Exclusive: Rudy Mancuso Shares How Camila Mendes Became the Perfect Love Interest in 'Melody'

Rudy Mancuso was convinced that Camila Mendes was the perfect fit for the lead role in Prime Video’s Música even before she was officially chosen to be his love interest. "She's incredibly talented, smart, funny, quick, and beautiful. I had watched her in Coyote Lake, Palm Springs, and of course, Riverdale. I was eager to showcase a new aspect of her," Mancuso, 32, shared exclusively with We about his current girlfriend. "Upon meeting her, I realized she possessed that unique quality - embracing her Brazilian American heritage and culture."

Mancuso reached out to Mendes, 29, to involve her in Música, a project based on his life.

When they met for the project, he found that Mendes perfectly fit the role of Isabella, a Brazilian American character who is a grounded free spirit, embraces struggle, and is very family-oriented. These qualities are also present in Mendes' real life.

In addition to playing Mancuso’s love interest, Mendes was also an executive producer on the project.

Feature Musica Rudy Mancuso Knew His Now-Girlfriend Camila Mendes Was Perfect for the Love Interest Role

Rudy Mancuso praised Camila Mendes for her ability to bring a personalized touch to her character. He revealed that he had envisioned her in the role even before she was cast. Together, they worked on tailoring the characters to reflect their own personalities, going beyond what was written on the page. Camila's dedication to maintaining the integrity and development of all the characters, not just her own, was commendable.

Música, a coming-of-age love story, can be streamed on Prime Video. It follows Mancuso's journey with synesthesia, a condition where two senses are activated simultaneously. Rudy's love for Isabella is complicated by family expectations and his Brazilian heritage in New Jersey.

Mendes has praised Música for its fresh take on the romantic comedy genre.

"I never thought of 'Música' as a typical romantic comedy, even though there is a lot of romance in it," Mendes shared with Us in February. "When the movie is released in April, you'll see for yourself. It's not your usual rom-com. There are many unique elements in it that set it apart."

Musica Rudy Mancuso Knew His Now-Girlfriend Camila Mendes Was Perfect for the Love Interest Role

Rudy Mancuso Courtesy of Prime

During his conversation with Us, Mancuso broke down his vision for Música.

I always try to think of ways to exist outside of familiar boxes. For example, if I'm doing something similar to a rom-com, I want to break conventions so it's not just a typical rom-com. The same goes for a conventional musical - I aim to break musical conventions.

According to Mancuso, the intention was to not fit into one specific box, but to draw from multiple genres like musical, romance, surreal storytelling, and comedy. It was meant to be a blend of different elements rather than a single category. While this may confuse some people, I find it more interesting to mix things up.

Musica Rudy Mancuso Knew His Now-Girlfriend Camila Mendes Was Perfect for the Love Interest Role 2

Amazon MGM Studios

Mancuso not only inspired and starred in Música, but he also served as the director, writer, and composer for the movie.

"It was quite a challenge wearing so many hats. However, for me, it felt more like wearing one big hat because all the different roles were so interconnected. Writing the scripts, composing the score, portraying myself, and ultimately leading the project all felt very intertwined," he explained. "There were definitely obstacles along the way. There were moments when I just wanted to sit back and watch the story unfold instead of being actively involved, but looking back, I wouldn't have done it any other way."

Música starts streaming on Prime Video Thursday, April 4.

Editor's P/S:

Rudy Mancuso's vision for "Música" as a multi-faceted genre-bending experience is both ambitious and intriguing. By blending elements of musical, romance, surrealism, and comedy, he aims to create a unique and captivating cinematic experience. This approach