Valerio Scanu emerged victorious during the gripping semifinals of 'Ora o Mai Più', broadcasted on February 22, 2025, which returned after the Sanremo Festival break. The evening showcased remarkable singing talent and intense competitive spirit, setting the stage for the upcoming finale.
This episode brought about significant changes to the voting system. Gone were the days of social media votes; instead, 100 audience members present at the studios had the power to decide the fate of the competitors. Alongside this, three journalists acted as special judges, giving one artist an additional ten points, altering the dynamics previously seen.
Significantly, this episode opened with the first round where the contestants sang with their respective coaches. Marco Liorni, the show's host, reminded viewers of the format changes before each performance kicked off. The night unfolded with emotional performances, starting with Pago and Patty Pravo. Their duet, "Se perdo te," received mixed reviews, earning them only five points from the judges.
Next, Pierdavide Carone took the stage with Gigliola Cinquetti, performing the classic "Non ho l’età." Their rendition garnered praise, resulting in the pair achieving an impressive score of 10 points. Their performance not only showcased their vocal abilities but also stirred nostalgia among viewers, reminiscing about the last time Italian music clinched the Eurovision title.
Matteo Amantia followed, duetting with Alex Britti, singing "Lo zingaro felice" and receiving 8 points. The heartfelt delivery from Amantia drew recognition, particularly from his wife, who shared her admiration for his resilience through past struggles.
Subsequent performances included Carlotta with Donatella Rettore, who unfortunately scored only five points with their song, "Canzoni stonate." Despite the effort, the judges expressed disappointment, with criticism directed at their execution.
The night continued with Anonimo Italiano and Riccardo Fogli singing "L'emozione non ha voce," earning a score of 6 out of 10. Loredana Errore teamed up with Marco Masini for "Le tasche piene di sassi," receiving just 4 points for their effort. The judges appeared to struggle with their performance, as their on-stage presence felt off compared to previous acts.
Valerio Scanu’s moment arrived with his rendition of "Poster" alongside Rita Pavone, where he shone brightly, landing at the top of the scoresheets with 10 points, the audience and critics alike offering hearty applause for the performance. His winning moment not only celebrated his vocal talent but also highlighted his artistic dignity.
During the second round of duets, competitors battled it out directly, guided by the experienced artists Enrico Ruggeri, Michele Zarrillo, and Amii Stewart. Each battle brought out strong performances, with Scanu once again proving his mettle against Anonimo Italiano, solidifying his lead and clinching the semifinals win.
The culmination of the evening was the announcement of standings after all performances. Surprisingly, Valerio Scanu topped the leaderboards, followed closely by Antonella Bucci and Anonimo Italiano. The judges commented on Scanu’s evolution, noting his ability to navigate complex vocal passages with ease.
Overall, the episode succeeded not only as entertainment but also as a moving celebration of comeback stories from artists who found their way back to the spotlight. Behind the scenes, there were tensions, particularly due to the new voting structure, leading to debates on the fairness of results, embodying the competitive spirit inherent to talent shows.
Looking forward to the finale, viewers are eager to see if Scanu can continue his winning streak or if another competitor, like Pierdavide Carone or Antonella Bucci, can upend the current standings. With emotional stakes high and artistic pride on the line, the closing episode of 'Ora o Mai Più' promises to be riveting.