An electric atmosphere spreads from Naples, ready to host the "X Factor" final for the second time, to Sinnai, home of this season's standout talent. And amidst the excitement, 27-year-old eroCaddeo, just hours before the Piazza del Plebiscito show, plays the self-deprecating card.
From Radiolina
Thrown into the trap of journalists gathered in Naples City Hall, he greets politely, hesitates, answers in a low voice, then lets himself go and bewitches the press room: "What do I hope for once I get out of here? To keep working so I can buy a sandwich and maybe pay the rent." And, as if for good luck, he plucks out a few notes of "No Potho Reposare" exclusively for the microphones of Radiolina, whose Contest in 2021 began it all.
The judges
The anxiety is palpable for the final act of the Sky Original show produced by Fremantle, live tonight from 9 pm on Sky, streaming on NOW, and also free-to-air on TV8. All the judges are competing: eroCaddeo and his mentor Achille Lauro, as well as Delia from Jake La Furia's team, underdog Rob with Paola Iezzi, and PierC supported by Francesco Gabbani. While the finalists (supported so far by over 20 million votes) truly love each other, as is evident from their hugs and constant support, the same cannot be said for the judges.
There were disagreements and barbs in the final semifinal between Gabbani and Lauro, even an off-camera comment from the former Sanremo winner ("You have to keep me tonight"), with Jake calming him down by saying, "Lauro's a real professional, I've been through this before..." On the eve of the show, however, they didn't want to hear of it: "We're friends, just skirmishes artfully staged."
The songs
But back to the show: 16,000 people are expected in the embrace of the colonnade of one of Italy's most beautiful squares, in front of the enormous 1,000-square-meter X-shaped stage. Led by expert Giorgia, accompanied by 50 dancers, special effects, and fireworks, three heats will unfold. The first is "My Song," with eroCaddeo singing Adriano Celentano's "L'emozione non ha voce." Delia will celebrate Neapolitan tradition with "Cu'mme," performed by Roberto Murolo and Mia Martini. PierC will perform "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and Rob will perform "Città vuota" by Mina.
This is followed by the second round with the four Best Ofs, a medley that sums up the career of each (for Caddeo, "...E penso a te" by Lucio Battisti, "Sere Nere" by Tiziano Ferro, and "La Cura" by Franco Battiato). Finally, the unreleased round, a perfect reminder that with "Punto," Damiano has proven he can stand on his own two feet, having in just a few weeks achieved numbers and chart positions (Spotify's top 50 and Fimi's top 100, to name two) that remain a pipe dream for other emerging artists and even his fellow finalists.
In Sinnai
In Sinnai, the celebration will be overwhelming, and two group screenings have been planned : one at the Teatro Civico, the other at the Vab Sinnai, where Eva Federico, mother of eroCaddeo, volunteers. And while Eva and her firstborn Morena are flying to Naples with a delegation of six other Sinnai residents ("We'll be in the square with banners and flags"), anyone can support Damiano from home . There are four voting channels, all free. Online, by accessing xfactor.sky.it, downloading the X Factor 2025 app from the Apple Store or Google Play, or from your Sky Q decoder with the green button on the remote control, or from Sky Glass with the interactive button.
Super guests
Special guest Laura Pausini , ambassador of Italian music abroad with over 75 million records sold worldwide, the first and only Italian artist to win a Grammy Award, in addition to a Golden Globe, Emmy Award nomination, and Oscar nomination. Also announced was Jason Derulo, a multi-platinum star with tens of billions of streams.
A great evening, this Neapolitan one, that not even the feared rain will ruin. And if it really does come, says Jake La Furia, a phone call will be enough: "Achille Lauro has God's number." At that point, while he's at it, he might just put in another good word.