Naples teaches you how to survive intensity: beauty and chaos, ambition and contradiction, all at once. For Leonardo Castaldo, that environment shaped not only his resilience but also the instinctive confidence he now brings to the world of fashion. After only two years in modelling, the Neapolitan newcomer is already carving out a presence defined by discipline, ambition and a quiet sense of defiance. In this conversation, Castaldo reflects on growing up in southern Italy, finding purpose through sport and fashion, and the thrill of proving people wrong. And as the interview moves into Yummy territory, he also reveals a more playful side, speaking candidly about desire, control, fantasy and the freedom of inhabiting his own body.
The images are cropped/made safe for online purposes, full images available inside Yummy Issue Twelve
Photo story by sasha olsen, interview by Adrian Gomis Exposito
An Interview with Leonardo Castaldo
AGE. Let’s begin at the beginning. Who is Leonardo Castaldo today, and how did growing up in Napoli shape the person you’re becoming?
LC. I am a Neapolitan model who is making a name for himself on the national and international scene. Growing up and living in Naples taught me from a young age to observe the world from all angles, constantly refining my intuition, as we live in a complex reality where you are forced to have eyes everywhere. We Neapolitans say “l'uocchje pur aret a cap” in our dialect (eyes behind the head) when we describe a person with great intuition, almost as if they could see everywhere, even behind their head.
AGE. Naples is a city of intensity, beauty, and contradictions. What parts of that energy live inside you?
LC. Inside me live love, perseverance, and hope. But more than anything else, there is the resilience of a Neapolitan. Neapolitans are like springs: the more they are pushed down, the more strength they gather, the more elasticity they find to rise again. I have always seen it this way. I have always believed that we, as Neapolitans, only when we hit rock bottom, discover who we are truly capable of becoming, rising again, searching for the light, and turning every fall into a rebirth.
AGE. You spent much of your childhood in private school and surrounded by sports. What did discipline and competition teach you early on?
LC. I have always wanted to be the best in every sport I practised. I was very competitive, and I remember countless moments from my childhood of healthy competition, the kind that pushes you to grow and constantly improve. I believe that mindset has been one of the most constructive elements of my life.
AGE. You’ve said you were once a troublemaker, and that something shifted. What was the moment or realisation that changed your way of thinking and moving through the world?
LC. I came to realise that many of the people around me didn’t truly care for me, and with that came the understanding that, up until that point, I had essentially been alone. This opened my eyes to a whole new perspective.
AGE. You’ve been modelling for about two years now. How did you start modelling, and what surprised you most when you first entered the industry?
LC. I started modelling almost by chance, when a girl I was seeing introduced me to a modelling agency. At the time, I remember having a rather negative view of the industry, especially because there were so many stories of scams, particularly in Southern Italy. What truly surprised me about fashion, however, was the countless people I met, all with complex and intriguing lives, much like my own. Yet, despite casting rejections, prejudices, negative comments, and scepticism, they continued to pursue their goals with perseverance. Witnessing their determination deeply inspired me.
AGE. Starting relatively recently, do you feel like you’re still discovering your place in fashion, or already carving out a direction?
LC. I believe that life is unpredictable, but I truly hope that this is my path, because I am genuinely happy doing this work. We say, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
AGE. What does modelling give you that you didn’t expect it to: confidence, structure, escape, purpose?
LC. Fashion has given me a real sense of vindication. It allowed me to show the people in my city who once disliked me, doubted me, or saw me as a failure that I could build something new. It inspired me to grow, to become a better version of myself, not just for me, but for others as well. I’ve also been able to finally “remove some pebbles from my shoes”: seeing those who once criticised me come closer, admire my work, and say things like, “I saw you in that ad, I saw you over there,” has been remarkable. I don’t forget the past, but I’ve learned to forgive and move forward, always striving to improve.
AGE. When you imagine yourself as a “top model,” what does that actually mean to you beyond the title?
LC. When I imagine myself becoming a top model, beyond the title itself, I imagine my mother happy, fulfilled, and proud of me.
AGE. Coming from the south of Italy, do you feel you bring a different attitude or presence compared to other models you meet?
LC. Neapolitans always have something extra, an extra gear, so yes, I believe that too.
AGE. How do sports still influence the way you treat your body, your focus, and your ambition today?
LC. Sport keeps me calm. It makes me feel peaceful and balanced, and at the same time it keeps me away from harmful habits such as smoking, alcohol, and drugs. When I train, I remind my body why we are doing this, why we are choosing discipline over temptation, and why we are staying away from those distractions.
AGE. Has your relationship with your body changed since becoming a model?
LC. No, it has actually always remained the same. I was already an athlete and trained consistently long before I started modelling, so nothing really changed. I’m simply a bit more mindful about my training now.
AGE. Fashion often asks you to be seen. Was that easy for you, or did it take time to feel comfortable being looked at?
LC. It was never a real struggle. But the moment I fully accepted myself and decided to elevate my physical and mental discipline, everything shifted. Confidence followed, and life simply felt lighter. When you embrace who you are, the world starts responding differently to you.
AGE. What kind of energy do you bring onto a set: quiet, playful, intense, observant?
LC. To be honest, I’m a very sociable person, so I don’t really struggle in new environments. On the contrary, I see myself as open, easygoing, and harmonious. I genuinely enjoy being in a positive and inspiring atmosphere.
AGE. Do you feel more powerful when you’re in control, or when you let yourself be guided by the creative vision around you?
LC. Of course, I feel at my best when I have full control of the situation, but sometimes it’s fun to let myself be carried away by the moment.
Quick-Fire Questions
AGE. A risk you’re glad you took?
LC. When I was 18, I moved to Northern Italy to pursue work. I had no idea where I would stay and only €400 in my pocket, but in the end, I managed to find both a job and a place to live.
AGE. What calms you down instantly?
LC. I really enjoy practising sports; it helps me stay fit and maintain focus.
AGE. Are you more instinct or an overthinker?
LC. I'm both, like two sides of the same coin.
AGE. Something you’re proud of that no one sees?
LC. On the inside, I’ve become much more sensitive and empathetic towards others.
AGE. Your relationship with silence?
LC. I love silence. It’s a very intimate moment I use to reflect on my goals, self-analyse, and spend time with myself.
AGE. A moment that made you feel grown for the first time?
LC. When I no longer had to ask anyone for money.
Unveiling His Yummy Side
AGE. When you hear the word “yummy,” what kind of image or sensation appears in your mind?
LC. Freedom.
AGE. You’re one of the cover faces of Yummy 11. How did it feel to see yourself in that role?
LC. I felt enriched by new experiences and cultures, and one step closer to achieving my dreams.
AGE. What does being part of Yummy represent for you at this stage of your career?
LC. In a world where nudity is often misunderstood, I see it as a bold form of self-expression. For me, it was like breaking the rules, crossing boundaries and fully embracing freedom.
AGE. During the shoot, was there a moment when you felt fully present in your body, or did you have any fun or interesting stories worth sharing?
LC. When Sasha once told me, “You Italians are incredible, you always want to be better than everyone else,” I laughed… because it’s kind of true.
AGE. What part of your body do you feel most connected to?
LC. When I was younger, I would have pointed to my muscles and the body I was shaping. Now I believe it’s the colour of my eyes that tells my story. There’s a quiet hope in them that never fades.
AGE. Do you enjoy being the fantasy, or breaking it once someone gets close?
LC. I’ve never liked waiting. I prefer to take the first step.
AGE. Is sex, for you, more about control or exposure?
LC. For me, it’s often about the challenge, the thrill of earning something rather than waiting for it.
AGE. What type of underwear do you prefer wearing? Does it vary depending on the occasion?
LC. I usually wear regular boxers, but for important occasions I always go with the best.
AGE. Do you prefer moments that unfold slowly, or ones that hit you all at once?
LC. I enjoy both, but I’m at a stage in my life where even one-night moments feel special. I hope to have many memories to look back on when I’m older.
AGE. After dark, what feels most tempting: deep conversation, physical movement, good food, or disappearing into the night?
LC. It’s about good food, loved ones by your side, and the joy of laughter and playful moments.
A Final Note
AGE. Looking ahead, who do you want to become, not just as a model, but as a man?
LC. I want to be the best version of myself for someone else
