Sabrina Impacciatore: The Italian Dynamo Capturing the World’s Heart

From the sun-drenched terraces of a Sicilian hotel in The White Lotus to the glittering stage of the San Siro at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Sabrina Impacciatore has embarked on a remarkable journey that embodies the very spirit of Italian artistry. For decades, she was a celebrated fixture in Italy’s cinematic and theatrical landscape, a versatile talent moving effortlessly between comedy and drama. Then, a single role catapulted her onto the global stage, introducing international audiences to her unique blend of magnetic intensity, profound humanity, and sharp wit. Today, Sabrina Impacciatore stands not just as an acclaimed actress, but as a cultural ambassador—a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and embracing opportunity at any stage of a career. Her story is one of an artist who remained true to her craft through years of dedicated work, only to find her moment of worldwide acclaim arriving in a glorious, well-earned crescendo.

From Roman Stages to American Screens: The Formative Years of Sabrina Impacciatore

Sabrina Impacciatore’s artistic foundation was built on the rigorous stages of Rome and New York. Born in Rome on March 29, 1968, to a father from Abruzzo and a mother from Sardinia, her passion for performance was evident early. She pursued formal training with a seriousness that belied her eventual comedic genius, studying at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York and enrolling in various acting courses in her hometown. To fund her studies and sustain her dreams, she took on humble jobs, including working as a cleaning lady, vacuuming and preparing sets—a testament to her work ethic and dedication. Her professional break came when she was discovered by television producer Gianni Boncompagni, who was “overwhelmed by her volcanic personality”. He cast her in the iconic, daily live show Non è la RAI, a variety program featuring young women who sang, danced, and performed sketches. Starting as a secretary, she quickly earned an on-screen role, famously hosting a segment where she sorted through and responded to playful fan mail.

This early exposure was a crash course in live performance, versatility, and connecting with an audience. It led to roles on other variety shows like Macao and laid the groundwork for her transition to serious acting. Her film debut arrived in 1999, but it was in the early 2000s that she began to make her mark in Italian cinema with roles in significant films like Gabriele Muccino’s The Last Kiss (2001) and Ettore Scola’s Unfair Competition (2001). She also appeared in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ (2004), playing Seraphia, based on St. Veronica—her first notable role in an American production. Throughout the 2000s, Sabrina Impacciatore honed her craft, earning critical recognition and award nominations. She received David di Donatello Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in Napoleon and Me (2006) and Miss F (2007), establishing her as a respected and award-worthy talent in the Italian film industry.

The Valentina Phenomenon: A Star-Making Turn in The White Lotus

The year 2022 marked a pivotal turning point in the career of Sabrina Impacciatore. When HBO’s acclaimed anthology series The White Lotus shifted its setting to Sicily for its second season, the casting of authentic Italian talent was crucial. Impacciatore was cast as Valentina, the meticulous, tightly wound, and secretly yearning manager of the White Lotus resort. On the surface, Valentina was the epitome of cool efficiency, managing the absurd demands of wealthy guests with a steely glare. Yet, Impacciatore infused the role with a palpable, vulnerable humanity—particularly in her awkward, poignant crush on a female employee. This nuanced portrayal created a character who was both formidable and deeply sympathetic, often serving as the show’s moral compass amidst the chaos.

Her performance was met with instant and widespread acclaim. It wasn’t just the scripted moments that resonated; it was her brilliant improvisations that captured the world’s attention. In one now-iconic scene, after telling Jennifer Coolidge’s character Tanya that she looked “so pink,” Impacciatore ad-libbed the response to Tanya’s question about who she resembled: “Peppa Pig”. “The whole set froze,” Impacciatore later recalled. “Then Jennifer broke out laughing. [I was surprised] to see that scene made the final cut. And even more surprised when it went viral worldwide”. This moment of spontaneous humor highlighted her impeccable comedic timing and cemented Valentina as a fan favorite. The role earned Sabrina Impacciatore a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2023. Furthermore, she and the entire cast won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series that same year. Reflecting on this sudden global fame, she expressed a grounded gratitude: “What I’ve experienced in the past few months has been truly powerful… I’m keeping my feet on the ground, [but] I’ve overcome countless challenges and faced many closed doors… Now that I have this chance, I want to make the best of it”.

The Olympian Stage: Sabrina Impacciatore as Italy’s Cultural Ambassador

If The White Lotus introduced Sabrina Impacciatore to the world, her role in the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics presented her as a definitive symbol of modern Italian culture. In December 2025, it was announced that she would be a featured protagonist in the ceremony, described by organizers as “an ambassador of Italian talent around the world” whose participation would “give voice to the contemporary Italian spirit”. For an actress, this was an honor of the highest national significance, and her emotional response was beautifully human. On the eve of the ceremony, she shared her feelings on social media: “Ho le farfalle nello stomaco, il battito cardiaco accelerato, una gioia immensa ed una paura incredibile. Questo è uno degli onori più grandi di tutta la mia vita. Darò tutto” (“I have butterflies in my stomach, an accelerated heartbeat, an immense joy and an incredible fear. This is one of the greatest honors of my entire life. I will give everything”).

On February 6, 2026, at Milan’s San Siro Stadium, she transformed that nervous energy into a dazzling performance. Her segment, titled “Time Travel,” was a journey through decades of Olympic and Italian history. Appearing first in a pre-recorded sketch introducing the Olympic mascots, she then emerged live on stage in a show-stopping, six-minute dance routine. The performance was a masterful blend of her theatrical training, physical expressiveness, and charismatic stage presence. She was clad in a custom-designed costume by Massimo Cantini Parrini—a striking catsuit in metallic gold and silver Lycra, overlaid with a silver bomber jacket and pants. The look was futuristic yet symbolic, with the gold and silver nodding to Olympic medals and an Italian flair for bold aesthetics. Vogue noted her “covered in body glitter” and giving the performance her all, while the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 stated her role would “provide viewers with a moment of profound emotional resonance, embodying the spirit of the Games”. In that moment, Sabrina Impacciatore was no longer just an actress; she was a living representation of Italian creativity, passion, and joy on one of the world’s most watched stages.

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A Career in Full Bloom: Current Projects and Lasting Legacy

Following the twin peaks of The White Lotus and the Olympics, Sabrina Impacciatore’s career has entered an expansive and dynamic new chapter, seamlessly bridging her Italian roots with Hollywood opportunities. One of the most significant is her leading role in the new American comedy series The Paper. Created by Greg Daniels (The Office), the mockumentary series follows the staff of a struggling local newspaper. Impacciatore plays Esmeralda Grand, the managing editor who is enthusiastically ready for the documentary crew’s spotlight. The trailer showcases her impeccable comedic delivery as she walks through one of her articles, promising a performance that leverages her sharp timing and charismatic authority. The series premiered on Peacock in September 2024, marking her first major leading role in an American production.

Simultaneously, she continues to thrive in the Italian entertainment ecosystem. In early 2024, she appeared in a fictionalized version of herself in the second season of Call My Agent – Italia, the popular series about talent agents, in a playful meta-commentary on her own rising fame. She also has notable film projects on the horizon, including G20 and In the Hand of Dante, slated for 2025. Beyond acting, her status as a style and cultural icon has been recognized by major brands. In 2026, she became a brand ambassador for the historic Italian fragrance house Acqua di Parma, fronting the “The Art of Living Italian” campaign for the 110th anniversary of its Colonia fragrance alongside actor Michael Fassbender. This multifaceted career phase is captured in the following table, which highlights the diversity of her recent and upcoming work:

This period of Sabrina Impacciatore’s life is defined by a powerful synthesis of her lifelong craft and newfound global platform. She moves between continents and genres with grace, bringing the depth of her Italian theatrical training to American comedy and the energy of her screen presence to the world’s grandest stages. Her journey underscores a powerful narrative: that authentic talent, when nurtured with patience and resilience, can find its moment to shine universally. As she herself has lived, the path to international acclaim isn’t always a straight line, but a rich tapestry of experiences that, in the end, makes the recognition all the more meaningful.

Sabrina Impacciatore: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sabrina Impacciatore best known for internationally?

Sabrina Impacciatore is best known internationally for her role as Valentina, the hotel manager in the second season of HBO’s The White Lotus (2022). Her nuanced performance, which included the improvised and viral “Peppa Pig” line to Jennifer Coolidge, earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination and widespread critical acclaim. This role served as her major breakthrough to global audiences after a long and distinguished career in Italian film, television, and theater.

What was Sabrina Impacciatore’s role in the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Sabrina Impacciatore played a starring role in the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. She performed a captivating six-minute dance routine in a segment called “Time Travel,” which celebrated a century of Winter Olympics history. Clad in a custom gold and silver metallic outfit, her performance at Milan’s San Siro Stadium was described as embodying the spirit of the Games and showcasing Italian talent to the world.

What are some of Sabrina Impacciatore’s most notable Italian films?

Long before her international fame, Sabrina Impacciatore was a respected figure in Italian cinema. Key films include Gabriele Muccino’s The Last Kiss (2001), Ettore Scola’s Unfair Competition (2001), and the cult black comedy Amiche da morire (2013). She received David di Donatello Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for Napoleon and Me (2006) and Miss F (2007).

What is Sabrina Impacciatore’s new American TV show?

Sabrina Impacciatore stars as Esmeralda Grand, the enthusiastic managing editor, in The Paper, an American mockumentary comedy series created by Greg Daniels (The Office). The show premiered on Peacock in September 2024 and represents her first major leading role in an American series.

How did Sabrina Impacciatore start her acting career?

Sabrina Impacciatore began her career on stage in the late 1980s after studying at the Actors Studio in New York and in Rome. She was discovered by producer Gianni Boncompagni and started working on the iconic Italian variety show Non è la RAI, initially as a secretary before quickly moving on-screen. This live television experience was foundational in developing her versatility and comedic timing.

Conclusion

Sabrina Impacciatore’s journey is a masterclass in artistic integrity and the redefinition of success. Her story dismantles the myth of overnight fame, revealing instead a decades-long dedication to craft—from the theater stages of Rome to the vibrant chaos of Italian variety television, and through a celebrated film career at home. Her global ascension, sparked by The White Lotus and magnified on the Olympic stage, was not a sudden discovery but a rightful recognition of a talent that had been fully formed and patiently waiting in the wings. Today, Sabrina Impacciatore stands as a powerful figure: a bridge between Italian cinematic tradition and contemporary global entertainment, an actress of profound emotional depth and impeccable comic instinct, and an authentic voice who inspires by proving that passion and perseverance can make the world take notice, at any time. Her legacy is still being written, but its central theme is clear: true artistry is timeless, knows no borders, and ultimately, always finds its light.