Sanremo, few guests and even less controversy (for now). The latest names: Ferilli, Lauro, Argentero
The festival starts quietly, amidst the Eurovision clouds and the due homage to "Super Goofy"Sabrina Ferilli (ANSA/CLAUDIO ONORATI)
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And to think that in January 2025, a month before the Festival, we already knew more or less everything. This year, however, aside from the singing lineup, the news about the event kicking off on Tuesday, February 24th is slowly arriving.
Carlo Conti lets it slip: "We're at sea regarding guests," he confesses at the press conference. Not just the international ones, for which negotiations are understandably underway, but also the co-hosts. In addition to the official Laura Pausini and Max Pezzali, a few new names are emerging piecemeal: Achille Lauro, who's expected to duet with Pausini on the song "16 marzo," and Luca Argentero, as an ambassador for Italian fiction around the world, are now considered certain. And then there are two top guests from the Big Band: Sabrina Ferilli (perhaps with Tommaso Paradiso) on the cover night, and Belen Rodriguez with Samurai Jay.
But also missing is the controversy, the kind that Super Pippo Baudo so enjoyed because, he was convinced, Sanremo needed to be talked about at all costs. The only cloud starting to gather is that of the Eurovision Song Contest: after Olly's withdrawal, now Levante is stepping in. The Sicilian singer-songwriter has already announced that, if she were to win, she would withdraw due to the presence of Israel, which has been reinstated by the European Broadcasting Union : "We can't pretend nothing is happening." Rai CEO Giampaolo Rossi dismisses the issue: "Artists' controversies concern artists," he says, adding that "as Rai, we have confirmed our absolute desire for Italy to participate" and opening the door to "the possibility of hosting a Palestinian artist out of competition."
What's certain is that after a year of high-profile farewells, Sanremo will be full of tributes: Ornella Vanoni, Beppe Vessicchio, the Kessler twins, and of course Baudo, host with a record 13 hosting appearances. In his memory, Conti is bringing back Sanremo Top, the historic format that captured the recording of songs' success. A double-header, on March 7th and 14th, will take stock of streaming and charts. And try to prolong the effects of a Festival that is slowly approaching.