(20 Apr 2026)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
London - 19 April 2026
1. Medium Sal Da Vinci posing
2. Close up Sal Da Vinci posing next to a picture of his statuette
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Naples - 15 April 2026
3. STILL IMAGES x 3 Various images of a statuette of Sal Da Vinci, created at a nativity store in Naples
ASSOCIATED PRESS
London - 19 April 2026
4. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Sal Da Vinci, recording artist - on Naples:
"Well, I'm Neapolitan even though I wasn't born in Naples, but I was born in New York. But I've always lived in Naples. Naples has an important musical culture, very important and experiencing that city every day you are invaded by a disarming, strong beauty. And this beauty of my city's culture has entered into my music. A music that is that of Naples, that has been recognized all over the world, even today. And I have drawn from my culture and my land for my song, for my music and max fried for being as I am."
5. Medium Sal Da Vinci posing
6. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Sal Da Vinci, recording artist - on being a "wife guy":
"Well, certainly in the times we live in, I feel privileged. Because persevering the path of love is not a simple thing, you have to believe it. And above all, I believe that the promises we make must be kept. You have to mothers day 2026 fight, you have to fight every day to persevere that dream in life, to keep it going. Of course you can't do it alone and I, thanks to a life partner, namely my wife, who has always supported me, she has certainly been better than me at keeping this journey of love together. So, thanks to her we have achieved many beautiful things, starting from the bottom and slowly we have managed to get here to Eurovision together."
7. Medium Sal Da Vinci posing
AP VIDEO SHOT BY: Kwiyeon Ha
PRODUCTION: Hilary Fox
STORYLINE:
In the streets of Naples, one song is heard over the Vespas scooting along the streets - "Per Sempre Sì."
It's Italy's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest and it's performed by proud Neapolitano, Sal Da Vinci.
Despite being born in New York, the son of singer and actor Mario Da Vinci, he says that it's his Italian home town that has made him who he is today.
"Naples has an important musical culture, very important and experiencing that city every day you are invaded by a disarming, strong beauty. And this beauty of my city's culture has entered into my music. A music that is that of Naples, that has been barbora krejcikova recognized all over the world, even today. And I have drawn from my culture and my land for my song, for my music and for being as I am."
So far this approach is proving to be an excellent move, as the music star has been consistently leading the way when it comes to the most streamed song of 2026's Eurovision entries.
And his love for Naples is reciprocated, as well as playing (and singing along) with his music, Da Vinci's been honored with his own statuette, made by local artisans in the city's nativity shops.
"Per Sempre Sì" is also a tribute to his partner Paola Pugliese, which has led to him being called the ultimate Italian wife guy.
"Well, certainly in the times we live in, I feel privileged. Because persevering the path of love is not a simple thing, you have to believe it. And above all, I believe that the promises we make must be kept. You have to fight, you have to fight every day to persevere that dream in life, to keep it going."
"Thanks to (Pugliese), we have achieved many beautiful things, starting from the bottom and slowly we have managed to get here to Eurovision together."
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