Lucio Corsi will represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, following the announcement made after Olly, the winner of the Sanremo 2025 music festival, decided to withdraw from the contest. The Italian public broadcasting company, Rai, confirmed Corsi's selection, thanking Olly for his contributions and wishing him the best for his music career.
Olly, who secured first place at the prestigious Sanremo music festival, expressed his decision to step back from Eurovision through a heartfelt Instagram post. He revealed, "I’ve decided to renounce the opportunity to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, with the awareness this is something you might only get to experience once in your life." The young singer emphasized the importance of connecting with what he is experiencing personally before pursuing larger projects, stating, "I need to connect with everything happening to me before I look too far ahead. I will continue with my beloved live gigs, which I speak about with immense pride."
With Olly’s withdrawal confirmed, Lucio Corsi, who finished second at Sanremo with his song “Volevo essere un duro,” will take the stage for Italy during the Eurovision Song Contest held from May 13 to 17, 2025, at St. Jakobshalle, Basel. The event will feature two semifinals on May 13 and 15, and the grand final on May 17, where Corsi will compete against 25 finalists from various participating countries.
Reflecting on his musical background, Lucio Corsi, hailing from Vetulonia, Tuscany, has been making strides in his career since the early 2010s. He initially moved to Milan, where he decided to pursue a solo career, leading to the release of his first EPs “Vetulonia Dakar” and “Altalena Boy” by 2015. Corsi's 2017 concept album “Bestiario Musicale,” focused on the animals of his home region, gained attention and helped establish him as one of the up-and-coming talents within the Italian music scene.
His recent work, particularly the album “La Gente Che Sogna,” released in 2023, demonstrates his flair for glam rock and showcases themes related to dreams and reality through creative lyrics. This album earned him recognition and earned him slots to perform at various festivals and significant events.
Italy has long been prominent in the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated since its inception. The country has won the competition three times, with the last victory credited to Måneskin's energetic performance of “Zitti e buoni” at Eurovision 2021. The upcoming contest will mark Italy's 50th participation, illustrating the nation’s commitment to the cultural event.
Interestingly, Olly’s decision not to attend Eurovision isn't without precedent. Past winners of Sanremo, such as the band Stadio, have also opted out before, allowing runners-up to take their place on the international stage.
Although Olly expressed disappointment about renouncing Eurovision, he extended warm wishes to Corsi and acknowledged the vast pool of talented artists within the Italian music industry. "I sincerely wish the best to whomever takes my place: Italian music is filled with extraordinary artists, and this year’s line-up clearly shows this," he remarked.
Corsi's acceptance of the Eurovision role following Olly's withdrawal reflects the competitive circumstances of the music festival, where success isn’t always ensured by winning national competitions. It highlights the dynamic nature of artist participation and the emphasis on personal choices within the rapidly changing music industry.
Fans and followers of both artists eagerly await the upcoming performances, especially Corsi’s, as well as the latest on Olly’s concert tour, which coincides with the Eurovision schedule. The Italian audience can tune in to experience all the excitement as Eurovision draws closer, fostering national pride and support for their representative.