Resolve and realness are at the heart of this new leading lady.

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Photography by Dio Anthony, Styling by Raz Martinez, Hair & Makeup by Carissa Swany, Words by Brielle Diskin

In La Dolce Villa, Maia Reficco plays Olivia, a young woman at a crossroads who takes a leap of faith, buying a rundown villa in Tuscany in hopes of rebuilding both the house and her sense of purpose. It’s one of those sweet romance films, a treat akin to stopping by a neighborhood gelato shop on the way home from dinner. Watching it reminded me of when I spent a college semester abroad in the gelato-lined streets of Florence, Italy, not far from where the film is set. Reficco’s performance as Olivia—a young woman searching for direction and choosing to follow the path that feels right—also reminded me of that time in my life but for a different reason. The push and pull of being a 20-something, caught between the freedom of possibility and the weight of uncertainty that comes with the pursuit of a creative dream. That feeling—of stepping into the unknown while trusting in what’s ahead—is something Maia Reficco understands well. At 24 years old, she is fresh off a Broadway run in Hadestown, and La Dolce Villa is currently the #1 film on Netflix. This could be the moment where she gets swept up in the frenzy, where the industry molds her into whatever version of a rising star it wants her to be. But that’s not her. When we chat over Zoom, Reficco is at home in Buenos Aires, the city that raised her and still feels like her anchor. She grew up a city girl, learning about life by watching people. Born in Boston and raised in Argentina, she has always balanced two worlds. That duality—American and Argentine, actor and musician, dreamer and realist—shapes not just her career but her approach to it. She doesn’t force anything. She trusts in the work, the timing, and the idea that what’s meant for her will come.

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Brielle Diskin: I know we’re speaking while you’re in Buenos Aires, but you also have roots in the U.S. Which place feels most like home?

Maia Reficco: Yes, I am! I was born in Boston, but I moved to Buenos Aires when I was four, so I’ve spent my whole life here. It’s definitely home to me, and I’m very proud to be Argentine. It’s where I’ve found my identity.

Brielle Diskin: Buenos Aires seems like such a vibrant place. What’s it like growing up there?

Maia Reficco: It’s a huge city, one of the biggest in the world, and I absolutely love it. I grew up a bit outside the city, but I’d go into Buenos Aires every day for school. It was the best of both worlds—living outside the city but experiencing the energy of the city every day. My high school years were very much a city kid’s life.

Brielle Diskin: We’re talking now because of your new film—congrats on it hitting #1 on Netflix! But since you’re a multi-hyphenate performer, was acting always the first passion, or did music come first?

Maia Reficco: Music came first. Singing has always been my biggest passion. It is who I am and feels like home to me. I’ve been fortunate enough to have done a lot of acting and it has been such a wonderful experience, but music will always be my first love.

Brielle Diskin: How do you balance your music with acting, especially since acting is more in the spotlight right now?

Maia Reficco: It’s tough. Acting has been at the forefront for the last few years, but I’m now making a conscious effort to make room for music. It’s hard to stay true to yourself and not get swept up by the fear of not working. It has taken me a while to set aside the time and find my groove with my music, but I’m happy that I am finally at a place where I’m able to prioritize it too.

“My family, especially my brother. He’s my best friend, my biggest fan, and the most honest person, calling me out when I’m off track.”

— Maia Reficco

Brielle Diskin: You've acted in TV, film, and Broadway. How do you approach these different creative spaces? Do you see yourself gravitating toward one in the future?

Maia Reficco: I take it as it comes. TV, film, and theater each require different approaches. But honestly, I’d say theater is my favorite. I grew up dreaming of being on Broadway, and I’d love to return to it. I haven’t done a film since my last movie, and I miss it, but I’m just grateful for any opportunity that comes my way.

Brielle Diskin: Watching La Dolce Villa, it took me back to my time studying abroad in Italy. What was it like shooting there?

Maia Reficco: That’s amazing! This was actually my first time filming in Italy for an extended period, and it was a dream come true. The experience of being in such beautiful places like Rome and Tuscany was beyond anything I expected.

Brielle Diskin: What part of your character Olivia did you connect with the most?

Maia Reficco: The central theme of the film is redemption, both for Olivia and her father. It was so fulfilling to portray their journey, especially the evolution of their relationship. For me, it was also about rebuilding after tragedy—finding purpose and healing. Despite the heavier themes of grief, there’s a lot of love and hope in the story.

Brielle Diskin: That’s beautifully said. You and Scott had such a great dynamic in the film. What was your experience working with him?

Maia Reficco: Scott is amazing—such a pro! It was truly the highlight of the shoot for me. He made me feel comfortable on set, and even though it was a male-dominated set, Scott really took me under his wing. By the end, he was very paternal toward me, and that was such a special experience.

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Brielle Diskin: When you’re shooting abroad, do you spend most of your time on set, or did you get a chance to explore the location?

Maia Reficco: I’m the type who can’t stay still. I’d carry my tote bag, Kindle, and camera, and just walk around for hours exploring. I was lucky to be in such a beautiful part of Rome, and I loved it there. Even when we were shooting in Tuscany, I’d head back to Rome on weekends. I’m pretty socially anxious, but something about Italy gave me the courage to go out on my own and make friends. It was incredibly freeing, not just professionally but personally too.

Brielle Diskin: Ugh, take me back, that sounds amazing. Pretty Little Liars was such a big ensemble, so it might have been harder to focus on that isolated coming-of-age experience. Looking back through that lens, how did you feel about your character Noah’s growth in that?

Maia Reficco: With Pretty Little Liars, there was definitely an aspect where the focus was more on the horror elements and the ensemble as a whole, so it was harder to hone in on that isolated coming-of-age story. But over the two seasons, I do think we got to explore Noah’s growth and how she started coming into herself. It wasn’t the main focus for my character, though, given the nature of the show. A lot of that growth happened somewhat unconsciously, as we were filming for almost three years, and the personal growth we experienced as actors trickled into our characters. Does that make sense?

Brielle Diskin: Totally! I grew up with the original too, and you’re right – the version you were in definitely took a more horror route. I always think of it through a teen lens, but it was definitely horror.

Maia Reficco: It was campy, fun, and sometimes grotesque. Growing up, I was a huge horror fan, especially the campy kind like Scary Movie—they always made me laugh. Getting to be part of this and behind the scenes was surreal. I had never done a TV show in the US, and being in a beloved franchise I was such a fan of felt like a dream come true. It was technically horror, which is funny because the original wasn’t, but our showrunners, Roberto and Lindsay, gave it its own spin to create something unique, not just a continuation of the original.

Brielle Diskin: Could you see yourself doing something in the horror genre in the future? Revisiting horror?

Maia Reficco: I never saw myself in horror initially, but I’ve grown to love it. I used to be squeamish, so I gravitated toward campier horror, but now I appreciate all of it. It’s a genre that often features underappreciated, incredible performances. Acting-wise, it’s tough to crack, but there have been some wild, amazing performances in the genre, like Lily Rose-Depp. I’d absolutely love to do more horror. Honestly, I just love working. Whether it’s horror, action, romance, coming-of-age, or drama, I’m up for anything as long as the story resonates with me. So, we’ll see.

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Brielle Diskin: It’s clear you’re passionate about your work. Looking ahead, are there any shows or films you’re eyeing?

Maia Reficco: Absolutely. I grew up as a theater kid, and it’s amazing that musical theater is cool again, thanks to Wicked. One show that really changed my life was Spring Awakening. It’s been my dream to be a part of it in some capacity—especially if they ever did a movie adaptation. Theater has shaped so much of who I am, and I’m thrilled to see musicals getting more recognition and movie adaptations. I’d love to be a part of that, singing and acting on film would be a dream.

Brielle Diskin: That would be incredible. You’ve also done Hadestown, which was amazing. Your voice is incredible, but I also loved how you spoke and sang Spanish on stage.

Maia Reficco: Thank you! Hadestown was such an honor to be a part of. I also speak Spanish on stage, which ties back to my cultural background. I don’t actively think about it, but growing up in Argentina and speaking Spanish every day—it’s a part of me that comes through naturally. When it showed up in Hadestown, it just felt right. I always try to make sure my culture is represented in my work, especially because I’ve often felt underrepresented. I’m grateful to have worked with a team that was open to that inclusion.

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“My therapist encourages me to meditate, and she sends me different exercises. Honestly, her words are gospel to me.”

— Maia Reficco

Brielle Diskin: That’s beautiful. It must feel rewarding to bring your culture into your work like that.

Maia Reficco: It really does. When people hire me, they’re getting all of me—my Argentine background, my experiences. It’s not something I have to force; it’s just who I am. Whether a character is Argentine or not, my perspective will always come through, just like my perspective as a woman. I can’t speak for everyone’s experiences, but I bring mine into my work and try to make people feel seen and represented.

Brielle Diskin: It’s clear you’re really in tune with yourself and your personal growth. Would you agree?

Maia Reficco: Thank you, that means a lot. I think it’s all about finding balance. It’s easy to get caught up in everything, but I’m learning to take the time for myself and embrace who I am. It’s a process, but I’m getting there.

Brielle Diskin: On the regular, what keeps you grounded?

Maia Reficco: My family, especially my brother. He's two years younger than me, my best friend, and the person I look up to most. A wildly talented artist, I'm lucky to have him by my side, whether it’s a phone call or just sharing life. He’s one of the main reasons I’m happy. He's my biggest fan and the most honest person, calling me out when I’m off track and reminding me to stay focused. I owe so much to him. I love him. He's perfect.

Brielle Diskin: Sounds like an amazing support system, my sister is equally my rock. Do you have other practices, like meditation, that keep you grounded?

Maia Reficco: Definitely. My therapist encourages me to meditate, and she sends me different exercises. Honestly, her words are gospel to me.

Brielle Diskin: I love a therapist who sends links. It’s also just tough to find a therapist you really connect with, great you found one.

Maia Reficco: I’m grateful for her. There are ebbs and flows with it, though. Sometimes I do it more because I need it, and other times I know I should but don’t, but I always feel better when I do it. It’s a process, just like everything else.