Belen Rodriguez Pursues Italian Citizenship After Two Decades in the Country
Argentine showgirl and television personality Belen Rodriguez is nearing a significant milestone: becoming a naturalized Italian citizen. The pursuit comes after two decades residing in Italy, a journey marked by personal and professional milestones, including a recent appearance at the Sanremo Music Festival alongside Samurai Jay. Rodriguez’s path to citizenship has been punctuated by a touch of public drama, as revealed during an interview on the popular Italian talk reveal, Che tempo che fa, where she playfully lamented the lengthy process and referenced a past marriage. The process underscores the complexities of immigration and integration, even for public figures who have develop into household names.
Rodriguez’s recent appearance at Sanremo 2026, performing a cover of Zucchero Fornaciari’s “Baila Morena” with Samurai Jay and Roy Paci, garnered attention not only for the performance itself but as well for a backstage incident. Reports indicate Rodriguez experienced technical difficulties during the performance, stating she “couldn’t hear a thing” because she chose not to wear in-ear monitors. The performance, while visually striking, was reportedly marred by timing issues, leading to a frustrated outburst from Rodriguez backstage, captured by the program DietroFestival. Despite the hiccup, the event kept Rodriguez in the public eye, a familiar position for the Argentine star.
A Twenty-Year Journey
During her appearance on Che tempo che fa, Rodriguez expressed her frustration with the length of time it has taken to secure Italian citizenship. “Twenty years have passed, and they’ve never given me an Italian passport. Why won’t you deliver it to me? I would like to accept my son to America,” she stated, as reported by multiple sources. She also made a pointed reference to her previous marriage, stating, “I was also married, but I asked for a divorce before five years. I wasn’t even clever.” This comment is widely understood to be directed at her former husband, Italian television personality Stefano De Martino, whom she married in 2013 and divorced in 2017. Italian law requires a minimum residency period and demonstration of sufficient income for citizenship applications, requirements Rodriguez appears to meet.
The path to Italian citizenship for non-EU citizens typically involves demonstrating a legal residency of at least ten years, proving sufficient income, and passing a language proficiency test. Rodriguez has demonstrably met the residency and income requirements. The final hurdle, the Italian language exam, is scheduled for early April 2026 in Milan, according to reports from Settimanale Chi. Successful completion of this exam will pave the way for her to officially become an Italian citizen.
Sanremo Setback and Lingering Tensions
The Sanremo performance wasn’t without its challenges. Rodriguez’s decision not to employ in-ear monitors led to synchronization issues during her cameo appearance in Samurai Jay’s performance of “Ossessione.” The incident sparked discussion on social media, with some users criticizing the performance as out of sync. Il Fatto Quotidiano reported on the backstage outburst, quoting Rodriguez as saying, “I can’t hear a damn thing.” Despite the technical difficulties, the performance generated significant buzz, and commentary also focused on the perceived chemistry between Rodriguez and Samurai Jay, with some observers noting a “palpable sexual tension.”
The dynamic between Rodriguez and De Martino continues to be a topic of public interest. Her comment on Che tempo che fa, referencing her divorce before the five-year mark, is widely interpreted as a subtle jab at her ex-husband. The couple’s relationship has been on-again, off-again over the years, and their personal lives frequently make headlines in Italian media. The timing of her comment, coinciding with her pursuit of Italian citizenship, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.
What’s Next for Belen Rodriguez?
With the Italian language exam scheduled for April 2026, Rodriguez is on the cusp of achieving a long-held goal. If successful, she will be able to enjoy the full rights and privileges of Italian citizenship, including the ability to travel more freely and potentially open up new professional opportunities. The outcome of the exam is anticipated to be known within weeks of the test date, and updates will likely be reported by Italian media outlets. Beyond the citizenship process, Rodriguez continues to be a prominent figure in Italian entertainment, with ongoing projects in television and potentially further collaborations with artists like Samurai Jay.
The pursuit of citizenship is a significant step for Rodriguez, representing a deepening of her ties to Italy after two decades of living and working in the country. Her journey reflects the experiences of many immigrants who navigate the complexities of integration and strive to build a life in a new homeland. The outcome of her citizenship application will be closely watched by her fans and the Italian public alike.
The next confirmed step in Rodriguez’s journey is the Italian language exam in early April 2026. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available. Share your thoughts on Belen Rodriguez’s pursuit of Italian citizenship in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with your friends and family.
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