Interview / Michele Bravi: "Tiziano Ferro's song? All thanks to Morgan!"

by Laura Frigerio

Michele Bravi is a shy and very sweet boy. In him there is still no trace of that "star air", which sometimes ends up ruining many young talents. In short, despite having just won the 7th edition of "X Factor", he has not gone to his head, indeed he is still wondering how he got here. And in the meantime he prepares for his "official entry" into the world of music with his first Ep entitled "Life and Happiness".

So Michele, what is it like to be an artist with the "X Factor?"
I'm very happy! I would say it went very well, also because I didn't expect to win. It was probably Tiziano Ferro's song that gave me an important boost. And to be honest, I still don't know what my X Factor is, I expect to find out now that this opportunity to realize my dream, that is to make music on a professional level, opens up for me.

When they told you that Tiziano Ferro had written a song especially for you, what did you feel?
I was quite excited, so much so that before recording it I thought about it for a while, because I felt insecure. But then I left all anxiety aside and launched myself: Life and happiness it's a beautiful song and it deserved to be done. Tiziano is very happy with how things went and he also came to see me immediately after the victory. However, I am sure of one thing: it is thanks to Morgan and the path he made me take if I managed to capture the attention of a character like Tiziano Ferro.

Before arriving at "X Factor" what did you do, besides studying?
I sang in clubs, being accompanied only by a piano. I changed repertoire according to the situations, but I always tried to bring pieces by artists I love like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Anthony and the Johnson, but also Ivano Fossati, Gino Paoli, Luigi Tenco and Fabrizio De Andrè.

When they call you “Gianni Morandi 2.0” do you like it or not?
Of course I'm glad! How could it be otherwise? Gianni Morandi is a great character and I would certainly like to have a career like his.

And let's bring out another name that has been given to you: "darling" ...
They've been calling me that since I left. On the one hand I am pleased, because it is something that came out of Simona Ventura, who in there was a sort of "mother" for all of us, but I must say that I am not so "darling". Sure, I'm a serious guy but sometimes I also turn out to be overbearing.

I do not believe it! You would never know to see you ...
Maybe I'm only 19 years old and I still haven't understood how I really am. I see myself so complicated!

Is there something else that you want to reveal about yourself?
I'm a superstitious type: you had to see how I reduced the dressing room to each episode! I carried my backpack and pulled out everything: puppets given to me by my sister, horseshoes, bracelets and so on, in short, all objects that I consider lucky charms. And apparently they worked!

Listen, did you notice that you already have a lot of fans?
Yes, and that naturally pleases me. I just hope my life isn't completely turned upside down now.

Let's finish with a gossip question: are you in love right now?
No I'm single. Now I have thoughts only for the music, but you never know: if the opportunity comes along, it is welcome. Love is one of those things that cannot be programmed.