Jean-Pascal Zadi Unpacks Personal Fears, Career Dreams, and the Power of Representation in New Interview

Paris, France – Actor and filmmaker Jean-Pascal Zadi recently sat down with Brut for a candid personality test, offering insights into his personal life and professional motivations. Zadi, known for his unique comedic style and thought-provoking work, shared surprisingly relatable fears and aspirations. During the interview, Zadi revealed his mother is his emergency contact, jokingly adding that she would likely panic rather than help in a crisis. He also disclosed an unusual phobia: walking on grass in urban environments, a sentiment that drew laughter from the interviewer. Reflecting on his career, Zadi spoke about the emotional challenge of a crying scene in his film 'Le Rêve américain', a moment he was 'really proud' to have achieved authentically. He also touched upon his childhood dreams of becoming a footballer or a rapper, professions he saw as attainable role models growing up. Zadi emphasized the crucial role of representation in media, highlighting his latest film, 'Le Grand déplacement', which features Black African astronauts on its posters. He expressed his hope that such imagery would 'open up imaginations' and 'create new models' for younger generations, filling a void that existed during his own youth when diverse cinematic role models were scarce. Zadi believes that providing varied perspectives and narratives through film is a significant victory.