Junior Eurovision 2025 is getting closer, and meanwhile at ESCplus, we continue to get to know each representative participating in this edition in depth, as the flag bearer for their respective country in the grand final that we will enjoy on December 13 from the city of Tbilisi (Georgia).
This year, Italy will be represented by Leonardo Giovannangeli, who was internally selected and was one of the finalists of ‘The Voice Kids Italy’ in 2024. The song he will perform on the Junior Eurovision 2025 stage, “Rockstar,” has an appealing title that makes us expect an energetic, fun, and dynamic performance.
This is Leonardo Giovannangeli: a “rock star” ready to shine on stage.
Leonardo Giovannangeli, nacido en Roma el 23 de enero de 2014, es un artista italiano de 11 años que creció en la capital, donde estudia y disfruta de sus ratos libres en Villa Borghese. A los seis años descubrió por casualidad a Michael Jackson en YouTube, quedando fascinado por su talento y su capacidad para combinar canto, baile y espectáculo. Desde entonces, comenzó a imitarlo y a practicar sus pasos frente al espejo. A los siete años debutó en un evento parroquial, experiencia que despertó su vocación musical. Un año después inició estudios de canto moderno y piano, asistiendo tres tardes por semana a una escuela de música.
Con nueve años participó dos veces en Sanremo Junior, logrando el segundo puesto en ambas ocasiones. En 2021 fue invitado al Festa dei Popoli, una celebración multicultural. En 2023 regresó a Sanremo Junior, destacando con “The Way You Make Me Feel”, y alcanzó nuevamente el segundo lugar. Ese mismo año participó en The Coach Talent y Io Canto Generation. Su gran salto llegó en 2024 al competir en The Voice Kids Italia. En las audiciones a ciegas interpretó el mismo tema de Michael Jackson, conquistando a los cuatro coaches y eligiendo al rapero Clementino como mentor. Llegó a la final tras interpretar “Believer” y “Beautiful Things”. Posteriormente participó en conciertos benéficos, el Festival Rock&Trend de San Remo y el Baby Voice.
En verano de 2024 lanzó su primer sencillo, Reggaeton coreano, que fusiona K-pop y ritmos latinos. Su tema Rockstar, de Claudia Zanchetta y Giancarlo Prandelli, celebra la imaginación, la determinación y los sueños sin límites.
This is “Rockstar”, Italy’s entry for Junior Eurovision 2025
The Italian entry for Junior Eurovision 2025 is titled “Rockstar.” The song was presented on November 3rd on the official festival YouTube channel and was later made available on all digital platforms.
“Rockstar” is a song tailored to Leonardo’s talent and vocal qualities. The proposal blends many styles, from pop, rap, to electronic music. All of this is set within an inspiring theme, encouraging us to chase our dreams while always staying true to ourselves.
Leonardo Giovannangeli will take the Eurovision stage in Tbilisi with an energetic and captivating performance, expressing the power of dreams and the pride of affirming one’s own identity.
Claudia Zanecchia and Giancarlo Prandelli are the composers of “Rockstar.” It is a fresh and energetic song with which Leonardo Giovannangeli will boldly step onto the stage in Tbilisi, showcasing all his talent to the live audience as well as viewers watching from home.
The Italian entry will have the creative direction of Claudio Santucci (Studio Giò Forma), camera direction by Cristian Biondani, choreography by Erika Rombaldoni, lighting programming by Blearred, and graphics by Roof Video Design.
The accessible version of the music video, produced with sign language interpreters and subtitles, is curated by Rai Pubblica Utilità Management.
Lyrics of Rockstar
Italian / English
Let’s go
Let’s go
Let’s go
Fuoco fiamma
Rosso rubino che ti incendia la faccia
Se ti imbarazzo in fretta
Cambia sta’ traccia, whoa
Generazione alfa
Alla ribalta
In tuta nera non mi serve la scorta
Completo bianco e oro per fare la rockstar
Vincere ogni cosa, almeno un Oscar
Essere come Michael sopra ogni poster
Cambio vestito maldestro
A canestro io no che non sbaglio un tiro
Grido canto e sorrido
Non importa cosa dicono
Era destino, indefinito
Lo la settima gemma dell’infinito
Lo la settima gemma dell’infinito
Lo la settima gemma dell’infinito
Sono l’ultimo
Dei carnotauri mai estinto
Per istinto primitivo
Lo dice anche il mio vicino
La musica il mio solo giardino
E se sto mondo fa schifo
Combatterò fino all’ultimo respiro
Anche se sono un bambino
Perché son vivo
Te lo grido, te lo dico, te lo scrivo, whoa
E se sto mondo fa schifo
I am not a pop star
I am a super rockstar
I am a monster
Your roller coaster
Are you ready?
I’m ready
I’m ready
In tuta nera non mi serve la scorta
Completo bianco e oro per fare la rockstar
Vincere ogni cosa, almeno un Oscar
Essere come Michael sopra ogni poster
Pe pe perché so
Solo con l’impegno
È il mio destino
Con rispetto
Faccio un inchino
Mentre sogno un giorno di riempire San Siro
Sarò io quel bambino
Lo la settima gemma dell’infinito
Lo la settima gemma dell’infinito
E se sto mondo fa schifo
Combatterò fino all’ultimo respiro
Anche se sono un bambino
Perché son vivo
Te lo grido, te lo dico, te lo scrivo, whoa
E se sto mondo fa schifo
I am not a pop star
I am a super rockstar
I am a monster
Your roller coaster
Are you ready?
I’m ready
I’m ready
Snap one two three
Rocking tonight!
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
Un desiderio
Lo sogno l’infinito
English
Let’s go
Let’s go
Let’s go
Fire flames
Ruby red that sets your face on fire
If I embarrass you quickly
Change this track, whoa
Generation Alpha
In the spotlight
In a black tracksuit
I don’t need security
White and gold suit to be a rockstar
Win everything, at least an Oscar
Be like Michael on every poster
I change clothes clumsily
At the basket
I never miss a shot
I shout, sing, and smile
Doesn’t matter what they say
It was destiny, undefined
I’m the seventh gem of infinity
I’m the seventh gem of infinity
I’m the seventh gem of infinity
I’m the last
Of the carnivores never extinct
By primitive instinct
Even my neighbour says so
Music is my only garden
And if this world is unfair
I will fight until my last breath
Even if I’m a child
Because I’m alive
I shout it to you,
I tell it to you,
I write it to you, whoa
And if this world is unfair
I am not a pop star
I am a super rockstar
I am a monster
Your roller coaster
Are you ready?
I’m ready
I’m ready
In a black tracksuit
I don’t need security
White and gold suit to be a rockstar
Win everything, at least an Oscar
Be like Michael on every poster
Because I know
Only with commitment
It’s my destiny
With respect
I bow
While I dream one day of filling San Siro
I’ll be that child
I’m the seventh gem of infinity
I’m the seventh gem of infinity
And if this world is unfair
I will fight until my last breath
Even if I’m a child
Because I’m alive
I shout it to you,
I tell it to you,
I write it to you, whoa
And if this world is unfair
I am not a pop star
I am a super rockstar
I am a monster
Your roller coaster
Are you ready?
I’m ready
I’m ready
Snap one two three
Rocking tonight!
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
Rockstar
A wish
I dream of infinity
Italy in Junior Eurovision
Italy debuted at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Malta 2014, after years of interest from RAI in the junior format. Its arrival marked a turning point and the beginning of a successful era. With its participation, Italy encouraged the Big 5 countries to refocus on the contest as a platform for young musical talents.
Since then, Italy has maintained a steady presence, only absent in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. RAI followed the model of other countries by moving the contest to children’s thematic channels. For several years it aired on Rai Gulp, with limited reach. However, between 2022 and 2023, coinciding with the organization of Eurovision in Turin, the junior festival was moved to Rai 1, achieving great reception. Since 2024, it has been part of the Rai 2 programming.
Except for 2015, Italy has always internally selected its representatives through a committee from the children’s channel Rai Gulp, which chooses entries with the support of renowned composers and producers. In 2015, they opted for the contest Ti Lascio Una Canzone as their selection method. Despite their win in 2014, Italy has never hosted the festival, as in 2015 they declined to host due to budget reasons.
Their record is notable: six participations have finished in the Top 10, including Vincenzo Cantiello’s victory with “Tu Primo Grande Amore” in 2014. In Madrid 2024, Simone Grande opened the performances with “Pigiama Party,” earning 98 points and 9th place.