No 'pink quotas' in Sanremo 2022, and space for merit: Amadeus distances himself from the proposal of the CEO of Fimi (Italian Music Industry Federation), Enzo Mazza, who launched the idea of bringing a cast formed to the Ariston half by artists.

"With great respect I disagree: I have never chosen a song based on the gender of the artist, it would be a serious mistake, I choose it based on beauty", explains the artistic director and host of the festival. "I don't see why having to give a quota to women, it would almost be offensive towards them. Music is art, and in art you cannot create predetermined zones".

The "gender equality", explains Amadeus, "depends on the number of songs that are presented. If there are 200-300 women among the Young out of 800 candidates, it is not my fault. Then among these 300 there are always artists who have good songs, important appearances. And in the cast of Sanremo Young people are there because they have strong songs ". In any case" there are fantastic women in all the festivals who have given men a hard time: this is the most important thing, not a preselection ", he adds, relaunching the ball in the field of discography. "The proposal could start from the same industry: they are all men at the top, except Caterina Caselli at Sugar. The same goes for musical associations. If it is an important signal, it is right that it starts with them ".

Moreover, when asked about the future of the festival, the conductor and artistic director hypothesizes a female succession: "Who would I see after me? Only women". An assist picked up at a distance by Antonella Clerici: "I'd like to end my career with another festival".

THE INDISCRIPTIONS - To tread the stage of the Ariston from 1 to 5 February could meanwhile be Alessia Marcuzzi, according to the indiscretion diffused by "Chi" (ready to bet also on the return of Roberto Benigni): "I can neither confirm nor deny , but rumors are welcome ", smiles Amadeus. "There are rumors that surprise even me, incredible news, lists in which three or four names are right, the others wrong, but that's right. Sanremo is this, you have to accept it. Maybe among the many rumors you can think of names that you didn't speculate. "