The Heart Of Show Business With Alexia Melocchi
Step into the bold and unfiltered world of show business with Alexia Melocchi—PGA producer, international distributor, author, and 30-year Hollywood insider.
This is your backstage pass to the mindset, tactics, and truth behind how Hollywood really works. Through raw and inspiring conversations with A-list creators, business leaders, and global thought shapers, you'll discover the real strategies that lead to lasting success—on and off the screen.
From insider tips to soulful storytelling, each episode is a masterclass in making your mark—not just in showbiz, but in every area of life.
The Heart Of Show Business With Alexia Melocchi
The Opera Singer Who became America's tenor: Christopher Macchio
What happens when destiny meets talent? Christopher Macchio's remarkable journey from a shy teenager hiding his voice to becoming "America's Tenor" exemplifies how embracing your gifts can transform your life in extraordinary ways.
At just 13, Macchio discovered he could mimic different vocal styles while listening to the Godfather Part III soundtrack. Yet fear kept this talent hidden until a perceptive high school choir director recognized his exceptional gift during a private audition. Even then, stage fright followed Macchio to music conservatory, where classmates remained unaware of his abilities until final exams revealed his stunning voice.
The pivotal moment in Macchio's career came through a last-minute opportunity when Elton John canceled a New Year's Eve performance at Mar-a-Lago. With less than 24 hours' notice, Macchio flew to Palm Beach and captivated Donald Trump and a thousand guests, leading to an invitation to perform at Rod Stewart's 70th birthday celebration the following week.
His connection with the Trump family deepened when he was asked to perform at Robert Trump's White House funeral in 2020 – only the third funeral ever held in the East Room after Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. This profound experience culminated in singing the National Anthem at President Trump's 2024 inauguration inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Beyond his performances, Macchio passionately advocates for elevating music culture. As co-founder of the charity "Make Music Right," he guides young people in creating wholesome content that inspires rather than appeals to base instincts. His perspective on contemporary music reflects his belief that art should elevate listeners aesthetically and morally.
Defining himself as "curious, ambitious, and grateful," Macchio's philosophy centers on understanding human experiences, valuing truth, and finding beauty in authenticity. His story reminds us that our greatest potential often lies behind our deepest fears, and that embracing our gifts – not for personal glory but to serve others – can open doors we never imagined possible.
Join us for this intimate conversation with Christopher Macchio and discover how music can transcend politics, connect hearts, and reveal the extraordinary beauty that comes from sharing your authentic voice with the world.
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Welcome to the heart of show business. I am your host, alexia Melocchi. I believe in great storytelling and that every successful artist has a deep desire to express something from the heart to create a ripple effect in our society. Emotion and entertainment are closely tied together. Emotion and entertainment are closely tied together. My guests and I want to give you insider access to how the film, television and music industry works. We will cover dreams come true, the road less traveled journey beginnings and a lot of insight and inspiration in between. I am a successful film and television entrepreneur who came to America as a teenager to pursue my show business dreams. Are you ready for some unfiltered real talk with entertainment visionaries from all over the world? Then let's roll sound and action. Hello to all my listeners and viewers because we got YouTube going on as well of the Heart of Show Business with me.
Alexia Melocchi:I have a very special guest on so many levels, but most of all, I got to say I invited him because he's Italian. I mean, come on, I mean Christopher Macchio. How much more Italian can you get? And you know, I got to bring the Italians into my show specifically, but he's also an incredible singer. So let's leave all the politics out of the table in the show because I do want to talk to him about his artistry and I want to talk about his incredible career.
Alexia Melocchi:So, giving you a little glimpse about who he is, he's an American classical crossover tenor, christopher Dennis Macchio as his full name, from Long Island. He has been called America's tenor, but now we just gave him a new name, which we don't want to go there. He has a new nickname that we just created before we pushed recording he can tell you about if he wants to share. Otherwise we'll leave that. But what I love about it is he rose to fame after singing at Mar-a-Lago and of course that connected him with our president, donald Trump not Donald Trump, president, donald Trump and his inner circle. He does perform solo and with the New York Tenors and he has released two albums Dolci Momenti and said in proper Italian and A Holy Night. And he has credits at Carnegie Hall, lincoln Center, pbs specials and collaborated with David Foster. And most notably if you were not watching television, you missed out he sang the Star Spangled Banner at President Trump's January 20 inauguration inside the Capitol Rotunda. So his goal is to unite audiences to the transcendent power of music. Welcome to my show.
Christopher Macchio:Thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be here.
Alexia Melocchi:It's so great to have you on because, of course you know, when you sing Italian, I just swoon and you know I'm Italian, so I love that. Because of course you know, when you sing Italian, I just swoon and you know I'm Italian, so I love that. But I want to go through your journey, as obviously you were from what I read about you.
Alexia Melocchi:You were very shy which is hard to believe, oh yeah, very, very hard to believe. So what was the turning point for yourself? Where you found your voice? And here you are, being who you are in your charming personality.
Christopher Macchio:Well, I have to say, I kind of figured out that I could sing, I could carry a tune, when I was about 13 years old and I was listening to the soundtrack for the Godfather, part Three, and if you recall part of that movie, the plot involves Michael Corleone's son becoming an opera singer, and so the soundtrack to that film had a few different genres of music. You had Harry Connick Jr doing jazz, you had Al Martino crooning and then you had another gentleman, an opera singer, delivering some selections from Cavalleria Rusticana, and I was able to mimic all of those vocal styles and I just thought to myself you know, not too bad, I do a convincing, you know, impression of all three. That's great. And I just left it at that. I really didn't want anybody to ever bother me or ask me to sing or get in front of any audience or crowd, so I really tried to keep it a secret. My family had no idea that I could carry a tune and it was only two years after that.
Christopher Macchio:I'm now 15 years old and my high school chorus director a class, by the way, I only took to satisfy a New York State graduation requirement, because I thought at the time it was a waste of a class because I couldn't get AP college credit, you know, during that period. So I took that course and halfway through the choir director asked each member of the chorus to sing by themselves and I was so scared to death, so terrified. I told him no, you can fail me or throw me out of the class, but I am absolutely not singing in front of anyone. So at the end of the period everyone left and he pulled me aside, asked me to sing for him, he and I, one on one, and I started singing and he just couldn't believe what he heard. He ran over to the file cabinet, started pulling out music Papers are flying everywhere and he's, you know, going back and forth to the piano Can you sing this? Can you sing this? What about this? And at the end of all that he sat me down and he looked me in the eye and he told me Christopher, you have a gift from God and an obligation to share that gift.
Christopher Macchio:And from that moment forward I actually got sick in that moment because I knew part of me knew he was right, but the idea that I had to change my whole life focus from academia to the arts and potentially performing, I was so nervous about it it made me sick and it actually took me years to actually get over that stage fright, I went to a conservatory of music afterwards and even in music school, ok, the other students had no problem getting up and singing and I avoided it like the plague. So nobody even really knew how I sounded until at the end of the year we had final exams and you had to sing and they were like, oh my God, this guy is the best kid in the class and we had no idea because he avoided singing the whole school year, even at the conservatory. So it took a long time and it took a lot of positive feedback from audiences. You know, I maintain to this day an aversion to seeking attention for its own sake.
Christopher Macchio:I've made my peace with it insofar as it can be a useful tool to achieve something of greater purpose and significance, and so it's all of that positive feedback I've received over the years people explaining and imparting to me what it means to them to hear the music, to hear the singing, and so I realized that if I have the power to have that effect on people, that it could be a very useful and worthwhile mechanism to achieve something special, and so that's really the only reason why I do it, because the day that that stops being the case, and the very day that people no longer have that same kind of response, I'm done. I will completely shift my focus to something else. It's really just, you know, an acknowledgement that I think, whatever gift each of us has been endowed with, we ultimately do have an obligation to leverage it to the greatest possible public good, and so that's what I've been doing over the last number of years, and it's just been my privilege to continue doing that.
Alexia Melocchi:What a beautiful story, christopher, and it reminds me a little bit about Laurence Olivier, you know, when he was having stage fright and the he was being told that he has to let the light find him and all he had to do is just stand still on stage and just stand in the middle of the spotlight, and sometimes he didn't have to do anything, he just had to bring along his presence. And I just did a little Facebook thing or Instagram live just yesterday about the power of presence and stillness, and it seems to me like you've done a lot of soul searching and everything that you have arrived to today is obviously God's calling, but it's also your own, getting out of your way so that you can share your gifts. And that is such a beautiful thing and I must say it's no coincidence, right. I heard in. A little bird told me a little, you know, chat BT told me that you were supposed to not perform at Mar-a-Lago. You were, I guess, a substitute performer. Yeah, and here you are, you know that is a funny way, it's.
Christopher Macchio:Uh, I was um on the Upper West Side in front of a store that's no longer there called Filene's Basement, and I just remember that because you know it was one of those moments. I got a call at nine o'clock at night from one of the members at Mar-a-Lago and he said I just had dinner with Donald, he was not president. Then I just had dinner with Donaldald, he was not president. Then I just had dinner with donald and he's all upset. Elton john just canceled for new year's eve and he's got no big name. He's got a house band he's got people to will play throughout the night, but he's got no big name to deliver like a knockout performance, you know, and, uh, you know, as a highlight of the evening. So I told him well, I've got a kid. Nobody knows who he is, but he'll blow everybody away. So he said Donald told me all right, send the kid down, bring him down. He's like, so you've got to get a plane ticket right away, first thing in the morning, to Palm Beach, pbi. So I went on my phone right then and there and I got a ticket, delta down to Palm Beach, and it was December 30th.
Christopher Macchio:I got that call and, of course, the performance was the next day, december 31st, new Year's Eve, and I sang for a thousand people in the ballroom at Mar-a-Lago and afterwards, you know, you just never forget that the president was saying you know, he grabbed the mic and he told everybody in the room this guy's voice is magnificent, unbelievable. Let's give another round of applause. And then he and I exited the stage and he's like he just told me, you know, your voice is absolutely fantastic. He goes boy. You really, you really give it to him. You work your tail off on that stage. You give everything.
Christopher Macchio:And it's funny because just the other day I was going through my camera roll on my iPhone, just kind of get some pictures organized, and I found I don't know how I had the presence of mind to do this at the time, but I found I was going to delete it. This black video was like a blank video. So, you know, sometimes you know you're fumbling with your phone and and so you kind of create it. Anyway, the video is blank because the phone was in my pocket, but it captured the audio of my exchange with Donald Trump about how, how we love the performance, and it captured him. He's like you got to come over and meet Rod Stewart. And so we go over to Rod Stewart's table. He was wearing a beautiful sequined tuxedo jacket and he's like oh, your voice is great. My wife barely couldn't believe what she heard. So you've got to sing at my birthday party.
Christopher Macchio:So the very next week I flew to Beverly Hills and I sang for Rod Stewart's 70th birthday party with all of the Hollywood celebrities and it was just a wonderful opportunity provided by the fates and, of course, you know, by Donald Trump, then Donald Trump, and and then, you know, as fate would have it, you know, and then over the next couple of years, you know, he was focused on being president and I was doing things, traveling around the world, singing and so forth, and I really, you know, was not in his direct orbit. And then, as we say, fate intervened and, as it happens, I was doing charity events for his brother, robert S Trump. I didn't know that he was the benefactor, but, you know, I found out later and was introduced to him and he became a fan of mine, robert S Trump, then President Trump's brother, and I really appreciated his friendship and I never asked him to bring me back into President Trump's orbit. I just let it be what it was and unfortunately, he tragically passed away in 2020. He hit his head on a yacht and then he had a blood clot and he ended up passing away.
Christopher Macchio:And the day that he that he did pass, his widow called me. It was and she told me Robert just passed. You're the second phone call that I'm making, and the reason that you're the second phone call is because God just told me you have to do all of the music for the funeral, and so we were planning to do it in Manhattan. De Blasio wouldn't allow it for COVID reasons and bureaucracy and you know to hold a grudge so we moved the funeral for President Trump's brother to the White House East Room of the White House only the third funeral to ever take place there, the first two being Abraham Lincoln and the second being John F Kennedy.
Christopher Macchio:So we had the president's brother's funeral Robert S Trump at the East Room and I did 10 songs for that funeral and in the middle of that service I did the Lord's Prayer and I had asked the person in charge of the event, which was Melania's chief of staff at the time, if it was OK for me to give the big ending. I said I don't know if it's quite appropriate for a funeral. She said the president just argued with me on why we couldn't fit 50 violinists in this room and still have space for the guests. So the bigger you can do it, the better, trust me. So I really let it fly. And right in the middle of the funeral he was gracious enough to jump out of his seat and give me a standing ovation at his brother's funeral.
Christopher Macchio:And afterwards, when they had just finished saying goodbye to the casket, the president came back in and by then people were forming a line and taking selfies and photos with me and he called me over and he just told me how magnificent my voice was.
Christopher Macchio:He said your voice sounds just like my good friend Pavarotti. Who do you think's better, you or him? And of course the answer is Pavarotti. But he said as far as I'm concerned, it's just you and him and nobody else. And with that, you know, this relationship was really rekindled and it's been an amazing journey since then to get closer to the Trump family, to see just how gracious they are in public and in private, but especially in private where you don't have the opportunity to skew things with the media and so forth. So it's been quite a journey and I can say that, politics aside, policy aside, that just on a personal level, it's been a real blessing and I'm very grateful for the platform that I've been given and the opportunities to share my gifts that I've been given. So I just hope to have the privilege to continue to do that.
Alexia Melocchi:What a beautiful, what a beautiful reply, christopher, and I really do believe everyone is a champion and you know if that, that champion is a person of power who sees who you are and sees your potential. Because, trust me, if there's one thing I know about our president is, you know, he, he likes who he likes and he does not like who he does not like.
Alexia Melocchi:It's not like he lets himself be swayed by other people's opinion. It's just his opinion. So the fact that he has chosen even to sing for him on his swearing in which, that must have been an incredible experience also. I mean, obviously, as an American most of all, to be in the Rotunda and doing this on an intimate setting, when it was supposed to be for hundreds of thousands of people. And here you are and I know that you had a very special emotional moment that you spoke about and I'd love to hear about it. When you went and sang in that specific time, was there something that moved you, that touched you beyond, obviously, the significance of history behind it?
Christopher Macchio:Well, everything about the last year has been just extremely memorable and rewarding in its own right, and the inauguration experience was no different. There were, you know, many moments that were just had an intimacy and a heartfelt component, that that meant a lot, and you know I it was a very I could say that everything was heightened, not just for the history, but on a personal level, a professional level. It was very intense and stressful. Of course that was part of it as well, and I really, for the first time, was fielding dozens and dozens of interviews, for example, and you know, I guess now I have the experience and the knowledge, the wisdom where, as a singer, especially an opera singer, that doing 50, five zero 50 interviews right before you have to sing in front of the whole world is probably not the best thing to do to save your voice. And so, uh, you know I was, um, I really had to be extremely focused to be able to get through that performance, because I had just done so much talking, uh, so many interviews and and also so many rehearsals.
Christopher Macchio:There were, uh, three different, very high profile performances that took place that week, one of which was at the Capitol, rotunda, one of which was at Sterling Golf Club with the largest fireworks, largest private fireworks display ever in world history, donated by the fireworks company and Jeff Bezos. And then, of course, I had to sing at the National Prayer Service the day after the inauguration at the Rotunda. So those were three really high profile things and each of them had their own teams of people that wanted me to rehearse on their schedules, and so there was so many moving parts. So I can say that it was overwhelming in a few different respects.
Christopher Macchio:But also, of course, as you mentioned, the historical significance, not just delivering the national anthem for the nation, which is always a privilege for whomever might be called upon to do it, but particularly in this case, with the context of this being a political comeback, an unprecedented political comeback. Of course, grover Cleveland, you know, had separate administration, non-consecutive administration, but really President Trump is nobody that had been attacked the way he had come under fire and then came back from that and to be sworn in again and in front of a largely hostile crowd. Conversely, there were so many supportive faces we had Elon with us and Jeff Bezos and some wonderful CEOs, different politicians that were just smiling and had a twinkle in their eye. In that context was particularly meaningful, and another face, of course, that was in the crowd was Anne-Marie Palin, president Trump's brother's widow, who originally had asked me to perform at that funeral, and so her presence was also particularly emotional for me, because it was her that reconnected me to President Trump, and so I'm very grateful to her for that as well.
Alexia Melocchi:Wow, what incredible memories and what an incredible life journey you had so far, and you know. Speaking again about your classical music background, I know you're getting ready to do a fundraiser.
Alexia Melocchi:I think this organization called make music right, if I'm not mistaken yes do you want to talk to you before we go into this event which I'd love to know more about? You know there's been a, you obviously champion classical music and and, obviously, the development of artistic endeavor, for you know, youth, youth and children. What do you have to say? Without getting political, but just as a personal opinion, there's been a lot of talk about defunding the arts and there's been a lot of talk about apparently not allowing, you know, artistic, you know enterprise in the schools and all of that, let's I'm not even going to touch Kennedy Center or any of that, but just like the defining of the arts, let's put it this way what do you have to say about that as an artist? Because, obviously, without being political, it's, it's you. You grew up and artistry and singing brought you out of your shell and gave you a greater purpose in life. So I'd like to know what do you have to say about that?
Christopher Macchio:It's hard to phrase these things in a way that will not be possibly construed as being political because, as you know, as we all know, almost everything is being politicized in one way or another. I can say, just from a values standpoint, that all my life I have observed and lived through a period where our culture overall has been coarsening, has gotten increasingly vulgar, and how it seems that the people that are producing this content have an interest in appealing to the lowest base instincts of people in order to make a quick dollar. And I think that there was a time, not too long ago, where the arts served the opposite purpose. That, uh, it elevated people and inspired them to, you know, actually put their baser instincts in check and aspire to something greater and more evolved, uh, and more elevated sensibility, aesthetically and morally. And you know, you even go back to some of these Greek philosophers, aristotle and Plato and Socrates, and they all told you that you show me the music of a culture and I'll show you the values of that culture.
Christopher Macchio:And so, a cursory glance at the music charts today and some of the artists that are having, uh, the most publicity and success, they're doing so by, uh, catering to these, uh, low base instincts, uh, shock value, um, and I just don't think that I, while I don't believe in censorship and while I do believe in freedom of expression, um, I do also think that there's a responsibility and and that a more elevated approach is both appropriate and incredibly rewarding. And yes, historically, over thousands of years, public funding has played an important role, but in supporting and patronizing the arts. But with that comes an acknowledgement of the responsibility that the content that you take that money and end up creating actually has a constructive effect on the society and reinforces the timeless values that we've all agreed upon.
Alexia Melocchi:What an interesting and well thought of perspective, christopher. And I'll go further, because we don't even have to think about 1950s I mean, you know Italian music because obviously you sing it from the opera but even contemporary, one of the things that I pride myself as an Italian is that the lyrics of even contemporary singers today. They are so poetic, they're so beautiful, they're all about human connections. I think that's why I'm obsessed also with country music, because you know what I love about country music.
Alexia Melocchi:It's probably a very close comparison to the level of songwriting and lyrics that the Italian artists do, or the Greek artists, there is even the French ones there is a lot of heart. They're less about sexuality, the less about oh, I'm going to shoot you, I'm going to do this, I'm going to you know. They're more about human, human relationships, human connections and all of that celebrating spirit, celebrating growth. And we don't even have to go back in time because, I mean, this type of music is still very much out there. It's just not so much found, sadly, like you said, in the charts in America, unless it goes under the level of Christian song or country song. That's when they like to practice it Also.
Christopher Macchio:music has now become niche as opposed to mainstream. Exactly, and that's something that we really have to change, I believe.
Alexia Melocchi:Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly, I 100% agree because I mean, there is a reason why so many country artists cross over is, I think, because there is a hunger into wanting to listen to music that makes us feel good. That does not incite anger, does not incite, you know, sexism does not incite racial discrimination, because a lot of it does, whether we like it or not. I mean, when you're calling people names and you, even if you are, you know, if you're using that verbiage in general.
Christopher Macchio:It's just not a good thing.
Alexia Melocchi:Not a good thing, not good thing, not a good. So tell me about this event that, before we close, I want to hear about this. Make music right.
Christopher Macchio:It's event that you're going to be doing so I I, about a year ago, uh, became aware of a young lady who, um was, uh, really the she. She was the opposite of what we're talking about in terms of a lot of these young people who are kind of going down the wrong path. She was clearly on the right path and I was very surprised to see somebody so young, so excited and enthusiastic about promoting exactly what we've been talking about putting music and culture out there, that is, a more wholesome, elevated nature. And so she and I decided that, you know, we need to work together, and she was in the midst of creating a 5013C charity, a 5013C charity called Make Music Right. And I said, you know, instead of creating a separate and competing charity which I was also in the process of doing, I said let's, let's combine forces, join our efforts together. And so she and I co-founded this wonderful charity, brand New, and it's all about providing the opportunity and guidance for young people to start engaging with and creating wholesome content.
Christopher Macchio:So Make Music Right is having its first gala, its launch gala, at Trump Westchester on August 8th, and we're very, very excited to have Lara Trump as our first keynote speaker, and she'll also be performing a selection or two from her upcoming album. So we're really excited to hear Lara perform as well and to hear some of her thoughts on this matter, on culture and so forth, and we think Eric, her husband, the president's son, will also be joining us and we have just a real great slate of board directors and people who are really excited about this initiative, so it's going to be a fantastic gala.
Alexia Melocchi:Oh, my goodness, I'm having FOMO right now. I live in LA, make movies and just do stuff, and why don't I come to that? That's OK, we'll have an excuse to make movies together, christopher, absolutely.
Christopher Macchio:And they might've mentioned. By the way, I was, uh, I w, I had the privilege of being, uh, featured singing in the movie Cabrini, Uh and uh, yeah, so I that was a wonderful project by, uh, alejandro Monteverde and a great director, and let me tell you, you know, we talk about wholesomeness I was on that set only for a couple of days. I had a very, very tiny feature, but I was so grateful to be included in that wonderful project. But I did have the opportunity to kind of get a sense of what the energy was on that set, and really everyone had this glow about them that they were involved in something special and uplifting and inspirational and in telling the story of St Cabrini, mother Cabrini, and so it was really just a beautiful opportunity.
Christopher Macchio:And then I also had the chance to work with the legendary Italian-American actor, armand Asante, and he did a wonderful satire on the Don Quixote, you know, the Cervantes story, and so that was a lot of fun too, and I got to sing in that film as well. So, whatever you know, and actually there's another project that is currently looking for funding but and we're actually, you know, pretty close to getting getting getting enough money to really start production is about Father Capadano, who was a Catholic priest who sacrificed himself in delivering first rights to soldiers on the battlefield, and so he's actually also in the initial stages of canonization, and so I'm going to be involved with that project as well. But, all that aside, I really am looking forward to be involved in one of your projects.
Alexia Melocchi:So there is a part in you for America. It was written for you before we even met you, which is wow. I love it. See, this is how.
Christopher Macchio:God works.
Alexia Melocchi:It was not to sound.
Christopher Macchio:You know not to sound overly, you know pious, but you know, I really do believe that God has a mission for each and every one of us, a vision about how we are meant to contribute, and so I hope that. Yeah, we're looking forward to working with you on that.
Alexia Melocchi:Oh, my goodness, I hope so. And, like I said, you know, I mean I had to. I had to do this project. When Joe, the author, came to me with a book, I was bowling when I when I read it because of course I saw the struggles and and the sacrifices that you know, the ancestors, you know, of course I'm, I'm I'm not American, I'm a naturalized American, as they say, but I saw the sacrifices that the Italians made to come and do so much good in this country. And you know this speaks for immigration, but it speaks also for those that worked hard and appreciated the country that they came in and what they did in order to have a place in this country and and to create some great things. You know, this country was founded by immigrants and you know Italians didn't think it's a little bit better, don't want to be like, you know, boasting, but we Not that we're biased.
Alexia Melocchi:Not that we're biased, but there's.
Christopher Macchio:The capital, you know, the capital return that was designed by Italians.
Alexia Melocchi:Christopher Columbus discovered this place in the first place. Yeah, exactly, yeah, exactly, not to say. But the opera and all this like little fashion, a few things that the Italian did that nobody heard of, but you know If anybody's ever seen a Ferrari whiz by?
Alexia Melocchi:Exactly, yeah, jewelry, you know whatever Bulgari jewelry. That's why I'm saying we really want to make this movie and of course it's been a struggle and and you know all the support that we can get, we're going to look for it. But there's whatever happens to it, there is a part for you there and, like I said, it was written before Joe met you. There was a part for a tenor who gets up and sings. We don't want to give too much of the story, but it was meant for you, so, um, I love it for to seeing you on set, and we'll make sure you have a good Italian food.
Christopher Macchio:Absolutely.
Alexia Melocchi:You might have to sing a tune or two for the producers. You know it's a little like for, but that's fine, we'll. We'll push a little, we'll leverage our power, but no it's it's been great having you on my show and um, as you know, you know, you know what's coming.
Christopher Macchio:um, defining yourself in three words, if you came up with that oh right right, yeah, I should have had that I should have had that thought thread, you know, you know, uh, gestating in the background. During all this I was so focused um, I can say um defining, defining myself in three words. I would say curious, ambitious and grateful.
Alexia Melocchi:Wow, you couldn't, you didn't think about that, did you just freestyle it. I love it about that, Did you just freestyle it? I love it. It's so you, it's so you, so you. Okay. And then, if it comes to mind really quickly, if there's anything life mantra, phrase reading, anything that you go to in moments of darkness, what would that be?
Christopher Macchio:Really, I don't know if it's like a, you know, a distilled mantra In my dark moments. I just remember that all of us are human and we share the same experiences at the end of the day, and that's one of them, and it really kind of provides perspective on, you know when, when relationships don't necessarily go, uh, the way that you would like them to, I I just keep in mind that everyone is doing the best that they can, for the most part, within you know their life experience and you know all the issues they may be dealing with, and sometimes that takes people to very dark places and they need to be held accountable. Held accountable, but I try to at least maintain a sense that, uh, you know they're doing what they're doing, you know for, you know, for a reason, and, and and I try to be as understanding as I can, um, while while at the same time making sure that, uh, you know, uh, I do justice to myself and those that are important to me, protect myself and those who are important to me and loyalty is a big part of that as well you have to be loyal to yourself and to those that you believe in. And then the other thing is I really value truth. I think that the ultimate beauty in the universe is found through truth. You know they have it's.
Christopher Macchio:Truth is beauty and beauty is truth. That's really what I believe. I think it's part of why our Italian culture celebrates beauty so much is because it's the, it's the truest expression of uh, the essence of life, uh is where, and, and I believe in that a hundred percent you know when someone's uh genetics are expressed in the truest fashion, you know it results in beauty and symmetry, and you know I, just I. So I believe very strongly that the curiosity that I spoke of, you know, I, I hope that it leads to, you know, the discovery of, of truth, and there's a real beauty in that universally. So it's very important to me, it's one of the most important things in my life.
Alexia Melocchi:What a beautiful ending statement, christopher, and you know what I love what you said about Italian. And there's something that I want to say before I say goodbye to everyone, and you know I'm going to be dropping all the links. If you are in the area and you want to go see the gala, if you want to listen to Christopher's music, get to know him as an artist, first and foremost. And you know, I have the privilege of being born Italian and one of the things that my parents taught me is that, no matter what you think in, you know, in politics political, you know views or anything it can all be resolved over a good meal.
Alexia Melocchi:And you know we have all to respect other people's opinions, because one of the things that we Italians do, as you know very well, we sit with good food, we sit with wine, we can curse each other out because we disagree and then, five minutes later, we're toasting to each other's health, and that's what it's about, that's what life is about, and we need to maintain that.
Alexia Melocchi:We need to maintain civility in our country and in the world really just not in our country and know, like you said, we're all human, we're all struggling, we're all having our own problems, but ultimately, sit and listen to your neighbor, even if you don't think the same way, even if you don't agree. Have a good meal, celebrate life, be grateful, which is exactly how you describe yourself, and I hope that gives you something to think about audience. You know, that's why I wanted to bring Christopher. It was because I admire him as an artist and you know he sings Italian, so he had me at, you know. But you know he knows how to sing the Star Star or two, so it's been so great. Thank you for coming on my show, christopher, it's been a true pleasure.
Christopher Macchio:Thank you so much for having me. I had a great time and good luck with everything that you're involved with.
Alexia Melocchi:It's all a tremendous stuff. God bless you and to all your listeners. If you like this episode, please review, subscribe rate. I love to hear your thoughts and if you have questions, I'll make sure that Christopher gets them for me. Ciao a tutti, as they say in Italy, because I have an Italian guest. Ciao and grazie. Thank you for listening to this week's episode of the heart of show business. If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend. You can also subscribe, rate and review the show on your favorite podcast player. If you have any questions or comments or feedback for us, you can reach me directly at theheartofshowbusinesscom.