Singer and songwriter Morgan criticized the appointment of Stefano De Martino as artistic director of the Sanremo Music Festival during an appearance Friday at the Rome Film Festival, where he presented a documentary about his life titled "Non importa dove."
Morgan acknowledged De Martino's skills as a dancer, recalling their professional interaction during his time on the television program "X Factor." "He is an excellent dancer," Morgan said. "I knew him as a dancer. When I was doing 'X Factor' I sometimes had to do dance routines and they would send De Martino to teach me. In short, he is good as a dancer."
However, Morgan expressed concern about the broader direction of the Sanremo Festival under the new leadership. He stated that Sanremo is an institution that exists independently of whoever temporarily holds a position within it, and that the festival deserves more attention to its core purpose.
"Sanremo exists on its own," Morgan said. "Sanremo is an institution that goes beyond whoever temporarily passes through there. Sanremo deserves more, deserves much more, deserves music. It's the only thing it lacks now. For the rest there is everything and everyone is there, but music is missing."
Morgan directed his criticism at RAI, Italy's public broadcasting service, and the Italian state, questioning their commitment to the festival's musical integrity. "I ask myself: why doesn't RAI, the State, as a public service take Sanremo seriously? Why does it humiliate it?" he said, leaving the question unfinished.
De Martino, a television personality and dancer, was selected as artistic director for the upcoming edition of the festival, one of Italy's most prominent cultural events.