During the press conference that has taken place today, the winner of the Festival di Sanremo Olly has stated that he needed time to decide whether he would represent Italy at Eurovision.
“An immense honour to have the possibility”
Earlier in the night, Olly won the 75th Festival di Sanremo with his song “Balordia Nostalgia”. Sanremo is not technically a national selection for Eurovision, but the winner is given the opportunity to represent Italy at the song contest, with their winning song.
When asked about it during a press conference today, Olly said he had not yet decided, because he had not yet really thought about it.
Representing Italy at Eurovision? I am not afraid, but I must be completely honest: everything that has happened to me yesterday is crazy. I’ve always stated that I did not care about winning, I’m being honest. I haven’t yet thought about the possibility to take part. I need to digest all of this. If there is the possibility to take some time, I’m asking for it. Obviously it is an incredible honour to have this possibility, because it is a gigantic event.”
Olly, at the post-Sanremo press conference, February 16, 2025
After this reply from Olly, the deputy director of prime time entertainment at RAI Claudio Fasulo confirmed that he would get a week to decide.
I take on the responsability, since we are not talking about urgent deadlines, even if the whole thing is complex. I believe he deserves a week [to take his decision].
Claudio Fasulo, deputy director of prime time entertainment at RAI, February 16 2025
Eight years of Sanremo winners at Eurovision
Since 2017 and Francesco Gabbani, every winner has gone on to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest, but that decision is not automatic.
Olly may take a week or less to decide. He will likely be advised by his manager, Marta Donà, who has also managed the last three Italian Eurovision representatives (Måneskin, Marco Mengoni, and Angelina Mango, who is also a close music partner of Olly).
Technically, the rules of Sanremo this year stated that the artists interested in taking part in Eurovision should have pre-emptively signed an agreement, along with their record labels, “within the deadlines ultimately set by the exigences of the production”. In the absence of such an agreement being signed in due time, RAI would then seletc the next artist in the rankings (in this case, Lucio Corsi, assuming he agrees).
It is possible that the pre-agreement may simply show an interest in going to Eurovision, with the final decision being taken after a victory.
Do you want to see Olly at Eurovision? How would “Balordia Nostalgia” fare in Basel? Tell us more in the comments below or on social media, at @escxtra!
