Michael Cimino is no stranger to multi-hyphenate life. Known to many as the heart of Love, Victor, Cimino has spent the past few years building a career that moves fluidly between music, acting, and storytelling.
In 2024 alone, he’s released two emotionally resonant singles—“Superhero” and “Reminds Me of You”—while starring in Peacock’s high-octane coming-of-age drama Motorheads and Sony Pictures’ horror-thriller Until Dawn.
We caught up with Cimino to talk about his creative process, the lessons he’s learned behind the camera, and how his work continues to evolve across genres and mediums.
First off, congrats—it’s been an incredible year for you with the release of “Motorheads” and your new music. I have to say, “Superhero” is so adorable, and I really love the lyrics. Can we start with “Reminds Me of You”? How did that track come to be?
Thank you, man. Yeah, “Reminds Me of You” came together in kind of a spontaneous way. I had been doing a lot of writing sessions—probably made like 30 songs for this EP—and I was feeling a bit burnt out. One day, I went for a drive to clear my head, listening to calm music just to reset. When I came back to the studio, my friend Omari Clark—who produced the track—was already there. Then Jack and Nat joined us. Omari started playing the keys, I sang a melody, recorded it on a voice memo, and that was pretty much it. The version you hear on the track today has the original vocals and piano from that first session. We didn’t change the lyrics. It just felt right.
That’s rare—so many artists go back and tweak endlessly. That must feel incredibly affirming as a songwriter.
It is. There were conversations about maybe changing a section here or there, but I didn’t want to. Every time I listened to it, it brought me back to that exact moment—and that’s when you know a song is done.
The song also has a really beautiful music video, which you directed yourself. What was it like being behind the camera this time?
I’ve directed a few of my own videos before, but this one felt different. After working on projects like Motorheads, Until Dawn, and Street Smart, I’ve started developing more of a production mindset. I’ve learned so much from the people I’ve worked with, and I applied all that here. It was a small crew—just me, one camera guy (shoutout to Sean), our choreographer Michael, Nesa, and Jordan Meek on keys. That’s it. It taught me that you can do so much more with less.
Nat’s vocals on the track are so ethereal. I just wanted to shout that out.
Thank you! She’s incredible—such a talent.
Switching gears to “Superhero.” It’s such a fun and uplifting track with a deeper emotional undercurrent. What inspired that one?
Honestly, it was rooted in nostalgia. When you’re a kid, you feel invincible—like you can do anything. But as you get older, you start to lose that feeling. “Superhero” is about trying to return to that mindset. The artwork actually shows me as a little kid in a cape. It’s playful, but it also taps into something very real.
Did you have a favorite superhero growing up?
Definitely the Hulk. I thought he was so cool.
“Superhero” feels like the perfect pre-workout song. On that note, if someone were to listen to your songs in a specific setting, where would you imagine they be?
Love that! I think “Superhero” would hit during golden hour at the beach or in the rolling hills—something open and freeing. For “Reminds Me of You,” I picture someone listening alone in their room or driving at night—something personal and intimate.
And your EP is coming out at the end of the summer, right?
Yeah, that’s the plan. I might drop another single before then, maybe even a music video, but we’ll see how it all shakes out. I want the video to be something special, so I’m figuring out how to pull it together.
Any plans for a tour?
I haven’t toured yet, but I’d love to. It’s a different process than acting or recording, but it’s something I definitely want to explore.
Speaking of acting—Motorheads has such a fun, fast-paced energy. What was it like stepping into that world?
Man, it was amazing. I’ve always loved cars, so being part of a show like that was a dream. The vibe was very Fast & Furious meets coming-of-age. I really hope we get picked up for season two. There’s more story to tell, and I think fans really connected with it.
What’s your favourite car to drive?
Tough question! I have a small collection and switch it up depending on the season. One of my favourites is a Toyota JZX100 from Japan—right-hand drive. It’s fast and super fun. But if I’m driving with the top down and blasting “Superhero,” I’m taking my ‘92 Miata convertible every time.
You’ve had such an eclectic acting career—from Love, Victor to Until Dawn. How are you choosing roles now?
I’m always looking to stretch and avoid getting typecast. Playing different characters in different genres is what excites me. That prep and immersion—that’s the part I love. I want to keep challenging myself, building a career full of range.
You mentioned Until Dawn—I’ll admit, it freaked me out! I’m not the biggest horror fan, but I had to watch it because I’m a fan.
[Laughs] Thanks for watching it anyway!
You were also at NYC Pride recently. As someone part of a groundbreaking show like Love, Victor, what does it mean to you to have been part of something that resonated so deeply with the LGBTQ+ community?
It means everything. Love, Victor came out at a time when the world really needed it. I don’t think it would hit the same today because it was such a timely piece. It helped people feel seen. That’s what you hope for as an artist—to inspire people and tell stories that matter. Even years later, people still come up to me to say how much it meant to them. That’s the dream.
With music and acting both being huge parts of your life, how do you balance the two?
I’m still figuring it out, honestly. I worked on this EP while filming Motorheads, so I was juggling both at the same time. Whenever I have downtime, I dive into music. But when I’m on set, I’m fully in that world. It’s a balancing act, but I love both and want to continue evolving as a multi-hyphenate artist.
Do you ever find it hard to switch out of “acting mode” when trying to write music?
Sometimes. Music requires a different mindset—one that’s gentler and more open. With acting, there’s pressure: deadlines, production schedules. With music, if a song isn’t good, you don’t have to release it. So there’s more room to breathe. That’s been an adjustment for me, but a good one.
Whether he’s behind the mic or in front of the camera, Michael Cimino continues to carve out a space that feels uniquely his—one where heartfelt honesty, creative range, and intentionality take center stage.
As he gears up to release his debut EP later this summer, and possibly take his music to the stage for the first time, Cimino is proving that vulnerability can be a superpower—and that there’s always room to grow when you follow your passions across disciplines.
From Love, Victor to Motorheads to late-night studio sessions, Cimino’s journey is just getting started.
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