Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Well, if anyone had doubts now it's official. Marco Simeon on behalf of RAI with Lorella Cuccarini in this afternoon's Domenica in gave Nina an award and wished her a good trip for Baku 2012. And La Zilli says she's very, very honoured.  Watch it here . And if you missed last night's annoucement with Ell/Nikki it's here .

Mietta is one of the chosen mentors in Italian Star Academy. She won Sanremo 1989 newcomers and has since been active in Italian music business as a singer and she is known to give a hand for new young songwriters by recording their songs. And no need to mention she is one of my favourite singers! She is joined by another Sanremo newcomers winner Syria ( 1996 ), Sanremo winner Ron of the same year and Gianluca Grignani who also has 20+ years of experience as a recording artists and teenage heartthrob. The jurors of the show are legendary singer Ornella Vanoni , one of the best show girls around Lorella Cuccarini and Nicola Savino who's a radio and Tv personality as well as imitator. And as the rumour and speculation is Star Academy might provide the possible Italian entrant for the Eurovision 2012...  The other rumour is Mietta was destined for Eurovision 1990 but as RAI was pulling it till the last minute she had to turn down the offer as her career was taking off big time in...

A record number of 374 entries between soloists, duos and groups have applied for the next Sanremo festival's newcomer's selection. (As we know the artists in the Big category this time come by invitation only). The artists have started lessons this week and 20 of them will be selected to take part in reality show inside Raiuno's Sunday afternoon show Domenica In later this year hosted by fabulous Lorella Cuccarini. Ten of them will proceed to Il festival della canzone Italiana in Sanremo 2011.