The 26th season of the Italian talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi has eliminated two contestants, Celeste and Manolo, following evaluations by dance instructor Alessandra Celentano, according to television reporting. The program, which returned to Canale 5 on Sunday, October 11, under the direction of Maria De Filippi, features 25 students who initially secured temporary jerseys during the opening episodes recorded earlier in October.
Celeste and Manolo Cut From the Dance Roster
During evaluations following the initial admissions, instructor Alessandra Celentano met with the students to review their progress and technique. Addressing Manolo directly, the instructor stated that his movements lacked clarity and described his performance as cluttered, noting that despite technical preparation, she had ongoing reservations about his execution and cleanliness in movement. She concluded that she would not retain him in the school. In her evaluation of Celeste, Celentano acknowledged the dancer’s potential but described her as too raw, emphasizing that she required additional study time to develop facial and physical expressiveness and refine her fundamental technique.
Temporary Class Placement and Faculty Structure
Reporting from mondotv24.it indicates that none of the 25 students who received jerseys during the opening broadcasts on October 11 secured an unconditional permanent seat. The initial selections made by the artistic directors—who include Rudy Zerbi, Samurai Jay, and Amadeus for singing, alongside Lorella Cuccarini, Alessandra Celentano, and Ambra Angiolini for dance, alongside newly introduced sports divisions for judo and boxing—remain provisional. Students must confirm their positions throughout the week by securing approval from faculty members to officially join the roster and choose their primary instructors.
Roster of Initial Class Participants
While Celeste and Manolo have departed the program, initial reports from mondotv24.it identified several other contestants currently holding provisional positions in the school across singing, dancing, and sports disciplines. The initial vocalists listed in early season previews include Kashmire, Saitta, Jed, Aura Shari, Nicolò, Andrea Heros, Manuel, Tìaso, Posniak, and Erness. The dance division initially featured Napo, Anna Messina, Clara, Riccardo, Lorenzo Lombardi, and Carlotta alongside Celeste, while the newly added sports category admitted India for judo and Gabriele for boxing.
Unresolved Placements and Weekly Evaluations
The status of the remaining students remains subject to daily review by the faculty panels as the season progresses on Canale 5. Because the initial admissions process granted provisional jerseys rather than guaranteed seats, students must continue performing in studio rehearsals to earn permanent placement within the institution.
