Transcending Artistry

L'Officiel: Frankie, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Let’s begin with your journey. You’ve reached a level of success that clearly didn’t come easy. What drove the path you took?

Frankie Zulferino: I reached this level through a lot of decisions, mostly hard ones I had to make. Of course, let us not forget all the struggles I experienced from the very beginning of my career. You see, my early life sort of gave way to a path that rejected shortcuts and convenient gratifications. From my beginnings in Staten Island to performing in big performance venues required lots of sacrifice and a great deal of hard work, perhaps even tons of positive self-talk. So, I feel like talking to you guys may spark some form of inspiration for those who get to read this, so thank you for having this conversation with me.

L'Officiel: Of course, the pleasure is ours. Now, let’s start by talking about your childhood. How did growing up in Staten Island contribute to your unique identity?

Frankie: Both my parents worked so hard to provide for the family, my father being a fireman and my mother a medical assistant. They were real-life examples of strength and resilience. Seeing that every day changed how I viewed challenges. Through them, I treated obstacles as life's way to toughen me up. Never did I think that difficulties were a punishment. And you know how kids are, right? They make fun of those that are not really like them. Clearly, I was that odd kid because other kids were into athletics, but I decided to stay true to my core, so instead, I danced and sang. It made me stand out, and not always in a good way. I was different, and that felt disheartening at times. Still, I accepted it for what it was.

L'Officiel: Were there moments where that difference made life difficult, especially in school?

Frankie: Definitely. In high school, I faced resistance for choosing things people didn’t expect from someone like me. But I found my space in theater. Every time I performed, I had more reason to keep following the path I knew was mine. I refused to lose myself to please others. I wasn’t going to trade my passion just to blend in. People made fun of me. They whispered things in hallways. But I learned to shrug it off. They could say whatever they wanted — but I had no intentions of backing down. That mindset paid off, for sure.

L'Officiel: That mindset carried you to your first big break. WOW, the boy band. What was that experience like?

Frankie: Joining WOW changed everything. Goodness, was it an immense shift — opening for Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, and Sean Kingston! That felt surreal. Performing in venues like London’s O2 Arena and Dublin’s Croke Park proved to me that staying true to myself could lead me to places I never imagined. I didn’t listen to the people who doubted me in school, and look at where life took me.

L'Officiel: But then the band broke up. How did you process that moment?

Frankie: It was tough. WOW disbanding forced me to do some introspection. I stood on the edge of something unknown and full of questions. So I turned to songwriting as my release. That’s when I created Dreamless. Every lyric of Dreamless came from truths I couldn’t always say out loud. But I didn’t stay idle for long, thankfully. Through grit and focus, I kept moving forward, this time as a solo artist. I worked with Johnny Wright and director Eif Rivera, gaining new technical skills. But the people who gave me the deepest emotional support weren’t industry figures. They were Lori and Stacie Kirsch. They believed in me even when I couldn’t believe in myself. I seriously can't thank them enough. They have and will always be my rock. Hi Lori! Hi Stacie!

L'Officiel: You also entered the world of reality TV. What was that transition like?

Frankie: Good question. So first off, I joined reality TV because it felt right at that time. You see, this was early 2010s when reality TV was at its peak. So, naturally, when this door opened, I had to be part of it, regardless. Having said this, the transition was smooth, only because I was singular in my goal of making it big. On The NEXT, Joe Jonas became my mentor. But what's amazing is when Nelly pointed out how rare it was to find someone who could sing and dance live in one of my performances. Gloria Estefan also offered some of the kindest words I’ve ever received. These experiences helped me understand the entertainment business in front of and behind the camera. Oh, a side note — I’ll be honest, reality TV wasn’t entirely real. Anyway, you should probably know that by now. But it forced me to adapt, so I went with the flow. It wasn't entirely fun, but at least I take with me the pieces of advice those mentors gave me.

L'Officiel: You’ve spoken before about your complicated relationship with social media. What changed?

Frankie: At first, I didn’t want to play the social media game. It didn’t feel like it was my personality to share every single bit about me, you know. But eventually, I realized if I didn’t do it, then I'd be left out. I eventually became part of the bandwagon, so to speak, but not to share random things about me. Rather, I used this as my way to show the world my creativity through my tribute videos. And the rest is history, as they say. I had my fair share of viral moments where my idols, like Janet Jackson, did not only notice but even shared my videos!

L'Officiel: Oh wow! That must have been incredible!

Frankie: Incredible? More like unfathomable and overwhelmingly beyond comprehension! I can be reborn a thousand times and yet this will cling on, you have no idea! Like, really, I have no words. And wait — here’s an awesome twist to this whole social media thing: I met some of the most amazing people on earth! Yes, strangers! Even if our interactions have been mostly online, they believed in me more than people I’ve known my entire life. That kind of support is real. I had no team, no big industry name or machinery behind me. It was just me and the people who stuck with me.

L'Officiel: Oh, that's lovely! So, let's now talk about something that's clearly near and dear to you... your career, and perhaps your evolution as an artist. What were some of your standout moments?

Frankie: I kept adjusting, playing with tempo, genre, and vocal style. When I recorded Hit That with Melii, thankfully, it climbed to number three on the Apple Music charts. Growing Pains in 2022 also marked a new chapter, I should say. My songs started hitting Top 10 spots and even number one. Lovin’ Myself reached the top of the dance charts. That response from fans came because I stayed honest. I released what felt true to me, and people felt it.

L'Officiel: One of your most powerful performances was at Miss America 2023. How do you remember that moment?

Frankie: I performed as a guest artist. The first part of the show went well — but not how I imagined. Then the second performance happened, and everything changed. I sang Stuck on You while the finalists took their final walk. That moment ultimately reminded me that sometimes the most unforgettable moments come when you don't expect them to happen. The magic unraveled during the most sublime, yet romantically charged part of the competition. The way my song made all the contestants shine was indeed a blessed moment. And definitely an unforgettable one, for sure.

L'Officiel: Beyond performing, you’ve also stepped into mentorship. Why was that important for you?

Frankie: Simple. I just need to give back. I personally did not have things easy. Nothing was served to me just like that. I had to work so hard to be where I am now. So, in my little way, I want to share what I've learned over the years to make life a little bit easier for others. That, in my own little way, I am sort of preparing them for what life has in store for them so they don't get overwhelmed or shocked, even. When the kids walked onto the stage, it felt like I was stepping out with them. Their win became mine in a whole new way. I coached the Struck Boyz on America’s Got Talent and helped young dancers join programs like the Knicks City Kids and Brooklyn Nets Kids. I pushed them the way I once pushed myself.

L'Officiel: After everything. The performances. The setbacks. The comebacks. Really, what is it that makes you beam with so much pride through it all?

Frankie: NOT. GIVING. UP. Even when the lows hit hard, I kept going. People see the celebration, but they don’t always see the weight behind it. And while that might sound like the perfect ending for a story, it’s not the end. I’m just getting started. For sure, I’ll always chase what’s greater than greatness because settling has never been in my DNA.

L'Officiel: There you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen, the exceptionally talented and profoundly inspirational, Frankie Zulferino. By the way, are there any projects you are working on that we should be excited about?

Frankie: For sure. I will release a single in conjunction with Universal Records called "Collide" on April 25th, 2025, where pre-order starts on April 18, 2025. So let me tease you by saying that "Collide" is my way of paying homage to a classic '80s disco hit, but with my own unique flair. You better watch out for it! It's coming out soon.