Laura Pausini Addresses Reports of Co-Hosting Role at Sanremo 2026,Demanding Equality
Rumors suggesting international superstar Laura Pausini is in negotiations too co-host the 2026 Sanremo Music Festival alongside Carlo Conti have ignited debate,prompting a direct response from the singer herself.Pausini, who launched her career by winning the festival in 1993 with “Loneliness,” is reportedly seeking a condition for her participation: to be the sole female co-host. This demand underscores a broader conversation about representation and gender equality within the historically male-dominated Italian music industry and the nation’s most-watched television event.
the potential for Pausini’s return to the Ariston theater – this time as a host rather than a performer – has generated significant excitement among fans. However, reports from Today magazine indicated Pausini stipulated she would only accept the role if she were the only woman in a co-hosting capacity. Responding to the reports via social media, Pausini expressed frustration with the narrative, stating, “On the day I go out with a duet with a woman then, why do they invent all this evil? Why so many falsehoods about me? What a strange nation Italy is.”
The Sanremo Music Festival, scheduled for February 24-28, 2026, remains a pivotal platform for Italian music and a cultural touchstone for the country. Pausini’s potential involvement, and her insistence on equitable representation, has already become a central focus of pre-festival discussion. The outcome of these negotiations will likely set a precedent for future editions of the festival and broader industry practices.
