Arpi Gabrielyan: I am ready to make drastic changes in my image to please my audience

Actress Arpi Gabrielyan very often captures readers of different newspapers, magazines and other publications in articles and publications with eye-catching headlines. Every photo of hers may well be worth public attention, but she herself seldom gives interviews. The actress admits that she is not fond of speaking about herself in general.

Tert.am Life had an exclusive opportunity to interview Apri to present interesting facts about her achievements, plastic surgeries, high fees and attractive offers. Arpi also unveiled her recent photos.

The actress says she made her first steps as a singer when she was already 15. At the time, she was awarded two prizes in junior song contest Do-Re-Mi. Shorly after that she was admitted to the Song State Theatre and later pursued her professional education at the Institute of Theatre. Arpi has also ran a morning broadcast on the TV channel ATV. She later worked as an anchor for Show News and Pop Encyclopaedia. Today Arpi is not planning to run any program; the actress says does not mind the kind of work but prefers “breaks from time to time” as she is not keen on being permanently on air.

Arpi, you began your career as a singer a few years ago but later made your way into the world of television as a reporter and also took up acting. Now you prefer to be an actress rather than an anchor  or a singer. Which profession is closer to you?

I think that theatre, cinema, television and music are all inseparable. I believe that I can contribute a lit bit of myself to each.  I have never actually separated them, because in the process of learning and working, I really devoted my time to each of these fields. It is difficult to make a choice but if I happen to, I'll choose acting, because I feel quiet at ease as an actress. They say that a person should choose such a profession not to have it as a burden. I don't feel like working too much even if I am very busy.

You were famous long before ''Full House'' was released. Many treated you as a beautiful girl. After your appearance in that sitcom, they grew to like you even more. So which was the turning point in your career?

 I appreciate every step that made me what I am now; yet, I cannot but admit that the turning point was my role in '' Full House''. People began recognizing me as an actress after that, not just as a beautiful girl. Apart from the sitcom, other movies too, reaffirmed  my status as an actress,  causing people to change their attitude towards me.

Directors in the Armenian film industries perceive actors mainly in one amplitude. Have you tried to appear in quite a different image?

I don’t think I have yet. I would be happy to have a role different from those that I've already player. I don't know and I cannot  predict what it would be like, but to be honest, I am ready to take that risk.

You have appeared in one and the same image for so many years. It looks like that making changes will be really difficult. Are you ready to change your image?

Of course, I am not going to make these changes for myself; that may be only for the sake of a good role. If it is a must to embody a specific character, I'll do that in order to have the desired result. As to scenes, there are certain limits here, I should say.

Do you face any taboos in the course of your professional activity?

As far as you know, I was born in Armenia and live in Armenia. Of course, there are certain taboos. I cannot admit the fact that absolutely everything is permitted when you choose the career of an actress. I think the taboos I personally face are typical to the Armenians. I cannot ignore them in any situation.

We have seen you in open scenes, wearing extremely short dresses, as well as in the film ''Scotch and Whisky”, where certain scenes are really considered to be too open. So what is your understanding of taboos given that you are often seen half-dressed in certain episodes?

Psychologically I am mature enough to feel what I can and what I cannot. There is no sense to pretend anything.

The directors usually have a special attitude to actresses. Have you ever experienced this while working with different directors?

I really appreciate my work with film directors as I usually set tasks which I try to resolve. It enables me to estimate my real potential so see whether or not my skills are limited. I made interesting discoveries while working with them and now I long for new characters and roles.

You also played at the theatre for a short period. Emotionally, theatre thought to be quite a different for an actor. What benefits did you gain from your career as a theatre actress?

I wasn’t in the theatre’s permanent staff as I was always pressed for time, but I have played in commercial spectacles. I hope the day will come when I will fully devote my time to theatre as I like very much to work on the stage .Emotionally, theatre is very rich. While acting in movies, I am interested in the process, whereas in the theatre I look forward to the end, because that’s when I demonstrate the entire energy I gained and accumulated over months. I play with improvisations.

Do you have a partner who understands you at a single glance?

All the actors from'' Full House'' cast, as we have been working together for five years now – not only in front of cameras but also on stage. At times, it is really dangerous as we can make improvisations, departing from the scenario.

You have made friends with one another in the Full House team as you went on long-lasting trips together for so many times. Have there been any conflicts or disagreements?

'Full House'' has become a kind of army where we live together for months. Problems may certainly arise, which is quite normal. We have become so close with one another that we resolve the problems like one family. We owe to our producer and director for that.

Four years is not absolutely a short period for embodying a specific character. Have there been moments when you felt really exhausted, wishing to appear in a different role?

I think everyone wants that, but after a certain break, you see how much you have actually missed it. And besides, this project was very important for all of us, because it was so popular.

A new season is going to open soon, which is very risky. Do you expect increasing demands by your audience?

All I can say definitely is that the new season is going to be very interesting, but I cannot have 100% or 90% assurances that anything is going to be really successful. When started this project, we couldn't even imagine how successful it would be. I now hope we will keep it up. We are looking forward to new season. I hope we’ll do even better.

Arpi, the market in Armenia is not so big, and you certainly work for your success; yet at certain moments do encounter obstacles as the chances of you promotion appear really limited after a fast-paced progress. What are your goals now? Do you see your future career in Armenia or are planning any project abroad?

I have a lot of projects, but I do not like to speak about them until they are realized. I often go to the United States which is considered one of the best centers of movie industries and acting, so I want to improve my skills as an actress there. I also hope to realize half of my projects. Now I'm working on my new song. Also I am planning to launch a business project which I hope will be really interesting.You thus appear on the list of the celebrities who seek for ways to earn extra profit.

It’s not for the sake of business that I am going to do it. I just received an offer which gave me the interesting idea. What I am planning to do is accepted worldwide, but it will something new to Armenia. First of all, it is a job which I am going to do with pleasure.

You are among the highest-paid actresses in Armenia. Do you think that a high fee is a necessary demand to accept a role?

Yes, I think so. There may be such projects where the financial means are not high but the projects themselves are important. So I agree with you at this point. But on the whole, fees are really important as I earn my living in that way.

Do you think that the life of celebrities imposes certain lifestyle? Should it be expensive?

There was a period when I didn't think about it at all, but today. I've become demanding.

You have never spoken about your family. Is your life different from what you experienced in your childhood? (We mean your financial  only)

My family was not rich. We were a modest family, and I am really happy for that. I have never thought that I could reach such a financial stability and enjoy such a freedom. Now I can afford things which I used to need badly and could only dream about. I feel really happy that thanks to my hard work now, I have the things I want and can also help my family from time to time.

How treat the rumors that celebrities often have ties with wealthy men who assist in their promotion?  

I can only say that this kinds conversations are not for me. I'm rather independent will never let any producing company control me.

When you were making your steps as an actress, did you imagine that one day, you will be one of the most famous actresses in Armenia?

It never occurred to me that I would gain such a prominence. For me, it is pleasant, obliging and at the same time dangerous. It might sound strange that I consder fame dangerous, but it is  a  great responsibility to know that you are being followed by a number of teenagers. You have no right to be mistaken as your public image serves as a kind of model for your followers.

Being famous gives you pleasure one hand and restrains your actions on the other as you lose your freedom. Does it bother you much?

I don't like to be in the center of attention, but it is almost impossible nowadays. I am an ordinary person who can have problems in everyday life, in family and in private life, and feel stressful time and again, but when I leave the house, have to forget about all that,  put aside everything andand try to smile and have photos with people. You don't have the right to look unattended no matter how pressed for time you may be.

It has been a long time I stopped feeling free in the streets, as every time I go out for a walk it turns into an endless photo session. I feel the same also in other countries' cities and towns where there are many Armenians. The reaction abroad appears normally more vehement given the greater distance.

At a certain moment, your private life ceases to be private. Does public interest interfere with your personal life?

I have always tried to avoid covering my personal life. It is really irritating for me to know that people may be discussing it so much. The only thing I can say people will know of the changes once there are any .

Arpi, a famous person inevitably also faces criticism. Do you feel any negative attitude towards you? And how do you cope with that?

There was a period when I took everything too close to heart. I can't say that I treat all this with indifference now, but I do not take them easy either. I can't deny that all that influences you at times, but I think it is absolutely normal. It isn't possible to make everybody love you. I know that I am neither the first nor the last person to be in the center of different discussion.  I am aware that having such a profession will bring you face to face with such situations.

You are often rumored to have undergone plastic surgeries. What changes have you made to your appearance over the past years?

I have never had any plastic surgery. As time changes, I have take care of my appearance in acccordingly, which is quite normal. We know that with the chganging standards and trends every girl (especially if she is famous) must be in a good shape and look well-attended.

We now see you as a completely self-confident person free of any complexes. Did you used to be as confident as you are now?

Of course, not.  From very early ages, my parents took me to a variety of activities such as dancing, singing, etc. I  was always annoyed when I was told to sing. Now I have overcome all those fears.hat makes you feel uncomfortable?

There can  be moments when I don't want to play at all. But I  control myself and go on with my work.

Have you ever felt disappointed?

There were moments when I was disappointed with personal, family, business affairs. I think it is normal because afterwards you feel more experienced . You will have more achievements and excitements.

What is the most disappointing thing in your life?

I have never concentrated on that, as I don't want to keep unpleasant memories. I am a positive person. I always try to search and keep good and encouraging things in my life.

Interview conducted by Amalya Hovhannisyan