help her deliver some legal papers for a short while. Essentially, it was regarding the custody of her children; she’s going through a divorce and these documents were meant to be served to her mother-in-law.

He goes on to say, “I’m more concerned with making others happy, so my thought process is typically, ‘How can I get out of this situation?’ Since I’m an Aries, I tend to dive into problems headfirst and figure out how to navigate them as I go. However, I wouldn’t want to take on a role like caring for a grandmother. My friend helped me avoid it. But if I were alone, I might have ended up doing it.

This is what it feels like, wandering through the stories spun by a Frenchman in LA. However, it’s worth noting that his fictional character might still have the upper hand when it comes to encountering unexpected and thrilling life events.

Netflix’s bubbly series originally revolved around an American marketing executive, full of enthusiasm, who found himself out of his element in Paris. Over time, the show’s main character, Gabriel (played by Bravo), a golden-hearted chef, took center stage. As Emily, portrayed by Lily Collins, became embroiled in a contentious love triangle with Gabriel, things began to get complicated, reflecting the expertise of series creator Darren Star in creating intricate relationships.

'Emily In Paris' gave Lucas Bravo his big break. He's learning to embrace stardom

Following his success in building his career – launching a restaurant and striving for a Michelin star – Gabriel’s personal life takes an unexpected turn when his impromptu wedding to girlfriend Camille (Camille Razat) is cancelled due to feelings for Emily. However, it seems that Camille may be pregnant? Not quite. The first part of the fourth season, released last month, reveals that Gabriel and Emily have rekindled their relationship, coinciding with his Michelin star aspirations crumbling. As for Camille, it appears she isn’t expecting a child after all; instead, she has been keeping this secret from Gabriel.

Bravo is hesitant to reveal details about the second part of the ongoing season, currently streaming, hinting at more laughter as his character’s turbulent ride seems set for another twist. “Darren excels at creating chaos,” he comments.

Despite being taken aback by the latest twists in the story, even Bravo was caught off guard, especially when it came to Camille’s pregnancy announcement. “I was astonished, thinking this could be a significant change for my character,” he jokes, hinting at the uncertainty of his character’s future. However, Bravo welcomed the fourth season with a sense of relief for his character, as he had anticipated the respite his character would receive from the cancelled wedding and other unexpected events that derailed Gabriel’s plans.

He admits, “I’m quite straightforward.” He expresses that he can’t manage such continuous pressure on a regular basis. It’s similar for Gabriel. Therefore, there’s immense relief. I’m unsure how he’ll react to the baby news because he seems incredibly excited, to put it mildly.

As a devoted cinephile, I can attest that the concept of liberation from preconceived notions resonates deeply with me, and it’s precisely this sentiment that led me to Swingers. This tale, remarkably, is not about a lawyer, which makes its unique charm even more captivating.

At eighteen years old, following his initial semester at law school, he decided to take a short trip with a friend to Los Angeles. He stayed at the West Hollywood residence of a friend’s father, Jean-Christophe “Pitof” Comar, a filmmaker known for directing the 2003 movie “Catwoman.” In his own words, this was his introduction to America. During that week, he frequently ventured out to The Grove, an outdoor shopping center in L.A., and often purchased a Red Bull and a pack of Parliament cigarettes.

On his final day in town, he couldn’t manage a taxi fare, so he asked his companions if they could drive him to the airport instead. However, they refused as a strategy to persuade him to extend his visit. In the end, he stayed for five more years.

Just Lucas in Los Angeles.

Speaking with Bravo, one can sense that he’s been on a journey of self-discovery, trying to find and understand himself. Sitting before him, there’s an air of thoughtfulness and a touch of self-awareness as he discusses his personal life. He shares insights about his past, like how as a child, he yearned for friends primarily to experience their love since his parents didn’t express it often. (He makes sure to clarify that he maintains a positive relationship with them.)

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'Emily In Paris' gave Lucas Bravo his big break. He's learning to embrace stardom

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'Emily In Paris' gave Lucas Bravo his big break. He's learning to embrace stardom

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'Emily In Paris' gave Lucas Bravo his big break. He's learning to embrace stardom

1. “Emily in Paris” star Lucas Bravo. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

He left law school, and for a while, his parents wouldn’t speak to him. Without a work visa, he couldn’t find employment. However, he always had a place to stay. When money from his grandmother was scarce, he would borrow cash from friends to get by.

Each day, he’d reach out to a different friend for a few dollars, then head over to Taco Bell and grab a 99-cent cheesy double beef burrito. Also, there was this place called Swingers, which I hadn’t visited in a while, but it was just a stone’s throw from our house. My friends and I would often sit in a booth, and they’d order various dishes while I admired them, thinking “that looks delicious.” They’d encourage me to order something too, like a Coke or a burger. For me, Swingers symbolized camaraderie, kindness, and the most substantial meals I had during my first three years of having very little.

During their relationship, there were romantic moments as well. He once recounted an incident where he trekked from West Hollywood to Pacific Palisades, a distance of approximately 16 miles, for a date. “It took me six hours,” he mentioned. “At times, there were no sidewalks, making you feel like you might not make it. She opened the door and said, ‘You’re late. ‘Gossip Girl’ has already started.’

Although it’s often said that his encounter with acting happened here, he didn’t actually act during that period. However, as the son of a professional soccer player (Daniel Bravo) and having to move frequently, he discovered his performing skills at a young age, according to him.

Whenever I joined a new school, I found myself in the role of the newcomer,” he explains. “I believe it was a survival tactic that prompted me to develop keen observational skills about group interactions and social patterns. In no time at all, I could figure out the rhythm and seamlessly blend in to shake off the ‘newcomer’ label.

At the age of fifteen, when Bravo’s mom signed him up for an acting school, he found a sense of security in a script. He described it as if the script were a blueprint for a person – “It was like a guide on how to be, how to speak, and even how to think,” he explained.

For Bravo, attending law school was the typical path he saw himself on, one his brother had chosen. It appeared that being a lawyer necessitated a certain level of charisma to sway a jury. (And receiving the request to serve legal papers felt like an unexpected shock.) However, upon returning home, he opted for a structured acting school instead, taking jobs in restaurants and supermarkets concurrently.

On his final day of school, as he paused for lunch, he bumped into an old acquaintance, now a talent agent, who invited him to receive some screenplays. One of them was titled “Emily in Paris.

Enthusiast of Star’s productions, especially “Sex and the City,” which Bravo attributes to his understanding of sexuality and fluency in English, the actor was keen on trying out for a role. He advanced through multiple stages, yet the show’s decision-makers were undecided due to his lack of experience and moved on instead. Disheartened, Bravo journeyed to Corsica, a place with limited cell service, where he indulged in hiking and goat cheese making. Later, he was met by numerous missed calls and messages inviting him back for another round, supposedly to portray one of Emily’s other love interests.

'Emily In Paris' gave Lucas Bravo his big break. He's learning to embrace stardom

Based on Star’s account, from the early stages, there was something about Bravo, both on screen and in real life, that stood out to him significantly as they approached the start of the first season. His doubts about casting an inexperienced actor for the main male role gradually faded away.

Star mentioned, “We reunited him with Lily, and their connection was palpable – it was undeniably special.” She added, “There’s something captivating about him, a radiant charm that shines from his eyes, and a wit that is simply irresistible. I couldn’t help but trust my instincts.

Landing her first significant television role on “Emily in Paris” catapulted Emily into the limelight as Bravo’s breakout star. So, can you imagine the sensation of suddenly becoming the object of affection for millions worldwide on a global stage like this popular series?

He admits feeling unexpected and inadequate with such a high level of exposure and recognition so quickly, given his early career stage. He explains that global visibility doesn’t automatically equate to experience or establishment. Consequently, the feelings of being an imposter intensified significantly.

But Collins says she senses Bravo has figured out how to not be overwhelmed by it.

This season, Lucas appeared to embrace a fresh feeling of liberation and delight, fully immersing himself in the experience and enjoying himself even more, according to her statement.

'Emily In Paris' gave Lucas Bravo his big break. He's learning to embrace stardom

At the age of 36, he’s been pondering over questions regarding identity and purpose, as well as his desire to continue growing as an entertainer. As he contemplates the chances that once seemed unattainable, now within reach, he becomes more energetic. This diner, which was a regular haunt of his in the past, holds memories of times long gone.

After “Emily in Paris,” he has portrayed other charming characters on the silver screen, such as in “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” and the comedic film “Ticket to Paradise” starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Lately, however, he has chosen roles that are significantly different from these.

“The Balconettes

Despite his apprehensions, Bravo is learning to embrace himself fully, particularly in relation to his physical self, as he tackles fresh opportunities. The thought of exposing his body brings a unique sort of fear. He was aware that joining the cast of “Emily” might necessitate some skin exposure. Moreover, “The Balconettes” includes nude scenes, and there are similar requirements in some of his other ventures. Bravo’s history with food goes back to his childhood, where he admits a refrigerator lock was used due to his excessive eating habits. In simpler terms, Bravo is learning to feel at ease with himself, especially physically, as he takes on new roles that might require showing skin. He was aware of the nudity requirements in “Emily” and other projects like “The Balconettes,” where he had struggled with food since his childhood, leading to a refrigerator being locked due to his eating habits.

He mentions that food served as both a source of pleasure and a comfort mechanism for him, given the stressful environment that came from being the son of a disciplined soccer player who placed great demands on himself.

For “The Balconettes,” he worked with a fitness coach for two months, waking up every morning to box and eating things like apples and tuna. Once the project wrapped, and with some more relaxed eating around the holidays, the anxiety returned as filming for the fourth season of “Emily in Paris” neared and his physique, he says, wasn’t as fit. An early scene from the season, where he’s in the shower, called for him to be shirtless and panic set in, he says.

In a candid moment, he confesses, “As I step onto the stage, my chef outfit seems a bit snug.” He then adds with a chuckle, “From a certain angle, it appears as if I’ve been indulging in some culinary creations a bit too much – giving the impression that I’m nearly three trimesters along!

Bravo found himself feeling apprehensive about the upcoming episode, wondering if it might involve a scene requiring him to be bare-chested alongside Alfie, who seems more chiseled than any piece of marble.

Instead of pushing himself so hard at work and striving for a Michelin star, Bravo is now prioritizing self-compassion. His focus has shifted from professional accomplishments to seeking inner peace and self-acceptance. In the coming years, he aspires to direct movies, and he’s even written his own screenplay – a heartwarming tale of love in an amusement park in Japan. With some assistance, this is the story that Bravo has created for himself.

He expresses his desire for a similar ambiance found in films like ‘Lost in Translation’ and ‘Perfect Days.’ In contrast to today’s fast-paced world dominated by TikTok and brief videos, he yearns for a film that encourages viewers to pause and reflect. That’s the kind of movie he aspires to create.

Currently, he’s generously proposed covering the cost of our meal at Swingers as he has the means to do so. (However, we got there first.)

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2024-09-12 20:02

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