Arisa Returns to Sanremo: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Freedom

Arisa, the stage name derived from her initials and those of her family, is set to return to the Sanremo Festival after a five-year absence. She expresses immense joy in presenting a song that once again delves into her personal experiences.

A Song Reflecting Life’s Evolution

“The song is about life evolving, about the moment in which I look back and seize stock of experiences, emotions and changes,” Arisa shared with the weekly magazine F. “It is an intimate text that talks about my journey, about rediscovering authentic and poetic sides of myself even in my imperfections, about rediscovering the innocence and lightness of childhood within the complexity of adult life.”

Navigating a Dark Period

Arisa recalls a period in her life where she felt lost and, in an attempt to gain acceptance, distanced herself from her true self. However, she has since found her way back to authenticity. “After forty, I found a point of view that I believe will lead me peacefully towards a goal… even if I don’t know which one yet,” she stated.

Embracing Singlehood and Freedom

Today, Arisa embraces her life as a single woman, a status that previously caused her concern. She recounts a conversation with her mother, who optimistically predicted a future partner. Arisa responded that she is content with her current lifestyle: “I’m fine like this; at eight I’m in bed, I have my book, my films, my passions.” She no longer feels “different” for being alone and doesn’t feel a need for a partner.

While open to the possibility of building a family in the future, Arisa currently prioritizes enjoying life, traveling, forming genuine connections, and pursuing her passions. “I stopped chasing romantic love at all costs. And it’s a beautiful thing, which makes me free.”

The Importance of Self-Love

Arisa emphasizes the importance of self-focus and self-love. “At a certain point… you have to concentrate on something else, you can’t live chasing something ideal, a photograph, a dream or a projection, trapped in the princess and prince charming syndrome: I want to be prince charming,” she explained to F. “We must refer to ourselves, truly love ourselves and be able to be enough, otherwise disappointments become too heavy and make us lose many important things.”

Breaking Patterns in Relationships

Arisa acknowledges a tendency, particularly among those with a “good girl syndrome,” to fall into patterns of seeking validation in relationships. She observed friends engaging in manipulative behaviors to gain affection, yet still being treated with less consideration than herself.

She reflects on the idea that initial attraction often focuses on a person’s public persona, which can differ greatly from their true self in private. “As Rita Hayworth said: ‘Men go to bed with Gilda and wake up with me’,” Arisa noted. “But I don’t think it’s just a problem for men… it happens that you first get to know the public person and then, in intimacy, discover that they are completely different from what they seemed. The aura of the superhero vanishes…”