In case of emergency, break the window and pull out... Tiziano Ferro. This is the 45-year-old singer-songwriter from Latina, the name Carlo Conti and the entire Sanremo machine are using to lift spirits after the storm surrounding the Andrea Pucci affair: "I'm very happy that Tiziano accepted my invitation," the artistic director announced on Instagram, his face still scarred by the controversy that, according to Rai sources, has left him dumbfounded to say the least.
Never in competition
Circumstances aside, Tiziano is enjoying his grand return to the festival where it all began, albeit in a convoluted way. He was just 17 when he attempted to grace the Ariston stage. Rejected at the initial auditions with "Quando ritornerai," and again at the second, producers Alberto Salerno and Mara Maionchi seized hold of him, convincing EMI to take a chance on the young talent. Since 2001, he has released nine albums, won countless awards, and sold over twenty million records worldwide. Never a Sanremo competitor, he has been a guest several times: in 2006, he duetted with Michele Zarrillo on the song "L'alfabeto degli amanti." The following year, he performed one of his most resounding hits, "Ti scatterò una foto." He was also there in 2015 with a medley; In 2017—fifty years after Luigi Tenco's death—he opened the prime time show with "Mi sono innamorato di te" and sang "Il soccorso" with Carmen Consoli. Finally, in 2020, he became a regular presence with his vast repertoire and iconic songs from the history of Sanremo.
The divorce from Victor Allen
This is, however , the first Festival after the difficult separation from her husband Victor Allen, which was made official in 2024. A complicated period, between the end of a long love affair and the management of their two children, which gave birth to the new album, “Sono un grande,” the first for Sugar Music, in which Ferro lays himself bare, recounting pain, rebirth, truth, and insecurities : “If I'm still alive, if I'm not dead yet,” Tiziano sings, “it might be by chance, by mistake, maybe, but instead it's because I'm great and I've never realized it.” And he's preparing for the stadium tour that will start on May 30th.
The latest signings
Another piece of news arrives later this evening: Russian supermodel Irina Shayk will co-host Thursday's show, which was originally supposed to be Andrea Pucci's. "One of the most beautiful women in the world," says Conti, emphasizing that it's her first time on Italian television. To recap: Laura Pausini will host all five nights, as will Max Pezzali, the "admiral" of Costa Crociere. Can Yaman will co-host Tuesday's show, and Achille Lauro and Lillo will host Wednesday's show. The grand finale will be Saturday with Nino Frassica. These are the official dates so far, waiting for the final twist.
