And to think he was starting to give up: "Just one more year, then that's it." Luckily, since that ultimatum was imposed, everything has happened.
EroCaddeo, 27, a singer-songwriter, now an idol not only in his hometown of Sinnai but throughout Italy, in the aftermath of the grand finale of X Factor in Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, seemed to be thinking of everything except his near-victory. Perhaps something was in the air, and the long-awaited announcement has already arrived: on January 9, 2026, Warner Bros. will release his autographed CD "scrivimi quando arriva (punto)," the namesake of his first EP, available for pre-order since yesterday.
Here's Damiano, smiling more than ever, kind to everyone, his usual comedian. At peace with himself because "for me, it couldn't have gone better."
The trophy was just a hair's breadth away, aren't you sorry?
"Oh no, you know my approach by now. I had fun, I played my music, I brought "Punto" to such an important venue. Seeing someone in the audience singing along with me was the greatest satisfaction."
Anyone? It's the most streamed new song ever and remains in Spotify's prestigious Top 50.
"I remember it was well received at the auditions, and I know a lot of people couldn't wait for it to come out. But I didn't expect it to be such a hit."
Take us inside his head and to those moments before "X Factor 2025 Wins...". What did he think?
«I haven't seen myself on TV yet, but you should be able to see me lip-syncing, 'Rob, Rob, Rob.'»
Were you rooting for her?
"I felt this victory could be even more important for Roberta. She deserved it."
More than I was Caddeo?
She's a wonderful girl and a true professional. Among us in the loft, her rehearsals became a meme: "Rob on Autotune." It was impossible to sing that well, especially first thing in the morning, while the rest of us needed at least two hours to recover. We never thought she was an "underdog." But in a way, "underdog" is a term that suited her. She quietly made her own way, and here she is.
