TALES OF A TEEN HEARTTHROB
With back-to-back roles as a teen girl’s dream, welcome to the era of 22-year-old Noah Centineo
Has life changed since your sudden rise to fame?
Nothing’s changed in my day-to-day, outside of maybe taking more meetings and having more opportunities. I’ve never been in a position where I’ve been able to say no to projects until these films came out. Now there are more options. It’s a beautiful thing!
What is it about these characters – Peter Kavinsky in and Jamey in Sierra – that people love?
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Burgess Is a Loser I think Peter is a refreshing look at a male romanticcomedy lead. He’s got this egotistical, brutish male side and his walls are up really high, but as you get to know him, you learn about his family, his dad and understand why his defences might be so high. And he’s sensitive. He loves Lara Jean [Lana Condor] in a way that a lot of people want to be loved. Jamey is even more sensitive, more emotionally intelligent and book-smart as well. He’s more pensive, but they’re both jocks.
Are you, Noah, more of a Jamey or a Peter?
I’m more of a Jamey most of the time, but I’m definitely not opposed to stepping up and doing a Kavinsky activity if it’s necessary. I am both, depending on the day. There’s a lot of Noah in those characters.
Both films have nontraditional female leads. Was that part of their appeal?
Both of these films do an excellent job of normalising ambiguity, and I am so into that, whether it’s with directors or actors or writers. In this industry, they’re really pushing that agenda, and I had nothing to do with it, but I can definitely say that, moving forward, that is something I’m paying a lot of attention to. I want to do my part pushing that agenda as well.
Jamey and Peter both drive a Jeep. What about a Jeep says “jock with a heart of gold”?
The Jeep says, “Hey, look at me, I’m adventurous. I can go camping, I can take you on a wild ride and you would love it. Girl, I’m not afraid to take the top down, get a little wet, have you stand up and feel the wind in your hair”. [ Laughs]