Earlier this week, Amadeus revealed to La Stampa that Naomi Campbell will co-host the opening night of this year’s Sanremo.
Opening the show
Known as one of the most recognisable models in the industry, Naomi will take to the Sanremo stage on 2 March. Co-hosting alongside singer Elodie and actress Matilda De Angelis, Sanremo host and director Amadeus explains why Naomi was chosen:
“I saw a report on her and what she represents beyond fashion. She will be able to tell us what the public does not know. She will bear her direct testimony on incidents concerning these issues (fighting for civil rights and against racism) and on her historic friendship with Nelson Mandela. It will be magnificent.”
Amadeus on Naomi Campbell
Moreover, Amadeus went on to confirm that 10 women will be alongside him to host the event. As well as Naomi, Elodie and Matilda, we will also see Giovanna Civitillo. The dancer has been married to Amadeus since 2009.
Sanremo 2021 will take place from 2 to 6 March, with 26 acts competing.
Italy in Eurovision
Italy were amongst the seven countries that took part in the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. Before their first win, Italy scored two third place finishes in 1958 and 1963. Italy’s first win came in 1964 with Gigliola Cinquetti’s “Non ho l’età” in 1964 which won the contest in Copenhagen with 49 points. Their next top three didn’t come until 1974 – again with Gigliola Cinquetti. “Si” finished in 2nd place, behind Sweden’s ABBA.
In 1990, Toto Cutugno became Italy’s second, and most recent, winner with “Insieme: 1992”. It won the contest with 149 points. Italy took part a further 4 times in the 1990s, before taking a 13-year break from the contest from 1998 to 2010.
They returned to the contest in 2011 and has since finished in the top three on three occasions – 2nd in 2011, 3rd in 2015 and 2nd in 2019. Diodato was selected to represent Italy in 2020 with “Fai rumore” before the contest was cancelled.
Will you tune in to watch Naomi host the opening night of Sanremo? Let us know in the comments!
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