“I hated saying it”: Despite Her Flawless Performance on ‘The Sopranos’ Drea de Matteo Constantly Struggled With 1 Thing on the Show
Drea de Matteo faced a surprising challenge while portraying Adriana on The Sopranos, but it became iconic nonetheless.
Drea de Matteo has long been celebrated for her role in The Sopranos, a show that defined an era of television. While her portrayal of Adriana La Cerva won her critical acclaim and an Emmy award, the experience brought both exciting and unexpected challenges. However, beyond her flawless performances, de Matteo often reflects on moments that felt less effortless.
From navigating her character’s deep connections to the mob world to working on a New York accent, every aspect of the role held significance. The actress’s honesty about her time on the show only adds to her charm, and her recalling certain quirks during filming truly offers a rare behind-the-scenes insight into an iconic performance.
Drea de Matteo Struggled With Her Accent in The Sopranos
Drea de Matteo’s roots run deep in New York City, she was born in Queens and raised on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, so the actress was no stranger to the city’s diverse blend of cultures and accents. Growing up in an Italian-American household, she was familiar with the speech patterns of the community that The Sopranos depicted, but despite her New York upbringing, nailing certain pronunciations during the show proved to be a surprising challenge.
“They always want me to say ‘Christopha’ [in a strong New York accent], which was always hard for me to say when I was young. I felt like my accent sounded so forced and I hated saying it
In an interview with NME, the actress spoke about the struggles she faced with her accent. Even though she was raised in New York, she felt that the heavy accent didn’t come naturally, leading her to find a workaround while maintaining the authenticity of her character.
I went to David Chase, and I said: ‘I can’t say Christopher like that all the time, can I call him Chrissy? If you notice throughout the series, I pepper it with Chrissy and Christopher.
This change gave her flexibility, and in an unexpected turn of events, her nuanced delivery became a beloved part of Adriana’s character. Fans of the show would later praise her signature “Christopha,” solidifying it as a cultural touchstone.
The Soprano’s Gave Drea de Matteo Her Career-Defining Role
de Matteo’s performance as Adriana La Cerva wasn’t just another role, it was a turning point in her career. As Christopher Moltisanti’s girlfriend in the show, she brought emotional depth, balancing vulnerability with a fierce loyalty to her partner.
Rather than playing into stereotypes, de Matteo brought a raw, emotional complexity to her character, allowing Adriana to feel human in a world that was often cruel and unforgiving. Adriana’s journey on the show went from being a carefree girlfriend to becoming an FBI informant, and was a significant plotline that showcased de Matteo’s range as an actress.
Drea de Matteo’s performance on The Sopranos was a blend of adaptability and raw talent. Her portrayal of Adriana La Cerva, coupled with her ability to navigate challenges like perfecting an exaggerated New York accent, added layers to a character who has become iconic. Whether fans shout “Christopha” at her on the streets or recall Adriana’s tragic demise, one thing remains clear: de Matteo’s performance is a defining piece of television history.
