Susanna Riva The cast of The Voice Senior experienced an emotional evening on Friday, October 16, 2026, when Francesca Magnelli, a 62-year-old transgender woman from Lucca, took the stage to perform Nesli's "La Fine." Her presence sparked a series of reactions among the judges, culminating in a duet with coach Arisa.
Francesca says she's lived a life marked by two key moments: her biological birth on March 1, 1964, and, thirty years later, the opportunity to change her name on her identity card on the same day as her birthday, March 1, 1994. "In 1994, I received permission from the registry office to change my name at the exact same time, on the same day as my birth date, so it had to be that way," she explains.
Francesca Magnelli's personal journey
The daughter of a wealthy family, she spent a peaceful childhood in Lucca, but her adolescence was marked by profound despair as she watched her cousins experiment with their first flirtations. "I so longed to share those experiences and feel like them," she recalls. Only thanks to a supportive love did she have the courage to embark on the journey of transition.
Music has always been an integral part of her world. As a child, she pretended to sing in front of the television, and at 18, she recorded a four -track disc , demonstrating an artistic drive from the very beginning.
The evening of October 16, 2026 at The Voice Senior
During her performance, three of the four judges—Arisa, Fiorella Mannoia, and the duo Clementino & Rocco Hunt—turned their chairs, expressing interest. Nek, the final coach, offered no reason for his decision not to turn around.
Fiorella Mannoia's reaction was particularly intense: "I felt like I was struck by a sword in the chest. You left me speechless, you sang from the heart." Clementino also shared his emotion, saying: "I was so moved, I felt the emotion before I even turned around."
The duet with Arisa
Arisa, eager to include Francesca in her team, asked her to sing "La Donna Cannone" by Francesco De Gregori with her. After the performance, the singer chose to join her team, declaring, "I want to start by expressing my utmost admiration for everyone, but after this duet, what can I do? I choose Arisa."
The duet elicited standing ovations from the audience and coaches, confirming the powerful emotional connection created on stage.
Other contestants and reviews
Alongside Francesca, Luca Sandri, an actor and voice actor, was also present, but his performance didn't convince any of the judges, who chose not to turn around.
The episode concluded on a high note, with stories of redemption and heartfelt performances, proving that The Voice Senior remains a platform where diverse talents can emerge and move audiences.