Sanremo winner Olly has said that he will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, Lucio Corsi will take his place.

Sanremo Festival winner Olly has announced that he will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, the most followed European music competition and one of the main international non-sporting television events. With a post shared on Instagram, the singer announced that he will not participate in Eurovision 2025. Olly clarified that he “needs time” to metabolize what happened and revealed that he decided by listening to himself.

Olly’s announcement on Eurovision: “I listened to myself”

“I’ve been asking myself and asking everyone’s opinions for days, and the answer is always the same: ‘In the end, you have to do what you feel like’ because everyone knows how much it means to me to be myself, always”. This is how Olly’s post began, announcing his decision on Eurovision:

I don’t think you would be sad if I moved concerts to Eurovision. Still, I firmly believe that I need to connect with everything happening to me before looking even further ahead and continuing with my beloved live apprenticeship that I always talk about with infinite pride. Therefore, I have decided to give up the opportunity to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, with the awareness that it is one of those things that may only happen once in a lifetime. I thank those who voted for me and allowed me this privilege. I hope to see you soon at one of my concerts to reciprocate all the love I’m receiving these days.

For the singer, this choice is a way to “listen to himself “: “Someone will say that I’m giving up on a dream, but I think I just chose to live it at my own pace”. The message ends with a good luck wish for whoever takes his place: “Music in Italy is full of formidable artists, and this year’s cast is the most sincere proof of that. Always believe! Something is changing, and it’s there for all to see”.