The collaboration between Ditonellapiaga and Tony Pitony during the cover night at the Sanremo 2026 festival has drawn significant attention, marking a transition for the web-born artist onto a traditional musical stage. The duo performed a rendition of “The Lady Is a Tramp,” according to social media posts from attendees.
Tony Pitony, whose real name is Ettore Ballarino, is a Sicilian artist born in 1996. He has cultivated a deliberately theatrical and provocative persona, characterized by a mask and wig inspired by Elvis Presley, vintage aesthetics, and ironic performances. Ballarino’s artistic journey began in theatre, with training at London art schools and performances in the city’s East Conclude theatres before gaining prominence as a musical artist.
Prior to his success, Ballarino auditioned for X Factor in 2020 with a comedic, neomelodic version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” receiving rejection from three of the four judges. However, this experience was reportedly part of a broader strategy to provoke and avoid being easily categorized. The turning point in his career came in 2025 when videos of his live performances, recorded on mobile phones, went viral on social media.
Tony Pitony’s rise has been marked by irreverence and a willingness to challenge conventions. He wrote the theme song for the FantaSanremo fantasy game, titled “Scapezzolate,” and his songs, despite explicit lyrics, are composed and performed by skilled musicians. His style has been compared to a blend of Franco 126 and the Squallor, incorporating elements of parody and references to Italian pop culture, including 1970s comedy and the performances of Elio e le Storie Tese at Sanremo.
The artist has described his use of the Elvis persona as a statement about the humanity and fallibility of even the most iconic figures. He previously worked as a representative for pharmaceutical companies, selling canapa, before establishing a team of twenty people to manage his music, videos, and live shows.
Fiorello has described Tony Pitony as “the true wild card of the Festival,” differentiating him from more conventional performers. Tony Pitony is currently scheduled to embark on an extensive tour across Italy and Europe following his Sanremo appearance.
