Carlo Conti announces comedians for Sanremo 2026; Trigno reacts to exclusion from competition
Lillo Petrolo and Andrea Pucci confirmed as co-hosts for the festival's five nights. Former Amici contestant Trigno said he was not yet ready for the competition.
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Carlo Conti announced Friday that comedians Lillo Petrolo and Andrea Pucci will serve as co-hosts during the 76th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, scheduled to run from February 24 to 28 on Rai 1.
Petrolo will appear during the Wednesday, February 25 broadcast, while Pucci will take the stage on Thursday, February 27. Conti revealed the news through an Instagram video in which he simulated phone calls to both comedians, joking about whether they would have difficulty hosting individual nights.
Petrolo, currently appearing in the film "Agata Christian – Delitto sulle nevi," received positive reception on social media following the announcement. Pucci's selection, however, generated immediate controversy. Journalist Selvaggia Lucarelli published a critical comment accusing Conti of having "melonized" the festival and given a platform to a comedian who had previously made jokes against Elly Schlein and homophobic comments.
The co-hosting lineup now includes Laura Pausini for the entire festival duration, Can Yaman for the opening night, and Achille Lauro for the second evening. Conti indicated that additional female co-hosts will be announced in the coming days.
Among the approximately 270 artists excluded from the competition's 30 selected spots was Trigno, the stage name of 24-year-old Pietro Bagnadentro, a former contestant on the talent show Amici. During a TikTok livestream with radio host Alvise Salerno, Trigno said he had submitted a song to Conti and learned of his exclusion by watching the Tg1 news broadcast.
Trigno described initially being affected by the rejection but later processing it in what he characterized as a lucid and mature manner. He explained that he came to understand he was not yet ready for the competition. Four former Amici contestants were selected for the festival: Enrico Nigiotti, Mara Sattei, LDA, and Aka7even.