Damiano David appears on my screen from Paris with his signature confidence, though he bears little resemblance to the eccentric Italian frontman of Måneskin. In our online meeting, he’s relaxed, wearing a white shirt and a wide tie with pink paisley patterns. His preppy style recalls David Bowie’s Duke era more than a rebellious rock star taking the stage by storm. So, what’s he working on?

“I feel like I’m starting from scratch,” he says, referring to his upcoming first solo track, “Silverlines.” “This is the first song I’m releasing on my own, and honestly, it’s terrifying.” He smiles. “But it’s incredibly liberating too.” His decision to start a solo journey wasn’t simply a career twist or a break from Måneskin’s rock’n’roll lifestyle. It was something deeper, a need to express a side of himself that he couldn’t reveal as a band member. “Though I love the energy and the connection I share with the guys in the group, sometimes I feel the urge to explore quieter, more vulnerable parts of myself,” he says. “Music is my way of communicating how I feel, and with Silverlines, I felt I needed to speak more personally.”

Long before he became one of the world’s most popular artists, winning first place at Eurovision 2021 for Italy with Måneskin’s hit “Zitti e Buoni,” or became a tabloid favorite for his personal life, Damiano was an active kid who loved basketball and singing. He and his older brother Jacopo were born in Rome, while their parents, flight attendants, introduced them to different cultures and languages from a young age. Damiano was always “different.” He’s often photographed nude or wearing women’s clothes, and in personal moments with his band members, he’s sparked questions about his sexuality. “I believe everyone should have the right to do this without fear. Everyone should be completely free to be whoever they want,” says the singer-songwriter who shaves his head, gets tattoos, and admits he smokes, all part of his larger-than-life rock star persona.

“Style is one of the most immediate ways to express who you are. It’s not just about the clothes you wear but the energy you project. For me, it’s an extension of my personality and a way to convey messages without needing to say anything. Often, your style can say more about you than anything else. Through what you wear, you can show how you feel, what you’re thinking, who you are. It’s a way to continually redefine yourself, to experiment with different versions of your identity. Wearing something that expresses me makes me feel stronger and more confident.”

Confidence, of course, has never been lacking for him. Since the start, Damiano was only 18 when he and Måneskin placed second in the 11th season of Italy’s X Factor in 2017. The band’s big break came with their victory at the Sanremo Music Festival in March 2021, a landmark year for them as two months later they were crowned winners at the Eurovision Song Contest. That victory skyrocketed their fame, and their rendition of The Four Seasons’ beloved song “Beggin” went viral on TikTok. In 2022, they won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video, and in 2023, the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock. That same year, Måneskin was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

Beyond his musical achievements, this year Damiano was named Diesel’s first-ever global ambassador. “Our collaboration was an opportunity to create something bold, something that provokes but also respects individuality. And that’s the most important thing for me — proving that freedom of expression isn’t just an idea, but something you live every day. My style doesn’t go unnoticed, but I don’t do it for attention. I do it because it’s my way of expressing myself. If it sparks conversations or makes people think different things about me, that’s part of the game. I’d rather be myself and provoke genuine reactions than follow the current and lose my essence.”

Returning to his anticipated move outside of Måneskin, news that Damiano is collaborating with Labrinth on “Silverlines” — the producer behind hits by Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, and others — thrilled fans. Songwriter Sarah Hudson was already working on the track when she had the idea to bring the two men together. A proposal Damiano couldn’t refuse. “If you get the chance to work with Labrinth, you just do it!” he says, laughing and praising Labrinth as a top professional producer. “It was a crazy dream to work with him,” he admits. “Labrinth’s music is so multi-layered and emotionally charged. When we first talked, I knew he was the perfect person to capture the atmosphere I wanted for this song.” He adds, openly admiring the British producer’s work: “The way he uses emotions in his music is incredible. There’s magic when he’s in the studio, and I wanted that magic in Silverlines. We immediately clicked, and the collaboration was both effortless and deeply spiritual.”

As for Måneskin, Damiano is adamant: this solo project doesn’t mean the end of the band. “Måneskin is my family. What we have together is unique and invaluable,” he assures me. “But I felt I had to find my voice on a more personal level. Silverlines is the beginning of this new journey.” So, how did the rest of the band react to his new album? “We’ve known each other for many years and are open and honest with each other. The truth is, they had a lot to say! Some were good, some not so good. Understandable, right?”

In a recent video he posted on Instagram, Damiano said, “I traveled the world to find my voice and finally found it where it all began.” When I ask him what he means, he takes a moment to think. “You know, after all the craziness of the past few years — Eurovision, tours, awards — I needed to return to my roots, to the essence of why I started singing. The most important thing for me is authenticity. I had to travel, take time for myself. My personal life and inner world needed care, and this song and album are like a bit of therapy. It’s like the first day of my life,” he says, laughing, “and I don’t know what will come next, but I’m excited to find out.” He has no specific plans for the immediate future, either. “I have no idea what will happen. Maybe tours, maybe new tracks, maybe none of that,” he jokes. “All I know is that I want to keep exploring new facets of myself and writing music that expresses me.”

At the end of the “Silverlines” video, the driver asks him where he wants to go, and he replies, “Everywhere.” Is that also the spirit of his upcoming album? “I think we can safely say ‘yes.’ It’ll have all the emotions I have inside. The new album is extreme, very dramatic, very theatrical, very me. It’s more personal. It’s about the ‘drama of being alive.’ Life is an adventure.”

Of course, love also plays a role in all of this. His new partner, Dove Cameron — the actress and singer — has captivated Damiano, who now finds himself spending more time in Los Angeles. “Yes, I’m in love. Very much so. Fortunately!”

Alongside his big solo leap in music, Damiano is living a great love with Dove Cameron.