February 2025
This new study follows on from previous surveys conducted by Discurv for XloveCam on the sexiest Italian celebrities.
The ranking is dominated by one clear leader. Matteo Berrettini comes out far ahead with 27% of the votes, nearly three times more than his closest competitor. His profile combines media visibility, sporting success and a highly valued physical image, making him the undisputed benchmark for Italian sporting sex appeal.
Behind him, the gap is significant. Gianmarco Tamberi comes in second with 9%, followed by Marcell Jacobs (8%). Both embody an attractiveness linked to athletic performance and memorable achievements, particularly in athletics.
A second group is formed by well-known but less universally popular figures:
Gianluigi Buffon and Gregorio Paltrinieri each receive 7%, combining charisma, longevity and sporting fame.
Jannik Sinner follows with 6%, supported by his younger image and rapidly rising profile.
Some celebrities have a much stronger appeal among women. Matteo Berrettini (tennis) and Gianmarco Tamberi (athletics) are particularly popular with female respondents. Other athletes, such as Buffon and Paltrinieri, have a more balanced distribution. Men are more divided and show no clear preference for any particular athlete.
Tennis is perceived as the sport with the most attractive athletes, particularly Berrettini and, to a lesser extent, Sinner. Athletics follows, thanks to strong recent media exposure surrounding Tamberi, Jacobs and Tortu.
Contrary to expectations, football does not dominate this ranking, although Buffon remains a respected figure. Attractiveness varies considerably according to gender and age, with women showing a stronger preference for certain celebrities.
This ranking reveals a very clear hierarchy. Federica Pellegrini largely dominates perceptions with 23% of the votes, establishing herself as the most attractive figure in the panel. Her appeal clearly extends beyond sport: she embodies a national icon who combines sporting achievement, media visibility and a lasting place in the collective imagination.
Behind her, the gap is significant. Sofia Goggia and Flavia Pennetta follow with 10% each. Their attractiveness appears to be more closely linked to the recognition they have gained in highly visible sports — skiing and tennis — than to generational appeal or novelty.
A second group emerges at around 7%, consisting of Larissa Iapichino, Paola Egonu and Marta Menegatti. These athletes enjoy a strong image within their respective sports, but their appeal remains more segmented and reaches specific audiences.
At the bottom of the ranking, preferences are more dispersed:
Female attractiveness in Italian sport is therefore strongly centred around one leading figure, while the other athletes share more modest scores, revealing a more fragmented perception of sex appeal influenced by media visibility and symbolic status.
Perceptions of attractiveness vary significantly according to age and gender. Younger generations prefer up-and-coming athletes, while older generations remain loyal to iconic figures in Italian sport.
15% of respondents did not choose any female athlete, a lower proportion than among men (22%).
The ranking highlights a very clear preference for some of the most iconic actors in Italian cinema. Raoul Bova comes out well ahead with 22%, confirming his status as an absolute benchmark for attractiveness. His image combines maturity, elegance and a consistent media presence, allowing him to establish a significant lead.
He is followed by Luca Argentero, who receives 17% of the votes. He also enjoys strong sex appeal, built on a prominent screen presence and popularity across generations.
Behind this leading duo, the dynamic changes considerably. Alessandro Gassmann and Marcello Mastroianni each receive 7%, reflecting an attractiveness that is more symbolic than widespread, often linked to legacy, charisma or collective memory.
The rest of the ranking shows a significant dispersion of votes:
Media recognition and longevity in the film industry are key factors. Raoul Bova and Luca Argentero are the leading symbols of attractiveness in contemporary Italian cinema.
Actors’ attractiveness varies considerably according to the age and gender of respondents. Younger generations favour more modern figures, while older generations prefer actors who have left their mark on the history of Italian cinema.
Women strongly influence the results, tending to choose charismatic actors with a significant media presence.
The results reveal the clear dominance of major icons of Italian cinema. Monica Bellucci leads with 23% of the votes, confirming her status as the ultimate benchmark for attractiveness, well beyond generational differences.
Behind her, Miriam Leone receives 17%, embodying a more contemporary form of attractiveness that is already firmly established. Sabrina Ferilli, with 13%, maintains strong appeal thanks to her popular and timeless image.
From fourth place onwards, preferences become more fragmented: Ornella Muti receives 9%, while Sophia Loren remains present with 7%, demonstrating that charisma does not fade with time. An intermediate group consisting of Matilda De Angelis, Claudia Cardinale and Maria Grazia Cucinotta receives 5%, combining cinematic heritage with modernity.
At the bottom of the ranking, the results become more dispersed: Paola Cortellesi receives 4%, Asia Argento and Alessandra Mastronardi 3%, Valeria Golino 2%, and Benedetta Porcaroli 1%. Finally, 4% of respondents say they do not identify with any of these celebrities, highlighting the diverse and subjective nature of perceptions of female sex appeal.
Longevity and media recognition are key factors in perceptions of attractiveness. Monica Bellucci remains an undisputed symbol of Italian glamour, with strong recognition across generations.
The attractiveness of actresses varies considerably according to respondents’ age and gender. Younger generations favour emerging figures, while older generations remain attached to icons of Italian cinema.
The ranking reveals a fairly clear hierarchy, dominated by Luca Argentero, who comes out well ahead with 21% of the votes. His image, combining fame, maturity and charisma, appears to appeal to a large proportion of the public.
Behind him, Stefano De Martino confirms his strong sex appeal with 15%, supported by broad popularity across television and entertainment. Can Yaman, with 11%, completes the top three and embodies a more physical and international form of attractiveness.
The rest of the ranking is more tightly grouped: Gabriel Garko receives 10%, followed by Alberto Angela with 8% and Alessandro Borghi with 6%, all appreciated for their media credibility and cultural appeal.
From this point onwards, scores drop sharply, indicating more fragmented sex appeal: Ignazio Moser receives 3%, followed by Carlo Conti, Andrea Damante and Fabrizio Bisciglia at 2%. Finally, Federico Rossi, Mariano Di Vaio, Pierpaolo Pretelli and Marco Fantini complete the ranking with 1% each.
Luca Argentero is perceived as the most attractive male personality on Italian television. Younger generations prefer modern figures associated with digital trends. Intellectual personalities such as Alberto Angela have their own segment of admirers.
Media visibility is essential. Luca Argentero and Stefano De Martino are regularly in the spotlight. Can Yaman and Gabriel Garko appeal to younger audiences, while figures such as Alberto Angela attract a more mature audience.
The appeal of TV personalities varies considerably according to age and gender. Younger generations prefer figures associated with pop culture, while older people are attracted to established and charismatic personalities.
The ranking is led by Elisabetta Canalis, who comes first with 15%, confirming her status as a benchmark for sex appeal in Italy. She is closely followed by Belen Rodriguez (14%) and Diletta Leotta (13%), two personalities with extensive media exposure and a modern, glamorous image.
Just behind them, Michelle Hunziker receives 12%, while Sabrina Ferilli gets 11%, illustrating the lasting appeal of more established figures perceived as elegant and charismatic.
From sixth place onwards, the gap widens considerably: Francesca Fagnani receives 6%, followed by Melissa Satta and Bianca Balti with 5% each. The following figures receive 3% — Giorgia Rossi, Selvaggia Lucarelli, Ilary Blasi and Chiara Ferragni — indicating more segmented appeal.
At the bottom of the ranking, Paola Di Benedetto and Veronica Ferraro receive 1% each. Finally, 6% of respondents do not select any of these celebrities, reflecting a certain distance from or lack of identification with the proposed figures.
The ranking is relatively balanced across the different generations. Influencers and reality TV stars such as Chiara Ferragni and Veronica Ferraro have relatively little impact in this category.
Elisabetta Canalis and Belén Rodriguez dominate perceptions of attractiveness among female TV personalities in Italy.
Younger generations favour modern stars, while older respondents remain loyal to iconic television figures.
Media popularity and longevity in the television industry are key factors in perceptions of attractiveness.
Elisabetta Canalis, Belén Rodriguez and Diletta Leotta are currently the leading figures in terms of attractiveness in the Italian television landscape.
The ranking is led by Damiano David, who comes first with 12%, confirming his strong appeal among the public. He is slightly ahead of Marco Mengoni (11%) and Achille Lauro (10%), two artists known for their distinctive style and media visibility.
In the middle of the ranking, Nek receives 8%, while Eros Ramazzotti and Mahmood each receive 7%, showing a balance between established figures in Italian music and more recent artists.
The second half of the ranking is more tightly grouped: Francesco Gabbani, Irama and Tiziano Ferro each receive 4%. Finally, Gianluca Ginoble (Il Volo), Blanco, Fedez and Ultimo complete the ranking with 3%, reflecting more diffuse and segmented appeal.
The attractiveness of male singers varies according to respondents’ age and gender.
Younger people prefer contemporary artists, while older generations remain attached to icons from the past.
People aged 66 and over show a high percentage of “none of these artists” responses, suggesting lower identification with the personalities presented.
This chart shows a very strong preference for Elodie, who leads by a wide margin with 25% of the votes. She is followed by Annalisa (16%) and Rose Villain (12%), forming a top three that clearly stands apart from the rest of the ranking.
Behind them, Elettra Lamborghini receives 10%, while Giorgia and Laura Pausini are tied at 6% each.
From there, the scores become more dispersed: Angelina Mango and Nina Zilli receive 4%, followed by Emma Marrone and Alessandra Amoroso with 3% each. The final positions remain marginal, with Giusy Ferreri at 2%, and Levante and Francesca Michielin at 1% each.
Finally, 6% of respondents say they do not prefer any of these celebrities, indicating that part of the public does not identify with these media figures.
Votes are predominantly from men, confirming that these female singers mainly appeal to a male audience.
Elodie and Annalisa are particularly popular among men, reinforcing their status as glamour icons.
Some singers, such as Giorgia and Laura Pausini, receive more balanced support from men and women.
People aged 66 and over are more likely not to vote for any female singer, indicating a greater distance from contemporary music personalities.
Actors and actresses considered the sexiest are often iconic figures with long careers and a glamorous image firmly rooted in popular culture.
In music, rebellious and avant-garde artists appeal more strongly to younger generations.
In sport, athletes with strong media exposure and natural charisma dominate preferences.
Television personalities need to combine talent and visibility to be perceived as attractive.
Charisma and fame are key factors across all sectors, but a modern image and media exposure play a decisive role.
Younger generations (18–34) favour new glamour icons:
Older generations (50+) remain loyal to iconic figures from the past:
Age strongly influences preferences, creating a contrast between modernity and tradition.
Men’s preferences are concentrated around glamorous and sexy figures who often receive significant media exposure:
Women’s preferences are more varied, with particular emphasis on charisma and personality:
Men favour a sexy and glamorous aesthetic, while women place greater importance on charisma and attitude.
Tennis and athletics dominate the male rankings:
Among women, athletes with strong media exposure stand out:
Individual sports are valued more highly than team sports.
Athletes are respected, but perceptions of their sex appeal depend heavily on their media exposure and public personality.
Some categories include widely recognised figures:
Other categories have a high abstention rate (“none of these celebrities”):
Some icons of attractiveness are timeless, while other categories lack unifying figures.
Image and media exposure are essential:
Celebrities perceived as sexy are those who occupy a prominent place in the media landscape.
A strong generational divide:
Men and women have different perceptions of attractiveness:
Athletes appeal more through their charisma and success than through physical appearance alone.
Some categories lack iconic figures:
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 representative sample of 1,000 people from the French population aged 18 and over.”