Sanremo 2026: Alessandro Gassmann Criticizes Festival Rules After Morandi’s On-Stage Appearance

The surprise appearance of Gianni Morandi alongside his son, Tredici Pietro, during the covers evening at Sanremo 2026 has sparked controversy, with actor Alessandro Gassmann voicing his frustration over what he perceives as inconsistent application of festival rules. Gassmann, whose son Leo is also competing in the festival, publicly questioned why his own planned appearance was previously denied.

Gassmann’s Complaint

Gassmann took to Instagram to express his discontent, stating, “Ah… so it wasn’t true that when a singer is competing in Sanremo a relative cannot participate in the festival and I absolutely agree, a meaningless rule.” He revealed that he was informed he could not attend the festival to promote his new Rai1 series, “Guerrieri,” because he is the father of a contestant.

Morandi’s Appearance and Previous Restrictions

Gianni Morandi joined his son, Tredici Pietro, on stage to perform “Vita” and a song by Dalla, receiving a warm response from the audience. This contrasted with the restrictions placed on Gassmann, who was allegedly told his presence was not permitted due to his son’s participation. Gassmann later added, “Oh well, come on, these dicks, rules aren’t the same for everyone.”

Other Family Appearances at Sanremo 2026

Morandi and Pietro were not the only family members to appear on stage. Raf was accompanied by his daughter Bianca, and Sayf brought his mother, Samia. Other competing artists with familial connections include Lda (Luca D’Alessio, son of Gigi D’Alessio) and Aka Seven.

Gassmann’s Post Deletion and Further Comments

Gassmann reportedly deleted his initial Instagram post shortly after sharing it, though it remained visible in his stories. He further expressed his frustration with a comment stating, “I always say what I think, it pisses me off.”