CIAODC.com (CDC): Ciao from Washington, DC Giada! It has been so long since we have chatted and graced with your beautiful voice here in the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia)! Last time we worked together was in 2011 at the Taste of Italy. A lot has happened since then. Share your journey with us.
GIADA: It is first of all wonderful to be back at Ciao DC. Well life has been like a roller coaster. The last 4 years have been intense and you can say life changing. Soon after our interview in 2011, I was not feeling very well. For a while I was told I was suffering of Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar. But in 2012 I started to faint almost on a daily base. I knew it was something more serious. To make a long story short I was suffering of a rare condition, rare benign tumors on my pancreas called insulinoma. I spent a month in the hospital. Thanks to a miracle and a team of incredible doctors who did some major surgery I had my health back. That month in a hospital has completely changed my life -- In a good way. I came to realize that life is precious. Health is everything, together with family and friends. And my fans, I called them my Angels, were praying and sending me letters and presents. That experience has enriched my life in so many ways. It has made me realize that our time on earth is limited. I feel blessed to have learned so much from this experience. And when I had my health back I was determined, even more than before, to use my God given talent to bring joy and love around the world. And I’m so happy to say that my hard work as paid me back. Last March I filmed my first television special, titled “From Venice With Love” that will air all around the United States in December.
CDC: Your performance at the NIAF (National Italian American) Gala Weekend in honor of their 40th Celebration has had rave reviews! How was your iconic Italian American event?
GIADA: NIAF was wonderful and it was such an honor for me to be part of it. I had the opportunity sing the American National Anthem for the first time -- I usually sing the anthem in Italian -- for the NIAF audience on Saturday night. An unforgettable moment that still gives me chills and that has apparently touched so many people, as I’m still receiving compliments about my rendition of it. It was even recorded with a phone and played on a radio in NYC by a DJ last week. What a moment…..America is really the land of opportunities for those who are willing to take risks and dream big dreams!!!
CDC: Share with CiaoDC the exciting collaboration between Giada Valenti and MPT, “From Venice with Love!”
GIADA: I always loved PBS. I discovered it when I started to spend time in the United States 10 years ago. I used their childrens program to improve my English. Then I discovered their wonderful programing and I started dreaming to bring my music to them. I knew that would have made possible of me to reach so many people. And here I am now. I signed a deal with the National office of PBS and starting in December the television special “From Venice With Love” will be airing on PBS around the country. It is for sure a dream coming true. I will also be in the studio at PBS MPT (Maryland Public Television), December 5th. I will be interviewed by two hosts of MPT during the Pledge Drive and tell more details about my upcoming concert May 4th at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore next year.
CDC: When and where can we tune in? How can we support this project?
GIADA: The TV special will be airing in December during their pledge season. I will be touring around the United States in the cities where the television special will be aired. People can help by pledging and supporting their local PBS station and my music. They will be able to support PBS buying my new CD, DVD and concert tickets. And local business can reach out to me and be sponsors of the Concerts in their region.
CDC: How does Giada find balance on and off the stage?
GIADA: I’m lucky that I love my job. So I’m pretty happy almost always. I always try to see the positive side even of a bad experience. And that works magic. And I try to eat healthy, to move and go to the gym, and after my health scare I was introduced to Transcendental Meditation. I feel so much more relaxed and balanced.
CDC: How do you make your dreams come true?
GIADA: Working hard and sharing it with everybody.
CDC: How does being Italian help with your passion for life?
GIADA: We Italians love to enjoy things like food, family and friends always….we don’t drink a coffee while working….we sit down…..
We don’t eat only because we need to do it…..we eat because we love food….I think we are very passionate people…..and to enjoy life is in our DNA, for sure in mine.
CDC: What’s your message for your fans in the DMV (DC, MD, VA)?
GIADA: I hope they can always find time to relax. To be stressed is not good. I know that from personal experience. So I hope they will love my music, my PBS special From Venice with Love and they will enjoy my music and spend two hours to relax with their loved ones at my Concerts next year!!! Love is all we need and music is a wonderful way to share emotions with the people we love. I see it always at my concerts. People get closer and they fall in love with love again. Many of my fans got engaged at my Concerts and some even fell in love…..love is really in the air…..
