February 2025
This new study follows on from previous surveys conducted by Discurv on Italians and sexuality, as well as on the sexiest Italian celebrities.
The ranking clearly stands out with an overwhelming leader. Matteo Berrettini largely dominates with 27% of the votes, nearly three times more than his closest challenger. His profile combines strong media visibility, sporting success, and a highly valued physical image, making him the undisputed reference for Italian sporting sex appeal.
Behind him, the gap is significant. Gianmarco Tamberi ranks second with 9%, followed by Marcell Jacobs (8%). Both embody an attractiveness linked to athletic performance and memorable achievements, particularly in track and field.
A second group then forms around well-known but less consensual profiles:
Gianluigi Buffon and Gregorio Paltrinieri each receive 7%, combining charisma, longevity, and sporting notoriety.
Jannik Sinner follows with 6%, driven by a younger image and a rapidly rising career.
Some celebrities have a much stronger appeal among women. Matteo Berrettini (tennis) and Gianmarco Tamberi (athletics) are widely favored by female respondents. Other athletes, such as Buffon or Paltrinieri, show a more balanced gender distribution. Men are more divided and do not display a clear preference for any particular athlete.
Tennis is perceived as the sport with the most fascinating athletes (Berrettini and, to a lesser extent, Sinner). Athletics follows due to strong recent media exposure (Tamberi, Jacobs, Tortu).
Contrary to expectations, football does not dominate this ranking, although Buffon remains a respected figure. Attractiveness varies significantly by gender and age, with a stronger female preference for certain celebrities.
This ranking reveals a very pronounced hierarchy. Federica Pellegrini overwhelmingly dominates perceptions with 23% of the votes, establishing herself as the most attractive figure in the panel. Her aura clearly goes beyond sport: she embodies a national icon who is successful, highly mediatised, and deeply rooted in the collective imagination.
After her, the gap is substantial. Sofia Goggia and Flavia Pennetta follow at a distance, each with 10%. Their attractiveness seems more linked to the notoriety gained in highly visible disciplines (skiing and tennis) than to generational or novelty effects.
A second block forms around 7%, grouping Larissa Iapichino, Paola Egonu, and Marta Menegatti. These athletes benefit from a strong image within their respective sports, but their seductive power remains more segmented, appealing to specific audiences.
At the bottom of the ranking, preferences become more dispersed:
Giorgia Villa and Francesca Schiavone reach 4%,
Barbara Bonansea and Dalia Kaddari reach 3%,
Arianna Fontana, Angela Carini, and Elisa Longo Borghini close the ranking with 2% each.
Female attractiveness in Italian sport relies heavily on a central figure, while other athletes share modest scores, reflecting a more fragmented perception of sex appeal, dependent on media exposure and symbolic status.
Perceptions of attractiveness vary significantly by age and gender. Younger generations prefer rising athletes, while older generations remain loyal to iconic figures of Italian sport.
15% of respondents selected no female athlete, a lower rate than among men (22%).
The ranking highlights a very clear preference for the most iconic figures of Italian cinema. Raoul Bova ranks first with 22%, confirming his status as the absolute reference in terms of attractiveness. His image combines maturity, elegance, and consistent media presence, allowing him to clearly stand out.
He is followed by Luca Argentero, who gathers 17% of the votes. He also benefits from strong seductive capital built on sustained screen presence and cross-generational popularity.
Behind this leading duo, dynamics change significantly. Alessandro Gassmann and Marcello Mastroianni each stand at 7%, illustrating a more symbolic rather than mass attractiveness, often linked to legacy, charisma, or collective memory.
The rest of the ranking shows a strong dispersion of votes:
Michele Morrone and Fabio Testi receive 5%,
Vittorio Gassman, Marco Bocci, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Riccardo Scamarcio stabilize around 4%,
Luca Marinelli and Edoardo Leo reach 3%,
and Francesco Arca closes the ranking with 2%.
Media notoriety and longevity in the film industry are key factors. Raoul Bova and Luca Argentero are the seduction benchmarks of contemporary Italian cinema.
Actors’ attractiveness varies considerably depending on respondents’ age and gender. Younger generations favor more modern figures, while older generations prefer actors who have marked the history of Italian cinema.
Women strongly influence the results, with choices focusing on charismatic actors who are highly visible in the media.
The results highlight a clear dominance of major icons of Italian cinema. At the top, Monica Bellucci concentrates 23% of the votes, confirming her status as an absolute reference in attractiveness, well beyond generational effects.
Behind her, Miriam Leone gathers 17%, embodying a more contemporary seduction that is already firmly established. Sabrina Ferilli, with 13%, maintains strong attractiveness thanks to a popular and timeless image.
From fourth position onward, preferences become more fragmented: Ornella Muti reaches 9%, while Sophia Loren remains present with 7%, proving that charisma does not fade with time. An intermediate group composed of Matilda De Angelis, Claudia Cardinale, and Maria Grazia Cucinotta stands at 5%, combining cinematic heritage and modernity.
At the bottom of the ranking, scores become more scattered: Paola Cortellesi receives 4%, Asia Argento and Alessandra Mastronardi 3%, Valeria Golino 2%, and Benedetta Porcaroli 1%. Finally, 4% of respondents state that they do not identify with any of these celebrities, highlighting a plural and subjective perception of female sex appeal.
Longevity and media notoriety are key criteria in the perception of seduction. Monica Bellucci remains an essential reference of Italian glamour, with strong intergenerational recognition.
Actresses’ attractiveness varies significantly depending on respondents’ age and gender. Younger generations favor emerging figures, while older generations remain attached to icons of Italian cinema.
The ranking reveals a fairly marked hierarchy, dominated by Luca Argentero, who clearly leads with 21% of the votes. His image, combining notoriety, maturity, and charisma, seems to reach a broad consensus.
Behind him, Stefano De Martino confirms his strong seductive capital with 15%, driven by cross-platform popularity between television and entertainment. Can Yaman, with 11%, completes the podium, embodying a more physical and international attractiveness.
The rest of the ranking is tighter: Gabriel Garko receives 10%, followed by Alberto Angela at 8% and Alessandro Borghi at 6%, profiles appreciated for their media credibility and cultural aura.
From this point, scores drop sharply, signaling a more fragmented sex appeal: Ignazio Moser (3%), followed by a group at 2% including Carlo Conti, Andrea Damante, and Fabrizio Bisciglia. Finally, several personalities close the ranking with 1% each (Federico Rossi, Mariano Di Vaio, Pierpaolo Pretelli, Marco Fantini).
Luca Argentero is perceived as the most fascinating male personality on Italian television. Younger generations prefer modern figures linked to digital trends. Intellectual figures, such as Alberto Angela, have their own segment of admirers.
Media exposure is essential. Luca Argentero and Stefano De Martino are regularly in the spotlight. Can Yaman and Gabriel Garko appeal to a younger audience, while figures like Alberto Angela resonate with a more mature public.
Attractiveness among television personalities varies strongly by age and gender. Younger generations favor figures associated with pop culture, while older audiences are drawn to established and charismatic personalities.
The ranking is dominated by Elisabetta Canalis, who leads with 15%, confirming her status as a reference for sex appeal in Italy. She is closely followed by Belén Rodriguez (14%) and Diletta Leotta (13%), two highly mediatised personalities associated with a modern and glamorous image.
Just behind them, Michelle Hunziker reaches 12%, while Sabrina Ferilli collects 11%, illustrating the lasting appeal of more established figures perceived as elegant and charismatic.
From sixth position onward, the gap widens significantly: Francesca Fagnani reaches 6%, followed by Melissa Satta and Bianca Balti at 5% each. The following profiles plateau at 3% (Giorgia Rossi, Selvaggia Lucarelli, Ilary Blasi, Chiara Ferragni), reflecting more segmented appeal.
At the bottom of the ranking, Paola Di Benedetto and Veronica Ferraro close with 1% each. Finally, 6% of respondents state that they do not mention any of these celebrities, reflecting a certain distance or lack of identification with the proposed profiles.
The ranking is relatively balanced across generations.
Influencers and reality TV stars, such as Chiara Ferragni and Veronica Ferraro, have little impact in this category.
Elisabetta Canalis and Belén Rodriguez dominate perceptions of seduction among female television personalities in Italy.
Younger generations favor modern stars, while older ones remain loyal to iconic television figures.
Media popularity and longevity in the television industry are essential criteria in the perception of seduction.
Elisabetta Canalis, Belén Rodriguez, and Diletta Leotta are currently the benchmarks of attractiveness in the Italian television landscape.
The ranking is led by Damiano David, who tops the list with 12%, confirming his strong power of attraction. He slightly surpasses Marco Mengoni (11%) and Achille Lauro (10%), two artists known for their bold style and strong media presence.
In the middle of the ranking, Nek reaches 8%, while Eros Ramazzotti and Mahmood each receive 7%, showing a balance between historic figures of Italian music and more recent artists.
The second half of the ranking is tighter: Francesco Gabbani, Irama, and Tiziano Ferro receive 4% each. Finally, Gianluca Ginoble (Il Volo), Blanco, Fedez, and Ultimo close the ranking with 3%, reflecting a more diffuse and segmented appeal.
Singers’ attractiveness varies according to respondents’ age and gender.
Younger audiences prefer contemporary artists, while older generations remain attached to past icons.
Respondents aged 66 and over show a high percentage of “none of these artists” responses, suggesting weaker identification with the proposed personalities.
This chart shows a very strong preference for Elodie, who largely leads with 25% of the votes. She is followed by Annalisa (16%) and Rose Villain (12%), forming a trio clearly detached from the rest of the ranking.
Behind them, Elettra Lamborghini reaches 10%, while Giorgia and Laura Pausini follow equally with 6% each.
From this point on, scores become more dispersed: Angelina Mango and Nina Zilli receive 4%, followed by Emma Marrone and Alessandra Amoroso at 3% each. The final positions remain marginal, with Giusy Ferreri (2%), Levante and Francesca Michielin (1% each).
Finally, 6% of respondents state that they do not prefer any of these celebrities, indicating that part of the audience remains outside these media figures.
Votes are predominantly male, confirming that these singers mainly attract a male audience.
Elodie and Annalisa record a strong preference among men, reinforcing their role as glamour icons.
Some singers, such as Giorgia and Laura Pausini, benefit from more balanced support between men and women.
Respondents aged 66 and over are more likely not to vote for a female singer, indicating a greater distance from contemporary musical figures.
Actors and actresses considered the sexiest are often iconic figures with long careers and a glamorous image deeply rooted in popular culture.
In music, rebellious and avant-garde artists appeal more to younger generations.
In sports, athletes with strong media exposure and natural charisma dominate preferences.
Television personalities must combine talent and visibility to be perceived as seductive.
Charisma and notoriety are key factors across all sectors, but modern image and media exposure play a decisive role.
Younger generations (18–34) favor new glamour icons:
- Damiano David, Achille Lauro, Elodie, Annalisa, Stefano De Martino, and Diletta Leotta dominate among younger respondents.
- Social media stars and bold artists particularly appeal to this age group.
Older generations (50+) remain loyal to iconic figures from the past:
- Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini, Monica Bellucci, Raoul Bova, and Federica Pellegrini receive strong support among respondents aged 50–65 and 66+.
- Historic icons retain their seductive power, even if their popularity declines among younger audiences.
Age strongly influences preferences, creating a contrast between modernity and tradition.
Male preferences focus on glamorous and sexy figures with strong media exposure:
- Elodie, Annalisa, Diletta Leotta, Elisabetta Canalis, and Belén Rodriguez strongly appeal to male audiences.
Female preferences are more varied, with greater emphasis on charisma and personality:
- Luca Argentero, Marco Mengoni, and Matteo Berrettini enjoy strong popularity among women.
- Artists with distinctive styles, such as Damiano David and Can Yaman, also captivate this audience.
Men prioritize seductive aesthetics and glamour, while women place greater importance on charisma and attitude.
Tennis and athletics dominate male rankings:
- Matteo Berrettini and Gianmarco Tamberi are considered the most attractive.
- Football, despite its popularity, lacks figures widely perceived as sexy in Italy.
Among women, athletes with strong media exposure stand out:
- Federica Pellegrini leads, followed by Sofia Goggia and Flavia Pennetta.
Individual sports are more valued than team sports.
Athletes are respected, but perceptions of their seductive power depend heavily on media exposure and public persona.
Some categories feature widely recognized figures:
- Monica Bellucci, Raoul Bova, and Luca Argentero are benchmarks of seduction.
Other categories show high abstention rates (“none of these celebrities”):
- Male singers suffer from a lack of consensus, with 20% of respondents selecting none.
- Female athletes and certain television personalities are less recognized.
Some figures of seduction are timeless, while other categories lack unifying icons.
Image and media exposure are essential:
Celebrities perceived as sexy are those occupying a prominent place in the media landscape.
A strong generational divide:
- Younger generations favor modern and bold figures.
- Older generations remain attached to traditional icons.
Men and women perceive seduction differently:
- Men vote for glamorous and highly mediatised figures.
- Women favor charismatic and confident personalities.
Athletes attract more through charisma and success than through physical appearance alone.
Some categories lack iconic figures:
- Particularly male singers and certain less-exposed television personalities struggle to impose themselves as symbols of seduction.
A study conducted by:
Audrey Mandefield, Pauline Poché
TO CITE THIS STUDY, PLEASE USE AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING WORDING:
“Discurv study for XloveCam conducted via a self-administered online questionnaire in December 2023 among a sample of 1,000 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over.”
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