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LONDON, December 28, 2025 – An actor who narrowly missed the role of Harry Potter at age 11 later found viral fame during the pandemic with comedy dance routines-but his journey involved a long struggle with mental health and addiction.
From Potter Auditions to Personal Battles
The performer’s path took unexpected turns after a childhood rejection and a subsequent battle with borderline personality disorder.
- At 11, he changed his surname after being a finalist for the role of Harry Potter.
- He was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) a decade ago, which aided his recovery from addiction.
- During the pandemic, he gained a large social media following through comedic dance videos.
- He openly discusses his experiences with BPD, including symptoms like mood swings and fear of abandonment.
he auditioned six times for the part of the boy wizard, ultimately losing out to Daniel Radcliffe.”It was a big rejection but I don’t think I would have survived making those films,” he said, adding that the casting director sent him a letter he still keeps. Following the audition process, at the age of 11, he changed his surname from Pasquale to Tracini.”I changed my name as I wanted to do things off my own back, I didn’t want to have something to live up to. I love my dad very much and we have a good relationship but I wanted people to like me for me,” he explained.
tracini pursued a career in the performing arts,attending musical theater college and landing roles including a series regular position on the soap opera Hollyoaks. Though, he soon turned to alcohol, drugs, and self-harm as a way to cope with a persistent inner critic he calls “Mick.”
What is borderline personality disorder? It’s a mental health condition characterized by mood swings, impulsiveness, and difficulty with self-image, frequently enough leading to unstable relationships.
A diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) roughly ten years ago provided a sense of relief. The diagnosis prompted him to address his addictions, and he has now maintained sobriety for a decade, following multiple stints in rehab. “I felt less guilty becuase I knew the drink and drugs were a symptom of my BPD,” he said. He experimented with medication but ultimately found it altered his personality and opted to discontinue it,stating,”I thought Mick would go away but the medication made me feel numb and changed my personality so I came off it.”
The pandemic brought an unexpected turn. tracini began posting comedy dance routines, often performed in a leotard, to social media, quickly amassing tens of thousands of followers. He also shared a video detailing his experiences with BPD,openly discussing symptoms such as mood swings,impulsiveness,paranoia,fear of abandonment,and chronic feelings of emptiness.
His willingness to discuss his mental health journey resonated with a wide audience, transforming
