Meet Michael Cardelle
Soap Opera Digest: How did you get this job?
Michael Cardelle: I tested in mid-July, 2004, when they first had auditions. There were about eight of us or so, and evidently they gave it to the other boy [A.J. Lamas]. Six months went by and for whatever reason, he was let go and they called me. I found out on January 5 at 9:15 in the morning. At first, I was like, “This isn’t real.” I was overwhelmed, but what a great feeling. I wish everyone could experience it. It’s just an excitement that overcomes you. I had three days to pick up my life in L.A. and move. I left Miami a year prior to that, in October, 2003. Digest: It must have been quite an adjustment to move cross-country again and start on the soap.
Cardelle: At first, it was wild. I was in class with my manager, Jon Simmons, and [coach] Cary Anderson. They are the ones who taught me my acting technique. They also do development. I had no background in acting and they taught me and that’s how I got the job, of course. I was nervous because they move so quickly on the soap, so you’re always on your toes. But having gone through class with them, I was prepared. And then just the city. The big city, it’s different — there are a lot of streets [laughs]! It was like when I first moved to Los Angeles, I thought I would never get it down. So give me a couple of months. Digest: What do you think of ATWT?
Cardelle: It’s a good show. I read the scripts, even the parts I’m not in, and the storylines, it’s like, “Whoa! I can’t wait for tomorrow’s script.” Digest: Rafi is from Montega, so he’s getting used to a new place, too.
Cardelle: It’s great that he comes from Montega. The storyline kind of parallels my life on some level. My parents are from Cuba. They came to the states at 13 or 14. My mother’s grandfather is from Spain. Spanish is my first language. Digest: Do you have any sisters?
Cardelle: I have two little baby sisters. One is still too little to worry about. She’s 10. If she’s thinking about boys at 10, there’s a problem! No, she’s in school getting straight As. My other little sister is 20. She’s a very smart, strong woman. I still look out for her. But at first, I had the “Where are you going? With whom? When are you coming back?” I was like my dad’s patrolman. He would be watching TV and I would have to report to him and then he would send me back out in the field to get some more info. I also have an older brother who’s 25. We all get along and hang out together, now more than ever. I also have a little puppy in Miami named Kitty. Digest: How have your co-stars treated you?
Cardelle: Everyone was so helpful: If you need any help, just ask. Agim Kaba, Aaron] is very, very helpful. Also, Grayson [McCouch, Dusty], Zach [Roerig, Casey], Jesse [Soffer, Will]. Grayson and Agim, when they’re on the set, I’ll get there a little early and watch their scenes. They’ve both been there so long and they know what they’re doing. They’re the ones who really help me out. Grayson’s a sweet, sweet man. When I first got there, he approached me and said, “Anything you need, just let me know.”
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Soap Opera Digest does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.