Leonardo Cruciano created Rich Ciolino, Ghali's Sanremo alien

Rich Ciolino, the alien that accompanied Italian singer Ghali at the Sanremo Music Festival 2024, was created by special effects artist Leonardo Cruciano. The character sparked controversy for breaking political correctness. Cruciano, a two-time David di Donatello winner for Matteo Garrone's 'Il Racconto dei Racconti' and nominee for the Guild Awards, is considered Italy's leading contemporary special effects artist. He previously restored Carlo Rambaldi's E.T. animatronics and created hyperrealistic heads for Gucci's 2018 fashion show under Alessandro Michele. Rich Ciolino was produced by Section 80 and Imaginari Factory, Cruciano's workshop. The alien is an animatronic creature controlled via an innovative live remote animation system, inspired by animal forms like seals and manatees. Cruciano also worked on the Venice Pavilion 'Alloro' at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Ghali sought to create a companion for his song about home and borders, referencing E.T. as inspiration.