Olly has emerged victorious at the Sanremo Festival 2025, taking home the prestigious title with his heartfelt song, "Balorda Nostalgia." The festival, which concluded on February 4, 2025, at the iconic Teatro Ariston, serves as Italy's traditional selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest. With his win, Olly now faces the significant decision of whether to represent Italy at Eurovision this coming May.
The competition was fierce, featuring 29 contestants over five nights, with Olly's winning song securing 23.8% of the votes. This year's festival format combined public and jury votes, researching the performances of all artists, culminating on the grand final night.
Hosted by the ever-charismatic Carlo Conti, alongside special guests like Alessia Marcuzzi and Alessandro Cattelan, the festival attracted around 11-13 million viewers throughout its run. Among the standout performances was Olly's, whose emotional delivery captivated both the audience and the juries. The tight race saw Lucio Corsi trailing closely behind at 23.4% of the votes, followed by Brunori Sas with 20.3%.
Reflecting on his triumphant moment, Olly expressed his disbelief on stage, stating, "I didn’t expect this finale. It’s absurd, but it really happened." He continued to convey his hopes of remaining grounded, saying, "My life will remain the same, every day on the piano, on the guitar, with the guys I've been playing with for ten years." Olly's candidness revealed his commitment to his music career beyond the glamour of the festival.
Despite the accolades surrounding his victory, Olly has not yet confirmed his intention to participate in Eurovision 2025, leaving fans eagerly awaiting news. At a press conference following the festival’s conclusion, he detailed his contemplation, stating, "I will announce my final decision in one week." The uncertainty has fans buzzing; if Olly decides against entering Eurovision, the Italian broadcaster RAI will turn to Corsi, the runner-up, to represent Italy instead.
Sanremo has long been the launchpad for numerous successful artists, including previous Eurovision winners like Måneskin. Italy’s rich history with Eurovision, having won the event three times since its inception, makes this decision even more pertinent. Should Olly take on the Eurovision challenge, he would join the ranks of esteemed artists representing Italy on the international stage.
This year's Eurovision will take place from May 13 to 17, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland. The nations participating will closely watch Olly's decision, as Italy is considered one of the "Big Five" and is automatically qualified for the final.
What fate awaits Olly and his soulful "Balorda Nostalgia"? Only time will tell! Until then, music lovers and Eurovision fans alike will be on edge, awaiting the young Genoese artist's ultimate choice.