Multi-talented entertainer Lorella Cuccarini – dancer, TV host, actress, singer, current coach on Maria De Filippi’s talent show “Amici,” and stage star – prepares to mark her 60th birthday on August 10th. Celebrated as a national favorite, Cuccarini embodies both the lightness of her renowned dance moves and tenacity in performance.
This year brings a convergence of celebrations for the artist. The musical “Aggiungi un Posto a Tavola,” in which she stars, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary since its December 8, 1974 premiere featuring Johnny Dorelli. Furthermore, October 5th will mark 40 years since Cuccarini’s career launch, when Pippo Baudo introduced her to national audiences on RAI1’s “Fantastico.”
Married for 35 years to music and TV producer Silvio Capitta (known as Testi), the couple share four adult children: Sara (31), Giovanni (29), and twins Chiara and Giorgio (25).
Born in Rome in 1965, Cuccarini began dance studies at age nine. Her breakthrough came in the mid-1980s when Baudo cast her as lead dancer on “Fantastico 6” in 1985, replacing Heather Parisi. Her extensive career spans iconic Italian TV shows including “Festival,” “Odiens,” “Paperissima” (forming a popular duo with Marco Columbro), “Buona Domenica” (hosted in 1995 with Amadeus, reuniting at Sanremo 2024), “Piazza di Spagna,” “Trenta ore per la vita,” “Uno di noi,” “Scommettiamo che…?,” “La sai l’ultima?,” “La vita in diretta,” and appearances on “Striscia la notizia.”
She has starred in TV dramas (“Amiche,” “L’isola di Pietro”) and film (“Lo zio d’America 2”), alongside successful stage musicals (“Grease,” “Rapunzel,” “Aggiungi un Posto a Tavola”). Cuccarini has also worked in radio (“Citofonare Cuccarini”), advertising, Sky programming, authored the book “Ogni giorno il sole,” and holds the title of Commendatore of the Italian Republic.
Following a TV hiatus, she returned in 2016 with the special “Nemicamatissima,” collaborating with longtime artistic rival Heather Parisi. She hosted RAI’s daily show “La vita in diretta” (2019-2020) before departing the broadcaster. Cuccarini subsequently joined Mediaset’s “Amici” as dance coach in 2020.
Cuccarini emphasizes her commitment to mentoring young talents at “Amici,” stating she strives to “support, motivate, protect, and when necessary, reprimand them.” Reflecting on her journey, she expresses tenderness for her younger self, acknowledging her drive comes from constant activity. Her enduring source of strength remains her family – husband Silvio and their four children.