The Circle's Joey Sasso on Reality TV, Boxing, and His True Passion

The star of Netflix’s surprise hit moved to L.A. at 18 to pursue his real dream: filmmaking.
Joey Sasso of 'The Circle' sits on the couch.
THE CIRCLECourtesy of Netflix

The runaway star of Netflix’s American adaptation of The Circle, 26-year-old Joey Sasso, says he’s always considered himself an “old soul.” You might be puzzled by his proclamation, given that he voluntarily appeared on a now-hit reality show that gamifies social media and texting, while also admitting in the opener of episode one that he’s indeed sent a dick pic before. But Sasso insists the old soul label is real and true, offering two examples from his childhood that run firmly against the millennial grain: he didn’t grow up collecting Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, and he didn’t grow up playing video games. Instead, from the time he was young, he was focused on two things: “girls and movies.” Joey Sasso, you see, contains multitudes.

On paper, Sasso’s first interest checks out. On The Circle, he’s totally unafraid to launch how you doin? missives at the female contestants via voice-activated texts, though he manages to do so without coming off as creepy (a low bar, certainly, but still endearing). That second love, the cinema, goes largely undiscussed for the entirety of the 12-episode series. Sasso instead chooses to identify himself to fellow contestants as a “bartender,” which, to be fair, is not a lie. But Sasso’s passion, he promises, has long been film. Born and raised in Rochester, New York—with the “biggest, most insane Italian family you’ll ever see”—Sasso says he knew from age three that he wanted to direct, act, and write screenplays.

Soon after graduating high school, he packed up his stuff and moved to Los Angeles, away from his tight-knit family and his then-girlfriend. The latter relationship continued for a total of seven years, ending a year or so before entering The Circle. Yes, that’s right: though he’s a serial flirter on television, Sasso’s actual dating history is far tamer. He’s a serial monogamist, if anything. Again: multitudes.

As with many successful Netflix shows, The Circle first arrived fairly quietly. Then, this month, everyone you know was watching it, and now you’re here, completely immersed in it, reading about the contestant who’s quickly garnered think pieces and odes to his lovable bro-y-ness. With the show having wrapped yesterday, GQ wanted to learn more about his upbringing and his background in film. Who is the real Joey Sasso? He was more than happy to let us know.


GQ: What did Joey Sasso like to do growing up?

Joey Sasso: Film has always been my life. I grew up making my own films and really studying behind-the-scenes to learn how to do special makeup effects. I was in love with Wes Craven and John Carpenter—still am to this day. I learned how to wear a lot of hats from a young age. I always say that was my film school.

I was also an athlete. My father always said, “Your ass is gonna be productive, and you’re gonna work.” All my cousins would be inside playing games, eating junk food, and I was boxing all year round, playing football, basketball, and baseball. Boxing was my main thing. I was never afraid of getting hit. The funny side to this though is I’m not a sports guy at all. I don’t watch any sports.

My parents never restricted me from listening to any type of music or watching any film. I can’t thank them enough for that. I think when you’re a kid, the way you view a film or listen to a piece of music hits you in such a real way, and when you’re an adult, you strive for that feeling again. I remember Eminem’s 8 Mile came out when I was in second grade—still to this day I am an Eminem fan—but I went to an all-Catholic school and was the only kid who was allowed to see the film.

Did you have to make a decision between boxing and acting at some point?

Boxing was never really a career choice for me. It’s such a difficult way to make a living. Had I not had film, I’m sure that’s all I would’ve been able to do. I was never good in school, I’m very ADHD. I knew that film was always going to be my escape, and when I was 18, a month after graduating high school, my parents let me go. I’ve been out here ever since chasing my dream, man.

After I moved to L.A., I really had to grow up. I’ll never forget as long as I live that last night at my house with my cousins and friends over, and my mom not even able to get out of bed because she was crying her eyes out. When I got to that studio apartment, I was just bawling. I’m pursuing my dreams and everything I ever wanted, but how do I start? Where do I even begin?

How did you start?

I basically submitted to every agent and manager that I could. I took every class that I could. I lucked out with a mentor and one of the best friends I’ve ever had, who’s since passed away. His name was Dan Ireland. He actually launched the careers of Jessica Chastain and Renée Zellweger. I responded to an ad for a class and met Dan. It was the first time in my life that I met someone who just fully understood me and my passion for film.

I don’t just love film—it’s my life. Everything is film. Everything is a character. Everything is a story. He used to have this thing called Sunday Night Movie Night at the Director’s Playhouse where we would do a short film followed by a feature film. I remember my father came out after I had been here for six or seven months, and he asked Dan when I wasn’t in the room, “Am I doing the right thing with Joey here?” And Dan looked at my father and told him, “If Joey didn’t have it, I would tell you to get him on a plane and take him home to your family. He’s got it, not a lot of people do, and it’s only a matter of time.” Dan and I were so close for so many years. When he passed away, it was completely devastating.

Once you were firmly planted in L.A., what sort of jobs did you pick up on the side?

Still to this day, acting isn’t a full-time thing, and that’s why I’m praying this show can open up opportunities for me. Typical things I do are bartending and working as a waiter. I once worked at Saddle Ranch up at Universal, which isn’t there anymore, as a busboy making basically no money whatsoever. I couldn’t afford to leave the job. I would never say that to my family, because I didn’t want them to worry. I’d steal biscuits and bread out of the back to eat while I was at work, so I wouldn’t be hungry when I went home at night. It was a crazy ride. Anyone who reads this will say, “He was fine, his family would do anything for him.” That’s all true, but I’ve also been so independent my whole life and never wanted to have that help.

What inspired you to apply for The Circle?

I’ve had so many opportunities for reality shows in the past, but I’ve always said no to them no matter how broke I was because there’s such a stigma. I never wanted to be in a house, partying, hooking up, basically ending my career. But this show was so fresh and unique and different to where I said, you know what man? I could really showcase my personality. I said, okay, this is on Netflix, so what do I got to lose? Nothing.

I noticed you were doodling a lot on The Circle. What were you drawing?

I love doodling, man. My mind moves 100 miles a minute and I always have 100 different stories, ideas, characters going on. Since I’ve been young, putting pen to paper and drawing these weird things just relaxes my mind and puts things in focus. I can’t really draw any objects—I just sit there, put on some headphones, and let my hand move and something comes out of it.

How long was that chat with Miranda before the kiss? On the show, it was portrayed as taking about three minutes.

I think it was probably 20 minutes. I’ve never kissed someone that quickly in my life. Normally it’s an organic thing that happens, as it does with all of us. That’s why I asked for her permission, because there was such a chemistry going on there that couldn’t be denied. I have no problem putting myself out there and taking a shot because the worst that you can hear is a no, and if she had said no, that would’ve been completely fine. I would’ve respected it and I still would’ve wanted to see her out of The Circle.

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When did you realize you were emerging as the audience’s favorite?

What ended up happening was really interesting: A lot of people perceived me in the beginning how people have perceived me in real life, that I’m a douchebag or a cocky asshole or a Jersey Shore wannabe. Especially living in L.A., you stick out like a sore thumb for being from New York, having an accent and slicked-back hair. But that’s sort of been the story of my life, man. I’m the most confident person you’ll ever meet. I believe in myself, I’ll talk to anybody, but people sometimes take that as a douchey way of being. If you actually get to know me, you’ll find out that I love every single person, would do anything for anybody, and suddenly your perception is out the window. That’s why it’s kind of insane to me that this show went the same way.

My coworker from Rochester wants me to ask you: What’s your favorite garbage plate spot?

I’ll tell ya: It’s Steve T’s. I was just home and had four plates while I was there. A lot of people are saying the plates went downhill? Dude. Nah. I love onions, lots of onions. I’ll go there and say, “I don’t want extra onions, I want a mountain of onions.” Cheeseburger plate, meatsauce, it’s simply the best.

Spoiler-alert below

What was going through your head when you found out you won?

When it got down to the final three, I blacked out, especially when they announced me as the winner. Bro, I really never expected any of it to go the way that it went. I’m extremely competitive and love winning, but that was never a thought on my mind. I went to the finale with the mentality of, I’m here for the afterparty, man.

There was no part of you playing the numbers breaking down your chances?

Honestly, on my grandmother’s grave, not at all. Not at all.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.


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