The podcast 'Terapia de Casal' welcomed actress, director, and traveler Diana Nicolau for an episode that explored gender roles, stereotypes, and travel. The hosts, Guilherme and Rita, began with a lighthearted etymology lesson on the word 'stereotype', explaining its Greek origins and its later adoption in psychology in 1922.
Due to Nicolau's severe cat allergy, the recording took place in a closed office, a precaution also taken for a previous guest. Nicolau joked about the risk, saying she is at a stage in life where dying 'doesn't suit her.'
The conversation touched on the demanding work culture in the entertainment industry. Nicolau recalled an incident from her time on the Portuguese series 'Morangos com Açúcar' when a colleague was brought back from the hospital to film after a car accident, still wearing a cervical collar, which was removed for the scene. She used this to illustrate the 'show must go on' mentality and the pressure to never say no.
Nicolau discussed her own workaholic past, which she attributes to her upbringing and industry norms. A turning point came at age 30 when she volunteered in Africa for several months. She realized the world is vast and that her work is not as important as she thought. Since then, she has tried to balance work and travel, aiming for six months of each, though she acknowledges the Portuguese tendency to define people by a single role.
She shared that she uses Instagram to document her travels, hoping to inspire young women to travel alone. However, she noted that being away frequently can make her seem unreliable to producers. She recently spent a month traveling in South Korea and Japan, offering a tip: traveling to South Korea is much cheaper than Japan. She paid €250 for a Lisbon-Seoul flight.
On a recent trip to the Azores, she nearly missed her return flight due to a SATA strike. She also revealed that she suffers from psychogenic dysphonia and a severe allergy to air conditioning, which causes her to lose her voice under stress. This happened before a recent tour, forcing her to take cortisone and injections to perform. She now recognizes the need to rest between trips.
The episode also touched on her new passion for directing. Nicolau said she is discovering a great love for directing, having recently directed a play. The episode is available on the podcast's platform.
Sources: Observador.