Back in June, we reported that Alessandro Cattelan was “honoured” by the calls for him to host Eurovision 2022. As the host city bidding process continues, Italian media are suggesting that there are two frontrunners to host, including Cattelan, plus a wildcard third.
According to Eurofestival News, Alessandro Cattelan and Chiara Ferragni are the current frontrunners to host Eurovision 2022. On paper, they certainly fit the bill. Cattelan is an experienced TV host, having hosted X Factor Italy for nine years, included the edition that Måneskin competed in back in 2017. Further, last year he left Sky to join Rai’s talent roster.
Chiara Ferragni is a popular influencer, boasting over 24 million Instagram followers. Following the success of Nikkie de Jager as the standout host in Rotterdam, Ferragni feels like a logical fit. However, her vague Eurovision connection, her marriage to Fedez, may be a roadblock due to his recent criticisms of Rai.
However, as there hasn’t been a two-host line-up since the 2016 contest in Stockholm, there is likely to be at least one more host, perhaps for the green room. To the surprise of many, a name that has emerged recently is Michael Holbrook Penniman Jr., better known as MIKA. Despite being Lebanese-British, he is fluent in Italian and has had a TV career in Italy for a few years now.
However, this is merely a rumour. It’s worth remembering that MIKA has made disparaging comments about Eurovision and its quality of songs in the past. Although, these were in reference to him not wanting to participate as a contestant, so perhaps hosting is another story? Of course, the comments in question were made back in 2015, and so he may well have changed his outlook since.
What combines the three alleged frontrunners is their proficiency in spoken English, their high profiles and media experience. On paper, they would certainly make for ideal hosts. However, we likely won’t have a confirmation for a few months. For reference, the hosts for Eurovision 2020/21 weren’t revealed until December.
Eurovision 2022: Host city will be decided by the end of August
A total seventeen Italian cities have submitted their candidacy to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. However, only 3 of these proposed cities meet all of the requirements. Notably, Verona, Naples and Bari did not submit bids after initially expressing interest.
The cities in the running are:
The provincial capitals that are in the running are:
- Alessandria
Matera- Pesaro
- Rimini
Viterbro
Meanwhile, the following municipalities have submitted bids:
- Acireale (Catania)
Bertinoro di Romagna (Forlì – Cesena)Jesolo (Venice)- Palazzolo Acreide (Syracuse)
- Sanremo (Imperia)
After submitting their initial bids, each candidate received a more detailed document ahead of the next stage. Six of the above were then eliminated from the process following a meeting of the Board of Directors (struck through). Rai, in coordination with the EBU, will select the host city by the end of August.
Måneskin won the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with “Zitti E Buoni”, taking us to Italy for the first time since 1991. We will report as the selection process continues!
Who would you like to see host Eurovision 2022? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!