The winner of Sanremo 2025, Olly, is facing a tough decision regarding his potential participation in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel. While traditionally, the winner of the prestigious Italian festival is offered the opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision, Olly has expressed uncertainty about taking on the challenge.

Speaking as the first guest of the new season of Stasera c’è Cattelan, an Italian late-night talk show, Olly shared his concerns regarding the timing of the competition. The episode aired on the night of February 18th, marking the return of the show after Cattelan’s stint as host of Dopo Festival during the 75th edition of Sanremo.

During the interview, Cattelan directly asked Olly about the rumors of his possible withdrawal from Eurovision. The singer confirmed:

It’s true. In May, I have my tour, which has been sold out for a long time. With the utmost respect, I know how big and important Eurovision is. But the problem is, I have scheduled dates during that time. I’m evaluating my options for this reason. It’s an enormous opportunity, and I would be incredibly proud.

Olly

This statement has left Italian fans in suspense, as the possibility of Olly not attending Eurovision could mean another artist might take his place. If he officially declines, Lucio Corsi, another Sanremo finalist, may step in to represent Italy in Basel.

Olly’s win at Sanremo has propelled him into the spotlight, skyrocketing his social media following from 300,000 to over a million in just one week. Reflecting on his newfound fame, he admitted on Stasera c’è Cattelan:

I still have to understand what happened. I’m a very ironic person, and I hope people see that. I won’t stop being myself.

Olly

During the interview, Olly also spoke about his relationship with Lucio Corsi, runner-up from this year’s Sanremo lineup. He praised Corsi’s talent and long-standing presence in the industry:

Lucio Corsi? We stay in touch. He may seem like an outsider, but in reality, he has been writing, composing, and making music for years. We had the chance to rehearse together, and I always said he would be a surprise for the general audience. I’m happy for him.

Olly

Another topic of discussion was the debate surrounding songwriters at Sanremo. Some critics have questioned the heavy reliance on professional authors for many of the festival’s entries. However, Olly dismissed the criticism, emphasizing the hard work that goes into songwriting:

There are always controversies, but songwriters are workers. They put passion and life into their work. Why criticize everything? Fortunately, I’m so happy with my life that I don’t get stuck on these things.

Olly

Will he seize the opportunity to bring Italy to the Eurovision stage, or will his commitment to his tour take priority?

Share your thoughts in the comments and on @buildingbridgespod!

(Source: Stasera c’è Cattelan / Rai2, Fanpage.it)
Photo: RAI screenshot