Pierdavide Carone has emerged victorious on the latest episode of 'Ora o mai più,' which aired on February 22, 2023, on Rai 1. This win has brought renewed focus on Carone, both for his musical talent and the difficult health challenges he has faced.
Born on June 30, 1988, in Rome, and raised in Palagianello, Taranto, Carone showcased his musical prowess from an early age. After completing his studies at the Liceo Musicale Don Milani, through his initial performances with rock and folk bands, his career took off following his third-place finish on the renowned talent show 'Amici di Maria De Filippi' back in 2009. It was here where he also bagged the Critics' Award for his talent.
His song “Per tutte le volte che...,” later made famous by Valerio Scanu at the Sanremo Music Festival, marked the beginning of Carone's rise to fame. With the release of his pop album “Una canzone pop,” which debuted at the top of the charts and achieved multiplatinum status, it seemed like Carone was on the fast track to success.
Despite his accomplishments, tragedy struck when Carone's mentor and collaborator, the legendary Lucio Dalla, passed away. This event marked the beginning of challenging times for the artist, leading him to step back from the limelight. After taking some time off from music to come to terms with these losses and focusing on his health, Carone made his much-anticipated return to the stage.
During the latest episode of 'Ora o mai più,' Carone delivered an emotional rendition of “La donna cannone,” originally by Francesco De Gregori, alongside Gigliola Cinquetti. The performance received mixed yet thoughtful feedback from the judges. Alex Britti commended him for creating emotional depth, awarding him an 8, noting, "There was a tonal difference, yet you evoked pathos without raising your voice." Raf expressed admiration for the song itself, but felt it didn't fully bring out the emotion he expected, conceding to give Carone an 8 for his performance.
What stood out were high praises from other judges like Patty Pravo and Riccardo Fogli, who appreciated Carone's talent and awarded him scores of 9, along with constructive criticism highlighting room for emotional connection.
Carone's final score of 56 points led him to triumph over his competitor, Matteo Amantia from Sugarfree, during their duet performance of “1950,” partnered with prominent artist Amedeo Minghi. The dry-eyed yet gripping commentary from Britti and Cinquetti on the song's emotional weight heightened the performance's resonance with the audience.
Beyond the triumphs on stage and critically, Carone's story is marked by personal battles, particularly his fight against cancer. Diagnosed with this formidable illness around 2020, the singer underwent both surgery and chemotherapy. Revealing his experience on the show 'Vieni da me,' Carone recounted the moment when he sensed something was off with his health, saying, "Notai qualcosa di strano e capii che dovevo fare degli approfondimenti. Così scoprii che si trattava di tumore." These admissions reveal how deeply personal and challenging health struggles were for him.
Following the severe diagnosis, Carone took substantial time off from his career to prioritize his health. The impact of chemotherapy also raised concerns about future fertility, comprising another layer of heartbreak for the artist.
Reflecting on this life-altering experience, Carone expressed how challenging it was to reconcile with the reality of his illness, but he has emerged with renewed determination to pursue his passion for music once more. Remarkably, the same illness also affected his father, providing Carone with both shared childhood memories and the sobering reality of familial loss.
On the sibling front, Carone's sister Tamara has been pivotal, providing support during this turbulent period. She reflected on the pressures of their shared losses, noting how they both felt the stagnation of Pierdavide's career following Dalla's death. She poignantly shared, "Il momento più duro per Pierdavide è stata la morte di nostro papà," capturing the emotional essence of their struggles.
Now, as Pierdavide Carone celebrates his comeback through 'Ora o mai più,' he not only reflects on resilience through personal challenges but also seeks to reignite his artistic spirit after years of battling adversity. With hopes high and his talent shining brightly, the stage is set for Carone's next chapter, as he aspires to achieve both personal and professional restoration.