Eli Riccardi is an German actress, singer and songwriter. She has established herself as a rising star in the music and movie industries. Eli is known to a huge audience for her role as Elaine Ellington in the world famous film adaptation of the novel «Save Me» by Mona Kasten - «Maxton Hall: The World Between Us».
Hello Eli, welcome to our interview! How are you spent this winter?
— Hey there! Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately it doesn’t feel like February is the last month of winter in Berlin, so I decided to escape to Nicaragua for a few weeks. I’ve been volunteering as a yoga teacher in a small fishing village here, surfing and embracing the local life, dancing the nights away and eating as many papayas as humanly possible!
We have a traditional question: when and why did you decide to become an actress? What inspired you to take this step?
— Honestly it was more of a gut feeling than a decision. When I dropped out of high school all I wanted to do is work in theatre. It gave me a sense of belonging compared to the school system I was told to tag along with. I sent out hundreds of applications, somehow landed my first jobs, convinced my parents to move out at 16 and worked as an AD for almost 3 years. In between I worked side hustles to save more money. After assisting at multiple different theatres across the country I decided to audition for drama schools. It never really felt like fulfilling a dream, it just felt like I had nothing to lose and somehow no other choice. And it worked out! Studying dramatic arts in Berlin was amazing and in a way shaped me as a performer. Now, nearly three years after graduation I’m honestly in the most privileged position I could be as a artist and I’m infinitely grateful for the projects and people I’ve been working with.
You succeeded not only in acting but in music as well. We are also curious to know at what moment of your life did you decide to become a singer?
— I’m not really sure that was a decision either, music has always been an essential part of my life, I had subscribed to a passion and something in me refused to cancel it. I learned to play the flute and guitar when I was a kid, and would to write poems and songs all the time. When puberty hit my friends and I got into busking and would cover songs we thought an audience would enjoy. At 12 I was cast in musicals at the theatre in my home town, Freiburg, and played, sang and danced there for 4 years. Later my mom’s friends reached out to her, asking if I wanted to work as a voice actress and singer for radio commercials. Things just fell into place. Sooner or later I had to decide if I wanted to apply for acting or music, but getting into drama schools in Germany felt a bit more realistic without a high school degree. I moved to Berlin in 2018, and met my producer Jan Gandi through a mutual friend in 2020. He was the one who taught me the process of making records and working in a studio. It’s a blessing to work with musicians that now feel like family to me.
What genre do you categorize your music as?
— It’s definitely a singer-songwriter/soul mix with some jazzy influences. Wow I made that sound more complicated than it actually is.
Are you planning to try new genres or collaborations in the future?
— Before I venture towards «new» genres, I want to explore and solidify my own sound and sonics. But! I’m always open for collaborations! No matter what genre.
Do you listen to your own songs in your daily life?
— Sometimes. Honestly I really need to detach from my own stuff every once in a while.
Your EP «Beyond The Sea» is a mix of indie pop and soul. How do your musical ideas come about?
— Inspiration can be found anywhere. All I need to do is be in tune with my surroundings. My friend is heartbroken? turns it into a song. I’ve been depressed and get the city blues? I’ve detached from an old pattern? Turn it into a poem, a song, a picture, whatever. Sometimes I write on guitar or piano, come up with lyrics and chords, a demo so to say, then take it to the studio and figure out the arrangements with my producers or studio musicians. I can be quite picky about my lyrics. Other times, we hang out at the studio and my producer sinks into making an instrumental, whilst I’m on the couch behind him writing whatever comes to mind. By the end of the day we’ve got a new track. Some of the songs, like «123-45678», were born in jam sessions with the band. I really don’t have a recipe for it.
You recorded a soundtrack called «Sea of Love» for the TV series «Maxton Hall», in which you also played the role of Elaine Ellington. Wow! That was your first soundtrack for a show? How did it feel?
— Yes! It was my first time participating in a soundtrack. And I was really excited when the producers asked me to do the cover. It doesn’t 100% represent me as an artist, but I love how the version turned out and it was a delight to interpret a song that’s been around for such a long time and loved by so many.
Which scene from Maxton Hall is your favorite?
— Oh can’t tell you yet!
Who was your favorite person to interact with on set?
— Thank goodness I love interacting with everybody! We’re such a fun bunch and I get excited to.
Is there a fun interesting behind-the-scenes story you can tell us?
— It’s strange that I seem to be the only one that remembers this story, when we were shooting the gala scene in season 1 everybody was waiting for me to arrive on set (I was the last person to arrive and was a bit late because of the intense two hours in Hair and Make-up every day) and when I arrived everybody started to sing “happy birthday”.. even though it wasn’t my birthday (Laughing) people were congratulating me the whole night, and I had to tell everyone it was just a joke.
Do you have a favorite song of your own? If so, which song is it?
— You can’t tell a mother to pick her favorite child, can you? (Laughing) But… stay tuned, my new favorites will be released soon!
What about your favorite role? Your filmography includes various projects such as «Mandy and the Forces of Evil», «SOKO Koln», «Jugend», «Sisi» and the internationally famous «Maxton Hall». Which role in any of these shows has been the most meaningful for you?
— Again, I’m really bad at picking favorites! But Elaine Ellington was probably the craziest to portrait because we’re complete opposites! Coming back to season 2 was so much fun, slid right back into the character and was able to explore her a little deeper this time. She is everything I could never be! (And wouldn’t aspire to be either) Having the directors and producers trust, giving me the opportunity to dive into a character like Elaine is an absolute privilege. On the other hand, looking back one of my favorite projects was SIS - beste Schwester, a short film about sisterhood by Lina Drevs. Johanna, a friend I studied drama with, asked me if we wanted to audition for it together because we have similar eyebrows. (Laughing) We fell in love with Linas ideas, her style of directing and her story. She trusted us all the way. She opened up a safe space, a playground, extending her vision, handing us freedom within the characters. Johanna and I know each other so well, which is a great advantage. Every component had an organic flow to it. Wow, I could go on about this forever! So stoked to see what’s coming up next.
We know you speak several languages and you also voiced Elaine with a British accent. Can you tell us about what languages you speak?
— I speak English, German and Italian.
Are you interested in the voiceover industry?
— Absolutely! I hope to get more voiceover gigs in the future, it’s so much fun!
You said you're a volunteer. Please tell us more about volunteering in your life.
— This is the first time I’m volunteering at surf/guest houses as a yoga teacher. Basically you get free accomodation and/or meals in exchange for at least an hour of yoga with guests per day. It’s a really convenient way to travel and meet new people along the way!
Yoga is an important part of your life right? How long have you been practicing yoga and what do yoga gives you?
— Not only yoga, but “bodywork” has been an important part of my life since I got into musical theatre in 2012, thanks to our choreographers Gary Joplin and Emma Louise Jordan. Yoga is simply the practice I prefer, and I like to incorporate elements from different methods and mentors that I’ve picked up along the way. In 2023 I did my Yoga Teacher Training in Indonesia and in 2024 Talmi-Practitioner Training in Bavaria, a type of somatic massage. I guess I don’t just teach to instruct, but to be a student! The way you move, breathe, and hold space reveals a lot about the state of your mind and body. Finding a translation, an instant reflection between inner and outer state helped me through a lot, as a person, but also working in performing arts.
I saw your reels about being on Team Ruby (Maxton Hall)! Tell us, what is your favorite characters from movies or TV shows? Are there any favorite movie pairings?
— The «Modern Family» ensemble is probably one of my favorite casts out there. The characters really grow on you, I adore every one of them in every constellation. it’s my comfort show! I recently watched «We Live in Time», and Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield told a phenomenally deep and intense story together. Also, the script was incredible.
Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?
— I love to cook! Growing up in Italian household food is my love language. Yoga is also an important part of my day. I’ve been going on surf trips every now and then for the past couple of years and I really want to improve my surfing (I am by no means any good at it). My mental health is at its best when I connect to myself through to the ocean.
Favourite movie?
— Just to be clear, I simply cannot decide which one is my favorite and I’m not the biggest film-nerd in the first place. But! I recently watched the Maria Callas Biopic and would highly recommend. Angelina moved me to tears! The way she portraits the vulnerability and body-mind connection it takes to sing really resonated with me on a deep level.
Favorite TV series?
— At the moment: «Modern Family», «Sex and the City», «True Blood».
Favorite game?
— The Mind!
Favorite book?
— «Circe» by Madeleine Miller, «Breath» by James Nestor.
Your favorite quote?
— Don’t make decisions based on fear.
Favorite color?
— All colors are beautiful!
Your favorite singer/band?
— You have to be kidding. (Laughing) I‘ll go with Cynthia Erivo.
Your favorite song?
— Ocean by John Butler.
Three recent songs you've added to your playlist?
— Tell me why - Gotts Street Park and Olive Jones.
Still crazy after all these years - Paul Simon.
Pass me by - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.
What's your house from Game of Thrones?
— How did you know I liked Game of Thrones! I’m a sunshine girlie, so I might not even be a Westeros house!
What's your Hogwarts House?
— That's for the hat to decide!
Do you have an idol and if you do, who is it and why?
— The greatest source of strength to me are the women in my family.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
— Full of surprises.
What superpower would you like to have and why?
— Teleport, so I can escape winters without flying.
