Michele Bravi (born 19 December 1994) is an Italian pop singer, songwriter, and actor. He rose to fame after winning the seventh season of the Italian X Factor. His coronation song, "La vita e la felicità", was penned by Tiziano Ferro and reached the top spot of the Italian Singles Chart. Bravi's debut album, A passi piccoli, was released in June 2014.

Michele Bravi
Michele Bravi in Roncade in 2016
Michele Bravi in Roncade in 2016
Background information
Born (1994-12-19) 19 December 1994 (age 29)
Città di Castello, Province of Perugia, Italy
GenresPop
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
Years active2013–present
LabelsSony Music (2013–2015)
Universal Music (2015–)

In 2015, after parting ways with Sony Music, he released the EP I Hate Music, which entered the Italian Albums chart at number 3. In 2017, Bravi participated at the Sanremo Music Festival, with the song "Il diario degli errori", anticipation of his debut number one album Anime di carta. After acting on Italian TV series La compagnia del Cigno, he published his second number one album La geografia del buio in 2021 with the single "Mantieni il bacio".

Since his career debut Bravi has sold over 300.000 copies in Italy reaching the Top ten Charts six times, including two number one. He received two MTV Italian Music Awards, collaborated with numerous Italian artists, including Giorgia, Gué Pequeno, Federica Abbate, Elodie and Tiziano Ferro, and the British singers James Blunt and Sophie and the Giants.

Career

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Michele Bravi was born on 19 December 1994 in Città di Castello, a city in the province of Perugia, in Central Italy, to Giovanna Machi and Stefano Bravi.[1][2] He has a sister, Marta, who is three years older than him.[1] He started singing as a child, when he joined the city choir, but he later decided to quit.[3] During his studies at the liceo classico, Bravi's interest in music persisted, even if it was just a hobby.[4] He later started to take music lessons, and he learnt to play piano.[3]

In 2013, Bravi auditioned for the seventh edition of the Italian talent show X Factor, performing Cat Steven's "Father and Son".[5] After being chosen by Morgan as a contestant for his category, "Boys Under 25", Bravi reached the final of the competition and, on 12 December 2013, won the competition, beating runner-up band Ape Escape.[6] During the competition, Bravi performed the song "La vita e la felicità", co-written by Tiziano Ferro, which was later released as his debut single.[7] During its second week, the single reached the top spot of the Italian Singles Chart.[8] The song was also included in the extended play with the same title, released by Sony Music on 13 December 2013.[9]

In February 2014, Bravi took part in the soundtrack of the film Sotto una buona stella, directed by Carlo Verdone, recording the song with the same title. "Sotto una buona stella" was also released as Bravi's second single.[10] Bravi's first studio album, A passi piccoli, was released on 10 June 2014. The album, which includes tracks written by Giorgia, Tiziano Ferro, Emilio Munda, Federico Zampaglione and James Blunt, also spawned the singles "Un giorno in più" and "In bilico".[11][12][13]

 
Bravi live in 2016

Having left Sony for Universal Music,[3] Bravi in 2015 started a YouTube channel to attain a closer contact with his fans. During the year he started recording new songs and in October his EP I Hate Music was published. It was preceded by the single "The Days".[14] All songs were co-written by Bravi and the lyrics are in English. The EP contains the Troye Sivan cover "The Fault in Our Stars", as well.[15][16] In early 2016, the singer started his first concert tour.[17]

In February 2017, Bravi competed in the "Big Artists" section of the 67th Sanremo Music Festival, performing the song "Il diario degli errori".[18] The song was the lead single from Bravi's second studio album, Anime di carta, released on 24 February 2017.[19] The album peaked the Italian Albums Chart and the song reached the number four of Italian Singles Chart receiving the double platinum certification. His second lead single from the album "Solo per un po'" won the Best Performance Award at the MTV Italian Music Awards.[20]

From October 2017 to May 2017 he was cast with Annalisa and Giovanni Caccamo as tutors of seventeen season of Amici di Maria De Filippi. In 2018 the singer collaborated with Elodie and rapper Gué Pequeno on the Top ten hit "Nero Bali", which sold over 100,000 copies.[21] In January 2019 he starred on Italian TV series "La compagnia del Cigno".[22]

On February 18, 2020, he announced the future release of hid third studio album.[23] In May 2020 he was cast for the spin-off Amici Speciali with his lead sing from the album le "La vita breve dei coriandoli".[24] In January 2021, Bravi published the second single "Mantieni il bacio" and the album La geografia del buio.[25] The album became his second number one on Italian Albums Chart, while the single was certified gold by Fimi.[26] On June 22, 2021, the singer released the collaboration "Falene" with British band Sophie and the Giants.[27]

Personal life

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In January 2017, interviewed by Vanity Fair, Bravi revealed he had a relationship with a man. The couple dated for two years before splitting. Bravi refused to label his sexuality in any way: "I don't need to come out, because there's no teen that would be surprised knowing I fell in love with a boy, and I think nobody of my same age would retreat feeling emotions for someone of the same sex". He also stated: "I met someone who gave me emotions, it's irrelevant he was a man. In the future, the same thing could happen with a girl".[28]

In November 2018, Bravi allegedly caused a fatal car accident that left a 58-year-old motorcyclist dead.[29]

Discography

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Albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
ITA
[30]
A passi piccoli
  • Released: 10 June 2014
  • Label: Sony BMG
  • Formats: CD, download
8
Anime di carta[31]
  • Released: 24 February 2017
  • Label: Universal
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
1
La geografia del buio
  • Released: 29 January 2021
  • Label: Universal
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
1
Tu cosa vedi quando chiudi gli occhi
  • Released: 12 April 2024
  • Label: Universal
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
10
[34]
List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
ITA
[30]
La vita e la felicità
  • Released: 6 December 2013
  • Label: Sony BMG
  • Formats: CD, download
23
I Hate Music
  • Released: 2 October 2015
  • Label: Universal
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
3

Singles

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List of singles, with chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Single Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album or EP
ITA
[35]
"La vita e la felicità" 2013 1 La vita e la felicità
"Sotto una buona stella" 2014 37 A passi piccoli
"Un giorno in più" 45
"In bilico"
"The Days" 2015 I Hate Music
"Sweet Suicide"
"Il diario degli errori" 2017 4
  • FIMI: 2× Platinum
Anime di carta
"Solo per un po'"
  • FIMI: Gold
"Diamanti"
"Tanto per cominciare" 88
"Nero Bali"
(with Elodie and Gué Pequeno)
2018 10
  • FIMI: 2× Platinum
This Is Elodie
"La vita breve dei coriandoli" 2020 39 La geografia del buio
"Mantieni il bacio" 2021 18
  • FIMI: Gold
"Falene"
(with Sophie and the Giants)
  • FIMI: Gold
"Cronaca di un tempo incerto"
"Inverno dei fiori" 2022 14
[37]
  • FIMI: Gold
Non-album singles
"Zodiaco"

Album appearances

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List of other album appearances
Contribution Year Album
"The Christmas Song"[38] 2014 X Factor Christmas 2014
"I Puffi sanno"[39]
(Cristina D'Avena featuring Michele Bravi)
2017 Duets – Tutti cantano Cristina
"Il mondo prima di te"[40]
(Annalisa featuring Michele Bravi)
2021 Nuda10

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role(s) Notes
2022 Amanda Dude
2023 Finally Dawn Singer en-travesti

Television

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Year Title Role(s) Notes
2013 X Factor Contestant Winner (season 7)
2017 Sanremo Music Festival 2017 Contestant 4th place with the song "Il diario degli errori"
2017–2018 Amici di Maria De Filippi Music tutor Talent show (season 17)
2018 Sanremo Music Festival 2018 Guest performer Performing "Il mondo prima di te" with Annalisa in the duets night
2019 La Compagnia del Cigno Giacomo Recurring role; 3 episodes
2020 Amici Speciali Contestant All-star version of Amici di Maria De Filippi
2021 Sanremo Music Festival 2021 Guest performer Performing "Quando" with Arisa in the duets night
2022 Sanremo Music Festival 2022 Contestant 10th place with the song "Inverno dei fiori"
Monterossi Manuel Macchi Episodes: "Rage and Wind - Part I & II"
2023–2024 Amici di Maria De Filippi Judge Talent show (season 22-23, final stage only)

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Nomination Work Result
2014 MTV Italian Music Awards Best Performance[41] "Un giorno in più" Won
2016 Webstar[42] Himself Nominated
Nickelodeon SlimeFest Award[42] Himself Nominated
2017 Best Italian Male[43] Himself Nominated
Best Performance[44] "Solo per un po'" Won
Wind Music Awards Platinum Single Award "Il Diario degli Errori" Won

References

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  1. ^ a b "Michele, vincitore di X Factor: "A Sanremo? Forse, ma non ci andrei allo sbaraglio"". Il Messaggero (in Italian). 15 December 2013. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  2. ^ Cristina Crisci. "Il poeta Michele affascina X Factor". Valtiberina Online. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "Michele Bravi – Biografia" (in Italian). Rockol.it. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  4. ^ Alessandro Alicandri (19 June 2014). "Michele Bravi esordisce con l'album A passi piccoli: l'intervista". TV Sorrisi e Canzoni (in Italian). Archived from the original on 26 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Il percorso di Michele – X Factor 2013" (in Italian). Sky Italia. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  6. ^ Alessandro Alicandri (13 December 2013). "X Factor 7: la Finale. Michele Bravi vince, le pagelle dell'ultima puntata". Panorama. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  7. ^ Andrea Conti (13 December 2014). "X Factor, Michele Bravi ha vinto: Ho preso un treno al volo. E' andata bene". TGCOM (in Italian). Mediaset. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  8. ^ Peak positions on the Italian Singles Chart:
  9. ^ "X-Factor, le hit dei finalisti: Michele, Ape Escape, Violetta e Aba" (in Italian). Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Michele Bravi, da oggi disponibile il singolo Sotto una buona stella" (in Italian). Rockol.it. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  11. ^ Luigi Bolognini (10 June 2014). "A passi piccoli, il primo disco di Michele Bravi: Non sono ancora pronto a correre". la Repubblica (in Italian). Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Michele Bravi, dal 16 maggio il nuovo singolo Un giorno in più" (in Italian). Rockol.it. 14 May 2014. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  13. ^ "In bilico: Giorgia firma il testo del nuovo singolo di Michele Bravi" (in Italian). Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Michele Bravi: "The days" è il nuovo video". Sorrisi.com. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. 30 September 2015. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  15. ^ Giovanni Ferrari (3 October 2015). "Michele Bravi: "L'odio può diventare energia"". Panorama.it. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  16. ^ Francesco Chignola (24 September 2015). "Michele Bravi torna (in inglese) con "I Hate Music"". Sorrisi.com. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  17. ^ "Concerti, Michele Bravi: lI hate music tour 2016' al via a fine febbraio da Roma". Rockol.it. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  18. ^ Domenico Naso (13 December 2016). "Festival di Sanremo 2017: i cantanti in gara. Dai talent ai veterani: ecco chi salirà sul palco dell'Ariston". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  19. ^ Valentina Cesarini (23 January 2017). "Michele Bravi, esce il nuovo album Anime di Carta". TV Sorrisi e Canzoni (in Italian). Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  20. ^ Dessì, Martina (27 May 2017). "Solo per un po' di Michele Bravi ai TIM MTV Awards tra Anime di Carta e l'impegno per AIRC (video)". Optimagazine: ultime news, video e notizie italiane e dal mondo. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Elodie, Michele Bravi, Guè Pequeno – Nero Bali". r101.it. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  22. ^ "C'è Michele Bravi ne La Compagnia del Cigno: "Non ossessionarti per ciò che è successo, vai avanti"". Tv Fanpage (in Italian). Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Coronavirus, Michele Bravi sposta l'uscita del suo disco". diregiovani.it (in Italian). 9 March 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  24. ^ "Amici Speciali, il promo con i concorrenti Vip: "Sembra tutto strano", attesa per il debutto". www.liberoquotidiano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  25. ^ "«Mantieni il bacio»: il video di Michele Bravi con Francesco Centorame fa impazzire i fan". VanityFair.it (in Italian). 26 January 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  26. ^ Giometti, Eduardo (5 February 2021). "Michele Bravi, La geografia del buio è il disco più venduto ed ecco le date del tour!". Spettacolo.eu (in Italian). Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Michele Bravi e Sophie and The Giants: il videoclip di "Falene" è un manifesto di libertà". News Mtv Italia. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Ho incontrato una persona speciale, che sia un ragazzo è irrilevante: Michele Bravi parla del singolo che presenterà a Sanremo". HuffPost (in Italian). 18 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  29. ^ "'X Factor Italy' Winner Under Investigation for Role in Fatal Car Accident". The Hollywood Reporter. 24 November 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Italian Charts – Michele Bravi – Albums". Italiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  31. ^ "Anime di carta: il nuovo album di Michele Bravi" (in Italian). Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  32. ^ "Italian album certifications – Michele Bravi" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 7 February 2023. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Michele Bravi" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  33. ^ "Italian album certifications – Michele Bravi" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 7 November 2022. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Michele Bravi" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  34. ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 16 (dal 12.04.2024 al 18.04.2024)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  35. ^ "Archivio Classifiche FIMI" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  36. ^ "Archivio Certificazioni FIMI" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  37. ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 6" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  38. ^ "X Factor Christmas 2014: festeggia Natale con noi!" (in Italian). Sky Italia. 25 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  39. ^ "Sedici artisti per altrettante sigle di cartoni animati rivisitate nel progetto 'Duets – Tutti cantano Cristina', il cd che festeggia i 35 anni di carriera". la Repubblica (in Italian). 19 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  40. ^ "Nuda10 di Annalisa, inediti e rivisitazioni". Il Mattino (in Italian). 11 March 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  41. ^ MTV Awards 2015 – Michele Bravi vince Best Performance
  42. ^ a b "MTV Awards 2016, vota da oggi! Ecco tutti gli artisti in gara". MTV Italy. 9 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  43. ^ "Votazioni aperte! Ecco tutte le nomination dei TIM MTV Awards 2017" (in Italian). MTV Italy. 21 April 2017.
  44. ^ "Michele Bravi vince il premio Best Performance ai TIM MTV Awards 2017" (in Italian). MTV Italy. 21 April 2017.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Italian X Factor
Winner

2013
Succeeded by