Michele Perniola
“I am very happy to take part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, it’s a terrific opportunity. I can’t wait to be in Kyiv and start this new experience, opening a new window on a new world, and having the chance to meet new friends from all around Europe.”Michele Perniola was born in 1998 in Palagiano in the province of Taranto, Italy, where he lives with his parents and two younger sisters and attends the second grade of Accounting High School ‘G.M. Sforza.’
His early interest in music was prompted by his musician father: from the age of 9 he attended a ballet school and took singing lessons.
In late 2012 he rose to national fame with his performances in ‘Ti lascio una canzone,’ the popular RAI 1 TV contest for the under 15: He was rewarded by both jury and televiewers, being labelled as ‘The Italian Michael Jackson.’ He performed Jackson's songs that included – among others – ‘Billie Jean,’ ‘Man in the Mirror’, ‘Beat It’ and ‘Earth Song’, performing duets with established Italian Eurovision Stars such as Al Bano (1976, 1986) and Raf (1987). In December 2012 he won the sixth edition of the talent show, getting 43% of the total votes.
Since then show Michele has given a series of concerts in his region, and in spring he toured the United States together with other participants of ‘Ti lascio una canzone.’ Michele has been chosen internally by San Marino RTV for their debùt in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
‘O-o-O Sole intorno a me’ (O-o-O Sunlight all around me) is Michele’s first single. He co-wrote it with his producer and vocal coach Antonello Carozza. Michele reveals: “Everything stemmed from the original “O-o-O” idea.” Michele and Antonello developed the San Marino entry in the forthcoming Junior Eurovision Song Contest after a long series of meetings and daily videoconferences.
