Andréa Dupré Interview – Issue 44

After the release of WASTED Paris’ new video ‘BAD MOUTH’ we thought it would be ideal timing to upload Andréa Dupré’s Interview from Vague, Issue 44 conducted by Guy Jones!

Interview by: Guy Jones

Photography by: Reece Leung & James Griffiths

Look at that handsome chap. Go on, look at him. As one of the more humble and charming men I know, I thought we’d use a picture that gave him that celebrity look; tree blossoming and appropriately well dressed as usual. It’s mentioned throughout this interview, but something I admire most about Andrea ishis balance. Looks tough, acts sensitive. Can huck a front 50 back one down a gnarly hubba, not afraid of a switch revert mid-line on flat. Going to different cities and seeing how the scene operates and the different personalities that form eclectic friendships is one of the best things about skateboarding. Andrea was the nucleus for this relationship for a lot of us in Bordeaux. It’s something we’re very fond of and we can’t thank him enough for his hospitality and for showing us the amazing people around him. This is one of those we’ll look back on when the magazine is a thing of the past and be so happy we met and featured someone we admire so much. Thank you mon gars!

Nice multi-Andrea email handle – are there 33 Andrea Dupres in total and do you all get together once a year and shoot hoops or have a picnic?

Haha yes we do! But in a different way. Did you see the Inside Out movies? It’smy 33 emotions who just like to have a nice reunion at the end of the year. We take over the Calicéo, have good talks all together in the sauna, then we hit the CFC for good day care.

Andrea, how are you? Where are you now – in Paris, Bordeaux or have you moved to Marseille?

I’m doing good! I’m mostly cruising between Bordeaux, Marseille and around, but am based in Bordeaux for the moment.

It’s been mentioned in Grey Mag already, but the story about you almost dying from an allergic reaction to a jackfruit (and then people trying to save you with a lemonade) is wild! Did you know you were allergic? Have you had any other near-death experiences?

Oh yes, I would like to thank the boys for managing the situation very quickly. Itwas a weird moment because you don’t know what’s happening, you just lose your breath, but at the same time you knowthat you need to keep your calm and your breath as much as possible. But we made it. I definitely didn’t know I was allergic. The “funny” thing about it is that, the next day, we stopped at a shop after the sesh, bought some ice cream, and as soon as I started to eat it either Conor, Don or Henry stopped me because it was made with jackfruit. But nothing happened! I guess because it was more like a chemical taste and not proper jackfruit? Or I didn’t take the correct bite? Pretty stupid!

I have had other ones, mostly those ones where you are like, “I just escaped death.” Recently we were in South Africa, there is a route well known for that but I managed to escape two accidents there.

Do you now dislike people called Jack because of this?

Haha no, come on, shout out to the Jacks!

What do you think the most outfit changes you’ve done in a day is (they are all very nice by the way)?

Thank you! Actually I don’t know, but usually we have this thing about saying, “I’m in civil today”, which means you’re not gonna skate, not be dressed as a “skater” and wear more casual civilian clothing.

This leads me onto my next question. You are pro for Studio Skateboards in Canada, you’re pro for Loophole Wheels in San Francisco. You spend a lot of time living between France and Morocco. You have travelled to so many places. When exactly did you decide to be a spy?

I would say I decided to be a secret agent when I realized how insignificant and small we are as human beings. It’s of course a privilege to travel, and not ecological, but having this opportunity is a great thing. As kids my parents were working so much that it was difficult to spend time with them,

so they were managing to reserve quality time with my sister and I in a different way, in different places, teaching us that we

are surrounded by many diverse cultures. This taught us how to be curious, and to acknowledge that we have lots of things to go see.

In all seriousness, could you tell us a bit about the balance between France and Morocco and your travelling? Winterin South Africa sounds amazing. Where are some of your favourite places you’ve been and where would you like to go and why?

As you said, it’s just a question of balance. When I’m feeling too overwhelmed I just go somewhere where I can breathe. It sounds a bit cliché but it’s very important to disconnect and take time for yourself, wherever that is! Out of all the places I’ve been, I would definitely say that South Africa, Morocco and Southeast Asia are the ones. Me and my girlfriend recently came back from SA and it was such a unique experience for both of us. We covered around 9000 km in 3 months, met amazing people along the way, discovered beautiful places and had the best time

Going back to you being a spy, I don’t know why but I can imagine you being a good actor in a thriller – perhaps gang- based, perhaps a murder mystery. It might be the moustache. Have you ever acted or intended on acting?

I would be down to intend on acting, but I think I’m too scared to actually do it. To be fair, I return the question to you – you’d be the perfect fit and you’re the one who’s got the whammy moustache!

Cheers, haha! When I first met you in London, we were premiering a new DC edit for Vague you put together and I was stoked to see Reece’s name in the DC font. Were you proud the first time you saw your name in that iconic font?

Yes man! Reece has done a lot for many of us, it’s also a way to thank him and remind him that his work and dedication is very appreciated. He’s part of the team. And I definitely was, it’s a kid dream!

On that same trip Reece kidnapped you, forcing you to buy some socks and spend the weekend in Leeds. I feel this kind of made a strong connection with your friends in Bordeaux and ours in the UK something special. Do you recommend Reece kidnaps more skateboarders and what were your initial feelings about being driven up north?

I was hyped and enthusiastic about this new adventure. I got to meet a lot of you guys and had a really good time and breakfasts as well. You guys cameto Bordeaux, met the whammies, the Welcome homies came here, we cameto Leeds as well! We also shared some trips together, including recently one in Marseille, so yes, we’re a big family now. And yes Reece, please do kidnap more of us!

You are a well-balanced man, with a good variety to your skating, a varied music taste and a mix between timein cities and nature, and that also applies in terms of your body. You seem to combine Calicéo for the sauna, ice plunge and swimming with HFC (Haadurh Fried Chicken). How does Calicéo & HFC work so well for you?

Ahh I was waiting for that one, it must be Boucle who put you on it. He’s my partner in crime for that. Calicéo is such a good treat, and then HFC is completely the opposite as proper junk food, so what’s the point? I think it works because I’ve been going to HFC since I was 13 years old.That was our daily lunch before going back to school for the afternoon. My DNA is probably completely restructured because of the thousand times I went there.

Could you please tell us some of the things you are interested in outside of skateboarding, or perhaps some things you would like to achieve without the skateboard?

Oh many things, but I would say I letmy curiosity drive me to anything that’s going to make my mind tick. These days, I’m passionate about gardening. It’s a whole new world for me and I find it very captivating. I also really want to learnhow to make music and learn how to play piano. The idea of finding a new adventure like skateboarding, but in a different medium, is growing in my mind. Maybe it’s going to be one of them!

Having met your mum it is obvious that you were brought up well, with ethics and morals. She has done some great work helping others achieve fairness. Could you tell us a bit about this and a bit about her mum’s magazine? It’s called ‘Rose’, right? Do you help her with these projects as well?

Thank you man, she’s such a queen! On a personal level, she cares deeply about her family and friends and she’s always there to help when they need guidance and assistance. Professionally, she has had great success as a partnerin a communications agency committedto supporting all the major public health causes. They help with supporting patients and their loved ones to live better and understand their illness. They also help healthcare professionals improve their practices. She also co-funds a charity called The RoseUp Association. RoseUpis dedicated to informing, supporting and defending the rights of women affected by any type of cancer, everywhere in France. I’m very proud of her. She has done so much for helping people in any type of way, she’s engaged for the cause, she’s working very hard and every move she makes is with her heart. I do help her time anytime she needs me, mostly with charity events.

You’re a talented skateboarder and filmer respectively, so the next few questions delve into this. Firstly, is it a scam to get paid as a skater and a filmer?

Merci! Haha maybe it is, in which case I’m definitely very thankful for this scam!

Edouard asks what it’s like filming people you are better than?

Haha come on! How can I beat the steez of Jameel Douglas, for example? Never in my dreams. But I definitely take that as a compliment coming from him. I’m a big fan of his skating and also his work as a body painter. This is going to lead me to my question for Doudou; when can we do the next one? There are two graphics you did that I would love to have and I’m fully free in June.

I really like the line you filmed of Jameel where you ollie the chain mid-line. What is something you are most proud of that you have filmed in front of and behind the camera?

Thank you man. There is a line I shot with Glen Fox in Marseille, at la Mairie, thatwas a bit of a challenge to film. It’s in Just Cruise 2. I had to run as soon as he landed at the bottom of a stair set, jump on the board, jump some more stairs with him and try to stay as close and steady as I could. Glen is really, really fast, so you need to follow him as much as you can. I’m really hyped to have filmed with him.

Another one was with Jameel in Marseille. It was full summer, the heat was killingus and we were doing very long days of filming – morning to 2am sometimes. That was the last day, and we were tired. I was bleeding from the nose while filming his line. I had to jump off my board to avoid a car, jump on a manny pad with him (while he was doing a switch nose manny) and then jump again onto my board at the same time as he was doing a switch biggie over a little gap right after, to then finish with a back tail on a ledge.

I got the chance to film a clip with Tom Penny as well! We were filming for the SERGIO video in Bordeaux, and Tom unexpectedly appeared and skated the spot with us. A few minutes later, he did a perfect frontside flip over a street gap. I remember being a bit nervous behind the lens, because it’s not everyday you’ll get that chance. This one is precious to me!

You’re very invested in all the sponsors you’ve acquired and work hardbehind the scenes as well. The latestis a clothing company in Paris called ‘Wasted’ and I believe Alex Richardhas just started riding for them as well. Could you tell me why it’s important for you to get involved with the brands you ride for and a bit about how Wasted has evolved as of late?

It’s important for me simply because you’re a part of a vision you like, but also a family, and you want to invest yourself as much as you can. Yes, Alexou now rides for Wasted, big wham time! They are such good people to work with. They want to push us, to make great projects, they are open to ideas we propose and making them reality, they literally involve us with everything.

It’s also great and really fun to have my longtime brother, Arthur Giat, as my TM. He pushes us a lot and works hard for the team. There is now also Maxime Monteil who has joined the marketing team, which brings a lot to the table. We’re currently filming a full length as well! Big shout out to Fang & Johan.

Could you please recommend us absolutely anything?

An album – Hearing Music by Joanna Brouk. I recently discovered IG – @aview. fromabridge. A place – CALICÉO.

See some of Andréa’s tricks above in WASTED’s ‘BAD MOUTH’ video