From Bump to Paper Dolls, Carlos Sanson Jr has been flirting with the Ladies In Black. The sexy actor tells me how he gets into character, has partied at Mardi Gras and would turn for Eminem!
You play George in Ladies In Black. He’s a bit of a stud. How did you prepare for the role?
Carlos Sanson Jr: A big part of the preparation for George was his dialect. He comes from Miami with a Cuban background and there was a specific regional dialect we tried to pinpoint. So, a big part for me was finding the voice which gave me so much in terms of the character’s attitude. His brashness and flirtatious confidence affected the way I walked and gave me a swagger. That was then layered with the script and costume. The costume for me was huge right from the first fitting as I realised this was my first period piece. I was stepping into another world!
What did you like best about playing the character?
I was very excited to play someone with a Cuban heritage. My grandmother is from Cuba and the role was re-written specifically for me. They were struggling to find someone to play George and when I stepped into the role, the writers and I moulded George’s backstory to suit where I’m from. My mother is from Chile, and I played a Chilean character on Bump, and I also have Nicaraguan heritage and played a Nicaraguan in the film Sweet As. So, playing a Cuban was the trifecta with my ancestral line. I got a kick out of that.
What about your piano playing? It looked very authentic.
Yes, I learnt the piano! Before Ladies In Black I always wanted to learn an instrument and the piano spoke to me the most. After getting the role, the director Gracie Otto told me George was a jazz musician and my scenes would involve playing a lot. I said, “Okay, how much time before we shoot?” When it comes to acting, I’m big on not faking things and I didn’t want to look like an idiot. While learning piano I discovered a lot about my character. I only had six weeks, but there was something about the rhythm and philosophy of it all that helped to inform who George was.
Carlos Sanson Jr as George in Ladies In Black
What’s been the biggest pinch-yourself career moment so far?
I found myself on the Ladies In Black set with Debi Mazar (Magda) who played Shauna from Entourage and Miranda Otto (Virginia) who was Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings. I’m a huge fan of those productions. It felt crazy that I grew up watching these two icons and here I was working with them on set – and sharing scenes!
Have you ever played a gay role?
No, but I’ve auditioned for a lot and come close. Some of those roles have gone on to be big, which is also a bit annoying (laughing). But it’s something that I look forward to doing one day. Every time I’ve come close to getting a gay role I’ve been excited about it. There’s something resilient about the queer community that I find very inspiring, and I’d be honoured to step into those shoes.
“There’s something resilient about the queer community that I find very inspiring.”
Have you ever been out nightclubbing with your gay mates?
Yes, I had the best night last year at the Calvin Klein Mardi Gras party at ARQ. Calvin Klein invited me and a plus one, so I brought my mate. Neither of us is gay, but we were rocking the theme which included short-cropped tank tops. We had the funnest night. I love partying with gay men. They know how to do it the best!
What’s your irresistible burn-the-floor song?
Without Me by Eminem. I recently bought a cool tee shirt with Eminem and Dr. Dre in their Batman and Robin costumes.
What about a favourite music diva?
I love Karol G. She’s a Columbian reggaeton artist. She has one song in particular with Nicki Minaj called Tusa which gets me going every time. All her stuff is great!
Carlos Sanson Jr as George in Ladies In Black
Who for you, is the sexiest man alive?
I want to say a young Brad Pitt with a shaved head, from his Fight Club days. But I’d turn for Eminem – and that’s the damn truth! He walks around like he’s got the Oxford dictionary in his pocket!
“I’m sitting there with my legs spread right open. It was a good opener.”
Speaking of Fight Club, you’re also a competitive boxer! Tell us about your Seeing Red doco.
That was my very first fight and it was a huge deal. It was something I’d been wanting to do for years, but it’s hard to commit when you need to protect your face as an actor. That scared the shit out of me, and it was easy finding excuses to put it off. Finally, after wrapping the third season of Bump I committed myself and trained super fucking hard. I asked one of my best friends Seth Gabrielsson to document it all as a day in the life of a young fighter. It turned into a little film project, which was another goal of mine. Seth followed me around with a camcorder with backstage access to the locker rooms and ringside. I ended up winning the fight. It was a very special moment for me, and all caught on camera.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the industry, thus far?
Claudia Karvan who created Bump, has been amazing in terms of understanding the industry, on-set etiquette and how to hold oneself. I have so much love for her. Also, Nathalie Morris, who is my co-lead on Bump. Influence feels like it should come from someone older and wiser, but Nathalie has helped in terms of learning about the craft. We’ve both grown together as performers. I’ve also just finished the film Primitive War with Ryan Kwanten in the lead. We connected on a deep level, and it was nice to have him as a male role model.
“I love partying with gay men. They know how to do it the best!”
Do you have a grooming tip?
I keep it simple with a cleanser and moisturiser. I tried the whole expensive skincare thing and my skin reacted badly, so I stripped it back to ‘less is more’. My current hair is in a style for my Bump character Santiago. Whatever the hair artist does in each role, I just take as my hairstyle. But when I’m in a dry spell I look like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo!
What’s been your most memorable on-set wardrobe malfunction?
I had a near-miss wardrobe malfunction at my first AACTA Awards. I did the no-shirt and suit jacket look and didn’t pre-empt sweat patches! When I rocked up at Claudia Karvan’s house I found out I needed them, and I was presenting that night! I had twenty minutes to run to the chemist, buy some tampon pads and stick them under my armpits. It was a close call that could have gone wrong. I even had backups in my pocket!
Carlos Sanson with Nathalie Morris in Bump
Do you have a favourite quote?
“This too shall pass” and it works both ways. If you’re in the dumps and feel like a piece of shit, just relax because this too shall pass! But also, you can feel on top of the world and that you’re unstoppable, but just chill because this too shall also pass.
You famously wore the dick-stickers on Ladies In Black, which is Sixties lingo for budgie smugglers. Are you boardies or Speedos?
I recently got back from Europe and discovered I’d somehow lost all my boardies. I’d never been a Speedos guy in the past and a brand name sent me some. So, I’ve been wearing them and embracing the Speedo life. We’ll see how long that lasts!
“I’d turn for Eminem – and that’s the damn truth!”
Your introductory scene on Ladies In Black was wearing silk boxers on the couch. Quite an opening!
(Laughing) It was! Even the makeup artist on Bump said it was too much man-spreading. I’m sitting there with my legs spread right open. It was a good opener. No pun intended!
So are you into boxers, fitted boxers, briefs or a free baller?
Fitted boxers! The boxers in Ladies In Black were too loose. I need to have some security down there.
Stream all episodes of Ladies In Black on ABC iview
Stream Bump on Stan
Follow Carlos on Instagram @_sars
