Laura Pausini: “Geneva played a crucial role in my career”

With “Anime Parallele”, her latest album marking 30 years of career, Laura Pausini celebrates the souls and stories that have touched her. This introspective project, released in Italian and Spanish versions, reflects his attachment to human diversity. Full of childhood memories spent in Zurich and particularly attached to Switzerland, the singer from Emilia-Romagna will stop on December 9 at the Geneva Arena, a stop on an exceptional world tour.

During our interview, the 50-year-old artist looks back with humor and emotion on her longevity, her beginnings in Music with her father and Phil Collins, her inspirations and the way in which she has reinvented herself over the years. As close as ever to her fans, she reveals her thoughts on fame, social media and the importance of remaining authentic. A conversation in his image: luminous and passionate.

You turned 50 this year. How did you celebrate them?

I organized a party in the heart of Milan. In fact, I even orchestrated two celebrations on the same day, in a place where I had given two concerts for my fan club. So I shared this joy with my fans, creating an unforgettable festive atmosphere.

Is it true that we really start to live at 50?

Do we say that in Switzerland? Well, maybe I should come live there. (Laughs.) You know, I feel a little Swiss. Part of my family, on my paternal grandfather’s side, is and I still have relatives there who attend my concerts. During my childhood, I had very few holidays and I spent almost all of them in Zurich. So I have excellent memories of it. Just like the concerts I have given in your country since 1997. I feel very close to you.

You will also return to Geneva on December 9. How is the tour going?

She is very special. It started a year ago, and I had already come to Zurich last March. For the first time in my career, I played sold out shows all over the world, which surprised me, especially as I got older. (Laughs.) This is why I decided to add dates in Europe in November and December, with two concerts in Switzerland, in Geneva and Basel, which I am looking forward to. Geneva is an important city for me. I played it a lot. Celebrating 30 years of career means offering a moment of memory and joy to those who supported me.

What memories do you have from the start of your career?

I started singing at 8 years old, thanks to my father, a singer and piano bar musician. In the summer, I accompanied him, and that’s how I was discovered. I was offered to make a record, then I was signed up for Sanremo, which I won at 18 with “La Solitudine”. At that time, I didn’t even dream of being famous, but I found myself in a huge dream. These 30 years have been marked by respect, discipline and love for this profession, which I still consider to be a passion. I never would have imagined such a long career, my idols seeming inaccessible to me.

Can you mention any of these idols?

Geneva played a crucial role in my international career. Shortly after my victory in Sanremo, the first big idol who believed in me was Phil Collins. In 1996, I was asked who I wanted to sing with, and I immediately thought of him. Against all odds, I managed to contact him, and he was the first major artist to sing with me and even write a song for me. We remained friends and collaborated several times. It all started with a call from him while he was living in Geneva, a moment I will never forget.

Do you have any news from him?

In recent years it has become much more fragile. He created an important association to help young people who want to get into music. Every time he organizes a concert in their honor, I am by his side.

You have said that your latest album, “Anime parallele”, is certainly your most important project. For what?

This album marks my 30th career. A version was released in Italian in 2023 and another in Spanish in 2024. It summarizes what I learned, especially on a human level. I understood that people’s souls are more important than their appearance and that it is essential to respect those who are different from us. I call it parallel souls. These 30 years have freed me from judgment and allowed me to tell the stories of others through my music. Although this project is not very autobiographical, I often find myself in the diversity of the stories I share.

Your title “Eppure non è così” with its sensitive lyrics stands out from the crowd. Can you tell us more?

It’s one of the most autobiographical songs on the album. It addresses the constant judgment we experience, whether we are famous or not, particularly because of social media. We are criticized for our appearance, our thoughts or our words. As an artist, I am frequently misrepresented, and it doesn’t always reflect who I really am. In this song, I confront my own reflection, affirming that you should not be afraid to be yourself. It is dedicated to those who feel misjudged and reminds us that success and apparent happiness do not mean absence of loneliness or sadness.

What relationship do you have with your social networks?

I manage my own social networks daily with the help of my community manager. When releasing an album, the record company may require an increased social presence. However, I strive to maintain authentic contact with my fans, as I did before the age of social media. My fan club, active for almost 30 years and run by my father and two colleagues, has 25,000 members. In the past, I answered personal letters and calls. Today, I stay in touch via Twitter, Instagram and other platforms. My dad and my fan club members manage these interactions on a daily basis, and we decide together what responses and updates to share. In recent years, I have reduced my daily reading of comments, especially after the Covid period, when people’s anger was palpable and often expressed excessively on social media.

You presented Eurovision in Turin in 2022. Did you follow Nemo’s victory this year?

You know, the only disappointment I had with Eurovision was that when I won Sanremo, Italy didn’t participate. So I was never able to compete there. Although participating today might seem unfair after a long career, having the opportunity to present Eurovision was incredible. I’ve always been a big fan. This event enriched music by introducing us to various songs and languages. This year, Nemo gave an extraordinary performance and conveyed a powerful message. I am delighted that Switzerland won the Competition and carried such a meaningful message. Music has the power to leave a deep impression.