Meet Diletta Guglielmi

We were lucky to catch up with Diletta Guglielmi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Diletta, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

If I’m being honest, purpose is something I continue to grapple with. I often find myself questioning my path, my choices, the direction I’m heading. It’s not a linear journey for me. But there is one place where I consistently feel grounded and whole: on set, or on stage, surrounded by fellow creatives. That’s where things make sense. That’s where I feel like I belong. My love for acting began not with a grand sense of purpose, but with the simple, instinctive joy of storytelling. There’s something magical about creating a character, digging into their emotional world, and then bringing that to life alongside other artists. That shared creative energy really feeds me. Over time, I’ve come to realize that what drives me most is the potential to move people. I hope that through the characters I portray, I can spark emotion, empathy, and create moments of connection. There’s something profoundly human about that. If even one person walks away feeling seen or less alone, or even just having had a fun time then I’ve done something worthwhile. I’m still figuring out what my greater purpose might be, but there are moments when it feels incredibly clear, like when I portrayed Sylvia in “Through the Modern Looking Glass”, written by the amazing Christina Renee and directed by the brilliant Kim E. Wang and Tanya Chuturkova. Sylvia is a woman trapped in a cycle of psychological abuse, struggling to reclaim her strength and sense of self. Stepping into her world made me realize how deeply I care about telling stories of women, women who are vulnerable yet strong, lost but unbreakable, silenced but learning to scream. That kind of storytelling feels vital to me. Another defining moment was playing Elena in the short film “Salvation Is Within You!”, directed by the talented duo Luke Simboli and Dylan Springer, and produced by Jake Metzger, Ohia Morrison, and Luke Simboli. As a young Italian actress, portraying a character shaped by the experiences of early 1900s immigrants felt incredibly personal. Elena’s story allowed me to connect with my heritage in a way I hadn’t before. It became a tribute to the strength and sacrifice of those who came before us, a way to honor stories often left in the shadows. Each of these roles helped me move closer to understanding my purpose. Maybe it’s not about having one definitive answer, but rather, continuing to seek meaning through the stories I choose to tell.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Hi! I’m Diletta, but everyone calls me Dilly. I’m an Italian actress based in New York City, originally from Crema, a small town in northern Italy (yes, where Call Me By Your Name was filmed!).
I discovered my passion for acting at 16 while training with Michael Rodgers in Milan. He was intense and, honestly, a little terrifying at first, but he pushed us hard and taught me discipline, focus, and a real love for the craft.
I moved to NYC nearly four years ago to pursue acting full-time and have since worked across both film and theater.
My latest projects include “Salvation Is Within You!”, that I have already mentioned, which was honored with the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum grant; the horror feature film “City Wide Fever”, featuring a phenomenal cast including icons like Rutanya Alda (“The Deer Hunter”), Carolyn Farina (“The Age of Innocence”), and Larry Fessenden (“Killers of the Flower Moon”); and “Erotomaniac”, a short film directed by Oonagh Dougal that won the Focus Features Best Narrative Award at the 2024 Reel Works Film Festival.
Other exciting projects include the award-winning short film “Through The Modern Looking Glass” (winner of 16 awards), also mentioned earlier; and “Doopsy”, where I had the chance to star alongside Stef Dawson (“The Hunger Games”) and Ruben Rabasa (“I Think You Should Leave”).
Another upcoming project I’m especially excited about is “French Fries,” where I got to play a super extroverted, party-animal type totally different from my real-life, introverted self. She’s wild, loud, careless and free, covered in cool tattoos, and lives for the party… basically everything I’m not haha. It was so much fun to step into her shoes for a little!
When I’m not on set or in rehearsal, you’ll probably find me chasing good coffee, live music, getting lost in Central Park, or playing pool at a dive bar.
If I weren’t acting, and if I were braver, I’d be a full-time surfer. I love surfing (even though I’m not great at it), and I’m also slightly terrified of the ocean and big waves. So… Yeah… But still, there’s something about it that makes me feel alive.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For me, one of the most important things has been constant training. Going to acting school gave me a strong foundation, and I have continued to study and refine my craft over the years. That constant learning keeps me sharp and inspired. Not everyone feels that acting training is essential, but for me, developing a solid technique and studying to continue to grow as an artist has been essential.
Another big one is taking care of yourself, mentally and physically. As actors, our body and mind are our instruments, so even simple self-care makes a huge difference. Whether it’s rest, movement, or just taking time to recharge, it’s all part of staying healthy and present in the work.
And finally, resilience. This industry comes with a lot of rejection, and it can be tough. But persistence really is key. You have to keep showing up, keep trying, and find joy in the small moments. Philip Seymour Hoffman once said: “if you are given a chance to act in a room that somebody else paid rent for, then you’re given a free chance to practice your craft.” That really stuck with me. Even filming a self-tape, going to an audition, or performing a scene in class, it’s a chance to do what we love, no matter the outcome. So why not have fun with it? Every “no” is just one step closer to our next “yes.” The key is to stay connected to the passion that brought you here in the first place, and to trust the process even when it feels uncertain.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely! I love collaborating with other creatives. I really enjoy working with people who are full of ideas, who are fun to be around, and who are just kind, generous collaborators. I want to create environments in which we can feel free to play, explore, experiment and build something together without taking ourselves too seriously. Whether it’s filmmakers, writers, photographers, fellow actors, or anyone with a passion for storytelling, I’m always open to creating something meaningful as a team.
If you’re reading this and feel like we might vibe creatively, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can connect with me through Instagram @dillydaydreaming. I’d love to hear from you!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Main picture and last two pictures by Liri Agami

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