Italy’s national broadcaster RAI has announced that Achille Lauro, San Marino’s representative at Eurovision 2022, will co‑host “Festival Di Sanremo 2026” with Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini.
He shocked Italy with transparent bodysuits, staged a televised baptism, and represented San Marino at Eurovision 2022 on a mechanical bull. Now, Achille Lauro makes the most surprising turn in his career — stepping to the establishment side of the stage as co‑host of this year’s Festival Di Sanremo. Italy’s national broadcaster RAI officially announced during the Tg1 evening news broadcast that Lauro will serve as co‑presenter at “Festival Di Sanremo 2026”.
From Provocation to the Mainstream Stage
The announcement marks a major milestone in the festival’s history. Lauro, long regarded as Sanremo’s “bad boy”, now takes the reins of Italy’s most prestigious and widely watched cultural event, joining two established figures: seasoned broadcaster Carlo Conti and singer‑host Laura Pausini, who co‑hosted Eurovision 2022 in Turin, Italy.
The combination of Conti and Lauro promises a fascinating dynamic: Conti represents the traditional, conservative face of Italian television, while Lauro — an eclectic, boundary‑breaking artist — embodies reinvention, fashion, and bold performance art.
A History of Scandals and Successes
Lauro’s love affair with Sanremo has been filled with dramatic highs and lows:
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2019: Burst into fame with the song “Rolls Royce”, which provoked controversy over alleged drug references.
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2020: Returned with the song “Me ne frego”, delivering theatrical performances dressed as Saint Francis and David Bowie.
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2021: Appeared as a guest artist at “Festival Di Sanremo”, performing nightly avant‑garde showcases that stole the spotlight.
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2022: After failing to win “Festoval Di Sanremo”, boldly entered and won “Una Voce Per San Marino 2022”, representing the microstate at Eurovision with the song “Stripper”.
“Just a Host” — Or Performer Too?
Lauro’s appointment seems aimed at attracting younger audiences and ensuring that Sanremo remains a social‑media sensation. He is expected to bring his signature energy — less formal, more spontaneous, and always with a wardrobe that keeps audiences gasping.
During the Tg1 announcement, Lauro was asked directly whether he planned to perform on the Sanremo stage or stick strictly to hosting. His answer revealed a surprisingly modest (perhaps carefully scripted) side:
“Carlo is the boss. I’m just a humble co‑host in this case. I’ll stay one step behind because Carlo is the master”.
Conti responded with a grin, leaving the door open:
“We’ll see… What’s certain is that Lauro will be there with his art, his lightness, and his intelligence”.
What does it mean? Despite Lauro’s humility, Italian media speculate he won’t spend five nights at the Ariston without holding a microphone. Conti’s teasing remarks — and Lauro’s short break from his massive tour to attend the festival — suggest fans can expect at least one special number, possibly even a duet with fellow host Laura Pausini.
“Festival Di Sanremo 2026”: What to Expect For?
In recent interviews, Conti revealed he has already started listening to submitted songs for the upcoming festival — from both emerging artists and established stars — although the submission window remains open.
As always, Sanremo’s preparations are filled with long days and sleepless nights. This year, unlike 2025, the number of entries will remain the traditional 26, though the regulations allow up to 30.
“This time I have to be strict — even ruthless — to cut four songs. The selection keeps me awake at night!”
He admitted with a smile, the look of someone who truly loves what he does.
“Festival Di Sanremo 2026” will take place from February 24th to 28th at the iconic Ariston Theatre in Sanremo. The winner will once again earn the first opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026.
Italy at Eurovision 2025
“Volevo essere un duro” (in English: “I Wanted to Be Tough”) is the song performed by singer Lucio Corsi, which came second at the 75th edition of the Sanremo Festival. The song was written by the singer himself along with Tommaso Ottomano. This was the singer’s first-ever appearance at the festival. The song is performed in Italian. The song finished fifth in the grand final with 256 points.
Italy returns to the Eurovision Grand Final Top 5 after last year achieving “only” seventh place.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Italy’s 51st participation in Eurovision. Italy joined the contest in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Italy’s most recent victory was at Eurovision 2021 with the song “Zitti e buoni” performed by the band Måneskin.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
