Måneskin Damiano David

The release of « Funny Little Fears » and Damiano's shift towards pop as a solo artist prompted criticism from Måneskin fans accusing him of turning his back on rock or adopting an image they considered less authentic. Damiano embraced the change, explaining that pop allowed him to be more himself.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A video showing Damiano kissing another woman circulated widely in June 2023 and triggered allegations that he had cheated on Giorgia Soleri. Damiano explained that their relationship had ended a few days before the video and expressly denied any betrayal.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Damiano David and Thomas Raggi, publicly described as Måneskin's heterosexual members, were accused of 'queerbaiting' by some critics because of their make-up, heels and sexually fluid aesthetic. The band rejected the accusation, arguing that it reintroduced precisely the gender stereotypes they were seeking to challenge.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

At Coachella, Damiano David concluded a statement supporting Ukraine with a highly explicit attack on Vladimir Putin. The message sparked controversy on social media, with some accusing him of conformism or opportunism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Måneskin's performance at the MTV VMAs was partially censored during the broadcast. Damiano's highly provocative outfit was part of the staging, while a wardrobe malfunction involving Victoria De Angelis also contributed to the camera framing and broadcast cuts.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

shared_band_event; Damiano_directly_responsible_only_for_his_attire

Video footage from the Eurovision final prompted allegations that Damiano David had used cocaine in the Green Room. He immediately denied the allegations, voluntarily underwent a drug test, and the EBU concluded, after reviewing the footage and the negative test result, that no drug use had occurred.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Legal status — source text

EBU_closed_matter_no_drug_use_established

Attribution

Accused

Following Sanremo and then Eurovision, « Zitti e buoni » faced several plagiarism allegations. An initial challenge was rejected following a technical analysis communicated by Sony; a second came from Dutch band The Vendettas, one of whose members mentioned a similarity but announced that no action would be taken.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Directly implicated

During a concert in Poland, Damiano David kissed Thomas Raggi on stage and then called for freedom and equality for LGBT people, in a country where the issue of LGBT rights was highly polarised.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

After winning Sanremo, Måneskin had to adapt « Zitti e buoni » to Eurovision rules: several profanities were replaced and the song shortened to comply with the three-minute limit. The changes were widely described as self-censorship imposed by the competition's standards.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During a cover of Kanye West's « Black Skinhead », Damiano David sang a historically racist English term without censoring it. Following criticism, he apologised, explained that he had been unaware of the word's offensive meaning and acknowledged that he should have informed himself better.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated