Luka Sabbatis used to attracting attention.
“So a lot of things in my life revolve around this place.”
At the time he met Barris, he wasn’t necessarily looking to act.
Eric McCandless/Freeform via Getty Images
I was down just because I liked Kenya’s energy.
I was like, ‘All right, f it.'"
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How has Luca grown in this upcoming season?
He’s more open to people and dealing with more things.
It was bound to happen.
You seem like the spitting image of your character.
How much do you identify with him?
It’s like an alternate TV version of me.
I’m calm and stuff, but I’m not like a stoner in real life.
I don’t smoke weed [like Luca does].
What’s something you would have handled differently?
You remember what happened at the end of season 2?
Well, I wouldn’t do that.
I wouldn’t chase a girl to the airport, you know?
I’d text her when she lands, to like f with her head or something.
When last we left Zoey, she had broken up with Luca and kissed Aaron [Trevor Jackson].
What can we expect from this love triangle in season 3?
There’s drama, all right.
I mean, there’s a lot going on besides my love triangle.
It’s pretty comedic in the sense that [Luca] and Aaron are such different people.
He’s this super-charismatic, outgoing, fun guy.
I’m not going to say I’m a recluse, but I’m definitely keen to chill.
And Zoey has different moods, and we each fit differently with different moods.
What is it like working with Yara Shahidi, and do you have a favorite moment with her?
I hang out with Yara in real life, so I forget that we’re in a show together.
We have a lot of fun cognitive discourses, and we agree and disagree on a lot.
We always share music because we have similar but different music tastes.
You seem pretty close with your castmates.
What was your reaction when you found out your costar Halle Baileywill play Arielin Disney’s live-actionLittle Mermaidmovie?
That was so fire.
I’m so proud of her.
I mean, how else am I supposed to feel about that?
Hold up, your character says “that is so fire” all the time ongrown-ish.
So you say that in real life too?
Yeah, I think that’s why they use it in the show.
I said it at a table read for season 1, and they wrote it in the script.
You’re a trendsetter on and off screen.
He loves robes, like kimonos and loose pants.
He really has some chill s in season 3.
They always give me options.
It’s not all about me.
You’re always gender-bending your style: wearing eye makeup, skirts, etc.
What does masculinity mean to you in 2020?
It’s as far as you’re comfortable.
Some people are not down to wear makeup.
I can’t speak for 4 billion men.
What is something a lot of your fans don’t know about you?
Well, I likeShrek 2on DVD.
Have you ever seen the DVD version?
Yeah, I loveShrek 2on DVD, especially theAmerican Idolparody they do at the end of the movie.
Yeah, the “Far, Far Away Idol!”
It’s so good.
I just loveShrek 2on DVD.
[Laughs] I also like really spicy food.
Do you like Tapatio?
It’s good on everything, including spaghetti.
[Laughs] You put it on your spaghetti?
Do you like macaroni salad, and if so, do you eat it hot or cold?
Yes I do, and I eat it cold.
Okay, so what makes macaroni salad, salad?
But if you make a macaroni salad hot, is it just a pasta dish?
Yes, do you feel otherwise?
[Laughs] I don’t know how I feel about it, but I was just asking.
Is this the jot down of stuff that you debate about with Yara?
Yeah, just weird questions.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
