RAFFI BARSOUMIAN: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE ARMENIAN STAR OF
JULY 9, 11:02
Season 5 of the famous American TV show
was over in the end of May. Starting from the 17th episode of this
season, the main characters of the show–Elena (Nina Dobrev), Stefan
(Paul Wasley), and Damon (Ian Somerhalder)–have to struggle against
a new monster, the wicked Traveler Markos, who was embodied by
Armenian actor Raffi Barsoumian. This fact certainly interested us,
and therefore we tried to reach Raffi for a request of an interview,
which he accepted with greatest pleasure. We spoke about his Armenian
origins, moving to US, his appearance in TVD, and a lot more.
– Raffi, please speak about yourself. Why did you decide to move
to America?
– My parents were born and raised in the large Armenian community
inBeirut. I was also born there. My father’s side of the family had,
over the years, been emigrating to the states because of the continued
conflicts inBeirut. As the civil war got worse, my parents decided it
was time for them to leave, too and chose to join the family members
who had settled in Los Angeles. I was 1, when they left, so I grew up
in California. My parents have always been vigilant about making sure
we grew up conscious of our ethnic and cultural roots. Armenian was the
language in the house always. I’ve also grown up around lots and lots
of other Armenians – so, I’m a fluent speaker of the western dialect.
-Have you ever been to Armenia?
– I’ve only once had the chance to visit Armenia. As a family we made
a trip in 2005. We visited friends in Yerevan and toured as much of the
country as possible, mostly visiting old churches and historical sites.
-Do you have a preferred Armenian national dish?
– I love it all. But nothing compares to a good chee kufta!
-How and where did you start acting?
– I was interested in acting very early on. I eventually started taking
drama classes in high school, found acting courses outside of school,
and began auditioning as a teenager in Los Angeles. When I left high
school, I was admitted to Carnegie Mellon University and studied in the
conservatory program there for theater. That opened me up to the stage,
which was new for me and immediately interesting. I later studied
at theJacques Lecoq School for physical theater in Paris. Alongside
the training, I have spent the last ten years actively pursuing a
stage life, working for various classical theater companies around
the US. I’ve always been interested in film and television though,
so I am currently working to pursue more such projects.
– Are there any Armenian or foreign actors and actresses, whom you
prefer to watch?
– That would be a very long list. There are so many I love to learn
from.
– Raffi, it is interesting to know – how did you get your role in
“The Vampire Diaries” ?
– I was lucky enough to get this part through an Audition.
– Have you been interested in the show, before you appeared there?
– I had not seen the show before, though I knew of it.
– And what about TVD stars? Have you already made friends with them?
– All the TVD actors were so, so kind and welcoming. I performed
most of my scenes with Marguerite Macintyre (sheriff Forbes), Ian
Somerhalder (Damon), and Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood), so I
spent the most time with them while on set. They were such generous,
funny people.
-You have embodied a wicked character in the show. Was it easy for
you to be like Markos?
-Markos was a great character to discover over the course of the
shoot. I was interested in the effortless power the writers worked
to give him. That was the best part – someone who could cause so much
trouble by doing so little!
– Do you have some common characteristic features with Markos?
– Like Markos, I am also 6’2″ and can grow a fierce beard:
-The cast of TVD has already announced about shooting the season 6.
Can we expect to see Markos also in that part of the show?
-That will be purely up the writers and, of course… the fans!
– By the way the fans of the show are very active. They like to discuss
their favorite characters in different forums. What opinions have
you received from TVD fans concerning to you and your character Markos?
– TVD fans are truly unique. I had no idea what a loyal following the
show maintains. Coming into something like that, you want to be sure
you don’t disappoint what the fans have come to love in the show. So
far, so good – I’ve received lots of kind, kind letters.
– TVD has a lot of fans also in Armenia. Is it possible, that one
day you will meet with them here in Armenia?
– I can’t wait to visit Armenia again. I’m so thankful that TVD has
created the opportunity for people there to connect with and take an
interest in my work. It really is very humbling.
– Many TVD fans are already in love with Markos. I think it will be
interesting for them to know whether Raffi’s heart is free?
– I don’t know about Raffi, but Markos is definitely single…:
P.S. By the way, Raffi Barsoumian has also appeared in the movie
called by an Armenian director Hayk Hambartsum. He
embodies an Armenian-American guy, who receives the opportunity to
play the role of the famous Armenian writer Misaq Metzarents.
Syune Arakelyan
From: A. Papazian