Issue #91
Manuela Cerri Goren
L'Imprevedibile
Journalist, mother, wife, philanthropist, activist. Studied art at Brera, Milano then architecture at Politecnico, Milano. Degree in Cinema Studies at New York University. Worked with Conde’ Nast Publications in Italy for 25 years, now correspondent at D/La Repubblica. Produced and established the radio program “Live from New York” for Radio 105. On the board of directors of American Friends of Jamaica. Contributes to and advocates liberal democrat politics and tries to make a difference.
My life is taken up mostly with traveling and family life: my children and now my first grandchild are the most important thing. I love my work: writing stories, interviewing and meeting people and putting people together to help them realize their potential. But having fun is of paramount importance in my life: I love reading, watching movies, playing sports, going to theatre and concerts, cooking, hanging out with friends. I am always looking for something new to try and I am always busy… my motto is “If you want something done ask the busiest person you know!”
I left Italy because I somehow always knew I was going to make my life somewhere else. I needed more space and action. I moved to New York first and now I live in Los Angeles. New York was at its most exciting when I moved there in the early ‘80s and I feel that LA now has that same buzz.
My best memory of LA is an awesome Lakers playoff championship game where I flew to the city in a private jet and the Lakers won…it could also be the first time I took my kids to Disneyland…(I had to say that!).
The location is simple..it’s my new home, a 1920 Mediterranean style house in the Hollywood Hills, I love it and I brought pieces of my old apartment in NY to make it feel more like home. The outfit is very LA: jeans, a shirt, but important pieces of jewelry, one can virtually go anywhere here dressed like this…
Trying to see what Italians bring to the US with them and what interests them and ties them to their new surroundings is a very interesting proposition and I feel honored to be included in this project.
Even though, by now, I carry an American passport, I am still an Italian and will always be. Whenever I talk about what moves me or interests me, what makes me who I am, my being Italian seeps through the cracks constantly, inevitably. I am very proud of my heritage and I try to show Americans what is the best part of it, whether it’s through culture, music, style, fashion or simply by making everyone happy when I cook.
