Rodrigo Tardelli: The Art of Exposing Emotional Wounds Through Truth

A Performance That Transforms
Rodrigo Tardelli is more than the leading actor in Estranho Jeito de Amar — he is the visionary behind a story that has captivated millions and started meaningful conversations. Playing Gael, a deeply complex and emotionally manipulative character, Rodrigo delivers one of the most powerful performances of his career. With courage and sensitivity, he brings emotional abuse — often hidden in plain sight — into the spotlight.

Gael: The Character Who Hurts and Reveals
Portraying Gael wasn’t just an artistic challenge, but a human one. He is a man who confuses love with control, and affection with manipulation. “I couldn’t judge him, only understand him,” says Rodrigo. In doing so, he shaped a character who, while toxic and destructive, is also painfully real — exposing the emotional entrapments many face in silence.

Art as a Tool for Awareness
Beyond acting, Rodrigo also created the series. Passionate about the theme, he spent time researching real stories of emotional abuse, striving to represent this form of violence with honesty and respect. “Talking about emotional abuse demands responsibility, listening, and empathy,” he reflects. Through his work, Rodrigo invites viewers to confront the subtle, yet devastating, impact of toxic relationships.

A Resonance That Echoes Through the Screen
The series struck a chord — not just in numbers, with over 10 million views, but in emotional impact. Viewers from around the world reached out to share how the series helped them recognize patterns in their own lives. “Some people said they didn’t realize they were in an abusive relationship until they watched the show,” Rodrigo shares. “That’s the power of storytelling — it gives people the words they didn’t know they needed.”

International Recognition
Estranho Jeito de Amar has garnered 11 international nominations, including Best Drama Series, Best Direction, Best Ensemble, and Best Actor. Rodrigo considers the nomination for Best Ensemble especially meaningful: “This story lives because every actor poured their soul into it. Gael only exists because of Noah, played so brilliantly by Allan Ralph. This was a collective creation.”

Being nominated — and awarded — as Best Actor was a career-defining moment for Rodrigo. “To be recognized in Los Angeles for a role this complex, in an independent production, was surreal. That award wasn’t just for me — it was for the whole team who believed in this story,” he says.

A Legacy of Courage and Creativity
Rodrigo Tardelli’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. With few resources but unwavering dedication, he created a series that gives voice to invisible pain. Estranho Jeito de Amar is more than a love story gone wrong — it’s a mirror that reflects uncomfortable truths, giving viewers a chance to see, feel, and heal.

Now available on YouTube with two full seasons and a special exploring the characters’ past, the series continues to touch hearts and change lives — one view at a time.