Paradiso on the Sanremo verdict: manager celebrated, I went to bed

The Sanremo Festival 2026 has become an arena not only for musical competition but also for personal confessions. Tommaso Paradiso, one of the competition's finalists, spoke about his intimate experiences related to the selection process. When the jury announced that he was among the five best performers, reactions in his immediate circle were divided. "When I learned the verdict of my Top 5, my manager and my partner went to celebrate, while I went to sleep," the artist admitted. This candid declaration shows the pressure and personal costs associated with participating in such a prestigious and widely discussed event. Paradiso, however, will present himself to the audience not only as a solo participant. His performance will also include a special duet with the band Stadio. Together they will perform the song "L'ultima luna," which is the work of Lucio Dalla, who died in 2012, one of the most important figures in Italian popular and authorial music. This performance is a tribute. As Paradiso reports, this dedication is also directed at actor and director Carlo Verdone, who was reportedly deeply moved by this interpretation. The artist referred to their joint 1982 film, saying: "Stasera canto L'ultima luna dal suo Borotalco" ("Tonight I sing The Last Moon from his Borotalco"). The Sanremo Italian Song Festival, held continuously since 1951, is the most important musical event in Italy and traditionally selects the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. Its format, combining competition of new songs with star-studded guest performances, has made it a national music celebration that attracts the attention of millions of viewers each year and is the subject of intense media debate.According to the festival schedule, which fills a week of broadcasts from the Teatro Ariston each year, the duets evening is a fixed and eagerly anticipated part of the program. The performance by Paradiso and Stadio fits into this tradition, bridging generations and styles – from the legendary Dalla, through the rock band Stadio, to the contemporary pop performer. Press reports from February 27, 2026, focus on these artistic aspects, emphasizing the emotional charge and cultural significance of the individual performances. Information about Paradiso's reaction to the jury verdict and the dedication to Verdone comes from various Italian dailies that cover the festival day by day, but they do not indicate significant discrepancies in the reported facts.