The 26th season of the popular Italian talent show Amici officially opened on October 11, broadcast from Rome via Canale 5 and featuring a completely revamped selection format and a restructured coaching panel.
Maria De Filippi opened the broadcast by presenting the new artistic directors, introducing Amadeus alongside returning figure Rudy Zerbi and new addition Samurai Jay for the singing category, while the dance category features Lorella Cuccarini, Alessandra Celentano, and new entry Ambra Angiolini.
Selection Changes and New Rules
The premiere introduced significant structural changes to how contestants enter the institution. The traditional lever used by teachers to stop performances early has been removed from the desks. Aspirant students must now secure at least one favorable judgment to wear a jersey, though desks are not awarded immediately and must be confirmed through daily classroom lessons. For the singing section, all contestants performed exclusively original unreleased tracks rather than traditional covers. Additionally, the format has expanded to include athletic disciplines, introducing guaranteed desks for sports alongside traditional singing and dancing paths.
Contestants and Class Formation
Among the participants who secured their jerseys in the opening broadcast for singing are Kashmere, Saitta, Aura, Paulo, the duo Jed, Shari, Tìaso, Erness, Nicolò, Posniak, Andrea Heros, and Manuel. Amadeus noted during the recordings that he declined Shari due to her previous participation in the Sanremo Festival under his artistic direction. Furthermore, India secured a desk for judo and Gabriele for boxing, alongside an upcoming roller-skating prospect, bringing the initial group to twenty-five members who will face external challenges and weekly evaluations.
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